Asalaamualaikum! In the Judeo-Christian Bible (New Testament), the greatest commandment Jesus said is "Love God and Lover Your Neighbor", which is over all the laws written (Old Testament). What about the Koran?
*Special Forward E-mail:
Allah or Jesus?
By Rick Mathes
Last month I attended my annual
training session that's required
for maintaining my state prison securitclearance. During the training
session there was a presentation by
three
speakers representing
the Roman Catholic, Protestant and
Muslim
faiths, who explained each of
their belief systems.
I was particularly
interested in
what the Islamic Imam had to
say. The Imam gave a great presentation
of the
basics of Islam, complete
with a video.
After the presentations,
time was
provided for questions and
answers. When it was my turn, I
directed my
question to the Imam and asked:
"Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I
understand that most Imams and
clerics of Islam have declared a holy
jihad
[Holy war] against the infidels
of the world. And, that by killing an
infidel,
which is a command to all
Muslims, they are assured of a place in
heaven.
If that's the case, can you give me
the
definition of an infidel?"
There was no disagreement with my
statements
and, without hesitation, he
replied, "Non-believers!"
I responded, "So, let me make sure I
have this
straight. All followers of
Allah have been commanded to kill
everyone who
is not of your faith so they
can go to Heaven.Is that correct?
The expression on his face changed
from one
of authority and command to
that of a little boy who had just gotten
caught with his hand in
the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied,
"Yes."
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a
problem trying to imagine Pope
John Paul commanding all Catholics to
kill
those of your faith or Dr Stanley
ordering Protestants to do the same in
order
to go to Heaven!"
The Imam was speechless. I continued,
"I
also have problem with being
your friend when
you and your brother clerics are telling
your
followers to kill me. Let me
ask you a question. Would you rather
have your
Allah who tells you to kill
me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus
who
tells me to love you because I
am going to Heaven and He wants you to
be with
me?"
You could have heard a pin drop as
the
Imam hung his head in shame.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or
promoters of the 'Diversification'
training seminar were not happy with
Rick's
way of dealing with the Islamic
Imam and exposing the truth about the
Muslim's
beliefs.
I think everyone in the US should be
required to read this, but with the
liberal justice system, liberal media,
ACLU, there is no way this
will be widely publicized. Please pass
this on
to all your email contacts.
This is a true story and the author,
Rick
Mathes, is a well known leader
in prison ministry.
A co-worker of mine asked me why "they" hate America so much. I (Sal) wasn't able to answer her question right away, so I decided to re"search" on this topic:
"The reason Islam seems like such an angry religion today is because so many Muslims are angry. The reason so many Muslims are angry is because most of them live under antidemocratic regimes backed by America, with lagging economies and shrinking opportunities for young people." This is Thomas L. Friedman's explanation as it appeared first in one of his columns for The New York Times and now in his excellent book, "Longitudes & Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11."
It's the kind of anger that can inspire 19 Muslims to attack the United States of America, but there is a largely unspoken factor that few in the mainstream media have addressed. It is the hatred of Jews. "-
Facts of Israel
"There is a Biblical explanation for this phenomenon. The hand of the Lord is upon the Israelis and his wrath is upon the Arab-Moslem opposition to Israel. We have written many articles in this newsletter documenting that the present ingathering of the Jewish people to the land of Israel is a fulfillment of ancient Biblical prophecy. One of the most common subjects of prophecy is that of the ingathering of the exiles to the land. On the other hand, God�s judgment is on those who are standing in the way of the ingathering and, in particular, those who are boldly opposing it. In the Biblical era, we read that on occasion God hardened the heart of the people opposing His purpose. We believe that same thing is happening today."-Israeli-Palestininan Conflict
'"The Qur�ān [1] (Arabic: القرآن ;al-ķur'ān, literally "the recitation"; also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, or Alcoran) is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims believe the Qur'an to be the book of divine guidance and direction for mankind and consider the text in its original Arabic to be the literal word of Allah,[2] revealed to Muhammad over a period of twenty-three years[3][4] and view the Qur'an as God's final revelation to humanity.[5][6]"
-Teaches Violence? "Moussaoui details his hatred of America
(AP (yahoo news) - Fri Apr 14, 7:32 AM ET)
ALEXANDRIA , Va. - Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui insists he does not want to be executed, but for the second time he took the stand at his death-penalty trial and spouted off in a way that could eliminate any chance for mercy. Moussaoui mocked the tearful testimony of 9/11 victims and their families and wished for similar attacks every day until America falls. He gave a detailed explanation of his hatred for America, flipping through a Quran on the witness stand trying to find justification for his views."
Can't Label All Muslims as Terrorists
Canadian was falsely accused, panel says
Muslim held by U.S. was sent to Syria for interrogation
By Doug Struck
Updated: 4:42 a.m. CT Sept 19, 2006 "
TORONTO, Sept. 18 - Canadian intelligence officials passed false warnings and bad information to American agents about a Muslim Canadian citizen, after which U.S. authorities secretly whisked him to Syria, where he was tortured, a judicial report found Monday.
Abraham is a father of all three faiths-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He was known for his faith that was shown through the "almost" sacrificial of his son, Isaac. This can be compared to how our Heavenly Father sacrificed his one and only Son-Jesus on the cross on Calvary...
Related Sites: Abraham and Isaac-the proposed sacrifice. What does it mean? Bible Stories : Abraham's Sacrifice, Jesus Answers Abraham and the Child of Sacrifice - Isaac or Ishmael?, from answering-isalm why does it matter so much Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael... "Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, [Abrahams servant girl] with the approval of Sarah, because Sarah was by then too old to have children. And she wanted Abraham to have a son to leave his wealth to.
however, God had other plans, and had the elderly
Sarah fall pregnant with Isaac.
Because Sarah was abraham's WIFE, Isaac became the proper heir.
Then Hagar and Ishmael were banished.
By ordering Abraham to sacrifice his ONLY LEGAl HEIR, God was testing Abraham's faith.
In those early days, a Jews lineage was very important to them.
A man's family line could only continue through proper marriage arrangements.
Abraham and Hagar were not married."
-"Read Genesis 22:1-18 to get the whole account accurately. He tested Abraham on obedience. If he sacrificed Isaac without hesitation, it would prove his willingness to obey God without knowing the reason why. Because Abraham did so, God provided the sacrificial ram in place of Isaac, his only son at that time. Ishmael was born later. Hope that answers your question. "
"Muhammad grew up worshipping many pagan gods in the Kabah including the moon, either called Hubal and Allah. After his conversion to monotheism, through the influence of Christians, Muhammad stopped worshiping the moon. The same is true for all Muslims since, down to the present day. However, the crescent moon is the universal symbol of Islam. Muslims will argue that there is no archeological evidence for the crescent moon symbol being used in Islam for the first few centuries after Muhammad. Yet Muslims also claim that Koran in its completed form existed in the time of Muhammad, yet there is no archeological evidence for this claim either. What we can be sure of, is the moon worship was more prevalent in Arabia than any other part of the world and that the symbol of the crescent moon has been used by the Arab religions as far back as the time of Abraham. It is a falsification of history to think there is no connection with the history of the crescent moon symbol of pagan moon god worship and Islam...
...Harran was likewise noted for its devotion to the moon-god. is shown to the right. Note the presence of the crescent moon on the Babylonian moon-god.
"The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana...
Based on this history, many Muslims reject using the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam. The faith of Islam has historically had no symbol, and many refuse to accept what is essentially an ancient pagan icon.
" largest denomination of Islam. They are referred to as Ahl ul-Sunna (Arabic: أهل السنة; "people of the tradition"). The word Sunni comes from the word sunna (Arabic : سنة ), which means the tradition of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad."
" minority sect that constitutes no more than 10% of the world Muslim population (according to statistics published by the 2006 edition of Encyclop�dia Britannica)[1]. It is short for �īʿat ʿAlī (شيعة علي "the party of Ali"). Shias believe that they adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family whom are referred to as the Ahl al-Bayt, while Sunni Muslims believe that Shias deviate from, and even violate the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family. Unlike Sunnis, Shi'ites do not consider the first three caliphs to have been "Rightly Guided"; the fourth, Ali, was to them the first rightful caliph. The singular/adjective form is �īʿī (شيعي.) and refers to a follower of the faction of Imam Ali according to the Shia ideology."
1 "'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God.
2 "'Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD.
3 "'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. "
"... is a Muslim relic, which according to Islamic tradition dates back to the time of Adam and Eve. Some[who?] consider it to be a tektite or a meteorite.[1] It is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba, the ancient sacred stone building towards which Muslims pray, in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.[2] The Stone is roughly 30 cm (12 in.) in diameter, and 1.5 metres (5 ft.) above the ground.[3]
When pilgrims circle the Kaaba as part of the Tawaf ritual of the Hajj, many of them try, if possible, to stop and kiss the Black Stone seven times, emulating the kiss that it, according to Islamic tradition, received from the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[4] If they cannot reach it, they point to it on each of their seven circuits around the Kaaba.[5]
The Stone was broken into a number of pieces from damage inflicted during the Middle Ages. The pieces are held together by a silver frame, which is fastened by silver nails to the Stone.
The Truth behind The Black Stone, Allah, Gabriel & Muhammad - Viewed over 555,000 times!!!
"Why Black Stone is venerated at the Ka'aba?
Who is the true identity of the god named Allah?
Why the Islam Trinity: Allah, Jibriel & Muhammad is hidden so deeply from Muslims???
Please spread the truth to all your friends and those you love their souls to be saved from hell-fire.
NOTE: The video is free to copy as long as it is not tampered with in any manner."
"U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison will address this year’s graduating seniors during the annual Commencement ceremony at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. May 17 on the Morris campus..
Ellison made history as the first African American from Minnesota to serve in the U.S. Congress. He also made history by becoming the first person of the Muslim faith in America to serve in Congress. His philosophy is one of "generosity and inclusiveness....
Now 44, Ellison was born and raised in Detroit, Mich. He moved to Minnesota in 1987 to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned his law degree in 1990. Keith and his wife, Kim Ellison, have four children and have lived on Minneapolis’ north side for the past 18 years. Kim is a high school mathematics teacher..."
Rejecting radical Islam -- one man's journeyupdated 7:59 p.m. EDT, Fri August 17, 2007
Editor's note: This is part one of a series of reports CNN.com is featuring from an upcoming, six-hour television event, "God's Warriors," hosted by CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross was born to Jewish parents in Ashland, Oregon. A college friend introduced him to Islam.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The path to faith often takes unexpected twists. In the case of Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, the road went through three of the world's major religions -- Judaism, Islam and Christianity -- and ultimately brought him to the FBI.
Born to Jewish parents who call themselves mystics, he grew up in what he calls the "liberal hippie Mecca" of Ashland, Oregon, a town of about 20,000 near the California border. It was in this ultraliberal intellectual environment that a young Gartenstein-Ross experimented with a radical form of Islam that eventually led him to shun music, reject women's rights and even refuse to touch dogs because he believed this was "according to God's will."
"I began to pray for the mujahedeen, for these stateless warriors who were trying to topple secular governments," he said.
His journey began in 1997, when as a junior at Wake Forest University, he began to examine his own spiritual identity after experiencing a couple of brushes with death caused by illness. "That kind of thing can cause spiritual discomfort and make you reevaluate what it is that you're living for," he told CNN in an upcoming documentary called "God's Warriors." Video Watch behind-the-scenes with CNN's Christiane Amanpour �
A college friend introduced him to Islam and he was intrigued by its peaceful message. "Islam was a very simple faith and as I learned more and more about it, it seemed more and more fascinating to me," he said.
That fall, he called home to tell his parents he was planning to become a Muslim.
"We felt it was OK," his father Moshe Ross said. "We were glad that he was going to study something and hopefully seriously. And we were happy with Islam."
God's Warriors
CNN's Christiane Amanpour examines the effects of Judaism, Islam and Christianity as a powerful political force around the world.
Watch Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 21-23, at 9 p.m. ET
see full schedule �
When Gartenstein-Ross returned to Ashland, he got his first taste of radicalization when an imam at a local makeshift mosque blasted Western society.
"His argument was that the West was so inherently corrupt, so inherently anti-Islamic, that if we stayed in this society, then inevitably our faith would be eroded," said Gartenstein-Ross, who chronicled his experience in a book called "My Year Inside Radical Islam."
The humble mosque would soon move to a hilltop headquarters in Ashland, thanks to financial support from a Saudi Arabian charity known as the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, which has since been shut down by U.S. and Saudi authorities for alleged terror ties. Lawyers for Al-Haramain have denied those charges and have filed suit against the U.S. government seeking to have its name cleared.
Gartenstein-Ross said a man named Pete Seda, who ran the charity's local office, offered him a job. Seda became his mentor and within a few months Gartenstein-Ross said he found himself agreeing with extreme views. At Al-Haramain, he said he saw the religion which he had embraced for its tolerance become obsessed with rules and ideology.
"What I didn't expect was that over time my ideas would fall into line with theirs," he said. "I wasn't to shake hands with women. I wasn't to pet a dog. I wasn't to wear shorts that came up above my knees. But conversely, my pants legs couldn't be too long."
But at times, he still had doubts about some beliefs espoused at the mosque. Whenever he questioned the rules, his co-workers would tell him his own views were irrelevant. The view was that "your moral inclinations do not matter. All that matters is whether this is what's right according to God's will," said Gartenstein-Ross.
Don't Miss
* In Depth: God's Warriors
* Ask Amanpour
* How strong is your faith?
In 1999 he left his job at Al-Haramain for law school at New York University. Away from his co-workers, he was free to question the radical doctrines he'd learned in Oregon and meet with others about spirituality, including Christians. A year later, he converted to Christianity and was eventually baptized in the Baptist church.
It was a decision he took extremely seriously because he said his colleagues at Al-Haramain had preached that leaving Islam was punishable by death.
"This conversion out of Islam toward Christianity was certainly not one I took lightly in any way, because I realized there could be repercussions from it," he said.
The Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation would come up in his life again, but in a very different fashion. His first job after law school was as a clerk with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. He had to undergo a background check and listed Al-Haramain as a previous employer. Soon, the FBI was quizzing him about the group.
Two years later, in 2004, federal agents raided the Ashland offices of Al-Haramain. When he learned of the bust, Gartenstein-Ross says he contacted the FBI. "I knew about some of Al-Haramain's contempt for U.S. tax law. I knew about the support these guys had for the mujahedeen in Chechnya," he said.
His mentor, Pete Seda, and another top Al-Haramain official now face conspiracy and tax fraud charges for allegedly helping provide $150,000 in funds meant for Muslim fighters in Chechnya. Lawyers for the group say it renounces terrorism, and in a lawsuit filed against the government last week, Al-Haramain says it's a "charitable organization that seeks to promote greater understanding of the Islamic religion."
Seda on Wednesday voluntarily returned to the United States to fight the charges and entered a plea of not guilty.
As for Gartenstein-Ross, he is now a counter-terrorism consultant who works with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think-tank formed after September 11, 2001, that lists former FBI director Louis Freeh, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Sen. Joseph Lieberman among its "distinguished advisers."
He acknowledges his experience is atypical -- that most American Muslims are well-assimilated into American society and don't embrace radical Islamic ideas.
"There is a lot that's going right about Islam in the United States, and a lot of the conversations I've had with moderate Muslims and other Muslims in the past year-and-a-half have been encouraging in terms of what's happening with Islam in America," he said. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend"> Rejecting radical Islam -- one man's journey, CNN (Auguts 15th of 2007) "Editor's note: This is part one of a series of reports CNN.com is featuring from an upcoming, six-hour television event, "God's Warriors," hosted by CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour
* Story Highlights
* Man says he became radical Muslim during college a decade ago
* "Ideas that I once thought unthinkable ... seemed like good ideas to me"
* Oregon group he worked for has since been shut down by the government
* Organization maintains it's a charity, seeks to have name cleared
* Next Article in U.S. �
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The path to faith often takes unexpected twists. In the case of Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, the road went through three of the world's major religions -- Judaism, Islam and Christianity -- and ultimately brought him to the FBI.
