Besides removing supposed temptations to idolatry, Islamic jihadists want to ruin the artifacts of non-Muslim civilizations because doing so testifies to the truth of Islam, as the Qur’an suggests that ruins are a sign of Allah’s punishment of those who rejected his truth:
Many were the Ways of Life that have passed away before you: travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth. (Qur’an 3:137)
This is one of the foundations of the Islamic idea that pre-Islamic civilizations, and non-Islamic civilizations, are all jahiliyya — the society of unbelievers, which is worthless. Obviously this cuts against the idea of tourism of ancient sites and non-Muslim religious installations such as St. Catherine’s monastery. V. S. Naipaul encountered this attitude in his travels through Muslim countries. For many Muslims, he observed in Among the Believers, “The time before Islam is a time of blackness: that is part of Muslim theology. History has to serve theology.” Naipaul recounted that some Pakistani Muslims, far from valuing the nation’s renowned archaeological site at Mohenjo Daro, saw its ruins as a teaching opportunity for Islam, recommending that Qur’an 3:137 be posted there as a teaching tool.
“ISIS thugs take a hammer to civilisation: Priceless 3,000-year-old artworks smashed to pieces in minutes as militants destroy Mosul museum,” by Julian Robinson, MailOnline, February 26, 2015 (thanks to Anne Crockett):
Islamic State thugs have destroyed a collection of priceless statues and sculptures in Iraq dating back thousands of years.
Extremists used sledgehammers and power drills to smash ancient artwork as they rampaged through a museum in the northern city of Mosul.
Video footage shows a group of bearded men in the Nineveh Museum using tools to wreck 3,000-year-old statues after pushing them over.
Militant uses a power tool to destroy a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity at the Ninevah Museum in Mosul, Iraq. The statue dates back to the 9th century B.C.
One of the items, depicting a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity, dates back to the 9th century B.C.
A man shown in the video said the items were being destroyed because they promoted idolatry.
‘The Prophet ordered us to get rid of statues and relics, and his companions did the same when they conquered countries after him,’ the unidentified man said.
The articles destroyed appeared to come from an antiquities museum in the northern city of Mosul, which was overrun by Islamic State last June, a former employee at the museum told Reuters.
The extremist group has destroyed a number of shrines – including Muslim holy sites – in a bid to eliminate what it views as heresy.
Militants are also believed to have sold ancient artwork on the black market in order to finance their bloody campaign across the region.
The video bore the logo of the ISIS group’s media arm and was posted on a Twitter account used by the group.
Yesterday it was revealed how terrorists had blown up the Mosul Public Library, sending 10,000 books and more than 700 rare manuscripts up in flames.
Leading members of Mosul society reportedly tried to stop the fanatics destroying the building, but failed.
The director of the library, Ghanim al-Ta’an, said that the extremists used homemade bombs in the attack, which took place on Sunday.
He told Middle Eastern website Geran: ‘ISIS militants bombed the Mosul Public Library. They used improvised explosive devices.’
Presumed destroyed are the Central Library’s collection of Iraqi newspapers dating to the early 20th century, maps and books from the Ottoman Empire and book collections contributed by around 100 of Mosul’s establishment families.
Isis first invaded the Central Library in January. Residents say the extremists smashed the locks that had protected the biggest repository of learning in the northern Iraq town, and loaded around 2,000 books – including children’s stories, poetry, philosophy and tomes on sports, health, culture and science – into six pickup trucks. They left only Islamic texts.
‘These books promote infidelity and call for disobeying Allah. So they will be burned,’ a bearded militant in traditional Afghani two-piece clothing told residents, according to one man living nearby who spoke to The Associated Press. …
mariam rove says
Honestly I watched all beheading videos and even the burning of the Jordanian pilot. I watched the first few seconds of this video and did not have the stomach to see the rest. Those bastards are true animals. M
Rob Crawford says
Artifacts are a form of immortality beyond our physical bodies, beyond the memories of those who know us, beyond the end of our worlds. They aren’t just destroying rocks, but the only marks left of the people who created those works. They are committing a bloodless form of genocide, alongside their campaign of bloody genocide.
