*rubs hands together in gleeful anticipation*

This should be good.

Posted by: CGW at December 29, 2004 9:07 AM

Oh my God Mr. Spencer, I'm getting chest pains reading this.

I've got to have a have a few beers before I return to comment, it's just too much dhimmitude to comprehend. What? Jews and Christians are "Moslems" and there is no such thing as the choice of conversion, tax or sword in Islam?

I am living in the twilight zone where nothing I ever learned about islam is concrete and subject to debate and good apparently does not always triumph over evil, especially when we coddle evil in our midst’s like naive useful idiot dhimmi idiots.

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 9:11 AM

"I am so tired of listening to supposed experts...blah, blah, blah,

"And I tire of publications and organizations who continue to publish and support this sort of misrepresentation...blah, blah, blah.

We are so tired of the blah, blah, blah from people like you, Lua.

Posted by: 3812Michelle at December 29, 2004 9:36 AM

I guess this Sira that Hightower has apparently never heard of must be pretty embarrassing, incriminating stuff for him/her to deny the existence of. What does a cornered Muslim do when confronted with uncomfortable facts about their belief system? Lie. Afterall, the Koran encourages this if it promotes Islam. Admitting to the dirty laundry would be counter-productive to their dawa efforts, so just lie. It's okay. Allah approves. That's the sort of god he is. Lies are okay. Hatred is okay. So is murder, sexual deviancy, rape, slavery, etc. Sorry Lua, I may not have been inside a Christian church for a while, but I'm quite certain your god is NOT, in any way, the same as the ones Christians worship. So you can stuff your lies.

This happens all the time. Any discussion about the hideousness of Islam or their "prophet" is met with denials. You wonder whether they're ignorant or just bold-faced liars. Neither can be excused.

Posted by: feralee at December 29, 2004 9:54 AM

Lua Hightower, feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss this further.

Don't hold your breath.

Mr. Spencer, I just read a blurb about the dhimmi she-thing atorney that carried secret messages for that Jihadi (Ramzi Yousef?) Looks like there'll be a verdict soon. Hopefully they'll send her to a men's prison in Pakistan.

Posted by: kj at December 29, 2004 10:40 AM

There was this Muslim fellow who was trying to take a nap while some children were playing outside his bedroom window. He finally yelled out of the window, “You kids go to Muhammed’s house. He’s giving away free candy.” The children ran away and the man resumed his nap. But in ten minutes he was in the living room. His wife said, “I thought you were going to take a nap,” and he replied, “No. I’m going over to Muhammed’s to get some free candy.”

They truly believe their own lies.

Posted by: Moe Goldberg at December 29, 2004 10:40 AM

I went to the Augusta Free Press site to read the article, get this, their motto is "Our Only Agenda is the Truth." So, I sent them a couple of pictures (stoning, lashing, chopped off hands)from Faithfreedom.org with a "here's your truth" comment. (I hope Faithfreedom.org doesn't mind.)

Posted by: Greg at December 29, 2004 10:41 AM

I took a guess that Ms. Hightower is a member of the Baha'i Faith. Two clues led me to this hypothesis: there is a famous American Baha'i from the early 20th century named Lua Getsinger, and secondly was the obvious sincerity in her assertion that Islam is indeed the "religion of peace". So I poked around the net and found her posts on Baha'i oriented newlists.

Here's the point: I have met many members of the Baha'i community in my many travels around the world. They are certainly one of the gentlest and most tolerant people I have ever encountered. They claim to embrace Islam in the same way that Christains embrace the Judaic roots of their own religion, but they eschew completely any doctrines that even remotely resemble jihad but they are also profoundly naieve in their bliss with regard to the history, dogma or doctrines of Islam. They also reject the notion of inequality of the genders. My guess is that all that Ms. Hightower ever learned about Islam came from the Baha'i literature on the subject.

Ms. Hightower's claim to be a student of Islam for 23 years, if she is indeed a Baha'i, is due to the fact that the Baha'is believe that they are the successors to the Islamic revelation. Their founder, Mirza Hussein Ali (a.k.a. Baha'u'llah, b. 1817, d. 1892) claimed to possess the authority equal to that of Muhammad. The movement is generally considered by some oriental scholars to be a potent "Mahdist" movement that has somehow managed to survive the many brutal pogroms that Islamic states have directed at them in efforts to exterminate them. They remain one of the largest minority religious communities in Iran, and one of the most persecuted by the Mullacracy.

