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Fatwa: Coming to a Country Near You--Islamic death bounties ain't hard to find
FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | December 6, 2002 | David Harsanyi

Posted on 12/06/2002 5:01:12 AM PST by SJackson

"There is no room for play in Islam... It is deadly serious about everything."

So declared Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, in 1980. Nine years later, Indian-born British author Salman Rushdie discovered the grim consequences of free expression in fundamentalist Islam tenet, when Khomeini issued a fatwa condemning the novelist to death for blasphemous text in his novel, The Satanic Verses. Khomeini avowed that anyone who died in the cause of ridding the world of Rushdie would be a martyr and go directly to heaven.

An ominous forecast, the world promptly found out that this fatwa was not a vacant declaration for Western consumption, but potent warning. Bookstores that sold The Satanic Verses were firebombed, riots broke out in areas where it was believed Rushdie was staying and two of the book's translators were stabbed -- one fatally -- by extremists. Rushdie was immediately placed under the protection of the British government, which broke diplomatic relations with Iran. In 1998, Iran backed off its stance somewhat, and Rushdie has since emerged from seclusion, although, fear has indisputably become an everyday facet in his life.

Rushdie hasn't been the only writer forced into isolation recently through the threat of the fatwa. The novelist and poet, Taslima Nasrin, whose work confronts Shariah, or Islamic law, and the role of women in Muslim societies, in particular Bangladesh, has had a fatwa on her head since 1993. In a recent speech at Concordia University, the same university where students had violently 'protested' against a proposed appearance by Benjamin Netanyahu demonstrated again - with similar results.

A Dutch Muslim woman, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, had to flee the Netherlands because she said that Muslim men traditionally oppressed Muslim women. A death fatwa quickly followed. Likewise, a Sudanese writer, Kola Boof, whose detailed exposition of Christian slavery in her native country has taken refuge in the U.S. after fawta was issued sentencing her to death by beheading. Deprived women in many tyrannical Mulsim nations do not possess the luxury of exile, and have fallen casualty to fatwas passed by mullahs ranging from death by stoning and burning.

Fatwas protecting other religions have even been pronounced. In 1999, a London-based group, Al-Muhajiroun, which describes itself as the Defenders of the Messenger Jesus, issued its own fatwa against the participants of a play about Jesus. The group claimed Jesus was an important prophet in Islam and that classical and modern Islamic authorities agreed that capital punishment was the penalty for uncivil words regarding a messenger of God. The play, Corpus Christi, by Terrence McNally, retells the gospel story in modern Texas. It shows Jesus, who is crucified as "King of the Queers," after being betrayed by his gay lover, Judas.

These days, there are so many fatwas issued against Westerners and their interlopers that it is getting hard to keep track of it all. Issued by a mufti or a religious lawyer, a fatwa is a legal statement in Islam, requested by judges or individuals, and required in cases where an issue is undecided. Lawsuits can be settled on the basis of a fatwa, guidelines on diet or style of worship may also be offered. More significant to non-Mulsims and non-believers, death sentences can be handed out -- as countless Infidels are well aware.

Most Americans probably do not even realize they have a fatwa on their head. The most consequential, Osama bin Laden's 1998 proclamation "to kill the Americans and their allies -- civilians and military -- is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it." It was this fatwa that that was the religious rationalization to murder civilians on United States mainland by Al Qaeda terrorists.

Just days after 9-11, Sheikh Hamoud bin Oqla al-Shuaibi, a senior Wahabbi cleric in Saudi Arabia, issued his fatwa that "whoever supports the infidel against Muslims is considered an infidel.... It is a duty to wage jihad on anyone who supports the attack on Afghanistan." Support is defined as assistance "by hand, by tongue, or by money." Clerics belonging to the Islamic tribes on the Afgan-Pakistani border have also distributed pamphlets with a fatwa calling on people to gun down any American, whenever and wherever found.

