No crosses at the Western Wall was the message sent by a rabbi to a group of Austrian Catholic bishops who refused to hide their Christian crosses before entering the courtyard of the Western Wall, the Jewish people's holiest prayer site.
Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch refused to give the bishops access to the site and avoided meeting the ecclesiastic delegation of approximately 20, led by Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schonborn.
Rabinovitch denied that the incident, which took place Thursday, smacked of religious intolerance.
"Crosses are a symbol that hurts Jewish feelings," said Rabinovitch who refused to elaborate on precisely how or why the crosses were so offensive.[...]
From HERE
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Allah or God?
One of our readers asks:
Hello, I am visiting your blog for the first time. I have a question for you. Do you as a Christian in the middle east call God..Allah? I understand it is just arabic for God.. I would very much like to hear what you call him. May God bless and keep you safe. LILY
Thank you for the question Lily, and here is is my own answer, though different people would answer it in a different way I suppose:
When speaking English I use "God" in talking about Christianity but "Allah" in reference to Islam.
But regarding Arabic: The word "Allah" is a contracted version of "al ilah" which means "THE GOD." Note also that there are no capitals in Arabic which affects how things are written. As a Christian in the Middle East I certainly do use Allah to speak of the Triune God revealed in Scripture. One can also say al rab which means "The Lord" and that is also fine for both Muslims and Christians. When discussing religion with Muslims I will often use "ilahuna" (OUR GOD) and "ilahukum" (YOUR GOD) to differentiate.
One divine title that only Christians use is, of course, "al ab," THE FATHER. That is a concept largely absent from Islam.
Hello, I am visiting your blog for the first time. I have a question for you. Do you as a Christian in the middle east call God..Allah? I understand it is just arabic for God.. I would very much like to hear what you call him. May God bless and keep you safe. LILY
Thank you for the question Lily, and here is is my own answer, though different people would answer it in a different way I suppose:
When speaking English I use "God" in talking about Christianity but "Allah" in reference to Islam.
But regarding Arabic: The word "Allah" is a contracted version of "al ilah" which means "THE GOD." Note also that there are no capitals in Arabic which affects how things are written. As a Christian in the Middle East I certainly do use Allah to speak of the Triune God revealed in Scripture. One can also say al rab which means "The Lord" and that is also fine for both Muslims and Christians. When discussing religion with Muslims I will often use "ilahuna" (OUR GOD) and "ilahukum" (YOUR GOD) to differentiate.
One divine title that only Christians use is, of course, "al ab," THE FATHER. That is a concept largely absent from Islam.
Islam-mobile!
Well, you asked for it! An Islamic car, to be produced by that leader of automotive technology, Malaysia:
Report: Malaysia's Proton Plans to Make 'Islamic Cars' With Iran, Turkey
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysian automaker Proton plans to team up with companies in Iran and Turkey to produce "Islamic cars" for the global market, a news report said Sunday.
Proposed by Iran, the collaboration would include installing features in automobiles such as a compass to determine the direction of Mecca for prayers, and compartments for storing the Quran and headscarves, Proton's Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin told national news agency Bernama.
"What they (Iran) want to do is to call that an Islamic car," he was quoted as saying while on a visit in Iran. "The car will have all the Islamic features and should be meant for export purposes. We will identify a car that we can develop to be produced in Malaysia, Iran or Turkey."
The report didn't give further details. [...]
From HERE.
Report: Malaysia's Proton Plans to Make 'Islamic Cars' With Iran, Turkey
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysian automaker Proton plans to team up with companies in Iran and Turkey to produce "Islamic cars" for the global market, a news report said Sunday.
Proposed by Iran, the collaboration would include installing features in automobiles such as a compass to determine the direction of Mecca for prayers, and compartments for storing the Quran and headscarves, Proton's Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin told national news agency Bernama.
"What they (Iran) want to do is to call that an Islamic car," he was quoted as saying while on a visit in Iran. "The car will have all the Islamic features and should be meant for export purposes. We will identify a car that we can develop to be produced in Malaysia, Iran or Turkey."
The report didn't give further details. [...]