Born to Jewish parents who call themselves mystics, he grew up in what he calls the "liberal hippie Mecca" of Ashland, Oregon, a town of about 20,000 near the California border. It was in this ultraliberal intellectual environment that a young Gartenstein-Ross experimented with a radical form of Islam that eventually led him to shun music, reject women's rights and even refuse to touch dogs because he believed this was "according to God's will."
"I began to pray for the mujahedeen, for these stateless warriors who were trying to topple secular governments," he said.
His journey began in 1997, when as a junior at Wake Forest University, he began to examine his own spiritual identity after experiencing a couple of brushes with death caused by illness. "That kind of thing can cause spiritual discomfort and make you reevaluate what it is that you're living for," he told CNN in an upcoming documentary called "God's Warriors." Video Watch behind-the-scenes with CNN's Christiane Amanpour �
A college friend introduced him to Islam and he was intrigued by its peaceful message. "Islam was a very simple faith and as I learned more and more about it, it seemed more and more fascinating to me," he said.
That fall, he called home to tell his parents he was planning to become a Muslim.
"We felt it was OK," his father Moshe Ross said. "We were glad that he was going to study something and hopefully seriously. And we were happy with Islam."
God's Warriors
CNN's Christiane Amanpour examines the effects of Judaism, Islam and Christianity as a powerful political force around the world.
Watch Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 21-23, at 9 p.m. ET
see full schedule �
When Gartenstein-Ross returned to Ashland, he got his first taste of radicalization when an imam at a local makeshift mosque blasted Western society.
"His argument was that the West was so inherently corrupt, so inherently anti-Islamic, that if we stayed in this society, then inevitably our faith would be eroded," said Gartenstein-Ross, who chronicled his experience in a book called "My Year Inside Radical Islam."
The humble mosque would soon move to a hilltop headquarters in Ashland, thanks to financial support from a Saudi Arabian charity known as the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, which has since been shut down by U.S. and Saudi authorities for alleged terror ties. Lawyers for Al-Haramain have denied those charges and have filed suit against the U.S. government seeking to have its name cleared.
Gartenstein-Ross said a man named Pete Seda, who ran the charity's local office, offered him a job. Seda became his mentor and within a few months Gartenstein-Ross said he found himself agreeing with extreme views. At Al-Haramain, he said he saw the religion which he had embraced for its tolerance become obsessed with rules and ideology.
"What I didn't expect was that over time my ideas would fall into line with theirs," he said. "I wasn't to shake hands with women. I wasn't to pet a dog. I wasn't to wear shorts that came up above my knees. But conversely, my pants legs couldn't be too long."
But at times, he still had doubts about some beliefs espoused at the mosque. Whenever he questioned the rules, his co-workers would tell him his own views were irrelevant. The view was that "your moral inclinations do not matter. All that matters is whether this is what's right according to God's will," said Gartenstein-Ross.
Don't Miss
* In Depth: God's Warriors
* Ask Amanpour
* How strong is your faith?
In 1999 he left his job at Al-Haramain for law school at New York University. Away from his co-workers, he was free to question the radical doctrines he'd learned in Oregon and meet with others about spirituality, including Christians. A year later, he converted to Christianity and was eventually baptized in the Baptist church.
It was a decision he took extremely seriously because he said his colleagues at Al-Haramain had preached that leaving Islam was punishable by death.
"This conversion out of Islam toward Christianity was certainly not one I took lightly in any way, because I realized there could be repercussions from it," he said.
The Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation would come up in his life again, but in a very different fashion. His first job after law school was as a clerk with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia. He had to undergo a background check and listed Al-Haramain as a previous employer. Soon, the FBI was quizzing him about the group.
Two years later, in 2004, federal agents raided the Ashland offices of Al-Haramain. When he learned of the bust, Gartenstein-Ross says he contacted the FBI. "I knew about some of Al-Haramain's contempt for U.S. tax law. I knew about the support these guys had for the mujahedeen in Chechnya," he said.
His mentor, Pete Seda, and another top Al-Haramain official now face conspiracy and tax fraud charges for allegedly helping provide $150,000 in funds meant for Muslim fighters in Chechnya. Lawyers for the group say it renounces terrorism, and in a lawsuit filed against the government last week, Al-Haramain says it's a "charitable organization that seeks to promote greater understanding of the Islamic religion."
Seda on Wednesday voluntarily returned to the United States to fight the charges and entered a plea of not guilty.
As for Gartenstein-Ross, he is now a counter-terrorism consultant who works with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think-tank formed after September 11, 2001, that lists former FBI director Louis Freeh, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Sen. Joseph Lieberman among its "distinguished advisers."
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He acknowledges his experience is atypical -- that most American Muslims are well-assimilated into American society and don't embrace radical Islamic ideas.
"There is a lot that's going right about Islam in the United States, and a lot of the conversations I've had with moderate Muslims and other Muslims in the past year-and-a-half have been encouraging in terms of what's happening with Islam in America," he said. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend
CNN producer Brian Rokus contributed to this report. " Citizen Warrior But Isn't Isalm About Peace? "Here's the plan: First, where Muslims are a minority, they should build their numbers within the country by converting people (by preaching peace and tolerance) and having lots of babies. Then, as their numbers increase, they should start to prepare for an eventual overthrow of the government. And when the time is right, it is their duty as Muslims to rise up and establish an Islamic state. Yes, this is in the Koran. Also included are instructions for deceiving the unbelievers. So you will hear people who say "Islam is a religion of peace" who themselves are actively working toward the eventual violent takeover of a country." Cause of Terrorism?
"The Virginia man who warned on a radical Islamic website that the creators of the cartoon series "South Park" will be targeted for death for their caricature of the Prophet Muhammad has been arrested on charges that he provided material support to the terrorist organization Al-Shabab, federal officials said Wednesday.
Zachary Adam Chesser, aka Abu Talhah Al-Amrikee, admitted to federal agents that he attempted on two occasions to travel to Somalia to join Al-Shabab as a foreign fighter. After he was stopped from boarding a flight from New York to Uganda on July 10, Chesser, 20, allegedly admitted that he intended to travel from Uganda to Somalia....
The young man, who just two years ago was studying foreign languages at George Mason University, wrote on the site that Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the cartoon's creators, "will probably end up" like Theo van Gogh, a Dutch filmmaker who was murdered in 2004 after making a film critical of Islamic society....
"(CNN) -- Five Americans arrested this week in Pakistan were "wholesome," devout young men who participated in a youth program at a community mosque in suburban Virginia, representatives of the congregation said Friday.
"I have always known these kids as fun-loving, career-focused children that had a bright future for themselves," said Mustafa Abu Maryam, youth coordinator at the I.C.N.A. Center, an affiliate of the the Islamic Circle of North America, in Alexandria, Virginia. "As far as I know they were wholesome kids. Very goofy. You know, talked about girls. Very wholesome."
Portraits of Ahmed Abdullah Minni, Umar Farooq, Aman Hassan Yemer, Waqar Hussain Khan, and Ramy Zamzamand -- whom police say were transferred Saturday from the small town where they were seized to a more secure location in Lahore -- are slowly emerging. A sixth man -- the father of one of the five -- also was arrested, police said.
Pakistani authorities described the men as college students who "were of the opinion that a jihad must be waged against the infidels for the atrocities committed by them against Muslims around the world," a report states....
Without commenting directly on the arrests, Abu Maryam defended the mosque's activities, saying discussion of jihad had no place in the congregation or the youth program.
"Our group discussions never talked about politics, never talked about fighting against anyone, indirectly or directly. On the contrary, we always promoted being compassionate toward others and good stewards for humanity.""
Converts
Many Jew and Christian Families Convert To ISLAM - A GUIDE
*watch the part where a Caucasian guy shares how he was raised Christian, but didn't see the unity; thus converted to Isalm with other factors too...see Multicultural
"International (MNN) ― Fouad Masri, founder and president of Crescent Project, says millions of Muslims in North America need to know about the hope of Christ.
It's a vision he's shared since 1993, when he established Crescent Project. Masri, a Lebanese pastor, grew up in the war zone of Beirut. After his own encounter with Christ, he saw a need to equip Christians to reach out to the Muslim community.
Most Muslim ministries have focused on sending full-time missionaries overseas to Muslim countries. Crescent Project has used an entirely different approach: train the local church to reach out to the Muslims in the community.
They are considered one of the fastest growing and most influential populations, although Fouad notes that the Muslim population is not growing by conversion numbers, but rather by immigration and biological family growth.
Many Christians are intimidated by the unknown, but Masri says the task is manageable. "The way to reach Muslims is to do it the Jesus way: one person to reach one person. Our goal, as a ministry, is to help local believers and local churches reach out in love to their Muslim neighbors and give them a gift."
It's easier than you might think. "Many Muslims in America are pious, and they are open to talk about Jesus because they hear about him. They don't know much about him."
The 'gifts' are Outreach Packets which help move conversation about Christ in the right direction. "It's a packet of material that includes a movie on the life of Christ. It includes a booklet on why Christ died for our sins called 'Adha in the Injeel.' It also includes a book that explains why the New Testament has not been corrupted, along with a card explaining how to receive a free New Testament; individuals can go to our Web site and get one for free."
Crescent Project has mobilized over 10,000 North American Christians to better understand Islam and extend a message of hope to their Muslim neighbors. The Outreach Packet is just one way to do it. Their teams offer more in-depth training, too, but any evangelical advance is really all about relationship.
For a limited time, the Crescent Project is offering MNN listeners these Outreach Packets at no charge. If you'd like to request one or several to give to your Muslim friends, please e-mail Emily Hall at info@crescentproject.org with your contact information. "
"Radical Muslims are looking for ways to bring sharia law to the United States. Hear this report about the organizations CAIR , the Muslim Brotherhood and a new book "Stealth Jihad" by Islam expert Robert Spencer.
The Christian Broadcasting Network
To see more from CBN News and The 700 Club , go to http://www.cbn.com"
" NEW YORK (CNN) -- The founder of an Islamic television station in upstate New York aimed at countering Muslim stereotypes has confessed to beheading his wife, authorities said.
Muzzammil Hassan has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, Aasiya Hassan.
Muzzammil Hassan was charged with second-degree murder after police found the decapitated body of his wife, Aasiya Hassan, at the Bridges TV station in the Buffalo suburb of Orchard Park, said Andrew Benz, Orchard Park's police chief.
Hassan was arrested Thursday.
His wife filed for divorce January 6, and police had responded to several domestic violence calls at the couple's home, Benz said.
Hassan went directly to the police station after his wife's death and confessed to killing her, Benz told CNN. Benz declined to give further details.
Attempts to reach an attorney for Hassan were unsuccessful, and his family didn't return calls from CNN.
He had two children, 4 and 6, with his wife. He had two other children, 17 and 18, from his previous marriage.
He launched Bridges TV, billed as the first English-language cable channel targeting Muslims inside the United States, in 2004. At the time, Hassan said he hoped the network would balance negative portrayals of Muslims following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The station's staff is "deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of Aasiya Hassan and the subsequent arrest of Muzzammil Hassan," a statement from Bridges TV said.
"Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the families of the victim," the statement said. "
"ANTHEM, ARIZONA (ANS) -- An ABC News report contains a newly released video by Al-Qaeda with specific calls for attacks on sacred places.
According to a report by Christian Emergency Network (CEN), the video encourages western Muslims to conduct individual violent jihad against sacred places. It also features previously released statements by Osama bin Ladin as well as Al-Qaeda media spokesman Adam Gadahn.
CEN said Gadahn encourages western Muslims to conduct attacks in their home countries as an obligation, and falsely depicts the west as being at war with Islam. The video also provides guidance on how to conduct violent jihad, operate in secrecy, attack public figures, and to launch cyber attacks - without any specific names or targets.
CEN said Gadahn is quoted in the video as saying, “Muslims in the West have to remember that they are perfectly placed to play an important and decisive part in the jihad against the Zionists and crusaders, and to do major damage to the enemies of Islam, waging war on their religion, sacred places, and things, and brethren. This is a golden opportunity and a blessing.”
CEN said while the Department of Homeland Security has not offered an official comment on this report, the video or its content, CEN’s own independent Christian security experts recommend churches and religious leaders listen to the video and make a determination for themselves as to the need for increased readiness.
Responding to the Al-Qaeda video, CEN President and Founder Mary Marr said in a news release, “The video is yet another reminder that it is important to be a Ready Church one that is aware of potential threats, prepared to meet them, and ready to give an answer for the Hope we have in Jesus Christ, at any moment."
CEN said it recommends churches and ministries have in place a ministry continuity plan including safety and security measures, a trained church emergency team, and a plan to conduct regular emergency drills with their congregation.
CEN said it offers training to assist a church or ministry to be ready to respond spiritually, emotionally, mentally as well as physically in a God-honoring manner to emergencies both large and small.
CEN is a communications and collaboration network mobilizing Christians and their churches to be ready to respond to emergencies big and small.
For more information go to www.ChristianEmergencyNetwork.org."
The Third Jihad: US Homegrown Terror Threat
"http://thethirdjihad.com/
What is The Third Jihad?
The Third Jihad exposes the war the media is not telling you about.
It reveals the enemy our government is too afraid to name.
One person who is not afraid to tell you the truth is Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a Muslim American and former physician to the US Congress. After the FBI releases a radical Islamist manifesto describing how to destroy America from within, Dr. Jasser decides to investigate. The Third Jihad is about what he discovered. Interviews are conducted with radical Islamists in the US and the leaders trying to stop them, such as Rudy Giuliani, Clinton CIA Director Jim Woolsey, NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Senator Joe Lieberman, former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, and former
terrorist group member Tawfik Hamid. "
American JIHAD - terrorist cells TRAINING CAMPS in USAAmerican JIHAD - terrorist cells TRAINING CAMPS in USA
"Actual video of terroists training to kill, kidnap and carjack on American soil.
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XtremeRealityCheck
February 17, 2009"
Homegrown Jihad
"Come see the trailer to the hit new documentary film "Homegrown Jihad:The Terrorist Camps Around U.S." Produced by PRB films, in association with The Christian Action Network.....
Scattered across the United States, unknown to all but a handful of citizens, are 35 Islamic terrorist training compounds known as Muslims of America. Under the leadership of a radical Pakistani cleric, Sheikh Mubarak Gilani, Muslims of America has thousands of devoted followers who are being groomed for HOMEGROWN JIHAD.
In never-before-seen video footage, the Christian Action Network exposes these dangerous terrorist compounds and reveals for the first time a secret training tape in which American Muslims are recruited to join one of the most advanced training courses in Islamic military warfare right here in America! They are called Soldiers of Allah and they are trained in explosives, kidnapping, murder, firing weapons, and guerilla warfare. They are told, Act like you are a friend, then kill him just like from the book. "
From: Prayer News Alert
To: Prayer News Alert
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 9:13 PM
Subject: Weekly State Prayer Focus for WASHINGTON (Oct 24-30, 2004)
Shakedown for Treason
On December 15 Chuck prophesied exposure regarding a tie with Syria. September 2, 2004 Spc. Ryan G. Anderson, Washington National Guardsman was sentenced by a military jury to life in prison with eligibility for parole in 20 years for attempting to give aid and intelligence to the enemy. Anderson, a North Seattle resident and Muslim convert, was arrested February 12, 2004 following a government sting operation at Fort Lewis, Tacoma. One of the most powerful pieces of evidence was a video, secretly recorded three days before his arrest, showing Anderson share information on troop strengths, tactics and methods of killing U.S. soldiers and destroying M1 Abrams tanks and other vehicles with undercover agents he believed were al-Qaida operatives. Anderson's arrest came just weeks before his unit, the 81st Armored Brigade, deployed for a yearlong assignment in Iraq.
God is requiring His people to arise as worshipping warriors. Chuck challenged the state to a once a week watch from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. from December 14 to March 21, 2004. You will have breakthroughs that you will not have at any other time. You will gain revelation from the Lord. God says: If you'll rise up early with Me, if you'll shake out the enemy, the enemy will be shaken out of this region There were 21 churches with corporate watches and over 100 individuals that recorded their watch day. ...more..
