Radical Iraqi Cleric Calls America 'Enemy of Islam'

[54anickel]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56522-2004Apr30.html

NAJAF, Iraq -- Tribal chiefs and police tried to find a negotiated solution Friday to the U.S. standoff with radical Shiite cleric Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who defiantly vowed that "America is the enemy of Islam."

There were signs, however, that al-Sadr was ready to compromise if he can avoid arrest.

Despite hundreds of U.S. troops outside Najaf, Sadr was able to move from his office in the holy city to the main mosque in the neighboring city of Kufa to deliver the weekly Friday sermon to followers.

He has moved freely between Najaf and Kufa every Friday for noon prayers for the past three weeks, and a U.S. commander suggested his troops are holding off capturing Sadr to avoid provocations while negotiations continue.

more...

[truthspeaker]

1. I'd like to think he's wrong

but under the current administration he's probably right. They certainly haven't done a good job of differentiating Al Qaeda from other Muslims.

[jonnyblitz]

4. yup

I agree. sad but true... :thumbsup:

[olacan]

5. Thats

why the Muslims in America are so persecuted, (I know a FEW incidents). In Michigan the last I heard they (the Muslims) were even sounding daily calls to prayer over PA systems. This against the wishes of a lot of non Muslims. It will take a lot of time to convince some people that we do practice religious freedom. Not freedom from religion but if you want no part of it no one is forcing you to take part.

[Pallas180]

11. OTOH - how would you like to live next to that p.a. system broadcasting

daily prayers 5 times a day and not be a Muslim?

Lots of people go nuts from church bells ringing and they only do that on
Sundays. Think about 5 times a day beginning at 5 am.

The whole idea of religious freedom is to have yours and not interfere with anyone else's.

[mobuto]

6. No, the US is not the enemy of Muslims

And the Bush Administration isn't either. But the Iraq war does make it a lot easier for those who would argue that the US is.

[54anickel]

7. I would like to agree with you mobuto, and in the most strict sense -

you are correct. The US and the Shrub Admin have not declared war on Muslims so technically you are correct. But the actions of the US and many citizens beg to differ. Take into consideration the bans head scarfs - what is that all about, certainly not tolerance. The mistreatment of the Iraqi prisoners do not help in countering Sadr's claim either.

So you say the Iraq war makes it easier for those who would argue the US in the enemy of Muslims. Far enough. But what would be your recommendation to counter that? That is what our administration needs to be doing - beyond simple rhetoric and "marketing". What actions should be taken?

[mobuto]

8. What head scarf ban?

I averaged close to a 20 hour work day last week and have only read snippets of news, so I may have missed something. The only significant head scarf ban I was aware of was the one in French schools. I don't think that the fact that some Iraqi prisoners are mistreated supports the claim that the US is fighting a war on Islam either. Are they mistreated specifically because they're Muslim? I don't think so. And if that's the case, how come the United States doesn't regularly mistreat non-Iraqi Muslims? And are secular Iraqis treated significantly differently than the religious?

But what would be your recommendation to counter that?

Absolutely nothing. I don't think there is any magic bullet solution to that misperception. I certainly don't think there's anything the US can do in Iraq to change Muslims' minds. There are, however, fairly obvious ways to minimize the effects of that perception - by internationalizing security and rebuilding operations, bringing in a UN mandate, etc. The Islamic World may think of the United States as a Crusader State for decades to come, but an internationalized Iraq will be seen less as its offspring. Moreover, if a stable, democratic, pro-Western government ever forms in Iraq, it will make the US look less bad.

Beyond all this, there are various marketing techniques than can work, but only slowly. US aid to the Islamic World, if done right, can win hearts and minds. But US aid to Egypt and Saudi Arabia has done the opposite. The Bush Administration seems to think that there are marketing gimicks out there that can change everything. They're wrong.

[54anickel]

10. Soory about that. It was an isolated incident. I should have been more

clear in my rant.

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/28/408f19c34e5c5

snip>
While the French government passed this law, a similar debate was stirring in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Prior to last August, Nashala Hearn had never previously worn a headscarf. Nashala’s father had told his daughter it would be her choice if she wanted to wear the Islamic garb. When the school year began at Benjamin Franklin Science Academy in Muskogee, Nashala told her father she would like to begin wearing a headscarf to her sixth-grade classes. Nashala wore the headscarf to school for several weeks without incident. Then, without provocation, Nashala was twice suspended from her public school for breaking dress code.

Muskogee School Superintendent Eldon Gleichman has claimed the district is simply adhering to dress-code rules that prohibit headwear. He has also defended the district’s position citing that if Nashala is allowed to wear her headscarf, then “gangs and Satanists” would be able to abuse the decision.

While it may be true that Muskogee school officials were simply trying to maintain a consistent dress-code policy, a certain degree of common sense must enter the equation. School dress codes should not infringe upon the religious rights of individuals. In the case of Nashala, this is exactly what was happening.

[alfredo]

2. Some supporting evidence

[gottaB]

3. Curious, they changed the headline, added "radical"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56506-2004Apr30.html

Another version:

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=1660

[Chicago Democrat]

9. NY Times sucks