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.
That's a good point ---I don't think he should forget what happens to Muslims who try to have their own opinions about the ideology. Salmon Rushdie is one example, they aren't allowed to think for themselves or it's the death penalty.
All Germans weren't Nazis, were they? Especially those who were American citizens.
I'm sure some skinheads are the nicest people you could meet but they believe in a certain ideology for a reason so I don't trust any.
Actually, some skinheads are nice, but you're right not to condemn all white people for the actions of a few skinheads.
Mainstream Muslims don't murder.
This what makes Christianity special is not Old Testament but the New! New Testament replaced or revelealed the hidden intention of the Old.
And of course the best way to "reorganize the Muslim world" is by engaging in over-the-top smooching of the posteriors of American Muslims at photo-op royales. This in turn (Ssshhh) will lull of course the rest of "Islam World" into a false sense of camraderie with the infidel President Bush.
Salman Rushdie ridiculed specific Iranian mullahs. It was a personal thing, not unlike a "hit" being ordered by the Mafia.
Given some of the things Rushdie has written since, maybe the mullahs were on to something.
What world are you from, anyway?
The are nearly 70 Muslim countries, with the exception of three or four, they are all totally oppressive. "Well, what about Turkey, or Indonesia, or Jordan," someone invariably asks. These are the best, and none are exactly free capitalist societies, and we know what is going on in Indonesia. (Bali, in case you forgot, and two bombings just today.)
They do not list any of the following: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the Sudan, which are the largest Muslim countries after Indonesia. One only needs to look at the news for any of these countries to observe the daily atrocities and obscene destruction Muslims engage in. Islam is peaceful and cooperative so long as its numbers are relatively small and the adherents are not exceptionally devout. All that changes when they gain power and believe their precious superstitions are being threatened by reason and intelligence. For example, recent events in Nigeria.
Already the Muslims in this country are beginning to be more agressive. Now that GWB and company are convincing them the USA is afraid of them, you can be sure the agression will be stepped up.
Freedom of speech entails an obligation to speak the truth. Those who waffle in this obligation for political reasons are committing treason against the truth. There is no excuse for not identifying I Islam for what it is, the stupidist, most backward, superstitious, culturally deprived and depraved, repressive religion in the world.
Those who defend Islam, whether from a naive belief that Islam really is a peaceful and benign religion with a few dangerous radicals, or from a desire not to offend others, are doing their part to keep millions of people enslaved, impovrished, and ignorant. There is no excuse for promoting an ideology that tyranizes its adherents, oppresses its women and children, and keeps them in slavish superstition. To not speak out loudly and clearly against this gross ignorance masquarading as a religion, is both inhumane and immoral. The greatest benefactors of this day are those who loudly proclaim the ethical evil and intellectual absudities of this corrupt ideology.
That's not you or George Bush, I guess. What does truth matter?
Hank
It's fine with me if Bush can successfully redefine Islam for these people but I'm afraid it's not going to work. You have to look inside the Koran for the true definition, Bush isn't even a mullah.
It will be a bright and happy day when, instead of a headline that reads "Bush Marks End of Ramadan...", we see a headline that reads "Bush Mocks End of Ramadan..."
Instead of saying "Islam is a religion of peace", let's hear him say "Islam is a religion of piss."
That is a very disengenuous comparison, and I find your sanctimony to be ridiculous in the extreme.
Extremist Muslims are committing all these murders IN THE NAME OF THEIR SHARED MUSLIM RELIGION.
Are you saying that they are entitled to remain mum on something that significant, but we are not entitled to resent their silence?
So moderate muslims are are afraid of "people like us?" Well, no wonder! There are Christian zealots running rampant all around the world, planting bombs in their sneakers, strapping bombs on their teenagers, firing missiles into airliners, enabling terrorist cells from within their churches, flying airliners into buildings, planting bombs in teenage discos, holding public celebrations in the streets over 3000 cold-blooded murders, and calling for the murder of all the rest of the non-believers.
Hell, I'd be scared of us too!
You know that because you're Christian (I presume).
A Muslim reading the Bible might think we're a bunch of savages because the Old Testament commands followers of God to stone adulterers.
See how this works when you're on the outside looking in?
You did say you thought there were not enough moderate Muslims to check the radicals. Your statement above tells us all that you believe Muslim radicals are in the majority and are peacful people. You seem quite confused to me; or perhaps the confusion is mine and you can help me understand what exactly you are saying.
I don't have to justify what the President does.
I never asked you to justify the Bush kid's actions, only your support of such political maneuvers.
Hank, which end of the turkey did you eat last Thursday?
Give us some evidence that American Muslims are "beginning to be more aggressive."
Serbia, Greece, ,Hungary, Russia (Mongols/Tartars ruling over, became Muslim) did it too. Bulgarians, Armenians and Georgians were liberated with Russian help.
On NOW at RadioFR!
Doug from Upland interviews JAYNA DAVIS discussing the OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING
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