From HERE.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Islam in Mexico
Historians are divided over when Islam came to Mexico and who brought it. Some claim it was introduced by Syrian immigrants, whereas others point to Turkish immigrants. One recent (2002) study estimated that 10 percent of the Syrian-Lebanese immigrant community were Muslim. Today this community is one of the richest and contains more than 250,000 people. The history of Islam in Mexico is largely undocumented, with the exception of a sixteenth-century book called Un Hereje y un Musulman. Written by Pascual Almazan, this recounts the exploits of Yusuf bin Alabaz, who came to Mexico after expulsion during the Reconquista in Spain. Today, Islam is a recognized entity following the establishment of the Muslim Center de Mexico in 1994 in Mexico City. There are also centers in Monterrey, Torreon, Guadalajara, and San Cristobal de las Casas.
--Wikipedia
--Wikipedia
Egypt forcing converts from Islam, members of Bahai faith to conceal their religion, watchdogs say
Egypt forcing converts from Islam, members of Bahai faith to conceal their religion, watchdogs say
IHT, Associated Press
CAIRO, Egypt: Egypt must change its policy of not allowing converts from Islam and members of the Bahai faith to register their religion in official documents, two human rights groups said Monday.
In a report two years in the making, the New York-based Human Rights Watch and the local Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, or EIPR, described how Egyptians of religious persuasions authorities disapprove of are unable to get birth certificates and identification cards.
Joe Stork, the HRW Middle East deputy chief, said it was a systematic policy to deny documents to members of faiths other than Islam, Christianity and Judaism — the only three religions officially recognized by Egyptian authorities.
ID cards are mandatory here, but persons seeking to have "Bahai" listed as their faith on the card, for example, are denied the document, Stork told reporters in Cairo.
The report quoted some 40 people the watchdog groups interviewed as saying they were told in applying for papers that they must list themselves as either Muslim or Christian, or risk not being able to obtain the document.
"We're talking about a government policy that is compelling and pressuring people to lie," said Stork.
The report, titled "Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom," also noted cases where fathers have converted to Islam and left their children and families, with authorities automatically registering his children as having converted to Islam as well, often without informing them of this.
Since 2004, the issue has come before the court several times in the predominantly Muslim Egypt. Coptic Christians are about 10 percent of Egypt's 76 million population and generally live in peace with the Sunni Muslim majority.
Next Sunday, the Supreme Administrative Court will deliver a final ruling on whether seven Egyptians who reconverted to Christianity after already having converted to Islam will be recognized as Christians.
Next month, a ruling is also expected on whether the government must recognize minority Bahais. The religion, Bahaism, emerged from Islam and regards a 19th century Persian nobleman, Baha'u'llah, as its prophet — a challenge to the Muslim belief that Muhammad is the last prophet.
Unofficial figures put the Bahai community at about 2,000 in Egypt.
[...]
EIPR director Hossam Bahgat said the government policy has no basis in neither Egyptian nor Islamic law, or Sharia, as officials often claim. While converting from Islam is defined as apostasy by Islamic law, there is no corresponding legal punishment.
____
Associated Press Writer Maamoun Youssef contributed to this report.
IHT, Associated Press
CAIRO, Egypt: Egypt must change its policy of not allowing converts from Islam and members of the Bahai faith to register their religion in official documents, two human rights groups said Monday.
In a report two years in the making, the New York-based Human Rights Watch and the local Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, or EIPR, described how Egyptians of religious persuasions authorities disapprove of are unable to get birth certificates and identification cards.
Joe Stork, the HRW Middle East deputy chief, said it was a systematic policy to deny documents to members of faiths other than Islam, Christianity and Judaism — the only three religions officially recognized by Egyptian authorities.
ID cards are mandatory here, but persons seeking to have "Bahai" listed as their faith on the card, for example, are denied the document, Stork told reporters in Cairo.
The report quoted some 40 people the watchdog groups interviewed as saying they were told in applying for papers that they must list themselves as either Muslim or Christian, or risk not being able to obtain the document.
"We're talking about a government policy that is compelling and pressuring people to lie," said Stork.
The report, titled "Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom," also noted cases where fathers have converted to Islam and left their children and families, with authorities automatically registering his children as having converted to Islam as well, often without informing them of this.
Since 2004, the issue has come before the court several times in the predominantly Muslim Egypt. Coptic Christians are about 10 percent of Egypt's 76 million population and generally live in peace with the Sunni Muslim majority.
