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Got your Iraqi scorecard handy? The Ayatollah Sistani, remember, is the moderate pro-democracy one who did not want to see a clerocracy in Iraq. Why did he support the elections? Not because he is some Iraqi Jefferson, but because he knew they would secure power for Shi'ites in Iraq. We saw quite some time ago that he wanted Sharia in Iraq, but others as recently as July 26 continued to delude themselves that he represented a "more benign Islam." Well, time to face the facts. "Cleric Hopes Islam Basis for Law in Iraq," from AP, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
NAJAF, Iraq - The Iraqi prime minister said Friday that the country's leading Shiite Muslim cleric hopes the constitution being drawn up will enshrine Islam as the main source of legislation — something opposed by Kurds and some Iraqi women activists.A younger radical Shiite cleric, meanwhile, urged Iraqis to participate in the constitutional process but added that he personally would not vote in elections planned for year's end because of the presence of foreign troops.
Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari commented on the constitution after spending nearly two hours with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most influential cleric in the Shiite Muslim community, which makes up 60 percent of Iraq's population....
Al-Jaafari later met with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has toned down his opposition to the U.S.-led coalition since his supporters staged a failed uprising last year, and Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, one of four Shiite grand ayatollahs but who does not have a high profile politically.
After that meeting, al-Jaafari was asked whether al-Sistani wants Islam to be the main source of legislation or one of the sources.
"Ayatollah al-Sistani does not want to impose dictation on drafting the constitution, but according to my knowledge he hopes that Islam become the main source of legislation," al-Jaafari replied.
Al-Sadr also told reporters that every Iraqi should be involved in the constitutional process, although he added that he would not participate in the planned Dec. 15 elections.
"I will not take part in the presence of occupiers, but I will give the freedom to whoever wants to join," he said.
The key points of disagreement on the constitution include the role of Islam, Iraq's identity, federalism and the country's language.
Posted by Robert at August 5, 2005 4:35 PM
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TWO BANGLADESHI CHRISTIANS KILLED FOR SHOWING JESUS FILM
Sad news from Bangladesh. Yes, the very country that is always cap in hand to the West.
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Two evangelists in Bowalmari District Faridpur, Bangladesh, were stabbed to death around midnight on 29th July.
Liplal Mardy (35) and Tapan Roy (30) had been showing the Jesus film, as well as health education films, in villages around the area. They had received at least two verbal threats from the head of the local madrassa (Islamic religious school), telling them to stop showing the film. After the second threat they stopped their work and were planning to leave the area, but were murdered before they could do so.
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From the Barnabus Fund.
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at August 5, 2005 4:59 PM
Great. Let them create another Islamic state like Iran. Eventually everyone in their country will HATE Sharia and become atheists. It is happening in Iran now. I believe this is the only real way to cleanse the Islamic world of, well, Islam, or what Islam is today. Western secularism rose out of exhaustion with religious wars and tyranny. Why not let the Muslim world do the same thing to themselves?
While we're at it, spend 1% of GNP on replacing oil, rather than 1% of GNP on "liberating" Iraq.
Quijbo
Posted by: Quijybo at August 5, 2005 5:06 PM
OT: Robert,
Thanks for all the free education you and the staff provide. I rarely post but still check in several times per day. I'll continue to do so regardless of whether or not the 'comments' section is closed. I've found this site a great resource for a back-and-forth I've had with a local Islamist in my local paper for well over a year.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Doug at August 5, 2005 5:14 PM
If a hardcore religious leader wanted anything BUT what worked to his advantage it would be a miracle.
I prefer:
"My kingdom is not of this world"
Or:
"Wake up. Be compassionate."
Or, especially:
"Know thyself."
(But the final one is expressly forbidden by Islam, where you are only allowed to know the Koran.)
Posted by: BigSleep at August 5, 2005 5:21 PM
When will our leaders realize they have been had by Islam and its apologists and agents they surround themselves with? That day must come soon.
Posted by: pedestrian infidel at August 5, 2005 5:33 PM
Time the US admitted its failed Iraq policy and quickly, quietly withdrew ASAP. That certainly seems to be the opinion of many here. For once, I too agree.
