Jihadists exalt Abruzzo earthquakes

[abirdrrl]

Barbara Bush speaks for “the Christians” now? I thought it is was the younger Bush who was convinced God talks to him personally…

The idea that Hurricane Katrina was a punishment for New Orleans was/is pretty common among Southern Baptists.

 

[dzheremi]

Hmmm. Maybe I hadn’t heard that so much this time around because New Orleans has a bit more of its Catholic roots showing still than, say, Florida (so there are less people in N.O. who would make that sort of claim to begin with, as the people who visit the city or live there aren’t likely to listen to Baptist preachers anyway). I remember the televangelists saying that some hurricane in Florida was God’s punishment for Disney World having a “gay day” or something, but that’s about it.

I would guess that most Christians do not rejoice at natural disasters. Seems inherently un-Christian in a way that I would hope praising Allah for earthquakes would also be un-Islamic to the majority of Muslims.

 

[ralphinal]

The idea that Hurricane Katrina was a punishment for New Orleans was/is pretty common among Southern Baptists.

Hmmm. Maybe I hadn’t heard that so much this time around because New Orleans has a bit more of its Catholic roots showing still than, say, Florida (so there are less people in N.O. who would make that sort of claim to begin with, as the people who visit the city or live there aren’t likely to listen to Baptist preachers anyway). I remember the televangelists saying that some hurricane in Florida was God’s punishment for Disney World having a “gay day” or something, but that’s about it.

I would guess that most Christians do not rejoice at natural disasters. Seems inherently un-Christian in a way that I would hope praising Allah for earthquakes would also be un-Islamic to the majority of Muslims.

Both of these did happen. However, as someone here in Alabama where Southern Baptists run around unchecked, it was not as common a thought as the media made it seem. A few higher profile preachers said it, and it got picked up. The southern baptists that I know did not buy into either one.

Even then, they did send help and aid to the area. If God was punishing these people, and that is an if that I am not comfortable with, we still have a duty as Christians to aid them in their return to God, and that is both physical aid and spiritual.

 

[kalt]

Dubai, 8 April (AKI) - Jihadist users of Al-Qaeda linked websites have been rejoicing at the devastating earthquake that hit Italy’s central Abruzzo region on Monday, describing it as a “divine punishment” for “the enemies of Islam”. The earthquake killed over 260 people, injured hundreds more and destroyed thousands of buildings, leaving 20,000 homeless.

"At last they have had their dark days too. O Allah, kill them and leave them destitute vagabonds," said one of a series of comments that have appeared on various jihadist websites this week.

The Abruzzo earthquake has made headline news around the world, and Al-Qaeda sympathisers have followed via Arabic TV networks.

The jihadists appear to be engaged in contest to see who can post updates on the death toll from the earthquake fastest.

A series of strong aftershocks since the main quake have caused further damage, hampering rescue efforts and further terrorising the population in the town of L’Aquila and surrounding villages. One man died of a heart-attack following a quake on Tuesday.

Between 20-30 people were still missing on Wednesday.

"O Allah, keep the earthquakes and tragedies coming - cursed be Europe, Israel and the United States," wrote ‘Ashiq al-Irhab’, which in Arabic means ‘desirous of terrorism’.

Another jihadist site, ‘al-Shura’, has been publishing tolls of the Abruzzo earthquake victims beneath each article, accompanied by a macabre prayer.

The prayer reads: "O Allah, may the death toll continue to rise. Destroy our enemies and help Muslims!"

A user of the ‘al-Shura’ website, Nureddin al-Zanki, writes: "We have a stronger weapon than guns - our prayers, which will further drive up the numbers of victims."

Similar messages from jihadists have been posted to the ‘Ansar’ and ‘Mujahidin’ websites, whose users have rejoiced in the past at other disasters to hit western nations.

adnkronos.com/AKI/English/CultureAndMedia/?id=3.0.3191807635

Can Muslims actually believe that God will approve of such diabolical prayers??

Vickie

Some wacky Christians have done the same thing. AIDS is what gay people earned, they said. The attack on 9/11 is what we had coming because of our “evil” ways.

There are nuts in all radical forms of every religion, and they all think that they’re doing God’s work.

It seems nuts to us, but yes, they do believe that God will approve of such diabolical prayers.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Barbara Bush speaks for “the Christians” now? I thought it is was the younger Bush who was convinced God talks to him personally…

Double huh?

Oh, I forgot: Katrina was Bush’s fault. Everything is Bush’s fault.

 

[kalt]

Pax tecum

Im really glad someone said: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

A journalist once asked the same question about atheists. He went to a meeting and sat next to a man who spent all day crossing out ‘God’ from the statement ‘in God we trust’ on US dollar bills . Compare this with the historical influence of the Roman Church on European and World civilisation and it becomes clear who is nearer the truth.

Let us look at this thread now. From the majority of posters we have arrogant and contradictory time wasters who do not anything about their religion let alone anyone elses! I think it’s time most of you took a long hard look at yourselves and reassess in terms of: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

One person’s posts can be summed up with the following: Muslims are wrong because they hate, I hate Muslims because they are wrong… The only logical conclusion is since we both hate we are both wrong! So let us reassess in terms of: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

The ignorant humble person says: ‘I don’t know,’ when a question comes from a topic outside their sphere of experience. An arrogant ignorant person make reductionaist broard statements, which are wrong by their very nature before even embarking into any finer details. So to the ignorant I ask did you know before you made these posts the Muslim thinker ibn Sina was one of Thomas Aquinas’ biggest influences? In addition did we know ibn Sina is one of the most celebrated physicians along with Hippocratis and Galen? So let us reassess in terms of: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

Some posters mentioned converts from Islam. Did you know that the greatest proportion of converts to Islam were Roman Catholic? Including international figures who work for tolerance and peace like Nuh Ha Mim Keller. So let us reassess in terms of: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

Are terrorist actions simple dichotomous situations or the result of social, political and historical baggage? Lets ask the IRA? So let us reassess in terms of: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16] Should we really fear them or is it God we fear?