Salome says
I almost thought, ‘Just as well the British made off with most of that stuff in the 19th century,’ but then I remembered that I might yet live to see this happen in the British Museum.
Lu says
Very well said, sir. It is truly about these barbarians destroying immortality of our species. Logical corollary is: they are NOT HUMANS, ergo they should be disposed of without any remorse.
Georg says
Very well-said. Another clear example we’re up against uncompromising fascism.
mortimer says
MR wrote “Those bastards are true animals”
Yes, and they are living near you in every Western country. 15% of all Muslims are jihad supporters and 1 out of 5,000 are very dangerous and violent jihadists. You cannot tell which one from appearance.
Taqiyya.
Always On Watch says
Mortimer,
15% of all Muslims are jihad supporters and 1 out of 5,000 are very dangerous and violent jihadists. You cannot tell which one from appearance.
Ay, there’s the rub!
That nice, moderate Muslim next to us at work may one day turn on us.
Salah says
Savagery vs. Civilization
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2011/09/us-and-them-nous-et-eux.html
mortimer says
Muslims did the same thing to Egypt, right, Salah?
Babylonandon says
Je Suis History.
Sheri says
It is also very unfortunate that this museum was a curator and holder of some of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Spot On says
Why is this not shown to to all on the MSM. If it were, there would be public outrage against Muslims. Answered my own question.
Jeff says
I am truly sickened by what Islam has created and destroyed.
TH says
If it’s in the Qu’ran, it is superflous. If it’s not in the Qu’ran it is false. With that goes most of historical and artistic patrimony of the world. What will happen when thanks to the now almost inevitable European Civil War they take over chunks of Europe? Will they burn the Lourve, Notre Dame Cathedral and all the great Gothic Cathedrals in France? If they don’t burn them down, they will convert them into mosques as they did with the Basilica of Holy Wisdom, the most splendid Church in Christendom for more than 900 years untl they finally took Constantinople. Will any great library in Europe survive? What about the Vatican? Pope Francis’ attitude of being nice to them is going to of no use then.
No use blaming the Islamic savages for this probable disaster. Blame the likes of David Cameron, Tony Blair, Merkel, Hollande and the rest of wimpy European leaders and those in the European Union who are ardently promoting muslim immigration in the name of ridiculous multiculturalism. The left who are aiding and abetting them will not get off any better than the rest, as the Charlie Hebdo massacre demonstrated. However, the left doen’t get it. Of course, the right only cheers and does the same as the left. Cameron belongs to the Conservative Party, Is there any substantial differnce between the left and the right? No, because the right has sold oout on any prinicples it had.
The Doctor says
“If it’s in the Qur’an, it is superflous. If it’s not in the Qur’an it is false.”
Only 11 Muslims have ever been awarded Nobel prizes – seven for “peace”, two for literature, and two for sciences (one physics and one chemistry). That’s it for a religion that claims 1.6 BILLION followers. The _nation_ of Israel has 12, nearly all sciences. Jews, as a religion and people group, have 159, again mostly all sciences.
That sentiment that “If it’s in the Qur’an, it is superflous. If it’s not in the Qur’an it is false.” is why one rarely if ever sees any advancement of anything coming from Islamic nations. Their religion all but prohibits science by the belief that if it is not in the Qur’an then it is superfluous.
Islam = cultural and scientific stagnation. As a scientist, I fear Islam for what it will do to humanity.
Another Guest says
I agree. Not only science, but art, music, beauty, kindness, and happiness are all to be destroyed per their plan. No wonder they all would prefer to die. Who would want to live that way?
Angemon says
Not that his has anything to do with islam…
Auckland says
Oh – c’mon, people! Obama’s right. It’s easy to judge – have you forgotten the crusades?
/Sarc/
Falsafa says
difficult to believe! ISIS may have lost the plot but at least they are commercially oriented….they need to sell these ancient artifacts on black market to finance their “venture”…they wouldn’t knowingly destroy assets of high monetary value.
Spot On says
“…they wouldn’t knowingly destroy assets of high monetary value.”
Oh Yes they would …and they did destroy these irreplaceable objects of art.