Let the Iraqi 'moderates' - such as they are - and the rest of the world deal with the fallout.
The US can then go back into an isolationist international posture. The US navy should stop patrolling the sea lanes which ensure maritime security to practically all of the world's merchandise-shipping troublespots.
We can and will survive alone and isolated - hey, it sure will be difficult in the beginning, no illusions about that.
Let the rest of the world deal with the vaccum that will arise - China filling it up maybe - and see for themselves how utopic a world without the US is!
Posted by: voletti at August 5, 2005 5:48 PM
Violetti-
The isolationist policy is attractive, however, do you want China active on OUR borders? From what I've heard, China is quietly attempting to make inroads in Latin America. Unfortunately, for our own security, we need to stay somewhat involved (particularly with fellow democracies).
I DO think we should become self sufficient as possible. Business interests should take a back seat to national security, and keep us free of foreign entanglements based on the need for fuel, food, or other raw materials.
at August 5, 2005 6:08 PM
Quijybo:
Your post was right on the money. I am an immigration attorney in the DC area, and have been representing an increasing number of Iranian apostates--i.e., those who have left Islam without reservation and face persecution if they were ever to return to Iran. Some apostates convert to Christianity, but many others become completely and unreservedly secular, and completely disgusted with religious dogma as a result of living under Sharia.
Iran is becoming a very, very interesting place. Persians are very much aware that they are NOT Arabs, and that their culture and history is far more diverse and interesting. Take what you may read about life in Iran these days with a grain of salt--there is an enormous underground culture happening there, and although anecdotal, I believe something "big" will happen within the next several years in that country. The people are too smart and too savvy not for this to happen.
Iraq is a total waste of resources--not the least of which are our brave and committed soldiers, facing constant heat and the threat of IEDs. Historically, there is no such thing as the unified country of Iraq. I can't believe this administration learned nothing from Ottoman history. Let the Iraqis fight one another--I don't see how we can lose in that situation as long as the WMD situation is effectively monitored.
If we put even 50% of the amount the taxpayers are spending in Iraq into alternative fuel exploration, it would pay dividends. It is such utter insanity. The initial invasion was correct, but the "building of democracy" phase is simply absurd.
Matt
P.S. I know that Mr. Spencer is contemplating an end to posting on this site. I feel terrible, since I just signed up. Also, Hugh's comments in particular are in general quite good. But I also understand how racist or otherwise crude comments can put a fly in the ointment of Mr. Spencer's extraordinarily important message about the nature of the threat we face from Islam. Unvarnished Islam. In short, "real" Islam. Best to all.
Posted by: Matt at August 5, 2005 6:18 PM
Interesting comments, so far I think we need to stay the course and achieve some kind of victory for Democracy in Iraq, although I agree it is certainly a mess. The biggest problem I see now is the triumph chasing us out of Iraq with our tails between our legs would be for the terrorists. It would give them huge strength and we cannot allow that. It is nice to think in terms of isolationism but that has never really worked for long for the US. It's not just the oil, it is the World Trade Center which will happen again if we do not fight them. They are not going to quit til we make them. Handing them this victory will just severely lengthen that process, I believe. We have to win.
Posted by: napablogger at August 5, 2005 10:22 PM
YES! We have to win .Anything less will slowly remove the stars of the flag and replace it with the crescent
at August 5, 2005 11:21 PM
In the event that Mr. Spencer ends these COMMENTS, I'm trying to set up a back-up blog for that purpose.
Try this and see if it works:
http://watchjihad.blogspot.com/
refering to this article, specifically. (A hyperlink in it leads back to this site.)
And a previous one, about the 'back-up' idea, in general:
http://watchmyjihad.blogspot.com/
I am trying to see if they connect between the two, for viewers and commenters, (scroll to bottom to leave comment), because, for the one setting these sites up, they are not all that intuitively clear about how a second posting appears or links in/to the first. (But I'll get there.)
MEANWHILE:
No Sharia west of Mecca!
(Or east.)
(Or north.)
(And especially not south!)
Posted by: BigSleep at August 6, 2005 1:06 AM
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