Let this be a good lesson to the Baha'i community. To truly understand the history, dogma and doctrines of Islam, go to the source. Go directly to the Islamic canon. As a minimum it will help you understand the true context of the movement that you have embraced. Fair warning: when you begin to discover the truth of the Islamic ideology, your own faith may be shaken because the Baha'i doctines that embrace Islam as a "true" revelation may not settle so comfortably in your soul, regardless of the fact that the founder of the Baha'i movement has claimed that today, all of Islam is abrogated.

Posted by: Hulegu Khan at December 29, 2004 10:49 AM

Has anyone ever read up on the little-boy brothels of Islamdom that fell out of favor only very recently? Of course some of them may have been "officially closed down" i.e. moved their entrance to an alley as opposed to the street.

The Arab catamite brothels and their love-hate fixation on pederasty and sodomy in general is yet another topic the Muslims won't broach.

Speaking of what the British used to call the "Arab Disease", YEARS ago--goddam, maybe fifteen or twenty-- there was a case in the news of a guy somewhere playing with his baby son somewhere with some "infidels" watching, and he kind of playfully kissed his son on the penis. The infidels called the police and he was investigated.

Of course it was probably nothing. But his defense was--get this--that child molestation is virtually unheard-of in Muslim culture, so he didn't think anything of it. (The implication being, of course that since pedophilia is such a ingrained part of non-Muslim culture, people tend to over react.)

That's the mark of a fanatic, using EVERY situation as a commercial for your cult/creed/etc. (Look around you.) Reminds me of one of the punks involved in the big Central Park Jogger gang-rape case who's defense was that he COULDN'T have raped her, he's a Muslim.

Okay... btw way they were all found not guilty recently.

Posted by: kj at December 29, 2004 10:52 AM

Mr. Khan, isn't the worldwide headquarters for the Bahais in India? If Islam is so nice, I wonder* why they didn't build it in Saudi or Iran?

Perhaps Ms. Lua could answer this.

Posted by: kj at December 29, 2004 10:55 AM

"So, technically speaking, Jews and Christians are "muslim""

They are, if you've mindlessly bought into the Islamic supercessionist schtick, like this self-proclaimed expert of 23 years.
Lua Hightower has alot of nerve babbling about "absolute ignorance or willful deception". It's time she did less talking and more researching.

Posted by: Mike at December 29, 2004 11:02 AM

Given the persecution stated in Hulegu Khan's post above, for the Bahai to insist that Islam is peacful is just staggering in its obvious levels of self delusion.

Ms. Lua, if the religion is so peacful, why would muslims bother to attack those whose beliefs are based on the Koran, but "transcendent" with further revelation?

Posted by: Walker Colt at December 29, 2004 11:04 AM

The world headquarters of the Baha'i Faith is in Haifa, Israel. I have visited their magnificent garden terraces that adorn the slopes of Mt. Carmel.

The reason they are in Israel is that the Ottomons exiled the Baha'i founder to Akka which is across the Bay of Haifa from the city. Akka is a fortress that was built by the European Christians during the Crusades. It was used by the Ottomons as a prison. In his old age, the founder was allowed to take up residence in a derelict estate outside the fortress town. He was held there under house arrest until his death in 1892 but his followers were allowed to come and go as they pleased. There is a fascinating account of a visit to him there by the eminent oriental scholar Edward G. Browne that is related in Browne's "A Traveller's Narrative".

Posted by: Hulegu Khan at December 29, 2004 11:08 AM

Lua Hightower should debate this issue with other Muslims who would not agree with her sugar-coated version of the Islamic problem and need for Islamic religious reform.

For example, how does Lua Hightower answer the problems and challenges described by Islamic woman Irshad Manji in the "The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith". Now that would be worth the Atlanta paper printing.