Next Sunday, the Supreme Administrative Court will deliver a final ruling on whether seven Egyptians who reconverted to Christianity after already having converted to Islam will be recognized as Christians.
Next month, a ruling is also expected on whether the government must recognize minority Bahais. The religion, Bahaism, emerged from Islam and regards a 19th century Persian nobleman, Baha'u'llah, as its prophet — a challenge to the Muslim belief that Muhammad is the last prophet.
Unofficial figures put the Bahai community at about 2,000 in Egypt.
[...]
EIPR director Hossam Bahgat said the government policy has no basis in neither Egyptian nor Islamic law, or Sharia, as officials often claim. While converting from Islam is defined as apostasy by Islamic law, there is no corresponding legal punishment.
____
Associated Press Writer Maamoun Youssef contributed to this report.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Al Ghazali on the Dhimmi
Al Ghazali is one of the great scholars of Islam, one could compare him to Saint Augustine in terms of his influence. Here is a quote from him on the treatment of the dhimmi in an Islamic society:
[O]ne must go on jihad (i.e., warlike razzias or raids) at least once a year...one may use a catapult against them [non-Muslims] when they are in a fortress, even if among them are women and children. One may set fire to them and/or drown them...If a person of the Ahl al-Kitab [People of The Book – primarily Jews and Christians] is enslaved, his marriage is [automatically] revoked…One may cut down their trees...One must destroy their useless books. Jihadists may take as booty whatever they decide...they may steal as much food as they need...
[T]he dhimmi is obliged not to mention Allah or His Apostle…Jews, Christians, and Majians must pay the jizya [poll tax on non-Muslims]…on offering up the jizya, the dhimmi must hang his head while the official takes hold of his beard and hits [the dhimmi] on the protruberant bone beneath his ear [i.e., the mandible]… They are not permitted to ostentatiously display their wine or church bells…their houses may not be higher than the Muslim’s, no matter how low that is. The dhimmi may not ride an elegant horse or mule; he may ride a donkey only if the saddle[-work] is of wood. He may not walk on the good part of the road. They [the dhimmis] have to wear [an identifying] patch [on their clothing], even women, and even in the [public] baths…[dhimmis] must hold their tongue….
(From the Wagjiz, written in 1101 A.D.)
[O]ne must go on jihad (i.e., warlike razzias or raids) at least once a year...one may use a catapult against them [non-Muslims] when they are in a fortress, even if among them are women and children. One may set fire to them and/or drown them...If a person of the Ahl al-Kitab [People of The Book – primarily Jews and Christians] is enslaved, his marriage is [automatically] revoked…One may cut down their trees...One must destroy their useless books. Jihadists may take as booty whatever they decide...they may steal as much food as they need...
[T]he dhimmi is obliged not to mention Allah or His Apostle…Jews, Christians, and Majians must pay the jizya [poll tax on non-Muslims]…on offering up the jizya, the dhimmi must hang his head while the official takes hold of his beard and hits [the dhimmi] on the protruberant bone beneath his ear [i.e., the mandible]… They are not permitted to ostentatiously display their wine or church bells…their houses may not be higher than the Muslim’s, no matter how low that is. The dhimmi may not ride an elegant horse or mule; he may ride a donkey only if the saddle[-work] is of wood. He may not walk on the good part of the road. They [the dhimmis] have to wear [an identifying] patch [on their clothing], even women, and even in the [public] baths…[dhimmis] must hold their tongue….
(From the Wagjiz, written in 1101 A.D.)
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Israel on the coming ME arms race
OK, here's what's going to happen: Iran will get nuclear weapons because the US has neither the money nor the will to take them on militarily. Europe is useless to be honest, and all that "diplomacy" is just a nice way to shuttle diplomats back and forth between expensive countries for useless obfuscation and a good dose of taqiyya (the Islamic doctrine where by Muslims can or must lie to infidels).
Once Iran gets the nuke, all the other countries in the ME which are Arab (Iran is Persian) and Sunni (Iran is Shi'a) will want/need nukes. The West won't be able to complain about it because they'll say, well, you didn't stop Iran, so why can't we have them too?