"WASHINGTON — "Joe the Plumber" was only one of two Americans injected into the presidential election this past week. The other was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan , whom former Secretary of State Colin Powell invoked in his endorsement Sunday of Barack Obama .
Khan was a 20-year-old soldier from Manahawkin, N.J. , who wanted to enlist in the Army from the time he was 10. He was an all-American boy who visited Disney World after he completed his training at Fort Benning, Ga. , and made his comrades in Iraq watch "Saving Private Ryan" every week.
He was also a Muslim who joined the military, his father said, in part to show his countrymen that not all Muslims are terrorists.
"He was an American soldier first," said his father, Feroze Khan . "But he also looked at fighting in this war as fighting for his faith. He was fighting radicalism."
Khan was killed by an improvised explosive device in August 2007 along with four other soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter while searching a house in Baqouba, Iraq . He's one of four Muslims who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and are buried in Arlington National Cemetery , where 512 troops from those wars now rest.
About 3,700 of the U.S. military's 1.4 million troops are Muslims, according to Defense Department estimates.
Khan, a child of immigrant parents from Trinidad , was 14 when the Sept. 11 attacks happened. Feroze Khan said he remembered his son watching in stunned silence: "I could tell that inside a lot of things were going through his head."
Three years later, Feroze honored his son's request and allowed him to enlist him in the Army . "I told him: 'You are going to the Army .' I never said there is a war going on in a Muslim country. I didn't want him to get any ideas that he was fighting (against) his religion."
Feroze kept his fears for his son's safety to himself.
His son was assigned to the Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Lewis, Wash. , deployed to Iraq in 2006 and fought on Baghdad's Haifa Street , a Sunni insurgent stronghold.
His tour was extended as part of the surge of additional U.S. forces to Iraq , and he called or messaged home often until he was deployed to restive Diyala province, where he was under fire too often to contact home regularly.
But he prayed every day, his father said.
One Sunday morning, his son sent an instant message: "Hey Dad. Are you there?" Feroze Khan was out, and he saw the message when he returned.
A few hours later, his ex-wife called. Soldiers had knocked on her door in Maryland . Their only child was dead.
A few minutes later, soldiers appeared at Khan's door. "I guess it helped that I knew beforehand," he said. "There are no words to describe it."
Kareem Khan was a month from finishing his tour when he was killed.
On Sunday, Powell said that Khan's sacrifice and service had swayed him to discuss the way that Muslims have been portrayed in the presidential campaign, and the contention that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is a Muslim.
Obama "is a Christian," Powell said. "He has always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, 'What if he is?' Is there something wrong with being Muslim in this country? The answer is no. That is not America." He added: "I am troubled that within the (Republican) Party we have these kinds of expressions" suggesting that Obama is a Muslim, and that if he is, he likely associates with terrorists.
Powell said that he felt strongly about the issue after he saw a photo of Khan's tombstone in the New Yorker magazine . In the black-and-white picture, Khan's mother is resting her head on her son's tombstone. On each side of the stone are flowers, and in between is a copy of the Quran. On the face of the tombstone is a crescent and star, indicating that the soldier buried there is a Muslim.
"He was an American," Powell said. "
"..Gadahn, also known as Azzam the American, has routinely posted lengthy videos on Islamist online forums...
Gadahn, 31, grew up on a California farm and was home-schooled until 17. A year later he moved in with his paternal grandparents, who were secular Jews. He converted to Islam at the Islamic Society of Orange County, California, but was banned from the mosque two years later after hitting its chairman, Haitham Bundjaki.
In 1997 Gadahn began working for a California charity suspected of having ties to al Qaeda. He moved to Pakistan in 1998. ..
"CNN) -- "Let me tell you a little about me."
"Farouk1986" introduced himself to a Muslim online community with these words in February 2005.
"My name is Umar but you can call me Farouk," the poster continues, detailing biographical information that appears to match the life of Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian man accused of attempting to detonate an explosive on an international flight into Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day.
Farouk1986 said after fasting, "I felt a shield that prevented evil thoughts coming into my head. I felt closer to Allah."
Being lonely awakened sexual desires that he struggled to control, he said, sometimes "leading to minor sinful activities like not lowering the gaze." His religion instructed him to fast to avoid such temptation, but it didn't seem to be working, Farouk1986 said.
In another online post soon afterward, though, he took his comment back.
The failed terror plot put airports on high alert and refocused American attention on al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which claimed responsibility for the attempted attack.
Internet postings for Farouk1986 -- apparently a combination of his name and birth year -- reveal a young man who fought feelings of loneliness and struggled with balancing his life as a Muslim with the temptations of the secular world around him. He wrote about his desire to attend university, possibly in the United States, and his thoughts on love and marriage....
Farouk1986's online posts show that as early as 2005, he had a serious view of his religion. One of his struggles, the poster wrote, was that the "loneliness leads me to other problems."
Farouk1986 said after fasting, "I felt a shield that prevented evil thoughts coming into my head. I felt closer to Allah."
Being lonely awakened sexual desires that he struggled to control, he said, sometimes "leading to minor sinful activities like not lowering the gaze." His religion instructed him to fast to avoid such temptation, but it didn't seem to be working, Farouk1986 said.
In another online post soon afterward, though, he took his comment back."
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Issues: Sex
"Detroit attorney Kurt Haskell appeared on the Alex Jones Show today and detailed his experience at the Amsterdam airport and on flight 253. Mr. Haskell provided information not covered by the corporate media.
In addition to a detailed retelling of the story he gave the corporate media, Mr. Haskell addressed the unprofessional and lackadaisical behavior of the FBI and airport security after the plane landed at the Detroit Metro airport in Romulus, Michigan. He characterized their behavior as a “complete embarrassment. They actually put us in more jeopardy than we were already in.” ..
Mr. Haskell questioned why officials have not released the Amsterdam airport security video that will undoubtedly reveal crucial information about the “sharp-dressed man” who escorted a disheveled Mutallab to the boarding area. Haskell described the suspected terrorist as appearing to be a “poor black teenager.”
The well-dressed Indian man did all the talking. He insisted Mutallab be boarded on the plane without a passport and when an airport employee refused to do so Mutallab and the Indian man went to talk with a supervisor. The Indian man tried to pass off Mutallab as a Sudanese refugee and have him boarded despite the fact doing so would be in violation of regulations concerning refugees. In general, documentation must be provided by an embassy in order for refugees to board international flights. ...
-Post-2010 Thanksgiving Failed Plot in Oregon
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com GoodnewsEverybody.com: African: Somali-Somalian of Somalia-Soomaaliya Outreach
"A Somali-American teenager arrested Friday on suspicion of plotting to bomb a holiday ceremony in Portland, Oregon, told an undercover FBI employee that he wrote articles published in an English-language jihadist magazine, including a story on fitness, an FBI affidavit says.
Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, told the undercover operative last summer that he had written articles for the online magazine Jihad Recollections under a pen name, according to an FBI affidavit filed with Mohamud's arrest warrant.
One of the articles Mohamud claimed to have written was "Getting in shape without weights," which was published in the inaugural issue of Jihad Recollections in April 2009, according to the affidavit.
In the article, the author – identified as Ibn al-Mubarak – writes that jihadists must prepare their bodies for war and "train as hard as possible in order to damage the enemies of Allah as much as possible."
The article implores readers to train without weights, in part because using them is "unrealistic for the Mujahid in the front lines anywhere in the world today," and because gyms are not Islamic environments, with their "music, semi-naked women [and] free mixing."
The piece describes stretches and warm-ups before instructing on ways to sculpt one’s legs (suggestions include walking at least 90 minutes a day, doing interval runs, crawling long distances and sitting against a wall for long periods) and strengthen one’s arms (100 to 150 push-ups per day, pull-ups, walking on hands).
"We find that [weights are] ... a major setback for the Americans and the NATO Crusading army as they cannot go to any battlefront without carrying along with them their bench, squat sets and sometimes even their machines," the article says.
U.S. authorities say Mohamud was arrested in connection with a plan to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb at Portland's Christmas tree lighting on Friday night. He attempted to detonate the device, which was a fake planted by authorities in an undercover operation designed to undermine him, the Justice Department said.
A resident of Corvallis, Oregon, and a student at Oregon State University, Mohamud was arrested on suspicion of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the FBI said. He will make his initial appearance Monday in federal court in Portland, the Justice Department said.
The arrest was the culmination of a long-term undercover operation during which Mohamud, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was monitored closely as the alleged plot developed, the Justice Department said. Mohamud made the article claim to an operative involved in that undercover operation, according to the affidavit.
Mohamud said he wrote two other articles for Jihad Recollections, and that he also sent an article to another jihadist publication, Inspire, according to the affidavit. The court document does not identify those articles.
U.S. counterterrorism officials have said Jihad Recollections was produced by former North Carolina resident Samir Khan, who those officials now say they believe is living in Yemen. Intelligence officials also suspect Khan is the driving force behind Inspire."
Related Sites: Arab American Pastor Seeks Help to Reach Muslims in America,
By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
Monday, September 24, 2007 "ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- More than 300,000 Arab-Americans attend a street festival in Dearborn, Michigan every year, and one pastor was there with a team of volunteers to pass out Christian literature and DVDs in Arabic.
George Saieg
�We felt like we were in the Middle East, not in America,� says Pastor George Saieg, founder of Arabic Christian Perspective (www.ministrytomuslims.com). Originally from northern Sudan, Saieg won a lottery for a green card, which allowed him to come to the U.S. in 1996.
Like most immigrants, initially he preoccupied himself with making a living, but after the attacks of September 11, God placed a burden on his heart to reach his fellow Arab-Americans with the gospel. Since then, he�s organized small teams of volunteers for outreach at mosques and other places where Muslims gather throughout the U.S.
This summer, he and 70 volunteers from six states passed out 38,000 Jesus Films in Arabic at the 12th Annual Arab International Festival, the largest street festival of its kind in the U.S....cont...down below Outreach to American Muslims Impels Arabic Pastor
By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
(May 14th 2007) "
Pastor George Saieg
�I want to see every Muslim in America have the opportunity to hear the gospel,� says Pastor George Saieg, founder of Arabic Christian Perspective (www.ministrytomuslims.com). Pastor Saieg, originally from northern Sudan, grew up in a Christian family caught in the genocidal violence that swept over his native land like a tsunami terror wave.
Desperate for any escape, he won a lottery for a green card, which allowed him to come to the U.S. in 1996. Saieg found work in a liquor store in Anaheim, California, where armed intruders robbed him at gunpoint four times. �I believe God was preparing me, because working with Muslims is no less dangerous,� he says.
In the liquor store, he met several African-American Muslims. �I started talking with them and I found out they didn�t know anything about Islam,� he notes. �I was hurt, because the black people in Sudan were killed by Muslims.�
Like most immigrants, work preoccupied his first few years in the U.S. But after the attacks of September 11, God placed a burden on his heart to reach his fellow Arab-Americans with the gospel. �I saw this big vacant lot, and God gave me a vision for a book fair in a tent filled with Muslims coming to hear about Jesus,� he recalls. "
Movies
The Siege Trailer
The Siege, an ironic somewhat "prophetic" pre-9/11 fiction movie (1998) of how N.Y. City gets attacked by Muslim "terrorist"
Egypt Charges Coptic Christians Linked to Infamous Video
By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service Tuesday, September 18, 2012 "CAIRO, EGYPT (ANS) -- Egyptian authorities have charged seven Coptic Christians living in the United States and a Florida pastor with insulting Islam, and inciting sectarian strife for their alleged links to an online video that has enraged much of the Muslim world.
Egyptian protesters gather around a burning vehicle in downtown Cairo, Egypt, early Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012
According to a story by Ed Payne and Saad Abedine of CNN, Egypt's public prosecutor announced the charges Tuesday. It is the latest development in the deadly backlash against the low-budget, amateurish 14-minute movie trailer produced privately in the United States and posted on YouTube.
The clip from “The Innocence of Muslims” mocks the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer. CNN said “Innocence of Muslims” was an obscure Internet video until Sept. 11, when rioters, seizing on it, breached the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
Protesters also attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
CNN said the charges -- largely symbolic because the accused all live outside Egypt -- name alleged filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, who is identified by Egyptian officials as Elia Bassili.
According to CNN, reports that Nakoula is a Coptic Christian have raised concern about a possible backlash against the minority religious group in Egypt, where tensions between Copts and Muslims have risen recently.
Egypt also charged Morris Sadek, who is believed to have posted the clip to YouTube.
CNN said the Florida pastor charged is Terry Jones, who was allegedly contacted by the filmmaker to help promote the video. Jones sparked some protests in Muslim countries last year when he staged a trial of Islam at his church.
CNN said the others accused were identified as Morcos Aziz; Fikri Zokloma, also known as Esmat Zokloma; Nabil Bissada; Nahed Metwali; and Nader Nicola. Aside from Nakoula, who lives in California and Jones in Florida. It was not clear where the others live in the United States.
In addition to charges of insulting the Islamic religion, insulting Mohammed and inciting sectarian strife, all eight are charged with harming national unity and spreading false information, according to Adel Saaed, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office.
CNN said Egyptian authorities added the names to their airport watch list.
CNN reported prosecutors said they will ask the international police agency, Interpol, to add the names to its wanted lists. U.S. authorities would also be contacted, according to prosecutors.
Although Washington has made it clear that it did not sanction the film, a week of protests have rippled from Morocco to Malaysia, spurring U.S. officials to increase security at diplomatic missions and demand other governments to take action.
CNN said Sherif Doss, head of the Egyptian Coptic Association, said the accused Copts have created their own “cult-like” organization in the United States, have appointed their own minister and are “disregarding any church or religious norms.”
Call to kill Americans
CNN said that as part of the fallout from the video, al Qaeda's affiliate in North Africa on Tuesday urged Muslims in the region to kill U.S. government representatives and called the death of Stevens a “gift.”
“We encourage all Muslims to continue to demonstrate and escalate their protests ... and to kill their (American) ambassadors and representatives or to expel them to cleanse our land from their wickedness,” said the statement from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
The group called last week's killing of Stevens “the best gift you (can) give to his arrogant and unjust administration.”
CNN reported that State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland reiterated the Obama administration's stance that the video, which she called “reprehensible,” was no justification for violence.
U.S. and Libyan officials have held a series of high-level meetings to “assess what went wrong” in Benghazi, a senior Libyan official said Tuesday. Some of the U.S. officials had flown in for the meetings, which included security experts.
Following the attack, Libya suspected an increase in U.S. drone activity over eastern portions of the country and were worried the Obama administration would take military action because of domestic political considerations, the official told CNN.
CNN said Mohamed al-Magariaf, newly elected president of Libya's parliament, spoke with the White House “to contain the situation,” the official said.
CNN reported the official said the government urged the Americans to work together “in full partnership,” because any military action during this “fragile and sensitive situation” would give “an excuse” to the two main threats to the state; extremists and loyalists to the deposed Gadhafi regime.
The official expressed concern with the deteriorating regional picture.
“They (the United States) are losing Egypt, if they lose Libya ... they and we cannot afford to lose our partnership.”
CNN correspondent Brianna Keilar pressed the White House on Tuesday on whether the Libya attack was planned or spontaneous.
“We saw no evidence to back up claims by others that this was a preplanned or premeditated attack,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. “But there is a lot that is under investigation here, and as more facts come to light, if they change that assessment, we'll make that clear.”
CNN said Libya has taken steps to arrest those responsible for last week's deadly consulate attack, bringing in dozens for questioning over the weekend, Libyan officials said.
The exact number of arrests was unclear. CNN said one Libyan official said those arrested included suspects from Mali and Algeria as well as al Qaeda sympathizers.
-France
French publication fuels Muslim anger
Posted: 20 September, 2012 "Egypt (MNN) ― The last day or two have been without blaring headlines describing Muslim rioting, but that could all change.
A French magazine this week published vulgar caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, despite government entreaties not to publish the images. In response, the French government ordered embassies and schools to close Friday in about 20 countries.