See Irshad's site at:
http://www.muslimrefusenik.com/

It is regrettable that Irshad does not get more publicity, and only people like Lua Hightower are heard. Lua Hightower works to destroy any bridges of hope and trust that other Muslims like Irshad Manji create.

Irshad Manji deals with reality headon and admits that changes need to made to Islam and how they need to be made. Irshad Manji represents a future for Islamic reform, while Lua Hightower represents a future for Isalmic denial about the problems that religion and its believes face.

But it seems like we only hear about the Lua Hightowers in the world who are living in denial. That can not be encouraging to any Islamic moderates who may be thinking of taking a stand.

Posted by: jeffreyimm at December 29, 2004 11:30 AM

For those who may have missed this in yesterday's threads:

Petition to UN to End Dhimmitude:

http://www.petitiononline.com/dhimmi/petition.html

Posted by: Mike at December 29, 2004 12:38 PM

“No. I’m going over to Muhammed’s to get some free candy.”

OHMYGOD THAT'S THE FUNNIST THING I'VE READ IN WEEKS AND WEEKS!

ROFLMAO!!!!

ROFLMAO!!!!

(Sorry. I don't get out much. Been reading Henry Rollins too.)

Posted by: kj at December 29, 2004 12:57 PM

Perhaps we should all write a Letter To The Editor of the Augusta Free Press.

(Keep it civil, troglodytes. We want the letters to be printed as a rebuttal to make Lua look like a fool, not those that question her.)

Posted by: kj at December 29, 2004 12:59 PM

Lua Hightower might try entering a search for "Sira + Mohammed, or, Sira + Islam." Amazing what you come up with, and it didn't take 23 years to find. A teeny bit of research before the condemnation might have come in handy.

Posted by: RIslander at December 29, 2004 1:05 PM

Lua Hightower appears to be this person, although I cannot confirm this:

http://www.superluminal.com/andalib/luanne.html

Posted by: Admiral Don Juan at December 29, 2004 1:32 PM

The Father/Master distinction and the contrast between a deity that sacrifices for 'sinners' (which is clearly a class that includes both believers and unbelievers) versus one that 'rewards believers' and 'hates unbelievers' are both very useful. Thank you Robert.

The Christian message of the crucifixtion is also very telling: God not only sacrifices himself (or part of himself or however you want to interpret the story; the crucifixtion implies divine self sacrifice) but aims to heal a broken world through that self sacrifice. Hence, following the divine example implies not only pacifist attitudes and behavior, but the willingness to give of oneself to others, including 'unbelievers' (although the story does not stress the distinction between those that believe and those that don't in characterizing those following the divine example.)

But, what is the message of the Qur'an as far as the overall aim of 'Islam' is concerned? Achieve universal obedience to the Master, Allah, through da'wa, and, if obstacles or resistance are presented, jihad.

Following the example of Jesus leads to the cross. Following dictums and examples of 'the Messenger' leads to the war path.

Posted by: JTF at December 29, 2004 1:42 PM

Admirial Don Juan

Fascinating, it seems to be, considering the Bahaí connection and the milticultural credentials, can anyone else confirm this?

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 1:46 PM

The Islamic cult is so potent and funded by so much money that it is going to take every ounce of energy we have to ensure that we are not taken over. When I see what is going on in Britain now where they are on the verge of accepting polygamy as legal, my blood turns to ice. They deftly wield their knife pushing the point into our civilization's chest a little here, a little there, until they finally reach our heart and the end comes. The Dutch are leaving Holland but where will they go to escape? The only place on earth that is immune to Islam, as they do not allow ANY immigration, is Japan. A few hundred years from now, Japan may be the only country left untouched by Islam. The cultural traditions and literature of the West will be preserved as curiosities by the Japanese who will gasp in astonishment at our allowing ourselves to be destroyed from within by fifth columnists.

Posted by: Admiral Don Juan at December 29, 2004 1:46 PM

Admiral Don Juan

She is absolutely one and the same.

