Bombings

Assertion:-

The Bombing and destruction of the Shiah mosque in Iraq (Feb 2006

It is impossible for any genuine Muslim to justify the bombing of mosques. The people who did so cannot possibly have been Muslim. One wonders who could possibly benefit from this. It looks more like the work of people motivated by un-Islamic political, economic or racial motives or foreign agents - the sort of thing the CIA would do.

A Muslim:-

We need to stop blaming the "others" and recognize that there is a cancer within us that is far more dangerous than the external dangers, which are often imaginative and magnified due to insecurities and fears. It's a typical Muslim reaction to blame the others. The external dangers have always been there and will always be there. There are always going to be those who wish to do harm. But unless the internal dangers and threats are recognized and dealt with, we will remain in the state we are in today.

Comment:-

I am perfectly aware that Muslims have degenerated, that there is a "cancer" within the community. I have pointed this out time and again. But are you implying that it is a Muslim or Islamic characteristic to justify bombing of mosques? Is it not a departure from Islam?

I do not agree that blaming others is "a typically Muslim reaction". Most other people do the same. And there are Muslims who do recognise this tendency in themselves and others. And there are those, including Muslims, who want to blame everything on Muslims and close their minds to all other causes. I do not think there is a difference between those who project all blame and those who introject it into themselves or their own community.

I am also aware that people all over the world are prone to be whipped up into hysterics and into mindless violence. (I would call this an example of Satan's work and those who whip up such troubles are Satan's agents. i.e. I would define these events as such). This is not just a characteristic of Muslims, though they should have been better.

I do not think that it requires a genius to work out that the present troubles in Iraq are the direct and indirect result of the undemocratic, criminal conspiracy, invasion, killing and destruction caused by the American and British Coalition.

I am reminded of the policy of "Divide and Rule" that was conducted by the British in India. When there were Hindu /Muslim or Shiah/Sunni riots there were very often Agents Provocateurs behind it. Though they were native Indians they were paid by agents of the British Government. The events in Iraq seem to me to be exactly the same. But obviously the subsequent actions of Muslims is their own fault.

Critic:-

I heard of the bombing of the mosques in Iraq with probably the same sense of incredulity as you have. It is inconceivable to me that those who engaged in this activity, whether part of the bombing of the Samarra mosque or the "reprisals" which followed it, can have any justification for what they did whatsoever.

But I cannot agree that those who did this "cannot possibly have been Muslim". Certainly their actions go against the whole thread of Islam as a whole. But it is quite possible for someone to believe in God and the Prophet and still do the Wrong Thing. One clear example of this is that the reprisals against Sunni mosques were clearly done by groups of Iraqi Shiahs. Do these actions stop these people being Muslim, or does it just mean that they are misled? Is it possible for the people who took revenge to reflect on what they have done to their brother Muslims - those who took no part in bombing the Samarra mosque - and realise they have behaved foolishly and evilly?

Comment:-

You misunderstand. I was using the word Muslim in its meaning not as a label for a set of people. But yes people are Muslim to various degrees. I am perfectly aware that the people who are called Muslim have abandoned Islam to various degrees. And I am also perfectly aware that being human the people share the same limitations as anyone else. Human beings in general can be provoked and manipulated into hysterics and extreme mindless violence. And I am perfectly aware that there are people and regimes who like to do this.

No doubt when the energy spent in violence is exhausted and mindless hysterics have subsided, many people will reflect on what they have done and feel ashamed and repentant.

Critic:-

You seem to be suggesting that the Sunnis and Shiites would not commit atrocities to each other, or their places of worship. Many news reports throughout a long history contradict such a notion. To imply, with no proof whatsoever, that it was more likely to have been the work of any single group appears disingenuous to me. Why not suggest the Jews did it? Or even Danish cartoonists?

I suspect virtually any act of barbarity can be justified by those who believe they are acting in accordance with (their) God's wishes. Bin Laden, when speaking of the many Muslims who were killed in the World Trade Centre airplane attacks replied that the Muslims shouldn't have been in those buildings! And how do terrorists justify the bombs that kill innocent children?

If you read the news; 99% of the Iraqis murdered in the past year were killed by suicide bombers, car bombs and Arab gunmen who shoot random people, government officials, university teachers etc. Everyday there is a news story from Iraq that some suicide bomber again killed some dozens of men, women and children. The newspapers do not even bother to give it in the front page anymore. People got used to it. Muslims all over the world still curse America for organizing operations like they did in Fallujah

Comment:-

I did say that it could be people with un-Islamic motives or any foreign agents. I did wonder who would benefit. I did not say that it was definitely the CIA.

Yes I am aware of that people can be "brain washed" into all kinds of things. And that fanatics are led into actions that negate the very faith they profess. But are they to be regarded as Muslim in the true meaning of the term?

