Posted on 12/05/2002 3:37:52 PM PST by TLBSHOW
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - With Muslims worldwide growing more suspicious of the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with a visit Thursday to a mosque.
"The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than 1 billion people worldwide," Bush said. "Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility."
Bush left his shoes at the door, in keeping with the practice of the Islamic Center of Washington, a national center for Muslim culture and prayer. He also had visited six days after the terrorist attacks last year.
Back then, with a surge in hate crimes against Muslims in the United States, Bush was trying to defuse Americans' anger against Islam. Today, he has a different problem — increased hostility by Muslims around the world against America.
In an international survey released Wednesday, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found the image of the United States is slipping worldwide, and particularly in Middle Eastern countries with large Muslim populations. Large percentages of Muslim respondents in several countries said they believe suicide bomb attacks are a justifiable defense of Islam.
On Wednesday, Bush blamed America's tarnished image among Muslims on "propaganda machines (that) are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light."
The growing animosity comes at a time when Bush is trying to rally the world against terrorism and gather allies for possible military action against Iraq.
Inside the ornate mosque, Bush offered an explanation of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and renewed his defense of Islam.
Bush's speech was directed to a national and international audience. There was virtually no one inside except journalists and his staff. A few mosque officials stood next to Bush as he spoke.
"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity," Bush said.
"Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need, charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns, and gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance," he said.
From the Muslim event, Bush officially opened the Christmas season at the White House by lighting a Christmas tree just outside the gates.
You seem to be indicating that Muslim radicals are the majority.
How then can you justify your support of the Bush kid's political maneuver in defining that group as peaceful?
Two percent of population being soldiers is more than sufficient. For example American army is less than 5 million.
Source?
No, it's a valid point..
There are passages where the Jews are told to kill men, women and children.. even the animals of their enemy.
In the hands of a skilled propagandist that kind of thing can be used to incite hatred. That's why you see these guy's hitching their cart to Islam's horse.
Repeating the violent stuff only makes their point for them.
Their sermon is being delivered in absentia and credibility is being given to Osama's claim that all of Islam is being targeted by "the infidels" In short: You are carrying Osama's water on this.
Don't follow the herd in condemning every Muslim over the actions of a few.
I gave you the source. It's my practicing Muslim neighbor.
It makes sense to me. That's why he ignores the bullshit about "killing infidels."
It's why Christians ignore the specific commands that God gave the Jews in the Old Testament.
They don't apply to us, any more.
By the same token, why haven't all Muslims realized Osama is right and joined in his Jihad?
I don't have to justify what the President does. I know what I believe based on my own life experiences with Muslim friends, just as I know that all Christians aren't perfect either. He could believe as you do and I would disagree with him.
Just so happens that I agree with him on this issue.
Sounds like some Christians that pick and choose which passages to ignore.
First of all, "foreign Muslims" ARE trying to take over from within. There are numerous reports of foreign and American Muslims, incuding leadership, of supporting radical Islam in some manner. The authorities are detaining them regularly. A number of Mosques are on the radar screen of late...and we know what some of the Mosques are teaching.
Secondly, it seems the Muslim religion is loyal first to other Muslims around the world and then to their home country. As evil, corrupt, and imperialistic as the Iraqui regime is, daily we see Muslims around the planet rail against our coming war with Saddam simply because it is an Islamic nation. What makes you think there is not a significant number of American Muslims who feel the same way.
Thirdly, at the very least, Islam is mysoginistic which I find abhorrent and savage. I love and respect women and HATE the way they're treated by the Islamic men. They are not lesser beings than men, as the Koran so often points out and the men practice.
Lastly, I agree with President Bush's actions. What a huge mistake it would be to further inflame resentment towards the Muslim population. It will build on its own, unfortunately.
Well, WTF?
You want to kill the Jihadders and then condemn the rest for not helping them?
What the hell kinda logic is that?
It makes sense to me. That's why he ignores the bullshit about "killing infidels."
It's why Christians ignore the specific commands that God gave the Jews in the Old Testament.
They don't apply to us, any more.
No, how does this Muslim know these statements no longer apply? Anyone with any common sense can read the OT and see who and what God is talking about when He is giving commands. The statements in the Koran are in the general sense, so where are the context clues that show it was talking about a specific situation?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.