LUA HIGHTOWER (Sufi musician): It's a way of being mindful of the presence of God -- by focusing on a particular attribute, you can access a certain state, or sort of develop a certain quality in yourself by invoking that name over and over again.
********************************
It's best known in the West for the dance of the whirling dervishes. Sufism, which flowered within Islam more than a thousand years ago, is gaining new followers today in America. Its central ideas -- universal love, mystical union with God, and openness to different spiritual paths -- are being spread by teachers, musicians, and poets from around the world.
—Deryl Davis more here

And this

Posted by: Michael in SC at December 29, 2004 2:01 PM

Admiral Don Juan

You should know that there is a Moslem presence in Nippon, I mean Japan. Granted it is small, about 0.2 percent of the 127 million population but it is growing in popularity as Islam is being marketed as similar to Buddhism, the faith of some 85 percent of the Japanese population.

Consider the following link:
http://www.islamcenter.or.jp/eng/index.htm

AND THIS:

"Islam is not widely practiced among the native population but there are over 100,000 Muslims from the Middle East and elsewhere living in Japan. The country has around 40 mosques. There has been a mosque in Tokyo since the early 1900's but a new !!!large-capacity mosque!!! - Tokyo Camii - was recently built on the site, funded mostly by private donations."
http://www.japan-zone.com/omnibus/other_religion.shtml

Also read this, though take it with a grain of salt:

"There is also a fairly large migrant Muslim community in Japan who have contributed immensely in preserving solidarity among the Japanese Muslim Ummah."
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Japan/beacon.html

MOSQUES IN JAPAN:
http://japan-bangla.net/mosquesjp.html

TURKISH CULTURAL CENTER IN JAPAN:
http://japan-bangla.net/mosquesjp.html

I guess they are still a long way off from Islamification, but with their energy dependence, that could change very quickly sometime in the near future.

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 2:13 PM

"There's no coersion in religion", says the Koran? Of course that's true, but one must understand what that means. Once a state of Dar Islam (sp?) exists, i.e. once Muslim Law is firmly in place, and all rival governments, churches, authorities or powers have been conquered, by whatever means necessary, then one may choose a religion different than Islam. If they want to be treated as slaves, pay impossible taxes, and be considered a persona non grata, with the same rights as a dog.

Sayyid Qutb in his book "Milestones" gives us the donw and dirty on this. Check it out.

These people are like the Communists (only worse) with their euphemisms.

Posted by: chaplain at December 29, 2004 2:16 PM

Andrew:

You have ruined my dream of moving my family to Japan to escape Islam. Oh, well. I will have to move to a state like Singapore where Islam is regulated almost to death.

Posted by: Admiral Don Juan at December 29, 2004 2:18 PM

Sorry, here is the correct link for the Japan Turkish Cultural Center (Is the term Islamic or Turkish Cultural center Trademarked or something, every place in the World I've visited has one.)
http://www.tokyocamii.org/english/

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 2:20 PM

Robert,

There have been a lot of suggestions--make that wishes--with respect to how we can get the message "out there" to the ignorant and the fence-sitters.

Schools, movies, historical novels, radio talk shows, writing senators and congressmen, flyers, etc. etc.

We know you make appearances on TV (ever been on Oprah? No, I'm not kidding; she might be receptive to something on the treatment of women by Islam--she's had a few guests on that topic--or the ongoing problem of slavery by Muslims in Africa), as well as doing occasional duty as a guest on talk shows or even as substitute host. So naturally, the fantasy of you having your own talk show comes up.

OK, here come a couple of other questions:

Is there ANY newspaper ANYWHERE in the country where you could have a regularly published, maybe even eventually syndicated, column? Even the newspapers that are primarily "left" or "right" have a readership with a few on the "other side" and who might be influenced by what you have to say. Some of the comments you make about the articles published here on JW are practically articles in their own right--it shouldn't be a huge leap to a weekly column.

Do you ever give lectures at colleges or universities? How about the Naval War College, or to select audiences at the CIA or in the Pentagon? Is there anyone who would insert anything you have to say into the Congressional Record?

My God, if they aren't beating down your door to gain access to your expertise, I...I...Gasp!

Well, contact me any time you want some suggestions about what to do in your free time!

Posted by: cubed at December 29, 2004 2:21 PM

She spent 23 years (a fatidic number of years, that) "studying Islam" and Lua Hightower has not heard of the "Sira"? And knows nothing about what was imposed on non-Muslims? Good God. I know American education is in decline, but this takes the cake.