SpiritOf1683 says
The Taliban destroyed the Bamiyan statues of Buddha in Afghanistan, which were priceless and a reminder of what was there before Islam came along. Islam destroys civilizations and all traces of them, so this is in keeping with ISIS and all those other bitter fruits of Islam, which seeks to take us back to the Stone Age and enslave and subjugate us.
Falsafa says
Not true…islam has a long standing tradition of tolerance and pluralism since its early days….far more benign than any christian rule in the americas and other colonial territories…the Taliban and ISIS are aberrations who unfortunately are a product of our modern times despite anyone’s claim to thr contrary…
Spot On says
How do you account for 1400 years of war and conquest at the hands of Muslims. You have no idea of what is going on here.
jancolina says
Bullshit – ISIS is ISlam and Islamic factions have been at war centuries.
Islam is the result of MO’s war book the Qu’ran and Mo’s ambitions for wealth and power.
Islam is an evil political doctrine dressed up as a religion to give it respectability and longevity.
Unfortunately it also inflicts it hate on muslims and others.
Richie says
Falsara, Islam is a death cult that worships a child rapist. Mohammad (Piss be upon him) was a serial killer, a theif and a coward, and Muslims follow his vile examples of dishonesty, dishonor, cowardice and violance
Sheri says
“Those who profess Islam do not understand their own religion or pervert it for their own political ends.” – Mohammad Reza Pahlav The Ex- Shah of Iran
gravenimage says
Falsafa wrote:
Not true…islam has a long standing tradition of tolerance and pluralism since its early days…
……………………………….
How can this foul Taqiyya artist even say this with a straight face?
Falsafa says
gravenimage’s comments are so predictable and repetitive they are beyond tiresome…
please seek solace elsewhere.
Angemon says
Falsafa posted:
“gravenimage’s comments are so predictable and repetitive they are beyond tiresome…”
I don’t see you rebutting them. Do you have some sort of problem with the truth or are you just ignorant of how civilized discussion is supposed to take place?
Falsafa says
Angemon…I think it’s high time you got off anti muslim pedestal and began to educate yourself on Islamic history and civilization from credible scholars – not sensationalist blogs such as Mr Spencer’s here – you can begin with Kinross, Mango, B. Lewis and Finkel for starters…but ofcourse you would do that because it wouldnt suit your agenda. So this comment and the references to scholars given here are really meant for the general public who may be reading these comments….
Angemon says
Falsafa posted:
“Angemon…I think it’s high time you got off anti muslim pedestal and began to educate yourself on Islamic history and civilization from credible scholars”
A couple of key points:
– Jihad Watch is a blog where a group of knowledgeable people comment on a specific theme – jihad. But Falsafa implies that it claims to be a source for islamic history.
– Falsafa has no idea what I know about islamic history and culture, nor whom I learned it from.
– The matter at hand was Falsafa’s dismissal of gravenimage’s comments without any sort of rebuttal. My knowledge of islamic history is completely unrelated to it.
“– not sensationalist blogs such as Mr Spencer’s here – ”
And there goes Falsafa again, dismissing JW as being “sensationalist” without bothering to prove his assertion.
“you can begin with Kinross, Mango, B. Lewis and Finkel for starters… but ofcourse you would do that because it wouldnt suit your agenda.”
More baseless assumptions. Exactly what is my agenda, and where is proof of this alleged agenda? Falsafa doesn’t say it, he just states that I have an agenda and that because of it I won’t read this or that scholar – once again, I’ll point out that Falsafa has no idea Falsafa has no idea what I know about islamic history and culture, nor whom I learned it from.
The sheer stupidity of Falsafa’s assertion is I.Q. dropping. If I had an agenda then reading this or that scholar wouldn’t make any difference. If I was unaware of any other sources for islamic history and culture other than JW (which, BTW, is a site dedicated to exposing jihad) then he could assume that by reading the works of the scholars he suggests then my PoV could change. Falsafa is telling us that he has his cake and that he ate the cake when the truth is that the cake is a lie.
“So this comment and the references to scholars given here are really meant for the general public who may be reading these comments….”
But wouldn’t the general public also have an agenda?
