Free Republic

ISLAMIC fanatics are mutilating themselves at a British mosque in a bloody ceremony carried out only yards from a busy high street. Shia Muslims use a five-bladed chain called a Zanjeer to whip their own backs and make cuts in their foreheads with razor blades in homage to their faith. Bare-chested men were left bleeding heavily during the ritual known as Matam – self-flagellation – which a witness described as being “like a scene from a horror film”. The Matam takes place during the annual Shia Ashura ceremony and commemorates the death of Husayn, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad....

Note: The following text is a quote: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1360.htm January 16, 2009 hp-1360 Treasury Targets Al Qaida Operatives in Iran Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four al Qaida associates under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. "It is important that Iran give a public accounting of how it is meeting its international obligations to constrain al Qaida," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "Global efforts to financially isolate al Qaida have made it difficult for the core leadership to raise funds...

Baghdad, Iraq: Iraqi Satellite Channel Television in Arabic 0807 GMT 24 Mar 03 [Speech by Iraqi President Saddam Husayn on 24 March; place not given -- live or recorded] In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate: "When comes the help of God and Victory and thou dost see the people enter God's religion in crowds Celebrate the praises and of thy lord, and pray for his forgiveness. For he is Oft-returning (in grace and mercy) [Koranic verse]. O great people and stalwart mujadin of our brave Armed Forces, peace be upon you. We and all of this honest,...

Baghdad ,20 Mar (INA ) -- Uday Saddam Husayn , supervisor of Saddam 's fedayeen, has issued a call saying: This is the day that we have been waiting for to defend the beloved land of Iraq and its beloved leader President Saddam Husayn with our lives. Uday Saddam Husayn added: This is the day that we have been waiting for to prove to our country and people that our mothers' milk was pure. This is the day that we have been waiting for to defend the beloved land of Iraq and its beloved leader President Saddam Husayn with our...