The incident is likely to raise tensions that were already dangerously high. It follows days of violent protests from Asia to Africa against the U.S.-produced film "Innocence of Muslims" and turned France into a potential target of Muslim rage
But don't be fooled, says Rae Burnett with Christian Aid Mission. "The film was just a pretext for the violence." She goes on to explain that the event gave a cover story for lashing out at intended targets--a theory that's been substantiated by the Libyan government. Further, says Burnett, "Since the violence has subsided, nothing has gotten better because these believers are in grave danger. They're afraid of being slaughtered because everything is intensifying."
That concern is magnified by the feeling of isolation. "They [extremists] are overtly burning churches and persecuting Christians and kidnapping their children...just terrible things far surpassing what they used to experience, and the world is silent."
Burnett says the real story is the uncertainty. Christian Aid supports indigenous ministries who seek to engage the lost people of Egypt through holding house meetings, setting up Bible training, and doing evangelistic outreach. She explains that "one of these guys called me the first day of the rioting in Egypt and said, ‘They're burning Bibles in front of the U.S. embassy.' They were doing those kinds of things just to show their hostility, and they were burning churches and things that weren't reported."
The threat plays out on the political stage, but Burnett says, "This is all spiritual warfare. We're seeing it in a political environment because that's the environment through which this takes place. But the point is to destroy the work of the Lord and to destroy those who might come into the Kingdom, to keep people in darkness."
Given that understanding, the workers supported by Christian Aid Mission haven't fled. "It hasn't diminished any of their efforts. The main group that we help just had a conference of their workers, training their workers and praying together to ask the Lord for direction. So they are going forward in the work, but they are really discouraged about the political situation and the future of Christianity in Egypt."
They're careful, but they won't be intimidated. Burnett says the Coptic Church is targeted because they have a noticeable presence in Egypt. However, "The people that we're helping generally meet in homes. They might have an office somewhere if they can afford that, so they're less of a target. Of course, because of their evangelistic efforts, people know who they are."
The Gospel, as she's said multiple times, is still going forward. It's about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the worn out believers of Egypt and advancing together. Burnett says, "We have to understand that and pray accordingly and act accordingly to be lights in the darkness." Pray for creative and effective approaches to spread God's Word in Egypt. Pray for open hearts. Pray for change in the chaos.
"
"34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[e]"-Matthew 10
Christian Convert Flees Murder from Muslim Parents
"his girl is obviously scared for her life! Her Muslim parents threatened to kill her if she did not denounce Christ... but she is strong in her faith and love for Jesus."
*see Goodnewseverybody.com Sri Lankan Outreach
"(CNN) -- The parents of an Ohio teenager who claims her father threatened to kill her because she converted from Islam to Christianity denied Thursday all allegations against them.
Rifqa Bary, 17, ran away from her family in Columbus, Ohio, in July and took refuge in the home of the Rev. Blake Lorenz with the Global Revolution Church in Orlando, Florida.
The teen heard of the pastor and his church through a prayer group on Facebook. The girl's parents reported her missing to Columbus police, who found her two weeks later in Florida through cell phone records.
The teenager, in a sworn affidavit, claims her father, Mohamed Bary, 47, was pressured by the mosque the family attends in Ohio to "deal with the situation." In the court filing, Rifqa Bary stated her father said, "If you have this Jesus in your heart, you are dead to me!" The teenager claims her father added, "I will kill you!"
At a juvenile court hearing in Orlando Thursday, through their attorney the teenager's parents, Mohamed and Aysha Bary, denied all the allegations against them.
The parents could not attend the hearing in person but listened through a telephone conference as their lawyer spoke for them. They denied they ever threatened to kill their daughter because she converted to Christianity
Mohamed Bary told CNN he believes a lot of false information has been circulated about the case and he said, "We wouldn't do her harm." He said he knew his daughter was involved with Christian organizations.
"I have no problem with her practicing any faith," he said. But Bary conceded he would have preferred that his daughter practice the Muslim faith first.
Judge Daniel Dawson of the Orange County Juvenile Court ordered the girl and her parents seek mediation within 30 days. The judge previously ruled the girl will continue to stay in foster care until the allegations are resolved.
The judge also sealed a report on the girl from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and issued a gag order for attorneys in the case.
At one point during the hearing the girl's court-appointed guardian, Krista Bartholomew, told the court, "This is not a holy war but a case about a broken family."
Outside the courthouse following the hearing a Muslim activist and several Christian activists exchanged words over the case.
Another hearing is scheduled for September 29 if the family is not able to resolve the conflict through mediation."
"Walls are very useful whether you want to keep someone out or keep something in. But walls around the mind that prohibit the restless soul from finding peace cannot be endured. The man in this story was born in the Middle East were walls are very common and they very nearly closed in on him until he found the door and his mind and heart and life were unhackled. www.pgm.org "
Farid\'s Testimony
"Washington (CNN) -- A Pennsylvania woman has been indicted for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and kill a person in a foreign country, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Colleen LaRose, known as "Jihad Jane" and "Fatima LaRose," has also been charged with making false statements to a government official and attempted identity theft.
She was arrested in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 15, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said. No arraignment date has been set, the official said. ...
AL HUFUF, SAUDI ARABIA - Sadek al-Jubran says he's all too familiar with fatwas that declare him an infidel.
As a member of a religious minority in a country without religious freedom, Mr. Jubran grew up with discrimination. It's something Shiites like him have regularly faced in this conservative Sunni-ruled kingdom - in the streets and at school, in courtrooms and at the office.
Over the past decade, however, Shiites have managed to gain a larger stake in Saudi Arabian society. They've seen incremental reforms, getting elected to local councils and being allowed to observe religious holidays openly.
But now, many worry that their steady progress is being checked. With a Sunni-Shiite cold war descending on the region, Saudi Arabia appears to be hardening its sectarian battle lines. That, experts say, could mean that it once again will regard its Shiite minority, mainly clustered in eastern oases like this one, solely as enemies of the state.
Recent rumblings from clerics and politicians alike recall the days when the kingdom braced against spreading influence from Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Today, Saudi Arabia is on edge from the deepening civil war in Iraq and a possibly nuclear Iran.
"The plunge back into the abyss of the 1980s has been accelerated," says Toby Jones, an assistant professor at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa., who has written extensively about the Shiites of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
"You don't see [Saudi King Abdullah] quashing any of this very, very public anti-Shiite rhetoric," says Mr. Jones. "That's a sign that he either isn't interested in doing it or that he can't."
Last month, 30 top Saudi clerics released a statement calling on Sunnis throughout the region to back the Sunni insurgents in Iraq against Shiites. This was followed by a ~~i~~fatwa~~/i~~ from prominent cleric Abdul Rahman al-Barak on Dec. 29 attacking Shiites.
"The rejectionists [Shiites] in their entirety are the worst of the Islamic nation's sects. They bear all the characteristics of infidels," he said in the religious ruling, according to a translation from Reuters.
Jubran, a lawyer and rights advocate from Al Hufuf, a Shiite city, says that religious rulings like the one issued by Mr. Barak hardly exist within a vacuum. They influence the Sunni majority and provoke a militant minority. And, he adds, "The danger of a ~~i~~fatwa~~/i~~ is that it's fixed and can't be changed."
Shiites make up about 10 to 15 percent of the country's roughly 16 million nationals, according to a 2005 International Crisis Group (ICG) report. Most live in the Eastern Province, where oil was first discovered and which remains the base for much of the petroleum industry. While they have been persecuted since Saudi Arabia's formation in 1932, it wasn't until their coreligionists in Iran overthrew the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, that Shiites were emboldened to challenge the Saudi monarch.
"After the revolution, Shiites demonstrated to be able to celebrate imams' birthdays ... many were arrested," says Ali al-Marzouk, an activist from Al Qatif, another Shiite enclave. He was jailed between 1981 and 1983, he says, like hundreds of other young Shiite activists in the region, for taking to the streets to demand religious and social reforms.
The crackdown prompted Mr. Marzouk and many others to flee the country. He sought refuge in Iran. In 1993, he and others returned following a historic meeting between the region's Shiite leaders, including Jubran, and King Fahd, at which the king invited exiled Shiites to return and freed political prisoners in exchange for their allegiance. He also promised to address Shiite concerns, according to the ICG report.
"There was the welcoming back of the Shiites in the Eastern Province. It was not made a fuss about at the time to avoid offending Wahhabi sensibilities," says Robert Lacey, author of "The Kingdom: Arabia and the House of Saud," referring to the conservative Wahhabi clerics who hold sway with the monarch and have been responsible for much of the acerbic language against Shiites in mosques and in ~~i~~fatwas~~/i~~.
Until now, he says, there have been "Wahhabi sheikhs meeting with Shiite leaders ... away from the headlines. The reason it's not more publicized is for the same reason there aren't women drivers ... because there is a conservative majority."
While 1979 was a formative moment for the country's Shiites, many here say publicly that they are now committed to working within the system of local and national councils for continued change. And their greater economic foothold is evident in the new SUVs on the streets of Al Hufuf and the recently built villas of its neighborhoods.
Many Shiites say they hold better jobs than ever before in the region's oil companies. In Al Qatif, Shiites have been allowed to celebrate Ashura, the commemoration of Imam Hussein, whom they see as the third Imam and intended successor of the prophet Muhammad; Sunnis consider this view blasphemous.
"Shiites don't believe the basics [of Islam]," says Hamzah al-Tyer, imam of al-Rajhi mosque in Riyadh, where much of the vitriol against Shiites originates. He says that Sunni religious leaders address only Shiite leaders - not their followers - as "evil Muslims."
He adds that Shiites "are getting more power and we are getting less."
Dwight Bashir, a senior analyst with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, says that "Shiites are concerned about [implications of regional issues] affecting their progress."
But the situation has changed since 1979, he says. "A lot of the Shiite population have it pretty good in the Eastern Province and they don't necessary want to rock the boat, especially if they are seeing some progress on these things. They might be holding hope."
Mr. Bashir says that a minority might embrace militant tactics if the monarch begins cracking down, threatening sectarian bloodshed. While there is evidence that King Abdullah, both as king and before taking the throne, has made some efforts to address Shiite concerns, analysts say he still must placate a very conservative Wahhabi base.
Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb, a longtime rights advocate, runs the only independent, albeit unlicensed, rights group in the country, Human Rights First Society. "The situation is far from even close to what we want it to be," he says. But, he adds, "at least there is movement."
"The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. The symbol is featured on the flags of several Muslim countries, and is even part of the official emblem for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the star of David, and the Muslims have the crescent moon, right?
The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana....
For hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world. After centuries of battle with Christian Europe, it is understandable how the symbols of this empire became linked in people's minds with the faith of Islam as a whole...
Poll:On a webpage or publication about Islam, what type of graphic would you use?
1. The crescent moon - it is a recognized symbol of the faith
2. A mosque
3. The Ka'aba
4. Islamic calligraphy or arabesque design
5. Other
6. I wouldn't use a graphic or symbol
7. View Results "
The Abraham Connection: A Jew, Christian and Muslim
in Dialogue, Vol. 6
George B. Grose (Editor) / Paperback / Cross Cultural Publications,
Incorporated / November 1994 Islam Revealed, by Dr. Shorrosh, who explains the force behind the fanatical, the moderate and conservative, sects of Islam. A Palestinian-born Arab Christian... Satanic Verses, from Salman Rushdie from Wikipedia, the encyclopedia
www.lulu.com/content/2453080">Islamic Extremist Turns ChristianBy Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service Saturday, November 22, 2008 "ESSEX, ENGLAND (ANS) -- An Islamic extremist who grew hating everything about Christianity has now written a book about his conversion.
According to a news release, Abdullahi A considered himself an absolute fanatic. He believed everything he was taught about Jihad (Islamic holy war), and had a deep seated hatred for everything that opposed his beliefs. But all that changed when he met Christ while in his room alone, after having previously dismissed His existence during a debate with a Christian friend.
Speaking of his conversion, Abdullahi said in the news release, “I lack the words to express what I felt like, because I never thought in my wildest imagination that I would one day accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior because I was an Islamic extremist. In fact, I was a fanatic right from a very young age. I believed in Jihad against non-Muslims; what is now known as modern day terrorism. But thanks to Jesus for His saving grace.”
Abdullahi said he used to believe that the greatest enemy of Islam was Christianity.
He added, “Have you ever seen a Muslim and Buddhist quarreling? No, because they are not threats to Islam, but Christianity poses a big threat to Islam and a Muslim fanatic will stop at nothing to eliminate all who believe in Jesus Christ. This is why I believe the focus of the Al Qaeda network is the United Kingdom and America, because to them Christianity originated from these countries.”
His new book “From Islam to Christianity” is a useful tool to help Christians engage with other faiths so they can explain their beliefs in a non-condescending fashion.
Abdullahi said in the news release he believes that Christians are all called to preach the gospel, and as such hopes this book will enable Christians to fulfil the Great Commission.
He said in the release, “I wrote this book to inspire many who are hiding under the umbrella of fear to come out of their comfort zone to follow Jesus Christ, because He is the way the truth and the life. There are many Muslims who need a little bit of motivation to proclaim Christ as their Lord and Savior. Secondly, this book is what the (church needs), especially at this time ... ”
Abdullahi said he hopes the book will help change the thinking of Christians who think it’s only the task of missionaries and pastors to win souls for Christ. He said, “The Bible says in Hosea 4:6 ‘My people perish for lack of knowledge,’so I hope this book will give them the knowledge to be good and effective witnesses for Christ.”
According to the news release, Abdullahi whose name means “the servant of Allah,” wants to reach as many people as possible for God and continues to go by his Muslim name as a testament of what God can do. Although his conversion to Christianity resulted in him being disowned by his family, he believes that is a small price to pay for life in Christ.
He said in the news release, “When I became a Christian, honestly to my family, I was a disappointment. But today God has proven he is Jehovah Elshaddai (The God that is more than enough) by (saving) them one after another, and today I can confidently say (three quarters) of my immediate families are Christians. That in itself is a testimony.”
For more information about Abdullahi’s book “From Islam to Christianity,” go to www.lulu.com/content/2453080. "
"CAIRO, EGYPT (ANS) -- Two Egyptian twin-boy have said, “We refuse to be Muslims by force,” after losing a court case.
Middle East journalist, Mary Abdelmassih, writing for the Assyrian International News Agency (www.aina.org) explained the background to this controversial case.
“On March 30 [2010] an administrative judicial court in Egypt dismissed a lawsuit filed by Mrs. Camilia Lutfi, mother of the Coptic Christian twins boys Mario and Andrew, against the Interior Minister, and the director of the Civil Status Department for refusing to re-instate the Christian religion on their birth certificates, and invalidate those which were forcefully changed to ‘Islam’ in 2005 by their father Medhat Ramsis Labib, who had converted to Islam.”
Abdelmassih said that after his conversion, Andrew and Mario became Muslims in what is called “Islamization by dependence,” by which children follow the religion of a converted parent (to Islam only) until they reach the age of puberty (fifteen), because Islam is “the best among all religions,” according to Egyptian Court rulings.
“The purpose of Lutfi’s litigation was to restore back to her twins their identity as Christians, before reaching the age of 16 in June, when they will have their national ID cards issued,” she wrote. “Camilia said that because of the developments in their case, her worst nightmares would materialize, in which they would have Islam as religious affiliation on their ID cards.
Mrs. Lutfi told the Free Copts advocacy, “If they change to Christianity after that, they will be considered apostates.”
Abdelmassih reported that she expressed her surprise at the intransigence of the judiciary in dealing with the issue of her sons, especially after they have already reached the legal age of 15-years, when they can choose their own religion.
“The boys have lived this tragedy for the last ten years, through no fault of their own,” she said.
ElYoum 7 Newspaper reported that 15-years-old Mario and Andrew were extremely disappointed with the court verdict, saying “faith is not by force, we want to remain Christians and we do not wish to become Muslims.”
Both boys are practicing Christians and were consecrated last year as deacons in their regular church in Alexandria.
Abdelmassih said that court explained in its verdict, which was issued on April 14, that Camilia Lutfi has not presented a verdict from a relevant court (it did not say which court) proving the change of her sons’ religion from Islam to Christianity.
“How come that when their father changed their religion from Christianity to Islam, he required no court verdict, and now that they want to revert back to Christianity, the court requires a verdict?” she told Free Copts.