Angemon says
With that said, I submit to you that if anyone here has an agenda is Falsafa. His agenda is whitewashing islam and portraying any valid criticism of islam, jihad or muslims as being “anti-muslim”.
Champ says
“Falsify” wrote:
Not true…islam has a long standing tradition of tolerance and pluralism since its early days….far more benign than any christian rule in the americas and other colonial territories…the Taliban and ISIS are aberrations who unfortunately are a product of our modern times despite anyone’s claim to thr contrary…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow that comment is the BIGGEST load of hot, steaming caca that I have **ever** read!! …g’me a break!!
This “Falsify” clown deserves some kind of an award for the world’s BIGGEST LIE! LOL!! Jeez get lost …
Champ says
How can this foul Taqiyya artist even say this with a straight face?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exactly, Graven!!
P U! “Falsify’s” lies stink to high heaven!
Maureen Emiliani says
I have done a lot of research on Islam. Google Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa on men and who they can have sex with…….
Falsafa says
“How can this foul Taqiyya artist even say this with a straight face?”
Angemon…I agree, you and your lot set new standards in “civilized discussion” that leaves the rest of us dumbfounded!
Angemon says
I think most people here would agree that you and your comments are quite founded in dumb, Falsafa.
So, can you refute what gravenimage writes or are you just barking around because you get to insult non-muslims?
Barook says
They have destroyed artifacts dating back to the 9th century B.C. This is the destruction of the history of humanity…… yes I said humanity because somehow and in someway we are connected to this ancient history.
And………… what is the rest of humanity and the civilized world doing to stop this destruction………… ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. By remaining silent and not taking affirmative action against these barbarians, we are all guilty….
Always On Watch says
Where is academia’s outrage about this?
WHERE?
What’s next? Something in Rome?
Spot On says
Academia is backing this despicable conduct by their support of “peaceful” Islam. These people don’t know a rats a– about religion and they have decided that Islam is peaceful. Every person in academia is responsible for this great loss as a result of “peaceful” Muslims (which they support) following the Koran.
Michael Johnson says
Islam messing up things again those artifacts were priceless ands the civilization that was before them was highly advanced
The Doctor says
You have actually shown the reason they were destroyed. The artifacts are evidence of a society that was more advanced in many ways than modern Islamic “culture”, so they feel a compulsion to destroy any evidence that anything prior to or separate from Islam is superiour to Islam.
Ephesian says
Lego is far too complex for sand farmers,no wonder they despise anything that took skill to make.
thomas pellow says
Supplementary.
“Isis burns thousands of books and rare manuscripts from Mosul’s libraries”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-burns-thousands-of-rare-books-and-manuscripts-from-mosuls-libraries-10068408.html
SpiritOf1683 says
Jihn Wesley described these as destroyers of civilization. This is exactly what they are – they not only want to destroy civilization but all traces of it. Servier described Islam as an extinguisher, and that is what it is. Islam does what it says on the tin, but the West is so blinded by political correctness and moral relativism, and crippled by self-hatred that it is too blind, dumb and feeble to see it or act upon it.
Moh says
Here is the film about it:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=729378643843444&set=vb.717314848383157&type=2&theater
SpiritOf1683 says
John Wesley described these as destroyers of civilization. This is exactly what they are – they not only want to destroy civilization but all traces of it. Servier described Islam as an extinguisher, and that is what it is. Islam does what it says on the tin, but the West is so blinded by political correctness and moral relativism, and crippled by self-hatred that it is too blind, dumb and feeble to see it or act upon it.
Always On Watch says
And they’re headed for the West to do the same.
Our political leaders will not stop them.
Jaladhi says
Islam and Muslims can’t tolerate anything of culture – it’s anathema to them. They only know to destroy all cultures and human beings. Period. When will this scourge on humanity disappear from our planet???
vlparkerr says
How long before one of the Sons of Allah go after the Mona Lisa or some other western art treasure?
dumbledoresarmy says
Or Rodin’s “The Kiss”.
Or Michaelangelo’s “Pieta” or “David”.
Or the Apollo of Delphi.
Or the little treasure-house of a museum in the Netherlands where reside a great many of the luminous paintings of Rembrandt.