Voltaire had it wrong. It is not "I may disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Call the rewrite man: "I disagree with what you say, but that is not the main thing. The main thing is that since you apparently know nothing about the subject, it is indefensible that you presume to have an opinion about it at all."

Lua Hightower has not earned the right to be listened to on Islam. Nor, one suspects, about much else.

Posted by: Hugh at December 29, 2004 2:21 PM

Thank you Hulequ Khan.The scholarship on this site is remarkable.We must be properly informed to counter the menace of Islam.

Posted by: doc.D at December 29, 2004 2:29 PM

Michael in SC

By Jove I think your right!

(from your link)

"LUA HIGHTOWER (Sufi musician): It's a way of being mindful of the presence of God -- by focusing on a particular attribute, you can access a certain state, or sort of develop a certain quality in yourself by invoking that name over and over again."

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week610/profile.html

She is certainly uninformed about the passion which she has pursued for 23 years of her life.

I think she fits the criteria for the dhimmi lifetime achievement award.

"The unexamined life is not worth living" --Socrates

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 2:33 PM

Admiral,

I know it was dark humor when you said that Andrew had ruined your dream of moving your family to Japan to escape Islam.

It just gives me the segway to say that if we, here in the US, go down the tubes, then there is no place else for us to go. Singapore is too small to accept all of us who might wish to escape, and the Chinese are not all that safe themselves. And besides, they are quite xenophobic.

Folks, there is only one option; we just gotta win this one. It can't go the route of Korea or Vietnam. We have to persuade our PC infested government that this issue is SERIOUS!

As a bunch of individual citizens, it wouldn't be altogether impossible for us to be the ones to swear or affirm that we would carry out the duty of defending the constitution against enemies, foreign or domestic, but it would be a longer, harder war.

Posted by: cubed at December 29, 2004 2:35 PM

Hugh, as Wittgenstein put it "Whereof you cannot speak, thereof one must be silent".
Told this to my children once. Big mistake. Now when I'm ranting about something all I get is "Wittgenstein Daddy, Wittgenstein".

Posted by: doc.D at December 29, 2004 2:38 PM

I am a little too busy to comment or post on this article right now but I have taken the time to send an email to the Augusta Free Press telling them how dangerous people like this are and that I plan to write on their article, their author, and their editor(for having something as dangerous and ridiculous as this go out the door unchecked). It is very important that those of us who are aware of the threat of radical islam to the free world, counter each and every misconception, mis-quote, miscalculation, and each cover-up of the Islamic agendas, both open and hidden.

This needs to be done very aggressively and I hope that Robert's readers will continue to read his articles - then pass the word verbally and in print as often as possible in as many ways as possible and as many times as possible

Posted by: Hyscience at December 29, 2004 2:42 PM

Hey Andrew:

Get a load of the human rights taqiyya posted on that first Japanese/Islamic website to which you brought my attention; how they can write this drivel without referring to Sharia law (although it is implied) even once is beyond me. Pure, unadulterated propaganda!

http://www.islamcenter.or.jp/eng/w-Islam.htm

Human Rights in an Islamic State

1. The Security of Life and Property:

In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, he said: “Your lives and properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection.”

The Prophet has also said about the dhimmis (the non-Muslim citizens of the Muslim state): “One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., Dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.”

2. The Protection of Honor: The Holy Quran lays down?

i) You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of

another set.

ii) Do not defame one another.

iii) Do not insult by using nickname.

iv) Do not backbite or speak ill of one another (49:11 - 12)

3. Sanctity and Security of Private Life:

The Quran has laid down the injunction:

i) Do not spy on one another.

ii) Do not enter any houses unless you are sure of their occupant’s

consent.

4. The Security of Personal Freedom:

Islam has laid down the principle that no citizen can be imprisoned unless his guilt has been proved in an open court. To arrest a man only on the basis of suspicion and to throw him into a prison without proper court proceedings and without providing him a reasonable opportunity to produce his defense is not permissible in Islam.