Another Observer:-

It is obvious that it is a "déjà vu" event. It is part of the dirty war that Euro-America has been waging against Muslims. Of course it is a work of hired hands. Such crime was inconceivable by Muslims, and did not happen even during the more trying times over the past years. However the frustration of Euro-America at gradually losing initiative has grown into desperation and lunacy. They have now stooped so low as to try out the lowest level of existence in their conscience. But beware, you do not know how much lower the Euro-America can sink. In so doing they are digging a grave for themselves. In that grave they will rest indeed, but never in peace! Even Hitler did not stoop so low. He is accused of killing the Jews but not bombing the places of worship.

Critic:-

Referring to the war in Lebanon, Israel claims it is justified in bombing civilians in Lebanon because it has no alternative is defending itself against attacks from Hezbollah, which is a terrorist organisation that mingles with civilians in Lebanon.

A Muslim:-

This appears to be a myth. In fact, the militant group does not trust its civilians and stays as far away from them as possible.

Comment:-

As I understand it, Hezbullah has a civil and a military wing. It has Members in the government and does a great amount of social welfare and charity work. The military wing has separate organisation and installations, trains away from the population and fights in the field. But in so far as Hezbullah members are ordinary citizens then they are certainly part of the population and will fight invaders as any other citizen.

Do not the Hezbullah fight the Israeli Army? Is it not the case that Israeli aerial bombing from a safe distance out of range of retaliation even more cowardly? It is not a question of discussing which army has braver soldiers, but of one sided judgement. Israel justifies its killing and terrorising of civilians by accusing Hezbullah of cowardice but the same actions in reverse are denounced.

Even if it were true that Hezbullah mingles with civilians, it cannot possibly justify Israel bombing and killing civilians. Does one kill the population among whom criminals may hide? Would the British Government have been justified in bombing, terrorising and destroying Ireland because the IRA bombers were hiding there? When the action of someone is seen as evil does that make the same act good when done by someone else?

But there is little doubt that much news is fabricated or selectively interpreted in favour of the side from which journalists come, usually when manipulated by those who hold power in Governments. But even so according to several reports by relatively impartial observers when Israelis bombed a village killing women and children they claimed that they did this because Hezbullah had launched rockets against Israel from there. In fact, that was a lie, because no rocket site was found there and there were no Hezbullah fighters among the dead. The same turns out the case in many other places. Had their bombing targeted them no doubt Hezbullah’s capabilities would have been destroyed or severely diminished by now. But their claim that they have done so also turns out to be a lie.

It is claimed that this present conflict was started by the terrorist organisations, Hamas and Hezbullah. On the border with Gaza, two Israeli soldiers were killed by them, and one taken captive. A few days later, a soldier was kidnapped (and killed) in the West Bank. A few days later, an attack from Lebanon killed 8 and took 2 captives. But this is a selective and narrow minded view that taking things out of context. This conflict has been going on for the last 50 or more years, instigated and supported by the USA. No it was not started by Hamas and Hezbullah. These organisation came into existence as a response to Israeli aggression against Palestine and Lebanon. They are, therefore seen as Freedom Fighters and not Terrorists. But if one wishes to isolate the present conflict then it started when an Israeli ship bombarded a beach killing some Palestinian civilians on a leisure trip. Hamas then kidnapped Israeli soldiers in retaliation. Hezbullah kidnapped Israeli soldiers mainly to bargain for the release of hundreds of Hezbullah soldiers kidnapped by the Israelis.

The fact is that there is a stupid vicious circle of retaliation on both sides and that there is no solution because Israel is supported and pushed by the USA and Hezbullah by Iran, and these two are provoking each other into a vicious circle also. Whereas US leadership and press point the accusing finger exclusively at Iran or Syria no mention is made of their own collusion with Israel. But the USA and Israel have the power and want to use it to serve their interests at the expense of others. This desire to use advantages selfishly is a primitive form of behaviour.

It is not being asserted that there are no faults on the part of Hezbullah and Hamas, that they have done nothing wrong, but the assessment is one sided. This injustice leads to political conflicts and disasters and vice versa. Evil has been done by both sides. They are condemned as extremists while the extremism against them is ignored. Most people, except hypocrites, can see that Israel is devastating Lebanon and terrorising the population. The Israeli government like the US government are most certainly terrorists. Is Israeli action any different from that undertaken by the tyrant Sadam Hessian’s regime in Iraq against his enemies? Though the Israeli aggression is justified by them as defensive to make themselves safe against attack from those against whom they have committed injustices, in fact they have generated so much hate as to do the exact opposite. It has convinced more people that others will be safe only when Israel is subdued or destroyed.