The journalist went on to say that although the mother's lawyers presented to the court a portfolio containing 15 different certificates proving they are Christians, contradicting what was written on their birth certificates, the court said in its reasoning that it does not recognize the validity of a certificate issued by the Church as a document of change of religion from Islam to Christianity, as “churches by law are not competent to issue such certificates.”
The courts only accept certificates of religion change from Al-Azhar (the Muslim theology school in Cairo). Moreover the Court said that there is no law to force the Interior minister and the Civil Status Department chief to change the religion of the boys on their documents without a court ruling to this effect.
Camilia criticized the judiciary in Egypt for being biased, based on her personal experience. “I do not believe the recent verdict has been taken solely by the judges. I feel there is a higher authority which orders the judges to decide in a certain way, even if it goes against the documents in front of them,” she told Free Copts.
Abdelmassih said that Mario and Andrew were born on June 24, 1994 to Christian parents, sea captain Medhat Ramsis and tax inspector Camilia Lutfi, but in February 2000 their father converted to Islam to marry a Muslim woman. In 2005 Medhat changed their twin boys’ birth certificates to show that they are Muslims, born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother.
She added that the case of Mario and Andrew caught the attention of the media in May 2007, after they challenged the Ministry of Education which forced them to sit in for the Islamic Religion exams at school, where students are obliged to pass in order to be promoted to a higher class. They refused to answer the questions.
Mario and Andrew with their mother, Camelia
On his answer sheet Andrew wrote “I am Christian” and Mario wrote “My religion is Christianity.” They failed the exam and had to re-take it, but again insisted on writing these single phrases. Due to public pressure, the Minister of Education exempted them from passing those exams until their case was finalized by the court. On national television they declared: “We do not want to be Muslims. We are born Christians, will remain and die as Christians.”
After a five-year legal battle, Lutfi won a landmark victory in June 2009 when Egypt's Court of Cassation gave her the right to retain custody of Andrew and Mario. The Court also affirmed, for the first time, the right of a non-Muslim mother to retain custody of her child until the age of fifteen, as stipulated by Egypt's Personal Status Law, even when the child's father converts to Islam and the state automatically changes the child's religion as a result. Previously it was only until the age of seven, which is considered the age of “religious maturity” by the Hanafi School of Islamic jurisprudence.
Abdelmassih stated that at a press conference held on Thursday, April 22, 2010, Lutfi said that the refusal of the judiciary to establish the religion of her children as Christians is a blow to the principles of citizenship, and a “disregard” for Christianity and Christians.
She called on President Mubarak to protect the freedom of religion by issuing laws “to tie down the hands of the judiciary in deciding on these issues without a legal basis.” She also addressed a message to the President of the State Council saying that all judgments regarding conversion to Christianity take as a starting point that Islam is the State religion, and the State guarantees freedom of religion but ends up by “insulting Christianity and those wishing to convert to Christianity.”
During the press conference, Camelia also called on the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to issue a Fatwa (Islamic religious edict) to remind the authorities of the Quranic verse “Let there be no compulsion in religion.”
Dr. Awad Shafik Awad, international attorney based in Switzerland and President of the Confederation of Coptic Human Rights Organizations in Europe, stated his intention to refer the case of Mario and Andrew to the international courts, after all stages of litigation in Egypt have been exhausted. He said that the recent court's refusal to prove the Christian faith of the twin boys was “unjust and has nothing to do with the law.”
Coptic attorney Ramsis elNaggar stated that his law firm represents thousands of Christian children who were forced to become Muslims following the conversion to Islam of one of their parents, and tried in vain to revert back to Christianity.
Last month before the court dismissed their case, CBN News carried out an interview with Mario and Andrew, bringing their fight to retain their Christian identity and the fear of being considered as apostates and getting killed to the international public.
Abdelmassih concluded by saying that renowned Coptic activist and writer Magdi Khalil had called for the non-application of Islamic Sharia law on Christian families in Egypt, saying that the case of Mario and Andrew represents the situation of the Copts under Sharia. The Egyptian Personal Status Law for Muslims and non-Muslims of mixed religions or denominations is based on the Sharia law according to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence,” which discriminates against fundamental human rights, and against women in general as lawyer Ms Safaa Zaki describes it,” he said.
Khalil also warned about a wider application of the Second article of the Egyptian Constitution which stipulates that the principles of Islamic Sharia law are the main source of legislation.
"If Sharia is applied to all the laws, this would be a real catastrophe to the secular state, for Muslims and Christians alike and a bomb ready to explode,” he said...
Converts
Famous converts to Islam
Forced Conversion Stories
Forced Islamic Conversion
How Christian children are being kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam in Zanzibar (Tanzania-AFRICA. Bin Laden urges Americans to convert, By LEE KEATH, Associated Press Writer (Friday, September 7th of 2007) " CAIRO, Egypt - Osama bin Laden appeared for the first time in three years in a videotape Friday released ahead of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, telling Americans they should convert to Islam if they want the war in Iraq to end...
Bin Laden makes no overt threats and does not directly call for attacks, according to the transcript posted on ABC's Web site.
Instead, he addresses Americans, lecturing them on the failures of their leaders to stop the war in Iraq despite growing public opposition in the U.S.
"There are two solutions to stopping it. One is from our side, and it is to escalate the fighting and killing against you. This is our duty, and our brothers are carrying it out," bin Laden said.
"The second solution is from your side," he said. "I invite you to embrace Islam."
"It will also achieve your desire to stop the war as a consequence, because as soon as the warmongering owners of the major corporations realize that you have lost confidence in your democratic system and have begun to look for an alternative, and this alternative is Islam, they will run after you to please you and achieve what you want to steer you away from Islam," he said.
The al-Qaida leader had not appeared in new video footage since October 2004, and he had not put out an audiotape for more than a year, his longest period without a message.
The transcript also mentions the political activist and author Noam Chomsky, global warming, and refers to the Aug. 6 anniversary of the World War 2 bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In Washington, an official said the U.S. government recently obtained a copy of the video and several intelligence agencies were studying it. The official agreed to discuss the matter only if not quoted by name.
The Homeland Security Department said Friday it had no credible information warning of an imminent threat to the United States, and analysts noted that al-Qaida tends to mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with a slew of messages.
White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto declined to comment on the video until it had been fully analyzed, except to say it was a reminder of the continuing terrorist threat.
"This is why we need to be more vigilant and more persistent in our pursuit of terrorists," Fratto said. "We will continue to pursue them. And it reminds us that we need to be certain that our intelligence professionals have all the tools they need to continue to disrupt their activities."
The government was looking at bin Laden's physical characteristics � in part, for clues about his health after unconfirmed rumors earlier this year that he had died of kidney disease.
Soon after word emerged that the United States had the video, Islamic militant Web sites that usually carry statements from al-Qaida went down and were inaccessible. The reason for the shutdown was not immediately known.
Evan H. Kohlmann, a terrorism expert at globalterroralert.com, said he suspected it was the work of al-Qaida itself, trying to find how the video leaked to U.S. officials.
"For them this is totally disruptive that the U.S. government could have a copy before their targeted audience does," he said. "They could be concerned and trying to plug the leak quickly."
Bin Laden's beard appears to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders, said Rita Katz, director of the SITE Institute, a Washington-based group that monitors terror messages.
Katz said al-Qaida has consistently marked the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack as one of its biggest successes.
In 2003, a videotape of bin Laden was released the day before the anniversary, and last year al-Qaida released a documentary describing the planning of the attacks.
Videotapes of bin Laden are the group's most powerful propaganda tools, and they use them sparingly, Katz said.
Over the last few years, al-Qaida leaders appear to have gotten better at distributing their missives. They are using subtitles and different languages and using the Internet to distribute them, rather than depending on a particular television station or network.
___
Associated Press writers Lara Jakes Jordan, Pamela Hess and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Korean Hostages in Afghanistan in 2007
Glad News! God Loves You My Muslim Friend
Tanagho, Samy
Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa (SEE DOWN BELOW)
Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa , Ministry to
Muslims , 3800 S. Fairview Road, Santa Ana , CA 92704, USA, or call (714)
979 4422 and ask for Samy Tanagho
Current Events
-Princes Diana & Dodi Diana and Arab Conspiracy
by Daniel Pipes and Hilal Khashan
Weekly Standard
November 10, 1997
" Researching the religions of the world for a view of their “eternal heavens” is a hopeless venture. If these religions are judged by the futures they offer, they are a sad spectacle. Christianity is the one and only faith that promises a simple and beautiful life in a glorious setting worthy of human existence. All the rest of the world’s religions show signs of being created by a fallen mind or minds with no concept of a meaningful eternal life.
The saddest of all these religions is the Islamic faith. While many politicians and religious leaders claim that the Islam god, Allah, is the same god as the Judeo-Christian God, the facts confirm that this is a false claim. Nothing proves this more absolutely than the different theologies of heaven.
First, let’s look at the Islamic theology of heaven. Their heaven is a sex brothel, where women will spend eternity as sex slaves. Any woman that would ever embrace Islam must be ignorant of this fact. What woman would want to be one of the many wives, along with seventy-two virgins, that serve one man with sex for eternity?
The prophet Mohammed described his view with the following words, “The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives, over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana’a .” (Surah Al-Rahman 55, 72, as interpreted by Ibn Kathir, who died in 1373 CE).
Here are quotes directly from the Koran:
“As for the righteous, they shall surely triumph. Theirs shall be gardens and vineyards, and high-bosomed virgins for companions: a truly overflowing cup.” (Koran 78:31)
“...They will sit with bashful, dark-eyed virgins, as chaste as the sheltered eggs of ostriches.” (Koran 37:40-48)
“...Yes and We shall wed them to dark-eyed houris (beautiful virgins).” (Koran 44:51-55)
“...They shall recline on couches ranged in rows. To dark-eyed houris (virgins) we shall wed them...” (Koran 52:17-20)
“In them will be bashful virgins neither man nor Jinn will have touched before. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?" (Koran 55:56-57)
“Virgins as fair as corals and rubies. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?" (Koran 55:57-58)
“...We created the houris (the beautiful women) and made them virgins, loving companions for those on the right hand...” (Koran 56:7-40)
"In each there shall be virgins chaste and fair... Dark eyed virgins sheltered in their tents whom neither man nor Jinn will have touched before...” (Koran 55:70-77)
Not only are there virgins in multiplied numbers, but, also, dashing and handsome young boys ready to be devoured in homosexual activities. The Islam pornographic brothel includes the darkest possible sin of men raping innocent young boys. These quotes from the Koran document these horrible acts:
“Round about them will serve, to them, boys (handsome) as pearls well-guarded.” (Koran 52:24)
“Round about them will serve boys of perpetual freshness.” (Koran 56:17)
“And round about them will serve boys of perpetual freshness: if thou seest them, thou wouldst think them scattered pearls.” (Koran 76:19)
While I try to spare you the descriptive and vulgar language that extends far beyond what I am writing, I must mention the sex market promised by Prophet Mohammed. In the Hadiths, Mohammed extends the talk of virgins and boys to promise a free sex market, where there is no end of choices for additional sex beyond the wives, 72 virgins, and young boys. “Ali reported that the Apostle of Allah said, ‘There is in Paradise a market wherein there will be no buying or selling, but will consist of men and women. When a man desires a beauty, he will have intercourse with them.’” (Al Hadis, Vol. 4, p. 172, No. 34)
The only possible creator of this debauchery is the Prince of Darkness, the fallen malevolent, the blasphemer of the Father – Lucifer himself. This fallen prince and all his discontented angels and men are on a subway to Hell. This subway is gaining speed and is soon to arrive at the depot of darkness.
When we stop to compare the Christian Heaven that fills the Bible from Genesis to Revelation with the Islamic heaven (Paradise), we are left with nothing to compare. The Islamic heaven is not a heaven after all, but a brothel where sick men indulge in lustful activities uninhibited by moral restraints. I cannot find one promise to the Islamic women except the task of watching the men live out the wildest description of sex orgies ever recorded. There is doubtless no pornographic book more vulgar and debauched than the Islamic theology of their heaven. A sex market that men can visit and choose a woman at will with which to have open sex has to be at the very bottom of the depravity of fallen mankind.
The Heaven promised in the Holy Bible is rich, pure, God-centered, and reserved for the pure saints that have turned from the filthy world of lust. Our glorified bodies will exemplify the highest morality possible. This glorious life is so far removed from the base appetite of sex that the thought of such will not even come to mind. The joy of our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, will be the highest expression of eternal life. The New Heaven and the New Earth will be centered round a New Jerusalem so spectacular that our imagination can only see the blinding light of it all.
The city of twelve levels will be surrounded by jasper walls and pearly gates. Each of the twelve foundations will be enhanced by priceless jewels from pure sapphires to the royal purple amethysts. Streets will be paved with gold and the Light of the city will be the Lord Jesus Christ – the Light of the world. Angels will welcome the saints as they exit and/or enter the city. The River of Life will flow out of God’s throne and the Tree of Life will line its banks.
Our Bible is filled with the way that leads to this eternal reward. Jesus Christ paid the debt of sin for all that choose to surrender to His eternal will. The Heaven of our Holy Bible is a pure place; purchased by His pure blood and offered to every soul that will turn from the lust of life to the “Way, the Truth, and the Life” -- Jesus Christ.
Sent weekly from the ministry of the Paw Creek Church and media outreach. This article can be freely used, reprinted, made available on Internet, or used as a sermon note. We would appreciate it if you would always put the source and our web page information if placed on Internet or printed in a publication.
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"Christians ministering quietly in the Middle East say Muslims are coming to Christ at an unprecedented pace despite intense persecution of those who leave Islam.
"Probably in the last 10 years, more Muslims have come to faith in Christ than in the last 15 centuries of Islam," said Tom Doyle, Middle East-Central Asia director for e3 Partners, a Texas-based missions agency.
A former pastor, Doyle has been to the Middle East around 80 times and last week returned to the U.S. from a trip to Jerusalem, where he said both Muslims and Jews are turning to Christianity.
Earlier this month, more than 200 former Muslims were baptized during a training conference in Europe led by Iran-born evangelist Lazarus Yeghnazar. Brenda Ajamian, a former missionary to the Middle East who partners with Yeghnazar's 222 Ministries International, said the event was unlike anything she'd seen during her years ministering in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.
"That many Muslims who converted to Christ in one place boggled my mind because missionaries have worked in the Arab world and Muslim world generally for years and without much fruit," Ajamian said. "God is at work among Muslims."
Ajamian said she was told at the conference that drug addiction and depression run rampant in many nations, particularly in Iran, where the cleric-led government has attempted to squash pro-democracy movements. "People are so fed up with the kinds of lives they lead. ... They're turning to Christ even in spite of the very real possibility of persecution and death and imprisonment," she said.
Desperation is also a big factor in bringing many Jews to Christ, Doyle said. "In the last 20 years more Jews [also] have become followers of Jesus than in the last 2,000 years of Christianity," he said.
Radio, television and Internet-based Christian programming have been key in evangelizing Muslim nations. Yeghnazar claims more than 3,000 Iranians are converted each month through his Farsi-language television and Internet broadcasts.
And Doyle said Father Zakaria Botross, a born-again Coptic priest, reaches about 60 million people through his television programs broadcast across the Middle East. "The apostle Paul to the Muslims is no question Father Zakaria," Doyle said.
But many Muslim-background believers have said they came to Christ after having dreams and visions of Jesus.
"I can't tell you how many Muslims I've met who say: ‘I was content. I was a Muslim, and all of a sudden I get this dream about Jesus and He loved me and said come follow Me," Doyle said.
Doyle notes that the supernatural is an important part of the Islamic faith. Through the course of his life, Mohammed claimed to have had visions and encounters, particularly of the angel Gabriel.
"God is going into their context," said Doyle. But instead of finding guidance from Allah, Muslims are finding Jesus.
Haytham Abi Haydar, pastor of the Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church in Dearborn, Mich., a heavily Islamic Detroit suburb, said dreams and the supernatural are important to Muslims. "They're so powerful and real. They do consider that as a channel to speak to God and see something important," said Abi Haydar, who's also heard of Jesus coming to Muslims in dreams.
