The Taliban uses South Korean hostage cash to buy weapons. What did the South Koreans think they would buy with it? Cotton candy? Should Western states really be handing jihadists "God-sent" opportunities?
"Taliban use hostage cash to fund UK blitz," by Massoud Ansari in the Telegraph (thanks to Sr.Soph):
Millions of dollars handed over to secure the release of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan have been used to buy weapons deployed against British and American forces in the country, the Taliban claims....According to Taliban fighters interviewed by The Sunday Telegraph, the money has also been used to train recruits to carry out terrorist attacks in Britain and America.
South Korea has repeatedly denied claims by Afghan officials that it paid cash to secure the release in August of 21 Christian volunteers who were held for nearly six weeks. But in a recent meeting, three Taliban fighters involved in the conflict with the British in Helmand province said that $10 million cash handed over in two instalments had been used to boost operations in Afghanistan and abroad.
"It was a God-sent opportunity," said Mullah Hezbollah, 30. "It has helped us to multiply our stockpile of weapons and explosives to wage battle for at least a year or so."
He said the money had been paid in August, shortly before the Taliban's fugitive spiritual leader, Mullah Omar, ordered Operation Nusrat (victory), an offensive against coalition troops which ran throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which finished last week. During the operation, four British soldiers were killed in southern Afghanistan, including Major Roberts.
"We were really concerned when we received orders to launch Operation Nusrat, because we had hardly any funds to buy weapons to carry out such a major offence," said Mullah Hezbollah. Thanks to the ransom payments, however, the operation proceeded with "full vigour"....
Hezbollah, however, gave what appeared to be precise details of the transactions. "They gave us $7 million as a first instalment the day we released 12 hostages, and the remaining money was paid soon after we released the remaining hostages on August 31," he said.
He added that another main source of income was opium produced by poppy farmers in Helmand, thanks to a Taliban fatwa, or holy order. "Our scholars have given a religious decree saying that things which are usually abominable in Islam are permitted to wage jihad against the enemies of Islam," he said.
Funny thing. I have pointed out exactly that. In The Truth About Muhammad, I discuss the phrase "persecution is worse than slaughter" (Qur'an 2:191, 2:217) in historical context (yeah, yeah, I know I'm never supposed to read Qur'an verses in context, but I just can't help myself) as referring to the permissibility of a raid carried out by the Muslims against their enemies during one of the sacred months of the pagan Arab calendar, when fighting was forbidden. The phrase enunciates the principle than since the Muslims were being persecuted, or thought they were, it was all right for them to slaughter the pagans even during the sacred month. Thus a moral principle could be set aside in the interests of jihad.
Of course, this is one of the things that gets me and the book labeled "Islamophobic," but if I'm forcing the interpretation, or making it up out of whole cloth, then where do you think Mullah Hezbollah got this idea? When guys like him and Sheikh Ali Bapir study the Qur'an, don't you think they find in it what you or I or anyone else would also find in it, if we actually read it? Of course there are differing interpretations. There are differing interpretations of any book. But as long as both liberal and conservative analysts persist in ignoring or downplaying the fact that Mullah Hezbollah and Sheikh Ali Bapir and innumerable others who think like them make their case on the basis of the Qur'an and Sunnah, we will be both misdiagnosing the problem and offering the wrong remedies. We need to be calling upon Muslim groups in America to renounce the jihadist interpretations of the Qur'an and Sunnah and to institute comprehensive and transparent programs in American mosques and Islamic schools to teach against those interpretations, even if it means rejecting Qur'anic literalism and the example of Muhammad as normative in certain particulars. And if they refuse, we should evaluate the political aspects of Islam and regard these groups as political organizations, with full and open recognition of their plans for American society.
Instead, we're pretending that this isn't even a problem, and if you think it is, you're a "bigot" and an "Islamophobe." While Mullah Hezbollah goes on his merry way.
His comrade, Mullah Mohibullah, 32, disclosed that some of the ransom funds were being used to train volunteers from Britain and America to carry out attacks in their homelands. "We want to destroy them, the way they have destroyed our country," he said. "Most of these youths are suicide bombers."The group said that suicide bombers, either in vehicles or wearing explosive-laden vests, were also becoming the Taliban's main weapon against occupying forces in Afghanistan. Up to 3,000 volunteers, they claimed, had signed up for the religious training necessary for martyrdom operations.
"We do not have gunship helicopters, nor do we have B-52s," said Mullah Hameedullah, 48. "We will carry out suicide attacks everywhere in the country, be it by waistcoats, cars or other ways."
Wait a minute, Hameedullah. Sean and Alan will tell you that Islam forbids suicide. Get with the program, man. It's a Religion of Peace.
I wonder how much of that money is from here (US), via Pakistan to Talibans. I am willing to bet it is more than 50%.
They don't need to ransom hostages. Just ask the UK government.
"Mr Blair, on a visit to Pakistan yesterday to discuss anti-terror policy with President Pervez Musharraf, more than doubled assistance to the country from £236 million over the next three years to £480 million.