Palestinian terrorist leaders long ago understood the effectiveness of religious zeal over undiluted Arab nationalism and now employ a bizarre mix of the two, liberally issuing fatwas against Israelis and Jews in general - between which they rarely differentiate. "Have no mercy on the Jews, no matter where they are, in any country. Wherever you meet them, kill them. Wherever you are, kill those Americans who are like them." said Dr. Ahmad Abu Halabiya, a member of the Palestinian Authority's Fatwa Council and former acting Rector of the Islamic University in Gaza. Halabiya called for Israelis to be humiliated, tortured, and butchered wherever found.

In 2001, the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz bin Abdallah Aal al-Shaykh, deliverd a fatwa stating that Islam forbids suicide terrorist attacks. Within days, fatwas were issued against Aal al-Shaykh for his betrayal of the Palestinian cause, though it must be pointed out, the cleric's main area of contention was not Israelis but European targets in the Gulf. Sayyid Wafa, one of the highest-ranking clerics in Egypt at the time, considered a moderate and pragmatist in some circles, restructured the Saudi fatwa with an amendment that stated "all means are legitimate to fight the Jews."

If those religious edicts seem a smidgen severe, last week, the death fatwas' absurdity took a new turn. A fashion journalist, Isioma Daniel, writing for the Nigerian newspaper This Day, made a rather unfortunate reference to the Prophet Muhammad during the Miss World pageant in her column. She wrote that Mohammed might have approved of the contest since he might pick one of his wives from the swarm beauty contestants. To American eyes, the statement might have seemed innocuous, but the consequences were deadly.

"What we are saying is that the Holy Koran has clearly stated that whoever insults the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, should be killed," said Zamfara State Commissioner for Information, Umar Dangaladima Magaji. The New Nigerian newspaper said the fatwa had been issued by Zamfara's Deputy Governor Mamuda Aliyu Dallatun Shinkafi, who compared Daniel to Rushdie: "Like Salman Rushdie, the blood of Isioma Daniel can be shed." The speech was rebroadcast on local radio in Zamfara state, which was the first state in Nigeria to introduce Islamic law.

A direct result of what was at worst a thoughtless remark in a fashion column has directly led to the deaths of 200 people with another 500 injured in Nigeria during four days of rioting and mob violence. The mainstream media, for the most part, characterized the chaos as 'clashes between Muslims and Christians.' However, a revealing BBC report observed that Muslims armed with "sticks, daggers and knives set fire to vehicles and attacked anyone they suspected of being Christian." Sounds more like a lynch mob than an evenly balanced religious conflict.

Not only has this Isalmist violence in Nigeria led to a corrupting of traditional Islam, but a Catholic archbishop in Nigeria last week seemed to turn against basic Christian conviction when he said that his people were "tired of turning the other cheek" to Muslim attacks.

To its credit, the Nigerian government has responded to the fatwa by saying that it was illegal and unconstitutional. According to a government release, only the Jama'atu and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, both headed by Nigeria's powerful Islamic figurehead, the Sultan of Sokoto, have the power to issue a fatwa. Now, if only Egypt, Saudia Arabia and other Islamic states would follow suit, perhaps lives and reputations could be saved.

In Iran, the significant case regarding Hashem Aghajari, a university professor, who was sentenced to death for insulting Islam, is coming to a conclusion. The verdict provoked weeks of protests by students and reformists, and hastened the intervention - likely brought on by fear - of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The supreme leader has taken a uncommon step and ordered the judiciary to reconsider the verdict and an appeal was filed on Monday. A reversal might be the first step in reversing a trend that began in Iran over 20 years ago.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Harsanyi is an NYC-based writer. Visit his website (http://dharsanyi.blogspot.com/) or email him at david_harsanyi@yahoo.com.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs
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1 posted on 12/06/2002 5:01:12 AM PST by SJackson
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To: SJackson
Do I have to advertise my insults about the false prophet Muhummad? I know Muhummad was a pediphilic barbarian who founded the largest scam and murder-suicide cult in world history.
2 posted on 12/06/2002 5:09:06 AM PST by Sparta
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To: SJackson
Not only has this Isalmist violence in Nigeria led to a corrupting of traditional Islam, but a Catholic archbishop in Nigeria last week seemed to turn against basic Christian conviction when he said that his people were "tired of turning the other cheek" to Muslim attacks.

