(Spanish) Troops Bear 'Moor Killer' Badges (Crosses In Iraq)

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 7-25-2003 | Giles Tremlett

[blam]

Troops bear 'Moor Killer' badges

Giles Tremlett in Madrid
Friday July 25, 2003
The Guardian (UK)

A row broke out in Spain yesterday after the country sent its first troops to patrol Iraq wearing on their shoulders the Cross of St James of Compostela - popularly known in Spain as "the Moor Killer". Patches bearing the cross, the symbol of a saint who allegedly guided the medieval Christian re conquista of Spain from the Muslims, are to be worn by a 2,000-strong Spanish brigade in central Iraq, who will patrol the sacred Shia city of Najaf.

While newspapers and radio stations reacted with astonishment at the choice of symbol, politicians avoided the argument.

"If we start debating this subject the risks surrounding the mission will only be increased," said a spokesman from the opposition Socialist party, Jesus Caldera.

Spaniards, unaccustomed to seeing their soldiers take part in what many see as an army of occupation, already view the Iraq mission with concern.

The deaths of more than 40 US and British soldiers since the Iraq war was officially declared over has increased worries about the prime minister Jose Maria Aznar's willingness to help the countries whose troops ousted Saddam Hussein.

"To put the Cross of St James of Compostela on the uniforms of Spanish soldiers supposes an absolute ignorance of the society in which they will have to carry out their mission," fumed El Mundo newspaper in an editorial.

"It would be difficult to come up with any symbol more offensive to the Shia population than this cross."

[ffusco]

awesome!

[Cicero]

This appears to be another typical piece of Guardian ignorance and bigotry.

Catholics believe that the Shrine of Santiago de Compostela is the burial place of the Apostle James. That was many, many years before the Moorish invasion of Spain, and still more years before the Reconquista.

And why was it wrong for the Spaniards to drive out the invaders who came into their country and killed off most of their people?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Unless they and we and everyone else involved is willing to totally subjugate these people (e.g. military occupancy, governance, and domination), this is a dumb thing to do.

[Chad Fairbanks]

"It would be difficult to come up with any symbol more offensive to the Shia population than this cross."

How about a patch with a picture of Mohammed the Prophet being ummm entertained by the 'Squeal Like a Pig' guys from "Deliverance"????

[goody2shooz]

"It would be difficult to come up with any symbol more offensive to the Shia population than this cross."

Too bad. They have to learn tolerance and accept the REAL WORLD of multiple religions (all of which believe themselves to be the one and only true religion) and many varied cultures, particularly if they want to get along with others in the global community. That, or eventually be destroyed.

[Henrietta]

Well, if the Moors gonna be that sensitive, then they should immediately send home anyone with the last name 'Matamoros' (Moor killer).

[B-Chan]

¡VIVA EL CID!
¡SANTIAGO!

[Steel Wolf]

This is true. In our multicultural world, they must understand to cherish and celebrate the differences of other people. If the Spanish celebrate the slaughter of Muslim invaders, well, that's just who they are, and it would be wrong of us, or for the Iraqis, to judge them, right?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Exactly! ;0)

[nopardons]

Maybe they should have made banners with pictures of ( and the name ) " EL CID ", to carry, as they march into Iraq. LOL

[nopardons]

Oh, you beat me to the punch. :-)

[CARepubGal]

Figured you would be here. And I like the insignia. A nice Crusader Cross on the surcoats would be perfect also. :-)


DEUS VULT!

[fish hawk]

In the spirit of El Cid!!!

[Britton J Wingfield]

This is an amazingly dumb thing to do.

Don't tease the animals!

[Incorrigible]

The Cross from the article:

 

The "Moor Killer" himself, Santiago de Compostela

 

[Genesis defender]

Somehow, I don't think the average Iraqi civilian is going to see a Spanish soldier and say, "Hey! They're wearing the Cross of St. James of Compostela! He was that "Moor Killer". Let's get them!" The cross isn't going to take up the entire front or back of their uniform; it's going to be on a little shoulder patch.

Big deal.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I have little doubt that someone will shove a microphone into the face of some unenlightened individual and ask them how badly does that infidels cross indicating the evil and oppressive acts of St. James of Compostela make them feel.

It won't take long after that for everyone to know what it means. And for deaths to soon follow.

[FreedomPoster]

The news media industry will do exactly that in order to manufacture some news to drive their sales. They don't give a damn about the deaths this is likely to create.

Good call.

[R. Scott]

They’ve worn that symbol for better than five centuries.