Here is an Israeli cabinet minister on the repercussions of that scenario:
Egyptian and Saudi Arabian intentions to begin or revive their nuclear programs in the face of Iran's continued race toward nuclear power present an "apocalyptic scenario" for Israel as well as for the rest of the world, Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
Lieberman's remarks came a week after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced a decision to restart his country's nuclear program. On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that his country had begun operating 3,000 centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium.
"If Egypt and Saudi Arabia begin nuclear programs, this can bring an apocalyptic scenario upon us," Lieberman told the Post. "Their intentions should be taken seriously and the declarations being made now are to prepare the world for when they decide to actually do it."
Lieberman also said Pakistan was a major threat to Israel due to the political instability there and the fact that the country had "missiles, nuclear weapons and a proven capability."
Once Iran gets the nuke, all the other countries in the ME which are Arab (Iran is Persian) and Sunni (Iran is Shi'a) will want/need nukes. The West won't be able to complain about it because they'll say, well, you didn't stop Iran, so why can't we have them too?
Here is an Israeli cabinet minister on the repercussions of that scenario:
Egyptian and Saudi Arabian intentions to begin or revive their nuclear programs in the face of Iran's continued race toward nuclear power present an "apocalyptic scenario" for Israel as well as for the rest of the world, Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
Lieberman's remarks came a week after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced a decision to restart his country's nuclear program. On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that his country had begun operating 3,000 centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium.
"If Egypt and Saudi Arabia begin nuclear programs, this can bring an apocalyptic scenario upon us," Lieberman told the Post. "Their intentions should be taken seriously and the declarations being made now are to prepare the world for when they decide to actually do it."
Lieberman also said Pakistan was a major threat to Israel due to the political instability there and the fact that the country had "missiles, nuclear weapons and a proven capability."
Martin Luther on faith
"Our faith is an astounding thing—astounding that I should believe him to be the Son of God who is suspended on the cross, whom I have never seen, with whom I have never become acquainted."
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Friday, November 09, 2007
How low will they go?
Well, I sometimes wonder how low the good old mujaahidiin (wagers of jihad) will go in their perpetual jihad against the kuffaar (unbelievers). Here is a good example which seems fairly low. I mean they don't have hardly anything in Gaza and this sort of action is just like saying, OK Israel, blow up this school which is serving our community.
Mortars fired from UN Gaza school
BBC
The UN secretary general has ordered an investigation into an incident in which Palestinian militants fired mortars at Israel from a UN-run school in Gaza.
Ban Ki-moon condemned the abuse of UN facilities and described it a "serious violation of the UN's privileges and immunities", a spokeswoman said.
Israeli military aircraft filmed the mortars being fired from the school's playground in Beit Hanoun last week.
The UN has already complained about the incident to the authorities in Gaza.
The coastal territory has been controlled by the Islamist movement, Hamas, since it seized control from the rival Fatah group of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in June.
Mortars fired from UN Gaza school
BBC
The UN secretary general has ordered an investigation into an incident in which Palestinian militants fired mortars at Israel from a UN-run school in Gaza.
Ban Ki-moon condemned the abuse of UN facilities and described it a "serious violation of the UN's privileges and immunities", a spokeswoman said.
Israeli military aircraft filmed the mortars being fired from the school's playground in Beit Hanoun last week.
The UN has already complained about the incident to the authorities in Gaza.
The coastal territory has been controlled by the Islamist movement, Hamas, since it seized control from the rival Fatah group of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in June.
Not in Islam's Name?
Good letter from a reader to the Wall Street Journal:
Not in Islam's Name?
November 9, 2007; Page A17
Your article "Linking Terror on the Trail" (Politics & Economics, Oct. 29) sadly illustrates how political correctness has run totally amok. It's apparently irrelevant to the PC crowd that Islamic terrorists proudly commit their violent acts in the name of Islam.
You note that many on the left complain that the repeated references to "Islamic terrorism" have the effect of tarnishing the entire religion. I submit that it is the Islamic terrorists themselves who are tarnishing the religion. If mainstream American Muslims are unhappy at how their religion is being portrayed, they should direct their attention to the radicals who perpetrate violence in their name, rather than to the presidential candidates. Arguing over semantics will do nothing to stem the tide of Islamic terrorism.
John S. Villanova
Stamford, Conn.
