Posted on 11/09/2001 9:06:47 PM PST by Freedom of Speech Wins
Friday November 9 1:05 PM ET
India Muslim Cleric Backs Taliban
By RAJESH MAHAPATRA, Associated Press Writer
NEW DELHI, India (AP) - The chief Muslim cleric in New Delhi said Friday that he supports the Taliban, and called the U.S.-led airstrikes on Afghanistan (news - web sites) an attack on Islam.
``Today I support the jihad,'' or holy war, declared by Taliban leader Mullah Omar, said Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari, head cleric of Jama Masjid mosque.
``The target of America and its allies is not Afghanistan ... but Islam,'' he told thousands of Muslims who gathered for Friday prayers.
India has about 140 million Muslims, making it home to the world's second-largest Muslim community.
In Srinagar, the summer capital of India's only majority Muslim state, Jammu-Kashmir (news - web sites), shopkeepers shut their doors in solidarity with a pro-Taliban strike Friday in Pakistan.
Some protesters threw stones and clashed with police in downtown Srinagar after Friday prayers. Police lobbed tear gas shells to push back protesters.
Twenty-one people were injured in Srinagar and Baramullah, 40 miles to the north, authorities said.
Bukhari, the cleric, said he did not regret the deaths of thousands in the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington. The United States is leading a bombing campaign against the Taliban for harboring chief suspect Osama bin Laden (news - web sites).
``I have no regrets because for the last 50 years America and Israel have been bleeding the Muslims,'' Bukhari said. ``America should know what it means to lose close relatives, sons and brothers ... and how it feels to the tearful eyes of mothers and sisters.''
Matter of fact, it would be nice if all of the Islamic world backs the Taliban.
Target rich environments are good things.
5.56mm
It's called exchange of populations. Maybe you're not aware that in the 1950's around 6.5 million Muslims went from India to Pakistan and 8.5 million Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan to India. Maybe India should encourage the rest to leave - at least those who are Islamicists and believers in the Jihad.
I can tell you with first hand assurance that they will not be permitted to enter Pakistan, the most obvious destination. Perhaps YOU would take them, but then, I doubt you have the room.
I believe that you actually would prefer them dead. But the problem with that is that is is a truly abominable thought first off, and second, you have NO way to isolate each of 150 million Indian Moslems from the general population to effectuate your mass killing.
By the way, there is a name for what you seem to have in mind. Genocide. It is a crime against humanity. For a reason.
To me this is outrageous. If Muslims are going to have nations free of others than others (Hindus) should be allowed to have nations free of Muslims.
I LIVED in Pakistan for five years, and I KNOW Hindu Pakistanis, and more than just a few. I also know Parsi and Christian Pakistanis, too.
So, before you go shooting off your mouth, find out the facts.
Maybe you should stop foaming at the mouth and read your history. It was Islam which has tried to genocide the Hindus ever since the Muslims invaded India centuries ago. Destroying thousands of Hindu Fire Temples, replacing these with mosques, forced conversions, massacres.
By the way, there is a name for what you seem to have in mind. Genocide. It is a crime against humanity. For a reason.
Take a deep breath to give some oxygen to your brain. Here is what I stated "exchange of populations". That's not genocide. Are you confusing your terminology and concepts. Moreover I stated as related to Islamicists and Jihadists. Maybe you haven't been reading much on Islam lately on these threads. There is no excuse since you've been on FR for some time. I'd suggest you do go to this site Daniel Pipes and get an education.
I am fully awasre of the virulent strain within Islam, which is really not all that new. I am familiar with Pipes' writings, which I respect.
I also want to apologize. I realize that I tarred you with a brush meant for another. You never suggested anything other than 'relocation'.
I ask again however, "Relocation to where"?
Pakistan will NOT take more Mohajirs. They won't even take back the so-called stranded Pakistanis.
Relocation of India's 150 million Musmlims to Pakistan is simply not an option.
OK. I'll bite. How many Hindus and how many Muslims live in Pakistan? Please tell me.
Right. Getting rid of Muslims never is. They are a force of nature to be in awe of. It's only Muslims who are allowed to get rid of non-Muslims. [/sarcasm]
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