Oh, please.

While a Christian should be prepared to turn the other cheek and suffer martyrdom gladly for the name of Christ Jesus, a Christian is not permitted to stand idly by while Mahoundist savages burn women and children to death.

A Christian is obligated to use even deadly force to prevent innocents from being murdered.

The Archbishop was being quite faithful to his Lord when he said this.

3 posted on 12/06/2002 5:13:09 AM PST by wideawake
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To: Sparta
You don't have to advertise your insults - you're already covered by bin Laden's fatwa.

Of course, one should always remind others that Muhammad was a child-molesting thief and that Islam is a backward cult for mindless savages.

4 posted on 12/06/2002 5:15:23 AM PST by wideawake
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To: wideawake
"You don't have to advertise your insults - you're already covered by bin Laden's fatwa."

But, I want my own special fatwa.
5 posted on 12/06/2002 5:22:07 AM PST by Sparta
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To: SJackson
Fatwas cut both ways! There is the terrible Double Pork Fatwa that is spoken against Muslims who do truly evil, non-peaceful things. The Checen Muslims who took hostages in that Moscow theater and died in the rescue were cursed by the Double Pork Fatwa.

Before they were buried, they were wrapped in pig skins and, thus, can never enter Paradise. They were buried in secret graves and will never be freed of this fatwa.

6 posted on 12/06/2002 5:34:48 AM PST by Tacis
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To: SJackson; mhking; rdb3; dyed_in_the_wool; Sabertooth
on the "fatwa" as death-edict in the United States:
(nb - a death threat in itself is legally defined as an assault in most jurisdictions in which I have lived)
1. Would this not be legally defined as incitement to commit violent felony assault/murder, and be punishable as such?
2. Would this not be legally defined as CONSPIRACY to commit violent felony assault/murder, and be punishable as such?
3. Since a "fatwa" would be a criminal order issued by a leader of a group to his inferiors, is this not directly analogous to a mob Capo issuing a hit list to his soldiers, and thus fall under RICO and other organized-crime laws?
4. Would this not then let the government to justifiably declare any particular mosque or sect which issues a fatwa a VIOLENT CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION, revoke their religious protections, and rout them out like a nest of roaches???

Just my initial musings, but I really think this point of view needs to be raised in DC and elsewhere. We cannot allow this nonsense to get rolling here. Hopefully, we could show the rest of the (over-)civilized world how to deal with these barbarians in our midst.
7 posted on 12/06/2002 5:44:43 AM PST by demosthenes the elder
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To: Aric2000; dennisw; Cachelot; Yehuda; Alouette; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Optimist; ...
If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.
8 posted on 12/06/2002 5:46:54 AM PST by SJackson
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To: SJackson
Can't happen.
We all know that islam is a religion of peace and love[particularly between young boys and old men]. None other than President Bush afirmed this seconded by Ari F[ I don't know how to spell his last name] and the unflappable Colin Powell. Not only did he state this but our distinguished Secretary of State, the one and only Colin Powell is attempting to get muslim intellectuals into the country.

No, it is these hate filed Christians such as Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham, and Pat Robinson that are causing all the problem.

Their crime: They tell the truth.
9 posted on 12/06/2002 5:47:57 AM PST by sport
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To: Sparta
I know Muhummad was a pediphilic barbarian who founded the largest scam and murder-suicide cult in world history.

L. Ron Hubbard had nothing on murderous Mo'. Remember L. Ron's famous quote? "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion." 

 

http://216.239.33.100/search?q=cache:hIh1przCvY8C:www.don-lindsay-archive.org/scientology/start.a.religion.html+Hubbard+rich+start+a+religion&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
L. Ron Hubbard is widely rumored to have said "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion." There are also variant rumors. For some reason, this is often mentioned on Usenet. Evidence is discussed below, but the short answer is that it's almost certainly true.