Not in Islam's Name?
November 9, 2007; Page A17
Your article "Linking Terror on the Trail" (Politics & Economics, Oct. 29) sadly illustrates how political correctness has run totally amok. It's apparently irrelevant to the PC crowd that Islamic terrorists proudly commit their violent acts in the name of Islam.
You note that many on the left complain that the repeated references to "Islamic terrorism" have the effect of tarnishing the entire religion. I submit that it is the Islamic terrorists themselves who are tarnishing the religion. If mainstream American Muslims are unhappy at how their religion is being portrayed, they should direct their attention to the radicals who perpetrate violence in their name, rather than to the presidential candidates. Arguing over semantics will do nothing to stem the tide of Islamic terrorism.
John S. Villanova
Stamford, Conn.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Kinky in KSA?!?
Fascinating blurb here from a a person living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am very interested in this country, but alas getting there is very tough, even for a little vacation. It is actually the only major country in the world that doesn't issue tourist visas.
From Nzingha's Soapbox:
Feeling Kinky??
Saudi for the most part has an image of being ultra conservative, an image that is rightly deserved in some areas. But when you actually live here and know what is going on, in secret and in open, you find out that people living in Saudi aren't necessarily that conservative. This ranges from the expatriates and their swinger parties, or the gay weddings and beauty pageants with cross dressers displaying their moves. Some of these events are cracked down upon by the police but for the most part it goes on and people whisper.
Since the book on The Girls Of Riyadh has been published more has come to light about the dating scene amongst Saudi girls. Here in Khobar they aren't very secretive about it and neither or other Arab girls and boys. Seeing young couples out on a date isn't necessarily an odd event but I do admit when the come in a large group and flaunt their antics it is all this Mama can take but to scream. One might expect this from the Western expat teens but to find it amongst "Muslim" circles is a bit shocking to the system. Although this isn't to say Muslims don't sin, but to be so blatant about it in a "Islamic Society" is more than ironic. [...]
From Nzingha's Soapbox:
Feeling Kinky??
Saudi for the most part has an image of being ultra conservative, an image that is rightly deserved in some areas. But when you actually live here and know what is going on, in secret and in open, you find out that people living in Saudi aren't necessarily that conservative. This ranges from the expatriates and their swinger parties, or the gay weddings and beauty pageants with cross dressers displaying their moves. Some of these events are cracked down upon by the police but for the most part it goes on and people whisper.
Since the book on The Girls Of Riyadh has been published more has come to light about the dating scene amongst Saudi girls. Here in Khobar they aren't very secretive about it and neither or other Arab girls and boys. Seeing young couples out on a date isn't necessarily an odd event but I do admit when the come in a large group and flaunt their antics it is all this Mama can take but to scream. One might expect this from the Western expat teens but to find it amongst "Muslim" circles is a bit shocking to the system. Although this isn't to say Muslims don't sin, but to be so blatant about it in a "Islamic Society" is more than ironic. [...]
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Go New Advent!
Well, Islam and Christianity has received an unexpected jump in the number of folks visiting the site because the über-site of Catholicism, New Advent--to which I have linked on several occassions--linked to my recent blurb on the folks that Muhammad murdered or had murdered.
So, welcome to Islam and Christianity dear New Advent folks. Please check out my own writings on Islam and Christianity in the menu over on the right hand side. Also, please use the remarks here to let me know if you have any questions or issues you'd like for me to tackle.
Peace and Grace of our Lord be with you.
Salaam wa na3mat irrab ma3kum.
So, welcome to Islam and Christianity dear New Advent folks. Please check out my own writings on Islam and Christianity in the menu over on the right hand side. Also, please use the remarks here to let me know if you have any questions or issues you'd like for me to tackle.
Peace and Grace of our Lord be with you.
Salaam wa na3mat irrab ma3kum.
Man's sweat + God's love = Beer
"Don't drink the water, drink beer" warned Saint Arnold of Metz (b. 580 AD, d. 640), concerned about the dangers of drinking impure water. He believed that the polluted water caused illness, while the boiled and processed water used for beer was a safer alternative. According to legend he ended a plague when he submerged his crucifix into a brew kettle and persuaded people to drink only beer from that "blessed" kettle. He is reported to have said "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world".
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