5. The Right to Protest Against Tyranny:

Amongst the rights that Islam has conferred on human beings is the right to protest against government’s tyranny. Referring to it the Quran says: “God does not love evil talk in public unless it is by someone who has been injured thereby.”

In Islam, as has been argued earlier, all power and authority belongs to God, and with man, there is only delegated power which becomes a trust; everyone who becomes a recipient or a donee of such a power has to stand in awful reverence before his people towards whom and for whose sake he will be called upon to use these powers.

This was acknowledged by Hazrat Abu Bakr who said in his very first address: “Cooperate with me when I am right but correct me when I commit error; obey me so long as I follow the commandments of Allah and His prophet; but turn away from me when I deviate.”

6. Freedom of Expression:

Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all citizens of the Islamic state on the condition that it should be used for the propagation of virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness.

The Islamic concept of freedom of expression is much superior to the concept prevalent in the West. Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil and wickedness to be propagated. It also does not give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive language in the name of criticism.

It was the practice of the Muslims to inquire from the Holy Prophet whether on a certain matter a divine injunction had been revealed to him. If he said that he had received no divine injunction, the Muslims freely expressed their opinion on the matter.

7. Freedom of Association:

Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of parties or organizations. This right is also subject to certain general rules.

8. Freedom of Conscience and Conviction:

Islam has laid down the injunction; There should be no coercion in the matter of faith.

On the contrary totalitarian societies totally deprive the individuals of their freedom. Indeed this undue exaltation of the state authority curiously enough postulates a sort of servitude, of slavishness on the part of man.

At one time by slavery was meant total control of man over man ? now that type of slavery has been legally abolished but in its place totalitarian societies impose a similar sort of control over individuals.

9. Protection of Religious Sentiments:

Along with the freedom of conviction and freedom of conscience, Islam has given the right to the individual that his religious sentiments will be given due respect and nothing will be said or done which may encroach upon his right.

10. Protection from Arbitrary Imprisonment:

Islam also recognizes the right of the individual that he will not be arrested or imprisoned for the offences of others. The Holy Quran has laid down this principle clearly: No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the burden of another.

11. The Right to Basic Necessities of Life:

Islam has recognized the right of the needy people that help and assistance will be provided to them: And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute.

12. Equality Before Law:

Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete equality in the eyes of the law.

13. Rulers Not Above the Law:

A woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with theft. The case was brought to the Prophet, and it was recommended that she might be spared the punishment of theft.

The Prophet replied, “The nations that lived before you were destroyed by God because they punished the common-man for their offences and let their dignitaries go unpunished for their crimes; I swear by Him Who holds my life in His hand that even if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, had committed this crime, I would have amputated her hand.”

14. The Right to Participate in the Affairs of State

And their business is (conducted) through consultation among themselves. (42:38).. (42:38). The shura or the legislative assembly has no other meaning except that: The executive head of the government and the members of the assembly should be elected by free and independent choice of the people

Posted by: Admiral Don Juan at December 29, 2004 2:42 PM

Robert:

This is nonsense. Lua Hightower knows exactly what "sira" is -- that's why she is trying to discredit it. How much more would Islam be looked upon askance by the average 'unassuming Joe' if they knew how much of murderous, supercilious Islamic doctrine is couched in the sira. She is hoping that the public are gullible and lazy enough to simply take one Muslim's word (practicing 23 years) over yours!

Remember the famous words of Yasser Arafat, "I'd kill for my cause, wouldn't I be willing to lie for it?"

The G-d of Israel states to Abraham:

"I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Enough said ...

Posted by: Kemaste at December 29, 2004 2:51 PM

Admiral Don Juan

I must confess, I glaze over whenever reading any of their propaganda. I don't need to read their version of what Islam is, I just turn on the TV, read a paper, (OK , this is not always the beast way to learn about the ROP), go to France or come to the web to see what they are really all about. What concerns me more is te size of that Mosque in Japan, who paid for that monstrosity?

Mr. Fitzgerald, I must confess not being aware of the significance, of that number of years Ms. Hightower spent studying Islam.

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 3:05 PM

Andrew,

I suspect that our gnomic and allusive friend Hugh is referring to the 23-year span of Muhammad's prophetic career -- as memorialized by the heroic Iranian dissident (and martyr to the Khomeini regime) Ali Dashti's classic and must-be-read analysis of that career, "23 Years."