Ajamian said churches of Muslim-background believers are growing "like wildfire" both in the Middle East and in Europe, which has seen a boom in immigration from Muslim nations.
"The Muslims that are saved ... it's like they can't tell the story fast enough," Ajamian said.
Doyle said though the harvest is ripe in Middle Eastern nations, the spiritual warfare also has ramped up. "People feel it. It just feels more intense," he said.
The stress, he said, is particularly high right now during Ramadan, the time Muslims fast and pray in commemoration of the time they believe Mohammed divinely received the first verses of the Quran. He said people are getting sick and even having nightmares.
"When Ramadan comes, you really sense the war in the heavenlies," he said.
Christians in many Muslim nations can be imprisoned or killed for converting from Islam. But Ajamian said the persecution is a sign that God is answering prayers for the Muslim world. "There's a move of God," she said. "...The devil doesn't like it, but there is a huge move."
"NASHVILLE, TN (ANS) -- Gracia Burnham, who was born January 17, 1959, in Cairo, Illinois, worked alongside her pilot husband Martin, for 17 years from 1986 as missionaries in the Philippines with the New Tribes Mission.
But then on May 27, 2001, the world of these two dedicated American Christians came crashing down, when the couple were among a larger group kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf, a notorious Islamist separatist and terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines.
While most of the group was freed after ransoms were paid and several were beheaded, the Burnham’s were in captivity for a year and a few days. Then, during the eventual rescue attempt by the Philippine Army on June 7, 2002, Martin was killed by three gunshots in the chest and Gracia was wounded in her leg.
Since her release and the death of her husband, Gracia Burnham has returned to the United States with their three children. She has written two books about her experiences, “In the Presence of my Enemies” (2003) and “To Fly Again” (2005). The Burnham’s capture and captivity were the subject of a July 2008 episode of the TV series, Locked Up Abroad.
She has also set up the Martin and Gracia Burnham Foundation, and one of its focus areas is “ministries to Muslims.” In an extraordinary interview recently at NRB 2011 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, for my Front Page Radio program, which will be broadcast on KWVE 107.9 FM in Southern California, (www.kwve.com), on Sunday, March 13, 2011, this extraordinary woman recounted her incredible story.
She also revealed how she has been able to forgive their captors and is now sharing the Gospel with the terrorists in their prison cells in Manila.
Gracia told me, "God in his goodness has shown me why we went through that year. Recently I have been able to find twenty-three of the guys who held us hostage. They’re in jail in Manila in a maximum security prison for the rest of their lives.
The gaunt couple during their ordeal
"Our foundation has begun working with them and doing projects for them to show them the love of Christ and having materials printed into their dialects. They’re reading the scriptures in their own languages and some of them are going to Bible studies. So far three of them have come to know the Lord Jesus as their savior.
"I think that God out of His goodness is just letting me see how maybe he used our captivity to do something in the lives of some men who otherwise would never have had access or would never have heard the gospel and I just can’t help but believe that it’s not over till it’s over and God’s going to keep doing it."
When I asked her if she had been able to meet these men that caused them so much pain, she replied, “I haven’t met them yet but I correspond with them and I get letters back from them. They asked me to come a year ago and I didn’t have peace about visiting the jail at that time, but Martin’s parents, who were missionaries in the Philippines, went and visited the jail for two days in a row and talked with those men who held their son captive and had the best time. So, someday I’m going to meet those men. Someday my children are going to walk into that prison and put their arms around these men and pray for them."
I then pointed out to Gracia that she and Martin had been pictured looking gaunt and ill in just about every newspaper in the world during their captivity, and told her that she now looked radiant, despite still having shrapnel in her left leg and having endured the nightmare of seeing her husband die in such terrible circumstances.
She then told me that shortly after their marriage they went into missionary training with New Tribes Mission.
"We did a year of what they used to call ‘boot camp’, though they don’t call it that anymore,” said Gracia. “We would learn to live in spartan conditions and then, for six weeks, we had to live out in the woods at a kind of jungle camp with whatever we took out there with us.
"We built our own house and we were getting ready for our new work in the Philippines and, of course, Martin had specific pilot training. He had to learn to fly into little short strips built up the side of a mountain because that’s what he was going to face overseas. So we had good extensive training. As soon as we were done with that training, we left for the Philippines.”
It didn’t take them long to settle into their new and demanding life.
Was it dangerous?
"Well we soon found out that there were communist guerillas up in the mountains, but we felt very safe and we always avoided hot spots. We were never careless,” she said. “We were in a small town because our job was to keep the tribal missionaries, who lived out in the jungle areas where there were no roads, supplied. We had a good market there and so we built up a little grocery store for the missionaries. Martin also did medical evacuations.
"I was the radio operator and I would talk to the people in the tribal villages and take their grocery orders and their medicine orders and then Martin would box them up and fly them in. So that was our job. We were the suppliers.
"We had snakes and rats and little lizards crawling along the walls, but that’s what you get when you live overseas in the tropics.”
Gracia Burnham today talking with Dan Wooding
Gracia said that she also had three children born in the Philippines adding, “I had the three of them just right in a row.”
So it seemed that their lives were quite idyllic, but then one day it all fell apart. So I asked Gracia to describe what happened.
"Martin needed to go to work on a small island in the Southern Philippines to fill in for a missionary pilot there,” she said. “He had just been on an overseas trip and was jet lagged so he needed to rest."
She said they had decided to let Martin get some rest and also celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary at the Dos Palmas resort on Palawan island on May 27, 2001.
"We were only going to be there for twenty-four hours and we went to bed that first night and the next morning there was pounding on the door and Martin got up and even before he got to the door, these three guys with M-16 automatic weapons broke the door in. One of them took Martin out, while another came over to my bed and lowered his weapon at me and yelled, ‘Go, go, go’. So I followed and they were taking us down to a waiting speed boat down at the docks."
Gracia said the children were not with them as they had left them with co-workers.
So did you suddenly realize this was bad?
"Yes, when they raised their weapons in the air and yelled ‘Allah Akbar’ (God is great), that’s when we knew it was the Abu Sayyaf. These are a group who are militant Muslims who have declared jihad in that area of the world, only their jihad has degenerated into kidnapping people for a ransom. So at that moment we both knew that we were in big trouble. There were 20 hostages taken that day.
"We were the only missionaries. There were three Americans -- Martin and I and a businessman from California called Guillermo Sobero of Corona, California. They didn’t target us because we were missionaries and were disappointed to find out that we were Americans as Americans don’t play the ransom game very well and also missionaries don’t have any money. They were hoping for European business men because they knew that they could get money from them."
So the captives were put on a speed boat and, after three days over the ocean, they finished up in a remote Muslim stronghold where they knew the trails and places where they could get food and supplies.
Gracia went on to say, “So for the next year, we were running for our lives and sleeping on the jungle floor and drinking dirty river water and starving and witnessing the atrocities that these guys committed against villages as we would go through.”
What kind of atrocities?
"To gain control, they would often go through a village and would separate a few guys off to the side and chop their heads off. I didn’t see that, but I heard the yells and the scuffles. These were not honorable men. The name of Abu Sayyaf brings terror to the hearts of the Filipinos.”
Gracia revealed that they never settled in one place, adding, “We were always moving because the Philippine military were coming after us to try and rescue us but they didn’t really know much about hostage rescue as when they found us, they would just shoot up the camp Rambo style and we would have dead and wounded and we still knew that one of these days those bullets were going to find us and we weren’t going to survive the gun battles.”
Did you know at the time how much publicity was going out on this situation?
"We had no idea,” said Gracia. “Of course we knew that New Tribes Mission and our families were praying for us but we didn’t know that all over the world, people were starting to pray for us. I later found out that Christian radio and other broadcasters kept the public aware of our kidnapping and just kept our names out there and that these people began praying for Martin and Gracia. What would we have done without the prayers of God’s people?”
So how long did this go on for?
"We were held hostage for a little over a year and ten days,” she said. “We got sick and suffered from dysentery and diarrhea and we were dirty all the time. There were no clean clothes to change into. We started feeling more like animals than human beings. And often we felt forsaken -- God forsaken -- and I used to tell Martin, ‘Everyone’s forgotten us as this had has gone on for so long.’ Of course, we knew that wasn’t true.
"I had a few crises of faith and I remember that week ten was very difficult for me. I’d given God about six weeks to get us out of there and He didn’t come through and I think week ten I really had it out with God. I decided He didn’t love me because if He loved me He would answer our prayer and we would be out of there right? But here we were, stuck in a bad situation and Martin saw the depression and the horrible time I was having and he said, ‘Gracia, it’s so sad to see you giving up your faith.’ I said, ‘Oh, I’m not giving up my faith. I still believe Christ died for our sins God made the world, but I just don’t think God loves me because He’s not coming through for me.
"And Martin said, “Seems to me that you either believe it all, or you don’t believe it at all. You need to choose what you’re going to believe. And I decided to believe that what God’s Word said was true. So I just grabbed onto verses like John 3:16 that I knew to be true and claimed them as my own even though I wasn’t feeling like God was for us and not against us.”
Gracia then said, “The conditions were awful, with a year of not sleeping well. We could never get comfortable on the jungle floor. We always knew that the military was nearby and there was always an uneasiness which meant that never once were we able to relax. So the weariness wasn’t just physical, it was mentally and also morale-wise.”
How were the other hostages coping with the situation?
"The other hostages were truly heroic, but one by one they were ransomed and they would let them go,” she said. “A few of them escaped and the other American, I’m sad to say, about a week into our captivity was beheaded. They got angry with him and so until the end, it was me and Martin and a Philippine nurse for the last like five months of our captivity. It was just us three and we just tried to encourage each other as best we could.”
Gracia then shared about how one day they had obtained a radio from one of the terrorists and were “dialing around trying to find some English speaking programs” when what she considered a miracle occurred.
"We found a Christian radio station out of Alaska and tuned in right as a pastor was talking about how Christ sits at the right-hand of God making intercession for us,” she said. “He said, ‘If you could hear Jesus in the next room praying for you right now you would not be afraid of anything.’ And then he prayed for people in war-torn areas and people who were being oppressed because of their faith and we looked at each other and said that this man was talking to us and praying for us and it was the first spiritual input that we’d had in a year and God just sent us that message at the lowest point of our captivity. I’m just so thankful to him for His goodness.”
Did you ever find out who he was?
"Yes I’ve met the man. His name was Andy Baker and he’s from here in Nashville and I’ve gotten to spend a little bit of time with him on a few occasions,” she said. “I think he couldn’t believe it when I made a statement at Martin’s funeral on national TV and I talked about KNLS out of Alaska and mentioned his name. A friend called him up who knew him and we were able to get together not so long after that.”
How long after you got the radio did it all fall apart?
"A few days later,” said Gracia. “The Abu Sayyaf had been told that ransom was waiting for them in a village and we couldn’t find the place because it didn’t exist and we were wandering around lost. What we didn’t know was that a homing device had been sewn into a backpack that had come in so the Philippine military were able to tell where we were and they were closing in on us.
"That last day it clouded up to rain and always before we were safe in the rain it was like an unwritten rule you never fought in the rain. But that day we stopped to wait out the rain and the military didn’t stop. They came over the hill and, as usual, they just opened fire on us and all of us hostages were shot. I was shot in the leg and Martin was shot in the chest, while the nurse was shot in the neck.
"Martin just lay there during the gun battle and all of a sudden he got very heavy. Have you heard that term ‘the weight of death?’ Well, I think that’s what I felt. Then as the Abu Sayyaf retreated down the river and the soldiers came over the hill I began to move my hands around so they would know that I was alive and they dragged me to the top of the hill and I looked back at Martin and he was white. That’s when I knew he was dead. And, in that moment, God gave me a peace that I cannot explain because this is not how I would have written the end of our story. It’s not what we were praying for, But God just gave me a peace that this was His plan and that the same God that had kept us going for over a year in the jungle did not lose control that day and I still hang onto that.”
Gracia went on to say that, by that time, she had worked out the issues she had regarding her anger with God, thinking he didn’t love her and also wrestling with the sovereignty of God in her life.
"I had settled those issues in the jungle,” she told me. “For a year, I learned those lessons and when Martin lay there dying there was no questioning God. I knew that this was God’s plan. I knew that He was going to take care of me. I knew that He had answered our prayers. We were begging God to let one of us at least go home and raise our children. We did not want them to be orphans and God did it. He let me raise the children and you know the children love God. One of my boys is doing what his daddy did. He’s flying in Botswana, Africa, for a mission organization.”
And what about her leg wound? How bad was it?
"Well, not bad enough to kill me though I do have a huge scar. They air lifted me in a helicopter out to a sort of US army field unit that they had set up and they did the surgery right there out in the field. They were able to pull part of the bullet out but I have a lot of shrapnel in my leg, but they fixed me up well and they just cared for me so well and everyone has been so kind to me.
"This has just opened huge doors for me to speak to tell my story and also to talk with victims of crime. So I take my opportunities and if somebody wants an interview I give it because, who knows, what path someone might be going down today. Paths that they never would have chosen if they were choosing hardships that they don’t feel adequate to bear and you can encourage them that God is enough; that God is leading and directing you. You just follow Him and he’ll make everything that happens to you work together for good and for his glory and that’s what we want.”
I concluded this extraordinary interview with this extraordinary woman by asking if had been able to say goodbye to Martin before he died.
"I said goodbye to Martin several times during our captivity,” she said. “One day we were being shelled by artillery they were shooting from ten miles away and artillery was landing all around us and I told Martin, ‘I need to say goodbye to you. I want to say everything I want to say now before it’s too late."
What did you say?
"I said, 'I'm glad I married you. I’m glad we had a good marriage. I’m glad we came to the Philippines. I would never choose to have not done what we did. Thank you for being a good husband. I’m so glad God gave us the children he gave us.’ I was able to say all those things.
"So when Martin lay there dying, I could do what he had taught me to do in a gun battle. He told me to lay flat on the ground and ‘don’t move until someone tells you what to do.’ He had also told me to make myself the smallest target ‘you can possibly make.’ I was trying to look dead. I thought the worst thing that could happen now is they [the terrorists] could drag me off into the jungle and the nightmare would continue. So I was able in that moment to keep my head on straight. I’d already said goodbye to Martin. I didn’t even know he was dying at that moment as I’d never watched a person die.”
With that, this wonderful lady was off and I sat quietly with my son Peter, who had filmed the interview trying to take in all that Gracia Burnham had said about the time that she and Martin had been in the presence of their enemies.
If you would like to know more about Gracia’s work today, her website is: www.graciaburnham.org "
-EUROPE
Banned by PBS: Muslims Against Jihad - Part 4
"FOX News Channel presents the documentary the Public Broadcasting System didn't want you to see. It's a film about the difference between moderate Muslims and the radicals who want to kill us. It asks where are the moderate Muslims and why aren't they
speaking out against the Jihadists? And it was financed with $675,000 of taxpayers' money. This film was commissioned as part of the PBS series "America at the Crossroads" about the post 9/11 world, but PBS executives rejected it. PBS claims the filmmakers
were "alarmist, overreaching and unfair." The filmmakers say they were censored because of liberal bias at PBS. On a topic this important, we think you have the right to decide for yourself."
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Issues: Rejected, Stood-up, etc. ....
"During church in Pemba, Mozambique, a totally blind muslim man recieves prayer for healing in the name of Jesus...and gets totally healed!!! This miracle happened right in front of my eyes...this muslim man not only recieved physical sight, but he got saved and baptized in Jesus' name! Just as in the book of Acts, God confirms His gospel through signs and wonders through the hands of His Church."
History
The Price of Submission
"History has shown us the price that Christians paid when they were force to submit to Islam invaders. Hundreds of churches were converted into Mosques while thousands more were looted and then destroyed. This video shows images of just a few of the churches that were forever changed because the onslaught caused under jihads"
Holidays
Ramadan "The fourth pillar of Islam, which is fasting, is practiced during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat and scorched ground and shortness of rations. (in Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) � � and it is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638 CE. It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year. Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month...."
