Television Helps Break Mystique of Holy Warrior (72 dark-eyed virgins need not apply)

The Financial Times ^ | March 24, 2005 | Steve Negus and Dhiya Rasan

[quidnunc]

Say the word mujahid — or holy warrior — these days and many inhabitants of Baghdad are likely to snigger.

An appellation once worn as a badge of pride by anti-American insurgents has now become street slang for homosexuals, after men claiming to be captured Islamist guerrillas confessed that they were holding gay orgies in the popular Iraqi TV programme Terror in the Hands of Justice.

For Iraqis opposed to the predominantly Sunni Islamist insurgency, Terror in the Hands of Justice, which airs twice daily on Iraqi public television, has broken the mystique of a force that used to strike terror into the hearts of anyone working with the Americans or the new government.

But for many Sunni, even some who do not support the insurgents' goals, the programme's suggestion that the entire guerrilla movement comprises sexual libertines and petty criminals is an insult to their community.

The "terrorists" on television are almost certainly not actors but genuine detainees arrested by the security forces on suspicion of being part of the insurgency. Many Iraqis claim to have recognised on television the guerrillas who threatened them, while the families of some of the televised detainees have called up Iraqi politicians trying to convince them of their sons' innocence.

However, many Iraqis believe that the stern-faced officers of the "Wolf Brigade", the Iraqi security unit that arrested most of the alleged terrorists, may have pushed the suspects — some of whom appear on the programme sporting bruises — to embellish their "confessions".

-snip-

[Begferdeth]

Well, nobody ever said those 72 virgins had to be female.

[vbmoneyspender]

But for many Sunni, even some who do not support the insurgents' goals, the programme's suggestion that the entire guerrilla movement comprises sexual libertines and petty criminals is an insult to their community.

Better send Oprah over there. Members of the Sunni guerrilla movement have had their feelings hurt.

[paudio]

One long-bearded preacher known as Abu Tabarek recently confessed that guerrillas had usually held orgies in his mosques, secure in the knowledge that their status as holy warriors would win them forgiveness of their sins.

Now it's clear why the leftists and liberals in Hollywood love the insurgents...

[Waco]

Wait till Hollyweird gets hold of this.

[McGavin999]

OMG, now we're going to have GLAD out protesting to protect the terrorists.

[fso301]

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

[No Longer Free State]

"No, you dumbass, I said 72 Virginians !!!"

[Tribune7]

Maybe the Abu Gharib pixs were just a brillant ploy by Karl Rove to get these guys to surrender.

[jolie560]

The Sunni are offended. Those mirrors sure are tough to look into.

[jolie560]

The Sunni are offended. Those mirrors sure are tough to look into.

[Yossarian]

Gay orgies, eh? So many "virgin" jokes, so little time, and after trying to type some up here, all way too damn disturbing....

- (a self-censoring, for once) Yossarian

[Doctor Raoul]

They lied, you get to pick a 72 year old virgin, Medea Benjamin, Gael Murphy, Leslie Cagan, Ramsey Clark or Jeanne Garofalo.

[underbyte]

some of whom appear on the program sporting bruises — to embellish their "confessions"

That's why only the Iraqis can solve the insurgency problem they know what it's going to take and are willing to do what's necessary to get the job done

[Northern Alliance]

Say the word mujahid — or holy warrior — these days and many inhabitants of Baghdad are likely to snigge

If that is really true, the significance is huge.

[WOSG]

PING -for Liberating Iraq.

[swilhelm73]

However, many Iraqis believe that the stern-faced officers of the "Wolf Brigade", the Iraqi security unit that arrested most of the alleged terrorists, may have pushed the suspects — some of whom appear on the programme sporting bruises — to embellish their "confessions".

Hmm, well look at what Muhammed Atta and his jihadi minions were up to shortly before 9/11 - hitting strip clubs and getting drunk. I'm guessing the former is against Islam and I know the latter is.

Note, however, how the MSM here uses the passive voice to make a case for which they give *no* evidence.

[ColdWarNavyVet_dirsup]

anyone familiar with Islamic society would not be surprised by the article. Saudi princes have apartment buildings full of young boys for their pleasure, a well known fact in the Arab world.

if Lawrence were still alive - he might confess that this particular aspect was what drew him to partake so deeply of this society...

Raphael Patai writes in the Arab Mind about male bonding...
it's just the location in the mosque that's wierd (well... perhaps not, if one considers that the Arabic word for mosque is jamiyah)

either way, it's a sad indictment of their society.

[river rat]

The Sunni would be a WHOLE lot more offended, if they knew of my wishes for their future.....

Semper Fi

[Gunrunner2]

"For children a woman, for pleasure a boy"

Arab saying.