10 posted on 12/06/2002 5:52:41 AM PST by dennisw
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To: dennisw
At least L.Ron Hubbard was a decent author. Muhammad just launched an eternal jihad against the world. BTW: Heard how Muhammad had "fun" with his camel out in the field on long raids.
11 posted on 12/06/2002 5:56:40 AM PST by Sparta
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To: Sparta
At least L.Ron Hubbard didn't steal from the Torah, the New Testament and the pagan Arab religions of the time that worshipped moon god Kabba rock. Thief Mohammed even stole their flippin' Kabba !
12 posted on 12/06/2002 6:04:37 AM PST by dennisw
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To: Sparta
"Mais Non ! Ce n'est pas possible!Ou, enfin...
13 posted on 12/06/2002 6:57:51 AM PST by tsomer
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To: SJackson
Don't we know that only criticism of (old) Western Culture is permissible?
14 posted on 12/06/2002 7:03:47 AM PST by Guillermo
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To: SJackson
From the sound of this thread, I think the concept of political correctness has been relegated to the ash heaps :)
15 posted on 12/06/2002 7:24:42 AM PST by Lion's Cub
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To: SJackson
Fatwas protecting other religions have even been pronounced. In 1999, a London-based group, Al-Muhajiroun, which describes itself as the Defenders of the Messenger Jesus, issued its own fatwa against the participants of a play about Jesus. The group claimed Jesus was an important prophet in Islam and that classical and modern Islamic authorities agreed that capital punishment was the penalty for uncivil words regarding a messenger of God. The play, Corpus Christi, by Terrence McNally, retells the gospel story in modern Texas. It shows Jesus, who is crucified as "King of the Queers," after being betrayed by his gay lover, Judas.

As despicable and disgusting a play this is the Muslim fatwa is neither appreciated nor wanted by Christians. In some kind of twist of irony though, I wonder if McNally expected that some Muslims would be issuing fatwas against him for doing a disgusting play about Jesus? No doubt he knew that Christians, who take seriously their faith, believe in freedom of expression and thought. Maybe he ought to really push the envelop and do the same type of play or a similar one about Mohammed. I don't think he has the cojones to do it.

16 posted on 12/06/2002 7:35:17 AM PST by Lent
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To: SJackson
These days, there are so many fatwas issued against Westerners and their interlopers that it is getting hard to keep track of it all.

Well, good grief, why not just set up a website? That way everyone could have a central location to refer to when deciding who to murder that day. You could fund it with those little popup windows advertising, say, Abdul's Used Camel Sales, Victoria's Very Secret Burqas, and if you really want to incite people to kill other people you could link it to those little webcam ads...

17 posted on 12/06/2002 8:15:57 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: SJackson
Related Articles:
Why we are losing the war
Source: Guardian Unlimited; Published : December 1, 2002

Islam - Green Wall Of Silence - III
Source: PakToday : Published: November 25, 2002; Author: Tashbh Sayyed

Black Muslims Create 'Explosive Mix' in Terror War, Says Author
Source: CNSBNEWS.com; Published: November 14, 2002; Author: Marc Morano

Of course, the great majority of Muslims are peaceful -- so what?
Source: Jewish World Review; Published: November 5, 2002; Author: DENNIS PRAGER

Ramadan: A Month of Peace?
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: November 4, 2002; Author:| Alan Caruba

The Seamless Garment Of Hate: The Beltway Sniper Shootings And Islam/Nation of Islam
Source: Toogood Reports; Published:| November 1, 2002; Author: Nicholas Stix

Barbara Stanley: American Jihadist Terrorism - Conversion And Recruitment
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: October 28, 2002; Author: Barbara Stanley

Jihadis in the Hood: Race, Urban Islam and the War on Terror
Source: Middle East Report; Published: Fall 2002; Author: Hisham Aidi

The Radical Islamic Mind (lengthy exposé from Christian perspective)
Source:Spiritual Counterfeits Project; Published: Sept 2002; Author: Aleesha Khan

Naming The Evildoers: Militant Islam Reaches America
Source: New York Times BOOK REVIEW; Published:| September 29, 2002; Author: Judith Miller