Rembrandt, here (two good links where you can see reproductions of a vast array of his paintings).
http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/complete_catalogue/complete_catalogue.htm
http://www.cs.vu.nl/~fjseins/RembrandtCatalogue/
Now imagine what the jihadis would do to every single one of these paintings that includes a human face, or any living being.
Cali says
Think what they will do to the Louvre.
SpiritOf1683 says
Or the Vatican.
Richie says
this is something that not even the Nazis would do- Hitler actually appreciated and respected art.
Not if but when muslims go on a rampage in Rome, imagine all of the Roman statues they will destroy
Richie says
and notice the respect is always one way- Muslims DEMAND everyone show Islam respect, but they give not one shred of respect to anyone or any group
My Shari'a Moor says
MORE Islamic textual EVIL:
“The Prophet said that Allah commanded him to destroy all the musical instruments, idols, crosses and all the trappings of ignorance.” – Hadith ‘Qudsi’ 19:5:
My Shari'a Moor says
WORTH REPEATING:
“The Stone Age was far more recognisably and familiarly human than Islam.
Stone Age human ancestors had
1/ amazing representational art depicting living beings (see the Grotto of Chauvet and the Caves of Altamira and Lascaux, for just a few examples)
2/ sculpture (those wonderful little neolithic female “Venus” statuettes)
3/ music – FLUTES – a bird-bone flute 35,000 years old was found in a cave in Central Europe and
4/ pet dogs.
And I bet (5) that most of them had some form of alcohol – because the native aboriginal Tasmanians, who were still living in the “stone age” when they were encountered, used to go up to the central highlands of their homeland every summer to get pleasantly “high” on the fizzy, readily-fermentable sweet sap of a species of eucalypt that – for obvious reasons – the incoming English speakers quickly dubbed the “Cider Gum” (it ferments so fast nobody’s yet worked out how to bottle it safely).
All five things I just named are things that classical Islam curses and forbids.” –
‘DumbleDoresArmy’ – 8AUG14, Jihad Watch.org
@dda…Thanx!
You’re RIGHT!
Bezelel says
Planet of the apes.
Richie says
and yet these barbarians pray to a phallic pagan stone in Mecca. Why not turn that into rubble too
My Shari'a Moor says
@Richie…ISIS’ caliph Al-Baghdadi has said he would do THAT, too (said it within the last 2 months, IIRC!)!
Vienna says
Has anyone actually ‘seen’ al-bad daddy lately? I haven’t since before he was ‘injured’ in an air strike.
michael johnson says
isis are cowards it makes them feel like they have done something to destroy other peoples culture they are like school yard bullies if stood up to in a real fight they would lose
gary says
Here’s a thought…..
Muslims claim to have such faith. Such conviction.
Why do they hold Muhammad up with such intensity?
Wouldn’t that make Muhammad an idol?
And didn’t they destroy idols recently?
Shouldn’t they worship God alone?
Oh that’s right….
When they worship a moon god, (note the lower case g- signifying a false god), they can do any, and everything they want.
Everything but enter Heaven.
Jesus stated: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”
Richie says
I take comfort knowing these vile Muslims will burn in Hell- they are demonic, and serve Satan. Their cult is all about death and killing, torture and suffering.
They are beyond redemption, the evil in the heart of the muslim is so blackened, they would be blinded to the truth that is Jesus Christ
Ephesian says
Amen to that!
CJP says
Think of all the things in Europe they would love to destroy: cathedrals, palaces, historical places, all paintings and sculptures. The works of Da Vinci and Michelangelo. They won’t be happy until the whole earth is a bloodstained, moonscape. It will be like Planet of the Apes.
LairdKintyre says
I still dont dispare. Things looked dark in Europe before. Perhaps this will inspire a new age of Knights to arise and defend Europe’s glorious heritage.
bernie says
Watch the Thai movie “Ong-Bak.” Tony Jaa’s character is ruthless to those who stole the priceless Buddha statue of his village. I’m not a Buddhist, but I wish the Bamiyan Buddhas had been saved from the Taliban, and the Iraqi-held artworks from the Philistine ISIS savages.
Jason says
You are so right. I hope ‘lone wolves’ don’t start attacking museums in the west.
Always On Watch says
Jason,
I think that what you mentioned is a strong possibility in the near future all over the West. ISIS is ramped up! Furthermore, there are so many Moslems all over the West.
Nicu says
Agree on that – and nobody will stop them – cowards – called ” our governments “
Kepha says
The Muslim is not the “Son of the Desert”, but its father.
Kepha says
I think I am starting to understand a few things.
When the secular Left calls theistic religion “obscurantist”, it lies about Christianity and Judaism, but is spot on about Islam. Islam hates all pre-Islamic history, and for good reason. It cannot stand the past because the past bears it no witness. In contrast, the participation of devout Jews and Christians in archaeological research comes from the understanding of both that the past is a vast witness to the saving works of God, and hence must be recovered and transmitted as much as possible. And how much more important is the past to all Christian denominations, in that the original languages of our Scriptures are Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, which are native to very few of us?
Sure, a lot of those statues were made for idolatrous purposes. But who is so using them now? They are valued because they are witnesses to the words of Isaiah, “Bel bows down; Nebo stoops” (Isaiah 46:1).
boakai ngombu says
the raging “character” of the malevolent, belligerent Allah god of Islam (unknowable; the best of all deceivers) is on full display here, as it tries to bring about what it has purposed and this from envy, never to achieve this:
“… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me … I have spoken, and I bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it … I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.” … (ESV/Isaiah46: 9, 11b, 13)
Bezelel says
Kepha, True that, no one has been bowing to the statues lately, Historically if for no other reason the artwork and writings are evidence of intelligent life in that region at that time.
M S case says
Wasn’t Mosul part of or nearby Nineveh in old Biblical times. I tdhink Jonah is buried in Nineveh along with other prophets of the Old Testament era………….Johnah sure needs to come back and preach to Mosul as he preached to the Ninevaites and God would be with him so he wouldn’t worry about loosing his head
Baucent says
And as religious fanatics they are frauds as well. It’s well known that ISIS is selling most of the “idolatrous relics” to the black market Art trade to finance themselves. These large statutes are either too large or well know to ship out, so the show of religiously inspired sledgehammer work. But they won’t mention that, Allah might not approve.
M S case says
Stop the money flow stop the arms traders and basically you have stopped isis. But can it be done?
Basma says
For those who think theses people do not represent Islam, please see why they distroyed Them:
http://islamqa.info/en/20894
It’s all in their books!
Caveman says
Would you not want to invite those peace-loving ISIS Muslim’s to come over to the West and live their peace-loving ISIS Muslim way in between us? Owww wait…
Prinz Eugen says
During the Iraq war, the enemy smahed and looted museums of early (pre-islam) artifacts. Some near east scholars and the media went wild with their attacks on Bush 43!
Now that islamic terrorists are destroying and looting similar artifacts, will there be an outcry against mullah Barak Hussein. Don’;t hold your breath!
Note that the media did not blame Churchill or FDR because Goering stole artworks from museums.
Mullah Barak is in league with the anti-=civilization forces, but when will our congress come out of its stupor?
M S case says
He’s probably buying some of these relics.
gravenimage says
Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts
Islamic State jihadis destroy 3,000-year-old artworks in Mosul museum
Yesterday it was revealed how terrorists had blown up the Mosul Public Library, sending 10,000 books and more than 700 rare manuscripts up in flames.
…………………………………….
I saw footage of this barbarism. Damn savages. This belongs to all of mankind—it is our common heritage.
And they’ve done this before—the Taliban destroyed work in the Kabul Museum and blew up the Bamiyan Buddhas; and other Jihadists recently destroyed the entire artistic heritage of the Maldives when they destroyed the museum there.
More:
‘The Prophet ordered us to get rid of statues and relics, and his companions did the same when they conquered countries after him,’ the unidentified man said.
…………………………………….
How long before they do this to the Louvre? The National Gallery? The British Museum? The Smithsonian? The Library of Congress?
My God, how I loathe Islam.
BillC says
Destruction of the Library of Alexandria was also done by the Muslims invaders. I read in a book by professor Rodney Stark that the Muslims used the books as fuel, for all knowledge was in the Qur’an.