Here again we see that those whom Obama, John Brennan, and so many others insist have nothing to do with Islam explicitly take upon themselves the mantle of Islamic purity and authenticity. This is a cognitive dissonance that no one in authority is showing any signs of addressing, and yet it undercuts their entire strategy in Afghanistan and elsewhere, including in regard to many domestic policies. "Taliban says will continue 'jihad' against ANP," from the Daily Times, July 28:
MIRANSHAH: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said on Tuesday that it was the duty of the mujahideen to annihilate the Awami National Party (ANP), as it was "not only the enemy of the Taliban, but Islam as well". Talking to reporters over telephone from an undisclosed location about the recent attacks on the ANP, TTP spokesman Azam Tariq said Pakhtuns could not tolerate the existence of the ANP in the region, as the party was an enemy of Islam. The spokesman added that it was the need of the hour to exterminate the ANP and the Taliban would continue jihad against the party.
I had an interesting conversation with a man from Bangladesh the other day. He had one all-consuming hatred: his hatred of Pakistan. For he remembered vividly the orgy of rape and looting and killing that the Pakistani army, together with the local Muslim fanatics -- the razakars -- who took their side -- that went on in 1971 during the war for East Pakistan's (now Bangladesh's) independence.
In Bangladeshi terms, the Awami League is Muslim but less fanatically so than the other parties. It is not great, and we shouldn't start creating our usual vivid theatricals, where the less fanatical Muslims suddenly are given the roles of "our allies" and "our friends" -- but it's better than those who want to destroy it. And Mujibur Rahman, the father of independence for Bangladesh, and his daughter, appear to be reasonable -- in Muslim terms -- people. But don't get your hopes up. Buddhists are still persecuted, humiliated, and killed in the Chittagong Hills. And so are Hindus in Bangladesh, whenever Muslim fanatics get the chance.
And meanwhile, over the border into terminally generous India, into the State of West Bengal tumble millions of Muslims from Bangladesh, hoping to take advantage of a less ill-run and possibly less impoverished society. But they bring their Islam with them, overruning, and turning on, the local Hindus, repaying the generosity of the locals with ferocity. Is it any different anywhere that Muslims have in large numbers been allowed in, as soon as they feel numerous enough, and powerful enough, not to need to hold back?
"..Pakhtuns could not tolerate the existence of the ANP in the region, as the party was an enemy of Islam.."
Of course it is, Taliban are true Muslims, and that's how true Muslims behave...
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/07/taliban-vermins.html
Hugh,
ANP national party was the once led by a Gandhian Pashtun ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Abdul_Ghaffar_Khan ). Interestingly of all the provinces that make up Pakistan. Those restive tribal areas of NWFP ruled by ANP, actually voted to stay a part of India as opposed to Muslim league's Pakistan.