Iraqi clerics decree suicide bombings are virtuous

Reuters

[Dallas]

BAGHDAD, April 16 (Reuters) - Iraqi Muslim religious leaders decreed on Tuesday that suicide bombings by Palestinians against Israelis were a virtuous act of holy war, or jihad.

"According to the texts of the holy Koran and the Prophet's teachings...Muslim clerics in Iraq view the suicide bombings carried out by the fighters in Palestine to do harm to the criminal Zionists as representing the highest degree of jihad," read a fatwa or religious decree issued by the clerics.

"Muslim clerics in Iraq bless these suicidal acts and call upon all Muslim clerics to support and back the fighters with their fatwas," said the decree.

The state news agency INA, which carried the fatwa, said it had been issued at a meeting of clerics in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was quoted by newspapers on Tuesday as saying that "all means are legitimate for a people whose land has been usurped".

"Palestinians are not killing themselves out of despair but they are turning themselves into bombs because they lack bombs and weapons," Saddam was quoted as saying during a meeting with officials and engineers on Monday.

"If they had planes, artillery, tanks and missiles they would not need to turn their bodies into bombs or missiles."

Saddam last year called on Arab countries neighbouring Israel to provide Palestinians with weapons.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who wants to see Saddam removed from power, has criticised Iraq for donating millions of dollars to families of Palestinian suicide bombers and victims of the uprising.

Baghdad said last month it was raising payments to the relatives of each Palestinian killed in clashes with Israeli troops from $10,000 per family to $25,000.

Angry demonstrations against Israel and the United States have swept across the Islamic world since Israel began a military offensive on the West Bank on March 29 after a wave of suicide attacks in Israel.

Baghdad is theoretically at war with Israel and fired Scud missiles at it during the 1991 Gulf War. It opposes peace agreements signed by Israel with the Palestinians, Egypt and Jordan.

[Dallas]

Shocked I tell ya.......

[quebecois]

All across the Muslim world, we are seeing religious and political leaders doing things to help the Palestinians. The Saudis had a telethon...Muslims from across the middle east are donating to relief funds.

I've gotta hand it to them...at least they go out of their way to help their own (regardless of the authenticity of the Palestinian's grievances)

In contrast, look at the response of Western nations to the ongoing pogroms against European farmers in Zimbabwe. Has a single Western nation done anything concrete to help them? Has the British Prime Minister held a telethon? Has the German Chancellor written poems about their suffering? (like the Saudi ambassador to the UK did for the Palestinians recently). Heck, I don't even think a single Western nation has really done anything at all in the face of the ethnic cleansing in Zim.

Universalism has eaten away the West's ability to act in its own defense, even when Westerners are attacked in the most blatant ways imaginable (as in Zim)

[The Electrician]

"If they had planes, artillery, tanks and missiles they would not need to turn their bodies into bombs or missiles."

That's Saddam's way of warning the world that if Palestinian statehood is granted, look to them to be using planes, artillery, tanks and missiles to target civilians.

[Pearls Before Swine]

In contrast, look at the response of Western nations to the ongoing pogroms against European farmers in Zimbabwe. Has a single Western nation done anything concrete to help them? Has the British Prime Minister held a telethon? Has the German Chancellor written poems about their suffering?

The only two things that can be done are (1) conquer and recolonize, or (2) extend immigration sanctuary to the whites and let the country rot.

One hundred or so years ago, a massive punitive expedition would have been mounted to restore order. It looks like the Europeans are going to leave that sort of activity to the Arabs or the Chinese, whoever recolonizes first.

[rageaholic]

suicide bombings ...representing the highest degree of jihad

Islam is Peace tm

[Steve_Seattle]

I'd be happy to provide the Iraqi clerics with grenades to stuff up their asses and let them walk their talk.

[pierrem15]

Iraqi clerics would declare it virtuous to eat pork rectums on a popsicle stick if Saddam said so.

[Night Hides Not]

The silence from the anti-Catholic faction on FreeRepublic is thunderous.

Despite all of its faults, past and present, I am proud to be a member of the Catholic faith. I thank the Lord, and the guiding hand of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, for my conversion.

[ohioman]

What?? This Southern Baptist totally respects Catholics. I didn't know we had an "anti-Catholic" brigade hear on FR.

[Night Hides Not]

I'm not calling the Baptists (or any other faith) out on this Ohioman. Check around...there have been plenty of threads lately where Catholic bashing has been de rigeur.

In my heart and mind, most of the bashers are Democrat Underground types. I've lurked over there on occasion, and their humanistic, anti-religion bias is appalling.

Isn't it funny how those that consider themselves 'liberal' are the most judgmental in thought and deed?

[Night Hides Not]

Another fine, well-thought out post from a closet DU poster! I'm especially impressed that although you've been registered for over a month, you haven't taken the time to fill out your profile. Of course, given the quality and depth of your post, you want to stay hidden with the rest of the cucaraches.

I am hardly in denial. The Church has a lot to answer for (and has taken wide ranging action to prevent abuse in the future), and I am pleased that the Holy Father is taking a much greater leadership role in this. I'm not going to say he was wrong to not become more personally involved earlier, only that his direct, personal leadership will help.

First team, I'll be looking for your insightful posts in the future. I can hardly wait to hear you applaud Moslem clerics on their stance regarding jihad.

[Night Hides Not]

Likewise, I'll be waiting with breathless anticipation for your latest whining screed regarding the cover up of gay pedophilia as mere "Catholic bashing".

Facts, please. And I'll try not to whine...

[Night Hides Not]

Now before you go off half-cocked, what I'm trying to say is prove it that I have ever called castigating ANY coverup as Catholic bashing.

Hope that helps.