''Religious values should be respected in order the relations between the two sides to remain positive."
In Cyprus, since the Turkish occupation began:
* at least 55 churches have been converted into mosques
* another 50 churches and monasteries have been converted into stables, stores, hostels, museums, or have been demolished
* the cemeteries of at least 25 villages have been desecrated and destroyed
* innumerable icons, religious artifacts and all kinds of archaeological treasures have been stolen and smuggled abroad
* illegal excavations and smuggling of antiquities is openly taking place all the time with the involvement of the occupying forces
* all Greek place names contrary to all historical and cultural reason were converted into Turkish ones.
"Cyprus: Bar Construction in Mosque Infuriates Muslims," from ANSAmed, October 25 (thanks to Insubria):
(ANSAmed) - ANKARA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's (KKTC) Directorate of Religious Affairs has applied to state offices in Greek Cyprus to stop the construction of a bar in the garden of the Hala Mosque in South Cyprus, which has resulted in criticism from Muslims living on the island, Today's Zaman reports. ''Religious values should be respected in order the relations between the two sides to remain positive'', the director of Religious Affairs in the KKTC, Yusuf Suicmez, said, underlining that it is very important for Muslims because the mosque, that lies on the shores of the Larnaca Salt Lake, reportedly houses the tomb of Umm Haram, the aunt of the Prophet Muhammad, making it the fourth holiest Muslim shrine after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.
"Aunt Umm's Bar" sounds good!
Fourth holiest shrine? The number is increasing!
"the tomb of Umm Haram, the aunt of the Prophet Muhammad, making it the fourth holiest Muslim shrine after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem."
I wonder if this was the aunt whose dead body Mohammed had sex with in her grave?
I have not yet ascertained the veracity of the source (and I cannot find independent verification of the Sahih Muslim reference number ("34424") repeated in the Blogosphere and initiated apparently by Father Zakarios), while I came across another source that indicates that the dead woman Mohammed reputedly had sex with was not his aunt, but his daughter Fatima:
This is from a book called "Kanz Al Umal" (The Treasure of the Workers), in the chapter of "The issues of women", authored by Ali Ibn Husam Aldin, commonly known as Al-Mutaki Al-Hindi. He based his book on the hadiths and sayings listed in "Al-Jami Al-Saghir," written by Jalal ul-Din Al-Suyuti.
Narrated by Ibn Abbas:
"I (Muhammad) put on her my shirt that she may wear the clothes of heaven, and I SLEPT with her in her coffin (grave) that I may lessen the pressure of the grave. She was the best of Allah’s creatures to me after Abu Talib"... The prophet was referring to Fatima, the mother of Ali.
The Arabic scholar Demetrius explains : "The Arabic word used here for "slept" is "Id'tajat," and literally means "lay down" with her. It is often used to mean, "lay down to have sex." Muhammad is understood as saying that because he slept with her she has become like a wife to him so she will be considered like a "mother of the believers." This will supposedly prevent her from being tormented in the grave, since Muslims believed that as people wait for the Judgment Day they will be tormented in the grave. "Reduce the pressure" here means that the torment won't be as much because she is now a "mother of the believers" after Muhammad slept with her and "consummated" the union."
As for Mohammed being permitted to sleep with his aunt or daughter, Koran 33:50, after listing the different kinds of family relations (including aunts) who are forbidden for Muslims to have sex with, adds that ubiquitous little loophole we find in Islam for every depravity known to man and Satan:
"...and a believing woman if she gave herself to the Prophet, if the Prophet desired to marry her ["marry" probably just meaning the F word]..."
memo to Turkey - y'all invaded Cyprus. Your continued occupation is illegal. Please leave and take Islam with you.
Hesperado,
And you won't find any coroboration with most of what "father" Botros spins up and projects...he's a Jerry Springer-like bafoon that pulls all kinds of gymnnastics to make mundane things seem nefarious and rarely does he quote references to valid texts...I guess he is just expecting his audience to just take him at his word....which is worthless.
Peace
Abdullah
I'm sure she must have had at least a few binges herself due to her relation with her infamous nephew. If it's only "reported" to be so important a site,why hasn't it been verified as such in all this time? Anyhoo here's to the world's first "mouzoleum" if indeed it is true. Sorry JW'ers, couldn't resist that one.
Business opportunity - t-shirts and bumper stickers that read:
Free Cyprus
Free Constantinople
Free Mecca
Free Medina
etc
Your nom de plume would imply that you are of Irish descent (as am I), this might explain the graveyard humor.
Umm Haram?
If she was Haram, why do they care?
:P
Umm Haram?
If she was Haram, why do they care?
:P
Umm Haram?
If she was Haram, why do they care?
:P
AM : And you won't find any coroboration with most of what "father" Botros spins up and projects...he's a Jerry Springer-like bafoon that pulls all kinds of gymnnastics to make mundane things seem nefarious and rarely does he quote references to valid texts
So your run-of-the-mill islamic scholar, in fact?
I have to say the more I read your quran (which I keep by the toilet) the more obvious a work of fiction and pragmatic banditry.
I'm particularly amused by the recollection of mohammed (Pedophile, misogynist, murderer, liar, maniac, thief, parasite etc)on his death bed reciting a protective prayer or two. That neatly encapsulates the power of islam and how well it worked for even its favorite son. It's a shme he didn't die a few decades earlier and of a more prolonged illness.
Umm...make mine a double.
Is there any other kind? :P
'bafoon'
Does your computer have a spell-checker?
'that pulls all kinds of gymnnastics to make mundane things seem nefarious'
Kind of like alcohol and pork?
'I guess he is just expecting his audience to just take him at his word....which is worthless.'
Only one with faith in a false god would know.
Why the hell is Jerusalem is holy site for Muslims? muhammud the rapist,thief and murderer never visited there? Jerusalem was settled first by the Jews, Christians have more rights to Jerusalem than do the Muslims. Muslims are just interlopers who belong back in the land of the sowdis. deport deport deport muslims now!
Islam_macht_Frei
You can already get 'Free Constantinople; Five hundred years of occupation is enough!' T-shirts-- and maybe even the others you suggest.
As far as the occupation of Cyprus is a stumbling block for Turkey joining the EU then long may they stay there.
Nothing like a cold one on a hot Cyprus day.