Cordially
Robert Spencer

Posted by: jihadwatch at December 29, 2004 3:09 PM

All one needs to know about Islamic "human rights" is declared in the only HR convention ratified by the OIC - the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (1990):

Article 24
All the rights and freedoms stipulated in this Declaration are subject to the Islamic Shari'ah.

Article 25
The Islamic Shari'ah is the only source of reference for the explanation or clarification to any of the articles of this Declaration.

Here's the whole screed:
http://www.religlaw.org/interdocs/docs/cairohrislam1990.htm

Please don't sprain a giblet laughing at this intro:

"Reaffirming the civilizing and historical role of the Islamic Ummah which God made the best nation (*snicker* *cackle*) that has given mankind a universal and well-balanced civilization (*guffaw*)..."

Posted by: Mike at December 29, 2004 3:12 PM

Admiral:
Anything in there banning genocide? You'll have to look REAL hard.

Posted by: Mike at December 29, 2004 3:19 PM

Mr. Spencer,

Ah, now I see...

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 3:23 PM

Hi. I just read a great commentary on the Eurabia situation thought you might like to read it. Here is the web site to go to. Thanks
www.israel.net/timetospeak.

Posted by: FHC at December 29, 2004 3:44 PM

FHC

Can you please post the link for Eurabia again?

Thank you.

Posted by: Andrew at December 29, 2004 4:08 PM

I couldn't find the link either, Andrew, but here's a link to that site's index. It looks like there's some useful info in there:

http://israel.net/timetospeak/texts.htm

Posted by: Mike at December 29, 2004 4:11 PM

I wrote a letter to the Augusta Free Press. I kept it as civil as possible but adding as much sarcasm as necessary. I think I got my point across. I gave a simple direct link to “Sira”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sira

It wasn’t too tough to find.

Posted by: Sheik Canuck (swt) at December 29, 2004 9:36 PM

OT

Here is an article by our own DC Watson

http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$29994

Posted by: Sheik Canuck (swt) at December 29, 2004 9:42 PM

another ot

another article by someone less notable than DC Watson

http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$30062

Posted by: Sheik Canuck (swt) at December 29, 2004 9:44 PM

"Sirah
Other Commonly Used Spellings: SEERAH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The writings of the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) about him, his personality, his life story. and his ways of handling different situations is called Sirah. The famous collections of the Sirah are At-Tabari, Ibn Ishaq, and Ibn Hisham.

The Sirah is a source of reference that Muslims rely on in their daily life situations and problems."

....................................................
Straight from the glossary of a respected islamic authority -

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary/term.SIRAH.html

Posted by: Uhller_Isshaytan at December 29, 2004 11:20 PM

Mr. Spencer: Thank you for your column. I fear that our MSM, academia, and the like have become so open-minded that their brians are falling right out of their heads. Be careful where you step, lest you slip on Lua Hightower's and break your own neck.

Posted by: Kepha1 at December 29, 2004 11:54 PM

I just sent the following to the Augusta Free Press-

To whom it may concern,

Today's piece about Islam by Lua Hightower states 'The writer of the letter is obviously ignorant about this faith and its tenets, refering to a document called the "Sira." What is the "Sira?" To my knowledge - a student of Islam for some 23 years - there is no religious text called the "Sira."'

A quick google of "sira islam" provides plenty of links, with good info at Winkipedia. It is curious what stuff a student doesn't learn about in 23 years, like the biography of the founder of the religion. Pretty embarrassing, I'd say.

Posted by: Ray at December 30, 2004 3:14 AM

I think everyone here should send an e mail to

Lua Hightower
care of :
letters@augustafreepress.com.

Polite ones of course. I am sure the AFP would be kind enough to forward them on to Lua or is that liar !

Posted by: apostate_islam at December 30, 2004 5:16 AM

Mr. Spencer,

Did you send your response to Ms. Hightower? If so, I would be interested in her response. If not, you should, and carbon-copy The Augusta Free Press.

Posted by: Hugh Bristic at January 2, 2005 9:30 PM