Related Sites:Assalamualaikum and Welcome to
Ramadan on the Net, from holidays.net "Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties."
Christians pray for Muslims as Ramadan begins,
* Print View
* Mobile Version
Posted: 12 September, 2007
* Topics in this story:
* christians
* , pray
* , ramadan
* , sammy tippit
* , usa (Mission Network News) "USA (MNN) ― The anniversary of 9/11, the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and tensions with Iran all have the world's attention. All of these issues have a direct tie to radical elements of Islam. So Christians today are asking fellow believers to begin praying earnestly for Muslims, as Islam's holiest month Ramadan begins tomorrow....."
Internet
Ecompany, internet service from United Arab Emirates (11/19/04)
From : <@emirates.net.ae>
Sent : Friday, November 19, 2004 6:28 AM
Were Not Afraid, a popular link since the bombings in Britain in June of 2005
*"7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline"-2 Timothy 1 "Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling."-Psalm 2:11
Law-Justice
Islam-Ten Commandments, from wikipedia.org "
In Islam Moses (Musa) is venerated as one of the greatest prophets of God. ... messages from the Torah and the Gospels still coincide closely with certain verses in the Qur'an. This is by-and-large the case with the Ten Commandments. Consequently, despite the Ten Commandments not being explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an they are substantially similar to the following verses in the Qur'an (using Jewish numbering of the Commandments):
1. "There is no other god beside God." (Qur'an 47:19)
2. "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols." (Qur'an 14:35)
3. "And make not Allah's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for Allah is One Who heareth and knoweth all things." (Qur'an 2:224) This quranic verse is not entirely analogous to the Old Testament's "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God..." Verse 2:224 is explained by the Prophet Muhammad as: "If anyone takes a solemn oath [that he would do or refrain from doing such-and such a thing], and thereupon realizes that something else would be a more righteous course, then let him do that which is more righteous, and let him break his oath and then atone for it" (Bukhari and Muslim; and other variants of the same Tradition in other compilations).
4. "O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business." (Qur'an 62:9) According to the teachings of Islam, the Sabbath was abrogated by the revelation for Muhammed. Furthermore, the Sabbath was only decreed for the Jews. (Qur'an 16:124) God, however, ordered Muslims to make every effort to drop all business to attend the congregational (Friday) prayer. Believers are permitted to go about their affairs during the rest of the day.
5. "....and your parents shall be honoured. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never (even) say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably." (Qur'an 17:23)
6. "....anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people." (Qur'an 5:32)
7. "You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behaviour." (Qur'an 17:32)
8. "They shall not steal." (Al-Mumtahanah 60: 12) and "The thief, male or female, you shall cut off their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from God. God is Almighty, Most Wise." (Qur'an 5:38)
9. "Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you had witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony is sinful at heart." (Qur'an 2:283)
10. "And do not covet what we bestowed upon any other people. Such are temporary ornaments of this life, whereby we put them to the test. What your Lord provides for you is far better, and everlasting." (Qur'an 20:131)
It can also be noted that in the 17th chapter, "Al-Israa" ("The Night Journey"), verses [Qur'an 17:22], the Qur'an provides a set of moral stipulations which are "among the (precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to thee" that can be reasonably categorised as ten in number. According to S. A. Nigosian, Professor of religious studies at the University of Toronto, these resemble the Ten Commandments in the Bible and "represents the fullest statement of the code of behavior every Muslim must follow". [58] It should be noted however, that these verses are not regarded by Islamic scholars as being somehow set apart from any other moral stipulations in the Qur'an, nor are they regarded as a substitute, replacement or abrogation of some other set of commandments as found in the previous revelations...
Infidels are Guilty and deserve Death
"Killing of non-muslims is legal according to "Sharia Law". This Muzlim tries to make this evil seem moral. " Does the quran say kill Non-Muslims?, from youtube.com "Most out of context quoted verse of the Quran " Sharia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "...is the body of Islamic religious law. The term means "way" or "path to the water source"; it is the legal framework within which the public and private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a legal system based on Islamic principles of jurisprudence and for Muslims living outside the domain. Sharia deals with many aspects of day-to-day life, including politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, family, sexuality, hygiene, and social issues..."
Origins
At the heart of Islamic law lies the teachings of God and the acts and sayings of His Prophet, Muhammad;[16] therefore, sharia, Islamic law, is founded on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. However, sharia was not fully developed at the time of Muhammad's death, but rather it evolved around the Muslim community or Ummah through which it would serve.[citation needed]
When sharia began its formation in the deserts of Arabia about 1,400 years ago, the time Islam was born,[17] a sense of community did not exist. Life in the desert was nomadic and tribal, thus the only factor that tied people together into various tribes was through common ancestry.[16] However, the nature of Islam challenged that ideology and brought all those who professed their submission to Islam into the Ummah. Additionally, Islam was not just a religion but a way of life that transformed those who were once enemies into neighbors. Laws had to be instilled so the doctrines of sharia took root. All who are Muslim are judged by sharia[18] – regardless of the location or the culture...
Slavery and emancipation
The major juristic schools of Islam have traditionally accepted the institution of slavery.. Islam and Slavery-The Truth!!!, from youtube.com
ISLAM TRICKS AFRICA INTO SLAVERY
" DR. JOHN HENRICK CLARKE EXCERPTS
www.watchitall.tv "
*see GoodnewsEverybody: Issues- Slavery
Homosexuality "
Homosexual activity is illicit under sharia, however the prescribed penalties differ from one school of jurisprudence to another. For example these countries may allow the death penalty for sodomy though not for other homosexual activities: Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Sharia does not recognize a human right of sexual self-determination. Human rights organizations focus on decriminalization, anti-discrimination laws, and incitement to hatred laws. Organizations are particularly concerned about the persecution of gays and lesbians in Iran and have helped some gay and lesbian Iranians gain asylum in Western countries.
What Islamics really think about Homosexuals, Gay:
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Social Issues-Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Homosexual, Transexual, etc.. Outreach
Women "...In practice Sharia law has sometimes resulted in women living in fear or disadvantage. In instances of rape some authorities of Sharia law require for an allegation to be validated, victims must have four Muslim-Male witnesses to the crime or else the victims risk being charged with fornication or adultery.[99] In Yemen Sharia law required compensation to be paid to the husband in the case of a 10 year old child bride who requested a divorce after rape and abuse[100] (the minimum age of marriage under Sharia law is sexual maturation[101])...
Sunni Islamic law allows husbands to divorce their wives by just saying talaq ("I divorce you") three times. In 2003 a Malaysian court ruled that, under Sharia law, a man may divorce his wife via text messaging as long as the message was clear and unequivocal.[106] The divorced wife always keeps her dowry from when she was married, and is given child support until the age of weaning. The mother is usually granted custody of the child.[107] The divorced wife also receives spousal support for three months after the divorce until it can be determined whether she is pregnant.
Sharia law : Another example of islamic justice
"...
International Convention on Civil and Political Rights upon which Iran is a signatory:
http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html
Part III Article 6 . 5 "Sentence of death shall not be imposed for crimes committed by persons below eighteen years of age and shall not be carried out on pregnant women."..."
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com L.A. Women, Ladies, etc..
He used to ‘blow up churches’ but now he follows the ‘Prince of Peace’, Tuesday, October 13, 2009
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries "It was during a live show being broadcast in Arabic from Alkarma TV’s studios in Southern California, when a phone call came in from the Middle East in which the man on the line made a startling confession.
Dan Wooding with Mona and Samuel after a recent interview at KWVE in Southern California
'I used to blow up churches and now I want to pray to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior," he said.
Soon, he was praying the “Sinner’s Prayer” with one of the volunteers with this unique Christian television station which broadcasts the Good News of Jesus Christ 24/7, including six hours live to the Middle East via The Healing Channel.
“We get so many calls from the Arabic-speaking people who watch Alkarma TV, especially from the Middle East, who watch our programs and say that this was the first time they had heard the message of Jesus’ love for them,” said Samuel, an Egyptian-born Christian who, along with his wife Mona, began Alkarma TV some four years ago.
“We are seeing thousands call in each month and pray to receive Christ into their lives. Many call in from dangerous countries where you are not even allowed to have a Bible and you cannot preach inside their country. But we can go there via satellite. It is quite amazing.”
.."
Former Muslim Rashid reveals the truth about Islam - Today's Christian Videos
"Handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who, in accordance with the tenants of Islam, is never to be depicted (as this is against certain Islamic schools of thought). In Mecca in the 7th century, Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel, who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God, speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca. With the help of his uncle, a brave warrior named Hamza (Anthony Quinn), Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God. The Message (originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed, Messenger of God) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. Unfounded rumors had it that Mohammed would not only be depicted in the film, but that he was to be played by Charlton Heston or Peter O'Toole. This resulted in protests by some Muslim, until director Moustapha Akkad hired a staff of respected Islamic clerics as technical advisors. The Message was shot in two versions, one in English and one in Arabic (entitled Al-Ris-Alah), with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements. "
The Message The Story of Islam Full Movie YouTube
"Osama (Dari: أسامة) is a 2003 film made in Afghanistan. It tells a story about a young girl who disguises as a boy, Osama, that exposes the cruelty of the Taliban, and was the first film to be shot entirely in that country since 1996, when the Taliban régime banned the creation of all films. The film was an international co-production between companies in Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Japan, Ireland and Iran.
" Mohammad, Messenger of God
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org "(in Arabic: الرسالة Ar-Risalah; U.S. title: The Message) is a 1976 film directed by Moustapha Akkad chronicling the life and times of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Released in both Arabic and English, Mohammad, Messenger of God serves as an introduction to early Islamic history."
Plot
The film follows Muhammad starting with Islam's beginnings in Mecca in which the Muslims are persecuted, the exodus to Medina, and ending with the Muslims' triumphant return to Mecca. A number of crucial events, such as the Battle of Badr and Battle of Uhud are depicted, and the majority of the story is told from the point-of-view of peripheral individuals such as Hamza ibn `Abd al-Muttalib (Muhammad's uncle), Abu Sufyan (the leader of Mecca) and his wife Hind bint Utbah (enemies of Islam who later become Muslims themselves).
Production
In a film review, The New York Times reported that "when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S., another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C. chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn played Mohammed in the film, threatening to blow up the building and its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was resolved" after the deaths of a journalist and policeman, but "the film's American box office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy."[1]
*see UMMAlpha Middle Eastern: Syrian Clooney: We Need to �Understand� Terrorists, Not �Label� Them
Posted by Scott Whitlock on January 5, 2006 - 16:45. Muad'Dib
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia '...s a desert mouse within Frank Herbert's Dune universe. It is also the name for a constellation of stars and is taken as a name by the first novel's hero, Paul Atreides...
In addition to the moon, there is also a constellation called Muad'Dib in the sky of Arrakis; its tail points to the north, resulting in it being known as "The One Who Points the Way."[3]
Herbert derived the Fremen messianic religion vocabulary from real-world Arabic.[4] In Arabic, مؤدّب mu’addib means "educator",[5] "he who disciplines/teaches manners" or "chastiser".[6][7] Ad'dab or A'adaab أدب are "manners" or "literature".[8] In Dune, Herbert writes that the Fremen call the Muad'Dib mouse "instructor-of-boys."[3]...
Politics and religion "..Between the events of Dune and Dune Messiah (1969), the name Muad'Dib becomes a battle cry on the lips of the Fremen army that sweeps across the universe in a jihad in the name of Muad'Dib's religion.[12] The population of the universe sees Muad'Dib as their god, whether they like it or not, and they can not deny his power religiously.[13] The Fremen culture is irreparably damaged by jihad; the new religion takes shape of rituals that are dependent on Muad'Dib's omnipresence.[10] As Muad'Dib, Paul is the messiah and the Emperor (King of Kings) who gives himself to fate and becomes a martyr to his followers, wanders blinded into the desert to die,[10] later finding emancipation as a heretic of his own church as the Preacher.[14] The regency of Paul's sister Alia and the Qizarate priests continue to promote Muad'Dib's religion to help keep control of the universe, ensuring that others do not oppose them.[13] In his The Golden Path, Herbert presents an argument of how to create a healthy society, avoiding despotism and hero worship, a trap in which social groups can be caught:
To make a world where human kind can make its own future from moment to moment, free from one man's vision. Free from the perversion of the prophets words. And free of future pre-determined...[1...
Attributions "
Conspiracy theorist John Hill used the pseudonym "Muad'Dib" when making the film 7/7 Ripple Effect about the 7 July 2005 London bombings. The film conflated ideas and imagery from the Dune stories with the real-world Muslim ideology which inspired the bombers
Dune Trailer Remastered
Related Sites: Dune (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "..s a 1984 science fiction film written and directed by David Lynch, based on the 1965 Frank Herbert novel of the same name. ...
Paul emerges as Muad'Dib, the religious and political leader the Fremen have been waiting for. Paul teaches the Fremen to use the Weirding Modules and begins targeting mining production of spice. In the span of two years, spice production is effectively halted. The Emperor is warned by the Spacing Guild of the situation on Arrakis, and the Guild fears that Paul will consume a substance known as the Water of Life. These fears are revealed to Paul in a prophetic dream; he drinks the Water of Life and enters a coma that disturbs all Bene Gesserits in the universe. Awaking, Paul is transformed and gains control of the sandworms of Arrakis. He has also discovered the secret to controlling spice production; water kept in huge caches by the Fremen can be used to destroy the spice. Paul tells his army of Fremen "he who can destroy a thing controls a thing." Paul has also seen into space and the future; the Emperor is amassing a huge invasion fleet above Arrakis to regain control of the planet and the spice....
Arabic and Islamic themes in Frank Herbert's "Dune"
Submitted by Khalid on Thu, 2004/01/22 - 19:59 baheyeldin.com "Islamic and Arabic Themes in Dune
What is not well known are the various Islamic undertones, and Arabic etymologies that Frank Herbert put in Dune. The purpose of this article is to try to list these themes, and trace them back to whatever Islamic concept there is (if any).
The following list is derived from the above linked Lexicon, with some of my own addition. I try to explain what the term means in Herbert's novel, and what possible Arabic or Islamic terms it was derived from, and their original meaning.
As per the request of a visitor, I added the possible Arabic origin, in Arabic text next to each title. ..
.......Conclusion
Dune is the most prominent example of how Islam and Arab cultures are used in Western Sci-Fi books. As a closing note, it seems that Frank Herbert was familiar with the Middle Eastern cultures, and the religion of Islam. Most of the terminology he used is not in its proper place. This may be due to him not being thoroughly familiar with it, or due to poetic license and adaptation to suit his novel. I would also guess that he was exposed to Shia Islam, where the term Mahdi has much more weight than in Sunni Islam. One cannot rule out Sufi influence as well. Arabic terms are used in many places as well. ..
"TEHRAN, IRAN (ANS) -- Erick Stakelbeck, CBN News Terrorism Analyst is reporting that new evidence has emerged that the Iranian government sees the current unrest in the Middle East as a signal that the Mahdi--or Islamic messiah--is about to appear.
CBN News has obtained a never-before-seen video produced by the Iranian regime that says all the signs are moving into place -- and that Iran will soon help usher in the end times.
While the revolutionary movements gripping the Middle East have created uncertainty throughout the region, the video shows that the Iranian regime believes the chaos is divine proof that their ultimate victory is at hand.
"The Coming is Near”
According to Stakelbeck, the propaganda footage has reportedly been approved at the highest levels of the Iranian government.
It's called “The Coming is Near” and it describes current events in the Middle East as a prelude to the arrival of the mythical tweflth Imam or Mahdi -- the messiah figure who Islamic scriptures say will lead the armies of Islam to victory over all non-Muslims in the last days.
"This video has been produced by a group called the Conductors of the Coming, in connection with the Basiji -- the Iranian paramilitary force, and in collaboration with the Iranian president's office,” said Reza Kahlil, a former member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who shared the video with CBN News.
Kahlili, author of the book, “A Time to Betray,” worked as a double agent for the CIA inside the Iranian regime.