The fact is that the Israeli terrorism is supported in policy as well as materially by the US and politically by the UK under Prime Minister Blair, who is widely seen as a puppet. Some people think that he should be prosecuted as a traitor to Britain in that he has made Britain into a US satellite. The USA is sending the bombs to Israel with which they are killing hundreds of Lebanese indiscriminately and that with British help. The satanic alliance of this trio can be seen throughout much of the world as wholly callous hypocritical and psychopathic (i.e. without conscience, compassion and humanity). Do they not like all criminals, serve their own interests, kill and terrorise other people? World conditions are most certainly getting worse owing to this Evil Trinity of Bush, Blair and Israeli leaders. It appears to a failing of the Western idea of Democracy that relatively ignorant and stupid persons with low intelligence and virtue come into positions of power and work chaos.

As for the people, while there are many who have sympathy for those who suffer, are persecuted and oppressed, many are either apathetic or feel themselves helpless or bewildered, only a small number support their Political Masters. The public response to the disasters such as the Tsunami that struck South Asia and caused much death and destruction show that human compassion in the general population is not dead. But when it comes to similar disasters caused by human regimes then the propaganda and opinion manipulation machinery is intensively employed in the interest of the Power Holders to suppress humanitarian impulses and promote antagonism and hate. There is a hidden conflict between the worldly and spiritual impulses in man, and between the world rulers and the ruled. Basically, there has always been a conflict between the secular and the religious forces. Throughout history, the later were periodically overwhelmed by the former and dominated by power holders, but from time to time, when competent spiritual leader arrived, disentangled and escaped this prison.

We note also that no sincere moves are being made at the International level by Western national leaders to bring about cessation of hostilities, though there is much talk about it. Impossible conditions are being made, and there is no doubt that the politicians who make them know they are unacceptable. The peace proposal seems to have been specially designed in favour of Israel and to make Hezbullah look like the guilty one for rejecting it. The justification for this one-sidedness, supported by much propaganda, comes from naming them Terrorists but not the Israelis. They wish to disarm Hezbullah, the only defence against aggression, but not the Israelis, who are heavily armed by the US while ensuring that the Lebanese Army remained weak, permitted only to have small arms. There was no requirement for Israel to withdraw occupied Lebanese territories or give up prisoners. A buffer zone was to be created, patrolled by UN forces, on the Lebanese side of the border and not on the Israeli side. Can this be seen as Justice by any fair-minded person?

Recent events show that it is not possible for Muslim countries to get any justice from the West; neither is it possible for African, Eastern or South American nations.

US policies appear more and more certainly like a campaign against Muslims and Islam. As such it is increasing support for Hezbullah and Hamas and other such organisations that are seen as the only forces that are opposing real Terrorism, though they are fighting like with like. As these organisations were formed in the first place to resist aggression, it is a cynical political ploy to call those who resist aggression "terrorists" in order to justify campaigns against them. Even Al-Quida whose resources were getting thin now finds that its support is getting strong enough for them to enter this conflict. Though a war against Islam is officially denied, privately many of the power holders in the West have given expression to such a desire. There is little doubt that there is a difference in values between Islam and the West and there is a fear of the rise of Islam among those who control the wealth and power in the West that this will destroy their privileges and power. But Islam is a religion that is made generally available and without the power structure of an organised Hierarchy. The opposition to Islam can be seen as part of the general struggle between the "Common Man" in whom conscience is not wholly atrophied and the "Power Holders" who to a great part can be regarded as spiritually dead.

This campaign is conducted through military, political, economic and ideological means, though it is not always or necessarily a conscious aim, but it is an effect of the various conflicts. There is an attempt to set up puppet governments that will serve Western interests in Iraq and Afghanistan and now in Lebanon. There are Western supporting and supported regimes in Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Egypt. And there are Western threats against Iran and Syria. They are prevented from having nuclear weapons to defend themselves while the West assumes the right to have them for the same purpose. There is a proliferation of books, speeches and organisations criticising, denigrating, abusing and trying to undermine the Quran and Islam often supported and financed by churches and governments. There is a policy of divide and rule, of encouraging and provoking indirectly or directly, through actions and speeches, the conflict between Shia and Sunni and between the extremist and the moderates. In fact, there is a definite tendency to fool and manipulate Muslims by praising them as "Moderate Muslims" when they remain passive, apathetic, and conformist and abandon their faith, while condemning as extremists all those who do not serve the Western interests and have their own ideology and faith. It can not, however, be denied that there are certainly people who profess to be Muslims but are prone to violence and have criminal, psychopathic tendencies just like those who oppose them.

The Question is: Why does such evil exist? The answer must be that human beings have permitted it to exist, that it is a punishment for that and that it is to act as a stimulus and a challenge so that the Good is established by overcoming Evil. Human beings have the responsibility, but they have not shouldered it. (Quran 33:72, 32:9)

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