[Mitchell]

I always understood that pictures were considered to be un-Islamic -- that abstract designs, as you see in mosques, for instance, were acceptable, but that pictures of real people and things were prohibited by a strict interpretation of Islam.

Yet we see recruiting videos like the one described here, videos showing Osama bin Laden (and authorized by him), etc.

Does anyone know how this seeming discrepancy is resolved by the Muslim faithful?

[Light Speed]

Islam came from a region where banditry..clan assoc..and murder were the norm.
This Fantasmagorical expression of religion is a lie..the only benefit they derived for mankind has passed..the math physics and art expression from pre-rennisance times..now they are simply psyhcos with modern weapons.
The Islam that was worth something is gone..all that is left is Gangster regimes , murders and self centered PATHALOGICAL LIERS.
Even with all the benfits of living in western society..they still are drawn to the tribal..Neandertal ..gyrating screaming chimp..Jew killing thing!.
Maybe I should stand corrected..maybe Neandertals were never so mentally "F-ed UP!"

[AMDG&BVMH]

but that pictures of real people and things were prohibited by a strict interpretation of Islam

Good point. The Taliban prohibited television. It seems they can justify anything they want to in the name of jihad. But impose entirely different restrictions on their people when they are in charge of a government . . .

[unending thunder]

Here in Oldham where we had the riots in May, our town symbol is an owl, which was the crest of Thomas Oldham c. 1560 a big local landowner etc.,

Cast Iron bollards some 3 feet high were installed to marke the limits of a pdestrian area and to keep vehicles off. They were black with a sylised owl 2 dimensional crest picked out in gold. After protests from Muslims the Council replaced them with plain bollards. When asked the Engineering department said the old ones had "worn out".

The US is perhaps more technically advanced than us limeys so will someone tell me how a cast iron bollard "wears out"

Peaceful my @ss

[Prodigal Daughter]

Islam forbids gambling, but Arafat and other Pallies own a casino in Jericho. Same principle. Everything's legal for Moslems including killing innocent infidels.