Posted on 09/26/2006 8:00:27 PM PDT by Alouette
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Muslim detainees at Guantanamo Bay entered Ramadan with traditional sweets, dates and honey — but without a military chaplain to lead them in prayer during Islam's holy month.
Nearly all the alleged al-Qaida and Taliban members held at the detention center in Cuba are observing Ramadan, officials said Tuesday. Meals are offered before dawn and after sunset to accommodate their fasting during daylight hours.
The adjustments for Ramadan, which began Saturday, come as the U.S. prison faces accusations of religious insensitivity.
A court challenge seeking the return of a full-time Muslim chaplain to the base has been filed by one detainee's attorney, who said that regular religious services would help "preserve the sanity" of the detainees.
"I think it would preserve order and discourage these suicides that are happening there," attorney Gaillard Hunt said.
A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment Tuesday on the motion, citing ongoing litigation.
Muslim chaplains — who regularly counseled detainees in the prison's early years — have been assigned to U.S. commands with larger numbers of Islamic service members, said Navy Cmdr. Robert Durand.
"The detainee population generally rejects outside religious guidance," he said.
Detainees meet their religious needs primarily by relying on each other, with cell blocks designating an imam or prayer leader, he said.
Ramadan arrived this year with elevated security following three suicides in June.
A newspaper published for soldiers on the U.S. base ran a front-page article earlier this month stressing Ramadan's significance to Muslims.
Fasting detainees will have a meal before dawn, and a "double portion" meal in the evening to ensure they receive enough nutrition. Medical personnel will monitor their health, Durand said.
Guantanamo does have an Islamic cultural advisor who meets with the detainees to discuss their concerns, and chaplains are available to come in and handle delicate tasks, such as the Islamic funeral prayer for the suicide victims in June, Durand said.
Separately, a Red Cross delegation that began a two-week visit to the Guantanamo prison on Monday has met with base officials and was hoping to get a first glimpse of 14 high-level terror suspects previously locked up in CIA secret prisons.
Simon Schorno, a spokesman for the Red Cross in Washington, said the delegation would interview other detainees as it waits for the newest arrivals, including alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, to accept their offer for a meeting.
U.S. Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock said last week that the detainees would be made available around Oct. 1.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Ramadan-Bomb'athon! Oops! Now Echelon has my IP address again.
That's better than the public high schools get. I'd like to see them accomdate Christian kids for Christmas like that. I feel like puking.
HAPPY RAMADAMADINGDONG!!!!!!!!!!
As with most things dealing with the left and the Muslims, this is galling. There is no more religiously insensitive group than the Muslims. Reality turned on its head again.
Yeah....and I'd like to see the military running the public schools.....:>)
Interesting concept. LOL, I'm enjoying the mental pictures I get from envisioning that.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.
also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]
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Oh Man, I wish they would just one day pull up a boat and start loading these bastards up and sailing their asses to an undisclosed location.
The libs and lawyers for these camel humpers would have a cow!
Where are they going? Why didn't the President tell us in Congress. Why didn't the President seek our wisdom. What did GWB know and when did he know it? Where are they going! AHH!!! THey can't be made to live like the average Sailor in the US Navy! Now that is TORTURE!
Then get the crew of the boat and sink with some good ol' fashion target practice. You know get the water nice and Chummed up. Really trie to work some pigs into the scene but not many pigs swimming in the ocean.
Kosher meals should meet the vermin's dietary requirements and should be served plainly marked.
That means it wouldn't be inhumane to withold food during daylight hours?
Darn. I was hoping that the inmates were being taken on one-way helicopter rides.
Click the Pic J
Now.....
On with my opinion.....
I'll start worrying about "their" Ramadan when "they" start acting like real human beings!
Until such time they can put "their Ramadamn" where the Sun don't shine......
In all respect to you, Alouette. If you don't like my post please feel free to ask the "mods" to remove it.
(No problem. I don't hold grudges. After all, I'm not muslime. lol)
J
That would assume they had any before Ramadan.
You and me both. Whack some discipline into the little bastards.
> Well, the point is that some other people found it rather amusing......
It *is* a rather clever ditty... and there's not a darn thing wrong with good Kosher food: hard to obtain DownUnder NZ as there are not enough Jews. Kosher food is definitely too good for Terrorists to eat.
On the other hand, I love my German Shepherds, and feed 'em only the best (Eukanuba). It's nutritious, keeps them in good health, with good shiny coats. Too good for Terrorists, true, but they'd only need half a cup for every 25 Kgs lean body weight, once per day, with plenty of clean fresh water.
It really irks me that we fall all over ourselves accomodating a pack of sociopaths.
You Got That Right! I Love Kosher Food! Great Taste! Good For Ya!
&
(And what ails ya)
J
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