Islamists protest US naval presence for cyclone relief

Earth Times ^ | Nov 23 2007

[camerakid400]

haka, Nov 24 - Several hundred activists of the radical Islamic group Hizb ut Tahrir staged protests here before the arrival of two ships of the US Navy for distributing relief supplies among cyclone-affected people.

Two warships, USS Essex and USS Kearsarge -- each carrying 20 helicopters and 3,500 marines on board with emergency relief supplies, medical and emergency evacuation teams -- are scheduled to enter Bangladesh waters Saturday and Tuesday.

The protesters Friday carried a banner reading 'Prevent American ships from entering the Bay of Bengal in the name of distributing relief' and chanted slogans 'Go back to America' and 'US has no place in Bangladesh'.

The outfit's leader Kazi Morshedul Haque told the rally that every Bangladeshi had come forward to help cyclone victims along with the army, navy and air force, 'so it is a shame on us, Muslims, that we are allowing the US on our land'.

The protest was held amidst tight security at Baitul Muqarram, one of the country's largest mosques and a major Dhaka landmark where religious gatherings take place.

The protestors were allowed to hold the meeting, but were intercepted by the police and paramilitary Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) when they tried to stage a march.

The police picked up the organisation's leaders soon after the protest, while they were returning home, the New Age newspaper reported Saturday.

While the Bangladesh Government has appealed for help from the international community and many countries have responded, pledging over $550 million and flying in relief material, Islamists have opposed the presence of the US military.

'It will be a big support for us. With the joining of US Marines and ships, our relief operation and rehabilitation in the cyclone-hit districts will be boosted,' said Brigadier General Kazi Abidus Samad, head of operation and planning at the Armed Forces Division.

The Islamist groups in Bangladesh, as elsewhere in the Muslim world, have been protesting the US presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the Kearsarge was in the Gulf region, the Essex was wrapping up an exercise in South Korea when they were ordered to head for Bangladesh. The ships could be used in medical evacuation and survey of the cyclone-ravaged areas and will coordinate their relief efforts with the Bangladesh military, the US embassy in Dhaka said in a statement.

[Cindy]

Adding to post no. 19:

When I think of anti-Americans, Pelosi, Reid, Hugo Chavez, Ahmadinejad come to mind (small sampler).

[Cindy]

You beat me to it — thinking along the same lines.

[camerakid400]

excellent point.

[DakotaRed]

Not a problem for me. They don’t want help, turn around and let them all die. Their choice.

[Cindy]

Adding to post no.19:

...and I thank God for the Marines!

[LZ_Bayonet]

"I know this sort of thing can be infuriating, but maybe we should consider some context. The article says “several hundred activists” demonstrated. This is from a population of about 150 million."

Yes, that very tiny minority is empowered when we leave out the context.

[Cementjungle]

Makes me wonder what kind of propaganda they may have been fed. Why else would they be so adamant against our help?

They've probably been watching CNN for the past few years.

[BobS]

Just blow it up! If they don’t like it, screw em. Blow them up with SM-3s if that’s not enough. Muslims are starting to sound like somebody’s 3rd or 4th wife. Just like Mrs. Clinton.

[Iron Munro]

The Myth Of The Moderate Muslim

We know enough about Islam now that we shouldn't expect muslims to act in ways that are rational or civilized by western Judeo/Christian standards.

But most of our "leaders" and media remain delusional about Islam and believe (or pretend to believe) there is some great silent majority of "moderate muslims" that are just like us and are waiting in the wings to be discovered.
The truth is that a "moderate muslim" is an anomoly way out on the fringes of the bell curve.

Helping a muslim is like feeding a poisonous snake.
The snake, like a muslim, may accept your aid but at the first opportunity will attack you because that is its nature.

[austrian]

Not a problem for me. They don’t want help, turn around and let them all die. Their choice.

---

would be fine for me too. but unfortunatly will not happen.
it allways wonders me why the “west” keeps pumping money and aid into 3rd world muslim countries. do we really think they would help us too if it would be the other way around?
they hate us with passion anyway, so why help them?

[expatguy]

I warned about this group a long while back - sadly the US government and the rest of the world don't seem to take this seriously.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[madconserv]

Why always us first? Where are the U.N. peace ships? We are not even the richest country in the world anymore. The value of the dollar is dropping. The euro is greater. Let an Euro rich nation send aid.

[max americana]

absolutely. but then again, it’s only a “hundred’ activists so they don;t speak for everybody there.

...and no pictures from the foreign press how we “infidels’ helped the mooslums.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

It is a mistake to try to do anything at all for these people. They have to be kept out of all civilized countries.

[austrian]

Why always us first? Where are the U.N. peace ships? We are not even the richest country in the world anymore. The value of the dollar is dropping. The euro is greater. Let an Euro rich nation send aid.

---

as far as i know EU has paid about 5 million euro. sounds not much. (but this does not include single EU countries which allways aid
people too on their own). but why to hell aid people who want us all dead. (of course i don´t believe that every muslim want us killed) but i don´t think they would have a problem if the so called “west” would end. of course they would miss the aid. strange i did not here that other muslim states give aid to their “brothers” and “sisters”. it´s all the same, they take our money and then they call us the great satan. i think it´s time to learn the hard way. let them see what is happening to them or who will help them if we would be all gone.

[sure_fine]

” Several hundred activists of the radical Islamic group Hizb ut Tahrir “

sounds like good target practice for 3,500 marines

[freeangel]

“let all the muslims die”

That’s such a sad way to be—and yet it was my first thought when I heard about this recent disaster.

[toddlintown]

Kill all of them or leave. Either way, they hate us.

[singfreedom]

Amen.

[toddlintown]

I read your thread on Obama on your site. Very intersting, revealing.