The extra money will go mainly towards encouraging moderate Muslim education in the network of Madrassa religious schools, which are blamed for turning many young people to extremism."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/20/nterr20.xml
Sheik, why do you persist in obtaining these unnecessary fatwas? We know your religion allows you to kill at any time. It would not be islam if you had to give up on one of your favorite sacrements.
Infidels unite to overthrow this scourge upon humanity!
Christian missionaries need to realize that Muslims are not buying the peace and love message. Every intrusion into Islamic lands is considered an enemy invasion regardless of the intent. Even if the goal is to distribute food and medicine the belief is that they are also spreading Christianity. That belief is most likely correct.
The starving Muslim may appreciate the aid, but the mullahs will intervene and ensure that it is stopped.
Separation of church ans state, eh. Every time a missionary gets in trouble, who comes to their rescue, the government that they are supposed to be separated from, that's who. The church that sent the Koreans there should reimburse the government. That would be my demand if these were American missionaries. Your tax dollars at work.
If you do insist on spreading the message in a Muslim land, along with Mathew and Mark, make sure you have Smith and Wesson.
where do you think Mullah Hezbollah got this idea?
He must have been reading your books, Robert. Clearly, you're a bad influence on these simple fellows.
"persecution is worse than slaughter" (Qur'an 2:191, 2:217)
It actually seems to mean 'resisting Islam is worse than slaughter'- because I've heard imam's preach that unbelief is in itself the most heinous crime, and that killing the kuffar is actually doing him a favour.
That would make more sense. Just like our existence is 'oppression' to muslims and they have to fight oppression, the poor buggers.
So if we didn't resist they wouldn't have to fight so hard, you see? Its all our fault...
The Order to fight until there is no more Fitnah
Allah then commanded fighting the disbelievers when He said:
﴿حَتَّى لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ﴾
(...until there is no more Fitnah) meaning, Shirk. This is the opinion of Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi`, Muqatil bin Hayyan, As-Suddi and Zayd bin Aslam.
Allah's statement:
﴿وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ للَّهِ﴾
(...and the religion (all and every kind of worship) is for Allah (Alone).) means, `So that the religion of Allah becomes dominant above all other religions.' It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said: "The Prophet was asked, `O Allah's Messenger! A man fights out of bravery, and another fights to show off, which of them fights in the cause of Allah' The Prophet said:
«مَنْ قَاتَلَ لِتَكُونَ كَلِمَةُ اللهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيا فَهُوَ فِي سَبِيلِ الله»
(He who fights so that Allah's Word is superior, then he fights in Allah's cause.) In addition, it is reported in the Two Sahihs:
«أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَقُولُوا لَا إِلهَ إلَّا اللهُ، فَإِذَا قَالُوهَا عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُم وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إلَّا بِحَقِّهَا وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى الله»
(I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people until they proclaim, `None has the right to be worshipped but Allah'. Whoever said it, then he will save his life and property from me, except for cases of the law, and their account will be with Allah.)
Allah's statement:
﴿فَإِنِ انتَهَواْ فَلاَ عُدْوَنَ إِلاَّ عَلَى الظَّـلِمِينَ﴾
(But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against the wrongdoers.) indicates that, `If they stop their Shirk and fighting the believers, then cease warfare against them. Whoever fights them afterwards will be committing an injustice. Verily aggression can only be started against the unjust.' This is the meaning of Mujahid's statement that only combatants should be fought. Or, the meaning of the Ayah indicates that, `If they abandon their injustice, which is Shirk in this case, then do not start aggression against them afterwards.' The aggression here means retaliating and fighting them, just as Allah said:
﴿فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُواْ عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ﴾
(Then whoever transgresses against you, you transgress likewise against him.) (2:194)
Similarly, Allah said:
﴿وَجَزَآءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا﴾
(The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof.) (42:40), and:
﴿وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُواْ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُمْ بِهِ﴾
(And if you punish them, then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. ) (16:126)
`Ikrimah and Qatadah stated, "The unjust person is he who refuses to proclaim, `There is no God worthy of worship except Allah'.''
Under Allah's statement:
﴿وَقَـتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّى لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ﴾
(And fight them until there is no more Fitnah) Al-Bukhari recorded that Nafi` said that two men came to Ibn `Umar during the conflict of Ibn Az-Zubayr and said to him, "The people have fallen into shortcomings and you are the son of `Umar and the Prophet's Companion. Hence, what prevents you from going out'' He said, "What prevents me is that Allah has for bidden shedding the blood of my (Muslim) brother.'' They said, "Did not Allah say:
﴿وَقَـتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّى لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ﴾
(And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah))'' He said, "We did fight until there was no more Fitnah and the religion became for Allah Alone. You want to fight until there is Fitnah and the religion becomes for other than Allah!''