"Just a few weeks ago, Ahmadenijad's office screened this movie with much excitement for the clerics,” Kahlili told CBN News. “The target audience is Muslims in the Middle East and around the world.”
The video claims that Iran is destined to rise as a great power in the last days to help defeat America and Israel and usher in the return of the Mahdi. And it makes clear the Iranians believe that time is fast approaching.
“The Hadith have clearly described the events and the various transformations of countries in the Middle East and also that of Iran in the age of the coming,” said a narrator, who went on to say that America's invasion of Iraq was foretold by Islamic scripture--and that the Mahdi will one day soon rule the world from Iraq.
Other "Prophetic" Signs
The ongoing upheavals in other Middle Eastern countries like Yemen and Egypt--including the rise of the Muslim Brotherood -- are also analyzed as prophetic signs that the Mahdi is near -- so is the current poor health of the king of Saudi Arabia, an Iranian rival.
"Isn't the presence of Abdullah, his illness, and his uncertain condition, great news for those anxious for the coming?” asks the narrator.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khameini, and Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Iran's terrorist proxy Hezbollah, are hailed as pivotal end times players, whose rise was predicted in Islamic scriptures.
The same goes for Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, who the video says will conquer Jerusalem prior to the Mahdi's coming.
https://newcp.freehostia.com/filemanager/#/www/religious.goodnewseverybody.com
"I think it's a very grave development,” Mideast expert Joel Rosenberg, author of The Twelfth Imam, told CBN News, “because it gives you a window into the thinking of the Iranian leadership: that they believe the time for war with Israel may be even sooner than others had imagined.”
Kahlili says “The Coming is Near” will soon be distributed by the Iranian regime throughout the Middle East. He explained that their goal is to instigate further uprisings in Arab countries.
In Sunni and Shia eschatology, the Mahdi is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on Earth for seven, nine or nineteen years (according to various interpretations) before the Day of Judgment, literally, the Day of Resurrection) and, alongside Jesus, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny.
In Shia Islam, the belief in the Mahdi is a “powerful and central religious idea” and closely related to the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, whose return from occultation is deemed analogous with the coming of the Mahdi. In Sunni traditions, there are several hadiths referring to the Mahdi.
"
"Introduction: (Host): We are here with Dr. Labib Mikhail. Dr. Labib is a former professor of homiletics from the Faith Mission Bible College in Cairo, Egypt. He is a television speaker, journalist, and has authored more than 60 books. For 42 years, Dr. Labib was the editor of the Good News Magazine, and has pastored the Evangelical Bible Church in Fairfax, Virginia. His knowledge in the area of Christianity and Islam is very profound. He has debated Dr. Ahmed Badawi, a high ranked and well known figure in Canada, and many others on this subject. Welcome.Dr. Labib, often times we hear Christian ministers and leaders saying there are three monotheistic, divine religions in the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam....
"
Robert Spencer - The Truth About Muhammad - Part 1 - Today's Christian Videos
"The Heritage Foundation: Robert Spencer knows a thing or two about the prophet Mohammed. His latest book, The Truth about Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion, looks at what Islam's founder actually did and taught."
"..26 April 570 – 8 June 632
Born in 570 CE in the Arabian city of Mecca,[8][9] he was orphaned at an early age and brought up under the care of his uncle Abu Talib. He later worked mostly as a merchant, as well as a shepherd, and was first married by age 25.[10] Discontented with life in Mecca, he retreated to a cave in the surrounding mountains for meditation and reflection. According to Islamic beliefs it was here, at age 40,[8][11] in the month of Ramadan, where he received his first revelation from God. Three years after this event Muhammad started preaching these revelations publicly, proclaiming that "God is One", that complete "surrender" to Him (lit. islām) is the only way (dīn)[n 3] acceptable to God, and that he himself was a prophet and messenger of God, in the same vein as other Islamic prophets.[7][12][13].
Muhammad gained few followers early on,[14] and was met with hostility from some Meccan tribes; he and his followers were treated harshly. To escape persecution, Muhammad sent some of his followers to Abyssinia[15] before he and his remaining followers in Mecca migrated to Medina (then known as Yathrib) in the year 622.[16] This event, the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, which is also known as the Hijri Calendar. In Medina, Muhammad united the tribes under the Constitution of Medina,.[16] After eight years of fighting with the Meccan tribes, his followers, who by then had grown to 10,000, conquered Mecca. Muhammad destroyed the symbols of paganism in Mecca[17] and then sent his followers out to destroy all of the remaining pagan temples throughout Eastern Arabia.[18][19]
In 632, a few months after returning to Medina from his Farewell pilgrimage, Muhammad fell ill and died. By the time of his death, most of the Arabian Peninsula had converted to Islam, and he had united the tribes of Arabia into a single Muslim religious polity.[20][21]
The revelations (or Ayah, lit. "Signs [of God]")—which Muhammad reported receiving until his death—form the verses of the Quran, regarded by Muslims as the “Word of God” and around which the religion is based. Besides the Quran, Muhammad’s life (sira) and traditions (sunnah) are also upheld by Muslims. They discuss Muhammad and other prophets of Islam with reverence, adding the phrase peace be upon him whenever their names are mentioned.[22] While conceptions of Muhammad in medieval Christendom and premodern times were largely negative, appraisals in modern history have been far less so.[13][23] His life and deeds have been debated and criticized by followers and opponents over the centuries.[24]..
LIfe
Childhood and early life
While still in his teens, Muhammad accompanied his uncle on trading journeys to Syria gaining experience in commercial trade, the only career open to Muhammad as an orphan.[10][57] Islamic tradition states that when Muhammad was either nine or twelve while accompanying the Meccans' caravan to Syria, he met a Christian monk or hermit named Bahira who is said to have foreseen Muhammed's career as a prophet of God.[58]
Beginnings of the Quran
..After returning home, Muhammad was consoled and reassured by Khadijah and her Christian cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal. Upon receiving his first revelations, he was deeply distressed and resolved to commit suicide.[46] He also feared that others would dismiss his claims as being possessed...
In 615, some of Muhammad's followers emigrated to the Ethiopian Aksumite Empire and founded a small colony there under the protection of the Christian Ethiopian emperor Aṣḥama ibn Abjar.[13][15]...
Muhammad later retracted the verses at the behest of Gabriel, claiming that the verses were whispered by the devil himself.[15][83][n 5] This episode known as "The Story of the Cranes" (translation: قصة الغرانيق, transliteration: Qissat al Gharaneeq) is also known as "Satanic Verses". Some scholars argued against its historicity on various grounds.[84] While this incident got widespread acceptance by early Muslims, strong objections to it were raised starting from the tenth century, on theological grounds....
Household
...Muhammad's life is traditionally defined into two periods: pre-hijra (emigration) in Mecca (from 570 to 622), and post-hijra in Medina (from 622 until 632). Muhammad is said to have had thirteen wives or concubines. (There are differing accounts on the status of some of them as wife or concubine.[211])[212] All but two of his marriages were contracted after the migration to Medina....
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Middle Eastern-Saudis of Saudi Arabia
Jesus (The Messiah) Son of Mary in Islam
Aṣḥama ibn Abjar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "..The very next day, Amr tried to play a trick, in order to sow dissension between al-Najashi and the Muslim refugees. Amr was greatly distressed, and promised Ja`far and other Muslims that he's going to cause a great schism between them and King Ashama. Amr arrived the next day at the court of Ashama, and demanded in his presence that the Muslims make known their creed about Jesus. This was a difficult situation because Jesus is not considered as the son of God in the Qur'an, and that was expected to greatly enrage a devout Christian like King Ashama. To this, he explained that Jesus is considered in Islam to be a messenger of God, the word of God, and the miraculously born son of the Virgin Mary. In reply to this statement, King Ashama made a line on the sand with his mace and said, "By God, Jesus is not more than what you have described him. By God, I will never give you up to anyone." He then declared that Muslims could live in Abyssinia for as long as they wished for. According to Muslim tradition, it is during this situation that King Ashama converted to Islam..
Some accounts state that Ashama read the Nikah at one of Muhammad's marriages.[4]
The Sahabī Abu Huraira narrates that Muhammad announced the death of al-Najashi (Ashama, cp. Negus, Negusa Nagast) on the same day that he died, and even before any news became known about it for anyone in the city...
"According to a source at MI5 � the British equivalent of the CIA � 1,500 white Britons are believed to have converted to Islam with the purpose of funding, planning, and carrying out surprise terror attacks, the newspaper reported.
Click here to read the full Scotland on Sunday report.
Security experts say the growing number of white terrorists poses a serious threat because they are less likely to be detected than members of the Asian community.
Terror groups like Al Qaeda reportedly began recruiting white non-Muslims in response to the success intelligence services have had in disrupting and stopping extremist plots around the world.
One reported strategy the terrorists use is to look for converts in prisons, where those in custody tend to be lonely and particularly susceptible. Recruiters comfort and support the inmate, with little mention � if any � to religion, according to the paper. Over time, conversations turn more radical.
One of leading Muslim leaders disputed the claims of radicalization, saying Islam's strict moral code made it unattractive to many Westerners, the paper reported."
"Muslims refuse to accept that God is one yet a Triune God. Father Zacariah explains this doctrine biblically and simply for Muslims to understand. For questions, write to: fs@hewaralhaq.com & contact@fealsameem.com"
Is Allah in the Bible?
*see Church History Tour from cheekytour.blogspot.com "
Our tour of the rich church history of England and Scotland in May, 2007.
"...Thirdly, it is often necessary to explain what the term "Son of God" in reference to Jesus does not mean. As already noted above, nowhere does the Holy Injil suggest that God takes Mary as a wife, that He procreates, and that Jesus therefore is the Son of God by virtue of His birth to Mary. God is no male deity! The Injil, like the Qur'an, speaks of Jesus as the son of the virgin Mary. In Arabic Jesus is called ibnu'llah not waladu'llah. Nor does the Injil sacrifice the fundamental Biblical affirmation that God is one. Nor does it suggest that somehow for Christians Jesus, as the Son of God, is another god associated with God, or that somehow Jesus, as the Son of God, is the second or third of three gods, or that somehow Jesus is elevated from His original position of man and servant to the status of the Son of God and then made to supplant the true God. In no way does the Holy Injil's affirmation of Jesus' Sonship transform Biblical monotheism into a subtle form of polytheism. God is one! And Jesus, the Son of God, confirms that God is one! Only after Muslims and Christians have established this common ground, can they proceed to discussion about who the one God is, what He does for mankind, what He expects from mankind, and how God is one while Jesus is the Son of God.
Fourthly, Christian belief in Jesus as the Son of God simply echoes the constant, insistent and consistent affirmation throughout the Injil that He is the Son of God. Contrary to what some Muslims suggest, normally with no evidence, Christians, including St. Saul, did not invent this title. For Christians to deny the Sonship of Jesus would mean that they should expunge all references in the Holy Injil to this title. If Christians were to do this, then they would be truly guilty of corrupting their Scriptures, just as many Muslims (but not the Qur'an) have felt Christians to have done. The Qur'an tells Christians that they are to judge according to the Injil (surah 5:46,47). It contains no reference to a corrupted or abrogated Injil.
Fifthly, and closely related to the previous points, Christians should encourage Muslims to read the Holy Injil with an open mind and heart and to compare both the Quranic and Biblical portrayals of Jesus' Sonship. Even if the Muslim rejects the Biblical portrayal of Jesus' Sonship after having seriously studied it, he should at least have understood the meaning of Jesus' Sonship as the Bible portrays it. Would the Muslim, after understanding the Biblical meaning of Jesus' Sonship, then entertain the possibility that the Quranic and Biblical portrayals of Jesus as the Son of God differ from each other, that the Qur'an rejects a concept of Jesus' Sonship which the Bible never affirms and could never affirm because it is really alien to the Biblical concept? Yet the Bible affirms Jesus to be the Son of God - in the Biblical sense of this term!
A frame of reference more congenial to the Islamic portrayal of Jesus may further help Muslims in understanding Jesus as the Son of God. Among the many names used of Jesus in the Qur'an, three especially can help elucidate the Christian understanding of His Sonship:
1. 'Abdu'llah -- "Servant of God" (surah 19:30)
2. Rasulu'llah -- "Apostle (messenger) of God" (surah 4:157)
3. Kalimatu'llah --"word of God" (surah 4:171) ...
40 Arabic Words - Inspirational Videos
"The Qur'an denies, in a single ayah (verse), that Jesus the Messiah was crucified. By denying this historical reality, the Qur'an forces its followers to not only reject one of the most certain events of history itself, but by so doing it separates them
from the life-giving message of the cross of Jesus Christ. From Alpha Omega Ministries: It is our sincere hope that Muslims will know we present this with true love in our hearts for them, and in the hope that they will see their need for Christ's work, and
will submit in repentance and faith to His lordship. Get the tshirt here: http://www.zazzle.com/3340_shirt-235342373277074339 For more information on the Christian faith, and for responses to the claims of Islam, see the videos on this channel, and the information
available at www.aomin.org"
"Assad was a faithful Muslim who was often concerned about whether or not his life was pleasing to God. After meeting a Christian family, he wanted to know what was so different about their lives, but he had a very difficult time accepting the fact that Jesus claimed to be God and not just a good man. He tells how Jesus eventually revealed himself"
From Allah to Christ. Kouresh journey to find True God
"Kouresh,Testimony of former muslim who left Islam for Christ "
"�If I had not become a Christian I would have been a Taliban,� says Brother John, a full-blooded Pashtun, and founder of a ministry devoted to presenting biblical Christianity within an Islamic context. His houses near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan are lined with prayer rugs, and have the feel of an Eastern worship center. They�re completely filled with Islamic books except for one�the Bible."
Entire Muslim Family Finds Jesus
"Emmanuel moved to the Ivory Coast from Jamaica and then found Christ there. He prayed for his wife, Ramada to find Jesus too. Eventually, both former Muslims were Christian, and they started seeing miracles in their life. Now they are very happy because they have Jesus in their lives and know the true God"
Converted to Christianity "# Mehdi Dibaj - Iranian pastor and Christian activist[7] # Qadry Ismail - former American football player[19] "He now makes occasional appearances as an NFL analyst on ESPNEWS and is a track and field coach for West Boca Raton Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida where he lives with his wife and three children. Later in life he and Raghib converted to Christianity[1]."
# Tuğ�e Kazaz - Turkish model; Miss Turkey 2001[28]
# Abdul Rahman - Afghan convert to Christianity who escaped the death penalty because of foreign pressure[31] "In 1990, when working as a staff member for a Catholic non-governmental aid group providing medical assistance to Afghan refugees in Peshawar, Pakistan, he came in touch with Christianity and subsequently converted to the Catholic Church.[8] After his conversion he adopted the Biblical name Joel.[9]
In 1993, he moved to Germany and later unsuccessfully sought asylum in Belgium before returning to Afghanistan[10] in 2002 after the fall of the Taliban government.
Abdul Rahman's wife divorced him because of his conversion to Christianity.[10] In the ensuing custody battle over the couple's two daughters[11], who had been raised by Abdul Rahman's parents during his absence[7], the mother's family raised the issue of his religion as grounds for denying him custody.[11]...
When facing a possible death sentence, Abdul Rahman held firm to his convictions: "They want to sentence me to death and I accept it� I am a Christian, which means I believe in the Trinity� I believe in Jesus Christ." [19]" Daniel Ali- former Iraqi Kurdish Muslim scholar and writer; evangelizes in Catholic, Protestant and Messianic Jewish circles. "1959 (age 48�49), is an Iraqi Kurdish author, speaker and Islamic scholar. He was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and lived through the ethnic cleansing and Anfal campaign during the Baathist period from 1975 to 1988. He has published two books Inside Islam: A Guide for Catholics in 2003, and Out of Islam, Free at Last, in 2007. He moved to the United States in 1993, was baptized in 1995, and entered the Catholic Church in 1998. He has worked with the Jesuit Mitch Pacwa and travels around the United States speaking to wide audiences about Islam, and Iraq. [1]"
"In this rarely seen documentary, an undercover look at Muslim extremism in Britain. Undercover reporters go inside a Mosque and expose radicalism towards women and other religions."
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