DEPRIVING THE ARABS OF THEIR PREY
Source: WINSTON MID EAST ANALYSIS & Published: September 13, 2002; Author: Emanuel A. Winston

A Hatred Beyond Understanding
Source: Sierra Times; Published: September 9, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Saving Islam from bin Laden [Christopher Hitchens]
Source:The Age (Melbourne); Published: September 5 2002; Author: Christopher Hitchens

Muslim leaders pledge to 'transform West': 'If Islamic state rises, we will be its army'
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: August 13, 2002; Author: Jon Dougherty

WHAT went wrong with the Arab world?
Source: Economist; Published: July 10, 2002

Today's Criminal Will Become Tomorrow's Islamic Terrorist
Source: CNSnews.com; Published: June 25, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

David Horowitz: Know The Enemy (And What He Believes)
Source: FrontPage magazine; Published: June 24, 2002; Author: David Horowitz

Four Myths About Muslims
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: June 13, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

Trying To Find A `Moderate' Islam Is A Quixotic Quest
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: May 20, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

The Islaming of Europe
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: May 20, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Why Islam Can't Join the Modern World
Source: FrontPageMagazine.com; Published: May 16, 2002; Author: Jamie Glazov

It's The Attitude, Stupid [re: Palestinians]
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: May 14, 2002; Author: Philip Safran

Reports of Moderate Islam's Existence Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: April 22, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

It's time to snap out of Arab fantasy land {Steyn}
Source: National Post; Published: April 19 2002; Author: Mark Steyn

HOROWITZ: A MIDDLE EAST HISTORY PRIMER
Source: News and Opinion.com; Published; April 10, 2002; Author: David Horowitz

Arafat Must Go!
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: April 10, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Netanyahu speaks before US Senators
Source: http://netanyahu.org/netspeacinse.html; Published: April 10, 2002; Author: Benjamin Netanyahu

20 Suppressed Facts About Israel, Islam
Source: Koenig's International News; Published: April 9, 2002; Author: Jim Bramlett

They Live to Die (Islam Martyrdom)
Source: Wall Street Journal; Published: April 7, 2002; Author: Reuel Marc Gerecht

Moral Fortitude Vs. Vacillation
Source: CNSNews.com ; Published: April 01, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Terror's Homebase, All Over The Map -- Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam
Source: Wall Street Journal-- Book Review; Published: | March 29, 2002; Author: Adrian Karatnycky

Islam Vs. The World
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: December 2, 2001; Author: Alan Caruba

Arab World Poverty -- Whose Fault?
Source: Capitalism Magazine; Published: 11/18/01; Author: Larry Elder

Will the Real Islam Please Stand Up!
Source:Van Jenerette Editorial Comment, Various Publications;
Published: October 14, 2001; Author: Van Jenerette

Civilization Envy
Source: National Review Online; Published: September 28, 2001; Author: Jonah Goldberg

What We Are Up Against: Islamic Jihad Factories
Source: New York Times Magazine; Published: July 25, 2000; Author: Jeffrey Goldberg


18 posted on 12/06/2002 8:19:43 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
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To: SJackson
Daddy, can I be a suicide bomber when I grow up?!
Hamas Leader tells Palestinians, 'Don't be shy about it'
Sheik Hassin Nasralla encourages Palestinians to take up suicide bombing world wide.

Undercurrents in Iran 
About Iranian student movement denouncing terrorist, calling for recognition of Isreal, peach with U.S. denounce terror
Europe told to stop backing Ayatollahs
Statement from Son of Shaw telling Europe to stop backing Iranian dictators.

19 posted on 12/06/2002 8:42:11 AM PST by BJungNan
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To: demosthenes the elder
After it was revealed the DC snipers were part of the Nation of Islam, I seriously felt that Farrakhan, et al., should have been closed down under RICO.
I mean, my God, the man called for sedition under the shadow of the Washington Monument!
20 posted on 12/06/2002 9:03:57 AM PST by dyed_in_the_wool
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