`Uthman bin Salih added that a man came to Ibn `Umar and asked him, "O Abu `Abdur-Rahman! What made you perform Hajj one year and `Umrah another year and abandon Jihad in the cause of Allah, although you know how much He has encouraged performing it'' He said, "O my nephew! Islam is built on five (pillars): believing in Allah and His Messenger, the five daily prayers, fasting Ramadan, paying the Zakah and performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House.'' They said, "O Abu `Abdur-Rahman! Did you not hear what Allah said in His Book:
﴿وَإِن طَآئِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُواْ فَأَصْلِحُواْ بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الأُخْرَى فَقَـتِلُواْ الَّتِى تَبْغِى حَتَّى تَفِىءَ إِلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ﴾
(And if two parties (or groups) among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both. But if one of them outrages against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that which outrages till it complies with the command of Allah.) (49:9) and:
﴿وَقَـتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّى لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ﴾
(And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief))
He said, "That we did during the time of Allah's Messenger when Islam was still weak and (the Muslim) man used to face trials in his religion, such as killing or torture. When Islam became stronger (and apparent), there was no more Fitnah.'' He asked, "What do you say about `Ali and `Uthman'' He said, "As for `Uthman, Allah has forgiven him. However, you hated the fact that Allah had forgiven him! As for `Ali, he is the cousin of Allah's Messenger and his son-in-law.'' He then pointed with his hand, saying, "This is where his house is located (meaning, `so close to the Prophet's house just as `Ali was so close to the Prophet himself').''
﴿الشَّهْرُ الْحَرَامُ بِالشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْحُرُمَـتُ قِصَاصٌ فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُواْ عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴾
(194. The sacred month is for the sacred month, and for the prohibited things, there is the Law of equality (Qisas). Then whoever transgresses against you, you transgress likewise against him. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is with Al-Muttaqin.)
From the article:
He added that another main source of income was opium produced by poppy farmers in Helmand, thanks to a Taliban fatwa, or holy order. "Our scholars have given a religious decree saying that things which are usually abominable in Islam are permitted to wage jihad against the enemies of Islam," he said.
Strange. I was in Afghanistan as far back as 1969 and Opium and hashish was the biggest export then. and there was no war on. There was also no jihad apart from the occasional raid or robbery.
So now they have a religious decree saying its all good?
Very strange indeed...
Sooner or later somebody is going to have to make a compilation of:
a) all the recent press reports of polls in which mohammedans register their approval of the jihaddis, and
b) all of the recent quotes in the press of mohammedan preachers explaining how all the violence is just fine and perfectly mohammedan, and
c) all the recent quotes in the press of jihaddis quoting their preachers and religious books to explain how they are going to go on killing
... and just put a cork in all this tiny minority of misunderstanders of islam business.
At this point all you need to do is just read the news for crying out loud!
Why should we expect any sort of decent behavior from these people. What is decent to them, is to kill as many of Allah's enemies as possible, and enslave the rest. The entire planet is their battlefield. Osama also said it was a kindness to kill kufrs. Gee thanks...'Your so kind, it betcha think this song is about you...' Keep your kindness to yourself, we don't need it, thanks, but no thanks. If you ever try to be kind to me, I will defend myself...A bumper sticker...Defend yourself, resist Islamic kindness...it's bad for your health...
Proposal:
From here on, any hostages will be referred to as "the recently deceased", and a statement made that "We regret the murder of these innocent* people" by the Islamist. This should force all those "Aid Workers" and "Journalist" to realize they are on their own, NO MORE RANSOMS!
*According to Islamic traditions only Muslims are innocent. All others are guilty of rejecting "Allah".
More double-standards!!
Islam is full of them....
....and full of IT!
"Our scholars have given a religious decree saying that things which are usually abominable in Islam are permitted to wage jihad against the enemies of Islam"
Since just about everything in Islam is abominable, I guess that means that anything goes.
I see Hannity and Colmes coming up a lot lately. I know that they are dhimmis, but what have they done recently to attract so much attention?
Infidel Pride:
Nothing. They're no worse than most. I just thought this clip with Emerson was particularly egregious, and useful in showing both H. and C., not just C., purveying soothing nonsense about the foremost crisis of our time.
Cordially,
Robert Spencer
As noted during the hostage crisis, all the South Koreans needed to do is soak the cash in a dilute acid, which cause the paper to turn to powder in a few days.
By then, the hostages are home, and the ransom money has disintegrated.
No guns can be paid for with the green dust.
Win-win.
This type of capitulation shows exactly the WRONG mindset. Everything of value that jihadists get their hands on will be used to do harm to us.
The proper response to hostage-taking is to defeat the hostage-takers once and for all - which is exactly what Jimmy Carter infamously failed to do with Iran.
The historical record shows the spiritual fortitude and the mindset that DOES make it possible to resist the Islamic onslaught: "What happened in 1389?"
What is even more egregious, in my opinion, is the fact that the S. Korean government officially promised that no more Christian missionaries would even step on Afghan soil.
That is the worst of the deal, in my humble opinion. Giving them supremecy over the message of freedom and forgiveness is simply unforgivable.