Let me finally finish with do you think Jesus would have spent his time as some of you have done? It is a difficult notion, so let us turn instead to what Catholics view as His representative; His Holiness The Pope. He has given his life to worship and seeking knowledge. He has written international best sellers on matters of faith and morals and perhaps most notably he has met the foremost Muslim clerics, spoken with them, listend to them and manifested the sentiments of Vatican II. So let us reassess in terms of: ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

Please just read this post and go out and force money into the hand of a person of dishevelled apperance or read a great work like the Cloud of Unknowing or pray for and send some money to the poor people affected by the Abruzzo earthquake because ‘you will know them by their fruits’ [Matt 7:16]

You’ve added criticism of others but no content.

Do you have something to add?

 

[abirdrrl]

I would guess that most Christians do not rejoice at natural disasters. Seems inherently un-Christian in a way that I would hope praising Allah for earthquakes would also be un-Islamic to the majority of Muslims.

I agree, and I think most Muslims in the United States would agree that praising God for earthquakes is un-Islamic. Muslims in countries controlled by religious extremists… I have no idea.

 

[dzheremi]

Double huh?

Oh, I forgot: Katrina was Bush’s fault. Everything is Bush’s fault.

Hahaha. Oops. I knew I should have put some smiley in there somewhere. I was only making a joking reference to this story from around that time, since the elder Mrs. Bush is the only one I could remember having said anything positive about Hurricane Katrina.

Believe it or not, I don’t think Bush is at fault for most natural disasters…

 

[Nemo82]

You’ve added criticism of others but no content.

Do you have something to add?

By the grace of God I hope my post was of benefit. Primarily it servered as a reminder. Secondly I quoted a few choice facts in the hope that it might bring around some reflection and highlight the problem at hand is far more complex than some are suggesting. Normally I would not make such direct criticisms, but I believe in this case it may have been warranted - at least for some of the people posting on this thread.

As a reminder to myself first and foremost and then to everyone else, all our actions should be done in the rememberance of God. We all forget now and then, but we should actively ask ourselves before we embark on any endeavour - specifically in this context before we write a post - are we really doing this for God’s sake? If we be honest with ourselves, mostly we post to appease our own ego and therefore it would have been better to have said nothing at all.

What objective do we all hope to achieve by this thread? The only one I can imagine that seems plausible is that of wanting to bring about an end to extremist world views. Such an endeavour is admiral. Although a challenging one because it has always existed wherever there is man. This is not something peculiar to Islam alone; name any world view from Buddhism to Socialism there has been extremist elements. The reasons are not always the same and their flourising is always multifactoral. So let us consider the mode in which we should tackle this situation reverendly, wisely and sincerely.

Does sinking to the level of the terrorists help the situation? Spurting slogans of hate that carry no meaningful weight, grossly misrepresenting the opposition and making use of heresay evidence. Whilst we may assume we have superiority becaue we have not blown anybody up, it is only by the Grace of God. If we initiate or continue these negative vibes towards the terrorists are we really any better?

The only way to solve the problem is to rise above ego trips and instead break the vicious circle of animosity. If you think that this is only a Christian concept then know Islam preaches the same thing: “Let harm be requited by an equal harm, though anyone who forgives and puts things right will have his reward from God Himself - He does not like those who do wrong.” [Qur’an 40:42] or Muhammad’s words: “God gives a reward for gentleness which He will never give for harshness”… and this concept of ‘breaking the vicious cirlce of animosity’ (quoted from Muslim scholars) forms a key element of Islamic jurisprudence. Clearly what this all means is we need more religion not less.

Let us consider that often these people are young men, who have never known peace and feel powerless owing to the total hoplessness of their environment. These are people on the edge so of course they do not think clearly. Ok they may use scripture to justify their actions, but this is not something new is it? Look at the man who sleeps around but wont wear a condom because the church doesn’t approve. Its all folly and ultimately trying to make God in man’s image.

The way foward is away from solar scriptura and turning to educated and legitimate authority. In Catholicism it is quite clear, but we still need to listen. Some Catholcis feel they can correct His Holiness… never been that confident! Muslims have a different structure, which may seem less clear, but this in no way means they have none. Look who The Pope spoke to during the recent ‘Common Word’ meetings. The likes of the Grand Mufti of Bosnia Herzegovena Dr. Mustafa Ceric. Not only did he have a rigorous traditional education from the respected Sarajevo Madrassah, but he went on to study at the Oxford/Harvard of the Muslims world - Al Azhar. He has authority to talk on Islam (owing to his position) and has the knowledge (owing to his qualifications). As a representative of the Muslims he condems terrorism, echoing the scholastic body of Muslims. Islam does not condone terrorism because it is a religion and no religion at all would sanction such haneous things.

For some reason we always compare our best with the others worst??? God is just so let us be just: ‘And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.’ [Luke 6:31]. Perhaps we all need to start with knowledge. Let us put down the book by Daniel Pipes and instead read something noteworthy, why not try Hans Kung’s book on Islam? Afterall action without knowledge is insane.

These are just a few reflections which I hope by God’s Grace will bear fruit. In Deo speramus