Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bush Marks End of Ramadan, Visits Mosque (Islam brings hope and comfort)
ap ^ | 12/5/2002 | SCOTT LINDLAW

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush; islam; muslims; terrorist
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 401-412 next last
To: IronJack
Making nice-nice with murderers.

Bush is killing murderers; he is showing respect to fellow American citizens who happen to be Muslim.

21 posted on 12/05/2002 4:09:24 PM PST by sinkspur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
So lying is not a big deal for a Christian? Cool.
22 posted on 12/05/2002 4:09:31 PM PST by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
You know that picture is HILARIOUS for the sole reason that the kid is wearing a NIKE shirt!!!!!

23 posted on 12/05/2002 4:10:16 PM PST by anobjectivist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
"Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility."

What a load of crap!

24 posted on 12/05/2002 4:10:50 PM PST by Walkin Man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F16Fighter
Get a drink before you read this.

Why wasn't a statement enough? Or better yet, invite the imams to the Tree Lighting ceremony and then say these words standing next to the imams and the Xmas tree.

So much coddling of the jihadis while true conservative muslims like kabbani and fadl are ignored while the WH and Bush cavort with murdering saudi sponsored jihadi scum.

Bah!
25 posted on 12/05/2002 4:11:33 PM PST by swarthyguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
So lying is not a big deal for a Christian?

Is he lying? Islam, the way it is observed by 98% of Muslims in the world, IS peaceful.

Even if Bush thought it wasn't, it would be stupid for him to say so.

Just like it's stupid for you to say so.

26 posted on 12/05/2002 4:13:12 PM PST by sinkspur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
thank you sinkspur! nicely stated, and I agree.
27 posted on 12/05/2002 4:13:13 PM PST by Laverne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW

Look Ma, no shoes!

28 posted on 12/05/2002 4:13:18 PM PST by swarthyguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Miss Marple
Is Bush lying?
29 posted on 12/05/2002 4:13:26 PM PST by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: anobjectivist
First Winston Churchill who says Islam will bring down Europe.

Quotation of the Decade? Gregory Smith offers this Churchill comment on that great religion we are not fighting against,,,,,,,

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property‹either as a child, a wife, or a concubine‹must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith.


It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science‹the science against which it had vainly struggled‹the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."


.........

"Churchill despised the (ISLAM) Pathans, calling them 'Stone Age savages whose daily deeds are treachery and violence'. He dismissed Islam as a 'miserable superstition propagated by the sword', the founding principle of which was an 'incentive to slaughter'. The village mosque, he deemed a 'consecrated hovel'. He hated the Pathan lifestyle, saying they lived in 'fortified slums, amid dirt and ignorance, as degraded a race as any on the fringe of humanity; fierce as the tiger, but less cleanly.'

Even Pathan women came in for a journalistic beating from the future Prime Minister. 'Their wives,' he wrote, 'have no position but that of animals. They are too filthy to handle and too noisome to approach.' He called the local Pathan patriots who had risen in defence of, what he called, 'their pestilential land', 'ignorant, depraved, squalid, athletic savages'.

He wrote that 'extermination of the inhabitants' of the Frontier was necessary because of the 'perpetual inheritance of our race'."

The above is from various sources.

Below is Neal Boortz


RECOGNIZE THE ENEMY --- THE ENEMY IS ISLAM

In Nigeria the wonderful, peace loving Islamic mullahs are getting ready to stone a woman to death because she had sex outside of marriage. Penalty for the man? Well, remember … this is Islam. It’s all the woman’s fault for tempting the man.

Islam is a violent religion bent on world domination. Recognize this now or pay the tab later.

John Rossi’s recent article in The Weekly Standard told us of Winston Churchill’s opinion of Islam. Here --- read this:

"That religion, which above all others was founded and propagated by the sword--the tenets and principles of which are...incentives to slaughter and which in three continents had produced fighting breeds of men--stimulates a wild and merciless fanaticism."

Is it time to listen to Winston Churchill?

THE NEAL BOORTZ SHOW

Sorry Neal not just yet but soon!
30 posted on 12/05/2002 4:14:23 PM PST by TLBSHOW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
Islam, the way it is observed by 98% of Muslims in the world, IS peaceful.

What if you practice Islam the way it was meant to be practiced? Is it still peaceful? Why haven't "moderate" Muslims condemned the "radicals"? Their silence is tantamount to acceptance of radical teachings.

31 posted on 12/05/2002 4:15:53 PM PST by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: anobjectivist
I thought Bush was a Christian?

Depends on what the definition of "Christian"is

32 posted on 12/05/2002 4:16:07 PM PST by don-o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
I wasn't aware that Robertson has used that reference to what Bush has been doing, but by presuming to make theological declarations for the consumption of anyone, Bush is acting as a sort of theologian.

You really ought not accuse people of stealing, they might accuse you of being an ass.

33 posted on 12/05/2002 4:16:25 PM PST by PresbyRev
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
From the Muslim event, Bush officially opened the Christmas season at the White House by lighting a Christmas tree just outside the gates.

I hope he took a shower first. I know I'd have to.

America's Fifth Column ... watch Steve Emerson/PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

Who is Steve Emerson?

34 posted on 12/05/2002 4:18:50 PM PST by JCG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
he is showing respect to fellow American citizens who happen to be Muslim.

And the murderers of 9/11 just happened to be Muslims too. And their actions were motivated by their religion, or so they claimed. But I don't suppose there's any chance any of these other "fellow American citizens who happen to be Muslim" would ever entertain similar notions. Because theirs is a religion of peace.

Did I get it right?

35 posted on 12/05/2002 4:19:41 PM PST by IronJack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: anobjectivist
that the kid is wearing a NIKE shirt!!!!!

"Just do it!"

36 posted on 12/05/2002 4:22:01 PM PST by mhking
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
His intentions are good, but he is overdoing it.
37 posted on 12/05/2002 4:22:44 PM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
Those must be the peace-loving 98% who have taken to the streets and mosques denouncing terrorism in the name of Islam.
38 posted on 12/05/2002 4:23:53 PM PST by PresbyRev
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
I'm afraid this is just...
39 posted on 12/05/2002 4:24:57 PM PST by Revolting cat!
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
I appreciate all your comments on this article. You bring a cool head to one very hot topic.
40 posted on 12/05/2002 4:25:16 PM PST by NEWwoman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 401-412 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson