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.
“Another blow to Christianity and civilisation: ISIS destroy 4th Century Mar Benham monastery in Iraq,” by John Hall, MailOnline, March 19, 2015:
Barbaric Islamic State militants have dealt yet another blow to Christian history in Iraq by using explosives to destroy the 4th Century Mar Benham monastery.
The ancient building, built by Assyrian king Senchareb 1,600 years ago, stood in the Christian-dominated town of Bakhdida, just 20 miles south east of oil rich ISIS stronghold Mosul.
Locals took to social media to share images of the massive blast, which reduced the ancient monastery to little more than vast piles of rubble.
The attack was later confirmed by Kurdish journalists familiar with developments in the city.
Mar Benham monastery was captured by ISIS last July in a lightning advance that saw the militants seize control of vast swathes of northern Iraq – including the country’s second largest city, Mosul.
Resident monks who live in the building – which is also known as the Monastery of the Martyrs Saint Behnam and his Sister Sarah, and was once visited by thousands of Christians and Muslims every year – were subsequently forced to leave and flee to nearby Christian villages.
The destruction of the religious building was subsequently confirmed by Barzan Sadiq, executive producer at Kurdish Rudaw media network, according to the International Business Times.
‘#ISIS blew the monastery of the two martyrs “Mar Behnam & His sister Sarah Mart”,which dates back to the fourteenth century eastern #Mosul,’ he was quoted as saying on Twitter, citing the Islamic calender.
The destruction of the monastery came just days it was claimed that ‘ancient’ statues infamously filmed being smashed to pieces by ISIS militants in a Mosul museum were all worthless fakes.
The terrorist organisation released shocking footage at the end of February purportedly showing jihadis destroying 3,000-year-old artworks with sledgehammers in their northern Iraqi stronghold.
But Baghdad museum director Fawzye al-Mahdi ridiculed the propaganda exercise, claiming the genuine priceless Assyrian and Akkadian statues and sculptures are still safely in his possession in the Iraqi capital, adding that those in Mosul were plaster cast replicas….
That would be a relief, if true.
Arafat says
Emory University is having an Israeli hate-fest, a blame America fest, and a Islam is not the problem fest.
Set them straight. Write a comment here:
http://emorywheel.com/editorials/
Rhonda says
I posted a comment that is very pro Israel and anti everything else in the ME. 🙂 Thanks for the heads up!
Lord Wrath says
That bastard in the White House needs to kill this scum off now… Obama is a disgrace to this country…
GP says
ISIS is the Obama legacy, especially in Iraq where he squandered untold American blood and treasure and managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
ISIS fighters are just barbaric savages, no good will ever come from this scum.
Jay Boo says
Muslims who seek to quench their thirst from the bitter pool of Islam’s hatefulness can never satisfy the feeling of hopeless emptiness in their soul.
They might as well drink the salty brine of the Dead Sea.
All God’s children singing
Glory. glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuLr5rQmp0
He Reigns – Newsboys
Ernie says
WOW , thank you Jay Boo , very uplifting !
Spot On says
Jay Boo, Fine thoughts in the face of such treachery.
Wellington says
Disgusting and what a waste but not surprising in the least since Islam was founded by a most wretched human being who himself declared he was a terrorist {“I have been made victorious with terror” Bukhari Hadith 4.52.220}.
As America’s sixth President, John Quincy Adams wrote of Mohammed, “The essence of his doctrine was violence and lust——to exult the brutal over the spiritual part of mankind.” Pretty much nailed it here I think. There is nothing spiritual in Islam, nor is there any love in Islam, nor certainly no Goldern Rule for all. It’s all about power, dominance, sex, conquest, eradication, submission and destruction (also a pathetic and risibly crude conception of the afterlife). Would that a modern American President (won’t be Obama, that’s for sure) someday fully grasp what President Adams did some two hundred years ago (could, if this happens, result in mankind having bestowed upon it a refreshing new Evil Empire Speech).
ISIS follows very well in the footsteps of Islam’s warped, barbaric and illiterate founder. Hence what continues to happen. Meanwhile, Western elites remain abjectly exculpating of the one major religion which is pure and simple fascism. Shame also on EVERY adult Muslim worldwide for continuing to adhere to this most rotten of religious belief systems. Yes, shame on every one of you. You are abettors to barbarism, terror, violence, intolerance and ignorance of the most egregious kind. You disgust me. All of you. And please no distancing yourselves, so many of you Muslims, from ISIS because ISIS represents Islam in its purest form. No getting around this no matter how much taqiyya or kitman or self-deception you engage in.
Spot On says
John Quincy Adams and Churchill both spoke truth regarding Islam. Today there is little truth to be found on the subject other than here.
Brian Hoff says
John Adam was the second president and he negrate than treatry of friendship with the Ottoman Empire which state america is not than christian nation.
gravenimage says
More crap from “Brian Hoff”—really, “DefenderofIslam”:
John Adam was the second president and he negrate than treatry of friendship with the Ottoman Empire which state america is not than christian nation.
…………………………………
“Friendship”—what rot. The Ottoman Empire, through the Barbary pirates—were pirating American ships and enslaving our crews.
The Barbary Pirates demanded exorbitant tribute or they would continue to enslave American sailors.
*This* is what “DefenderofIslam” considers “friendship”. And given how he regards the “filthy Kuffar”, this is hardly surprising.
He believes that Christians should be subject to enslavement—just as do his vile coreligionists in the Islamic State.
He believes that if Christians resist enslavement, it proves they are not acting like Christians—in other words, they should just roll over for Muslim savagery.
Not surprisingly, he also got his facts wrong. John Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli, but it was Thomas Jefferson who eventually refused to pay this tribute.
How crushing was this tribute? By Jefferson’s presidency, it *exceeded the entire gross national product* of the young United States. And what did this tribute buy? Muslim pirates (sometimes) let shipping pass unmolested. No non-Muslim nations were pirating ships and enslaving their crews.
The United States made shipping in the Mediterranean Sea really safe for the first time *in a thousand years*. After seeing the brave defiance of the Americans, the British and French finally stood up, as well.
Every decent person is proud of America’s heroism here—except for ravening Mohammedans, who believe they have the “right” to demand Jizya and tribute and ransom from their Christian victims.
TheCountess says
In comparing different religious ideologies, two outstanding uniqueness’s (having no like or equal) are in the Jewish/Christian God. That of Benevolence and Omnipotence. Meaning, mercy, love and all powerful. God, Jehovah does not need man to do His work for Him. When God wants something destroyed, He does it Himself. Otherwise, it’s all about the ‘Mercy’. Seems Allah is not all powerful all by himself that his worshipers have to do things for him. Most pagan gods are man made. Man instituted and man played out, having nothing to do with what is real. So goes the attitude of hared. In serving hatred humans serve satan. God is the only god who wishes good for man. And each and every religion in Christendom must examine itself for this attribute, whether it is The attribute, or some other. If the word ‘Christian’ is being used, then God’s attributes will be in place, otherwise that faith is a pretense. God, Jehovah is all about the love.
Eric says
Islam must destroy anything non Islamic whether it be historical, archeological, or viewpoint. Because Islam will not stand up under scrutiny.