Anyone a Muslim? I need help to explain the reason Saddam

[I_Make_Mistakes]

was executed when he was Eid (edit to correct Edi to Eid) starts sun up in Iraq (it's probably already started), Night line touched on this and I want to make sure that I appropriately state the issue.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. they waited till just after Edi was over

the significance? I have no freakin idea either. :shrug:

[I_Make_Mistakes]

12. Viva it Eid, I spelled it wrong, just wanted to let u know!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. This Eid lasts for 4 days

We're Muslim, and neither of us can figure out the timing, either. Supposedly it's Iraqi law to forbid executions on religious holidays. I guess they slipped it in the nick of time.

[sillyphoenix]

6. Does the Muslim calendar start days at sundown or sunrise?

'cause if it's the former, then technically, quarter to seven in the morning is the middle of the religious day... and didn't they want to get it in before the Eid started?

I'm really, really confused.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

11. That's what Nightline said. They also said that it could send a

message to the region.

After 911, I spent a lot of time on Beliefnet trying to learn about Islam. I thought I knew the top level stuff, but tonight I find out that there are two Eid's (the one following Ramadan I knew about, but this is following the Hajj (I hope that I spelled that correctly).

Am I correct that the Shia do not celebrate the Hajj Eid? or at least at this time? I guessed by Hajj is to Mecca and that would be Sunni territory, right? I just don't want to sound disrespectful of Islam.

Eid, was the reason, but I don't know enough to explain this further. I'd appreciate your insight.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I was talking to a friends of mine who is Muslim

the feast is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar, as it closes the month of Ramadan

It gets worst... this man was executed on the Arab Sabbath and if they did not miss the dawn, at the beginning of one of the highest holy days in Islam. It celebrates the Sacrifice of Jacob of Issac...

Either way, bad news

The equivalent, think of executing somebody just before Holy Friday... or if you are Jewish right at the beginning of Yom Kipur.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

4. Just a minor correction

There are two Eids. The Eid you refer to was the previous Eid, which we celebrate at the end of Ramadan. The Eid starting now celebrates the end of the Hajj. You're correct about celebrating Abraham's sacrifice.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. It was over IM

and I am not, but I asked, what the heck?

Either way... all faiths have this in common, no executing somebody on holy days... it looks to me they missed that and rightfully so people will be angry

[illinoisprogressive]

7. It would be interesting to talk

to you and other muslims about life here since Bush. I have often wondered how it felt to be singled out and have threats or people who think they are so tough trash. I am half french and I know it was really surprising to see the hate for us after all the years of people liking the french. My mother lives alone and I worried about her.
But, you must have to go through so much. I am sorry for people who hate.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I am not muslim, I am jewsih

but a friend of mine is, she is also Turk and boy do we have interesting IM conversations

We explain things to each other... and boy has life really gotten weird for many in her community.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

10. I'm Caucasian and my husband's Pakistani

I've never worn hijab, so people wouldn't know I'm Muslim unless I tell them (although I don't wear short skirts and revealing clothing). I haven't been as concerned as my husband about misguided people's attitudes since 9/11, but that's because I'm literally willing to be killed for my right to speak out. I don't put anti-Bush bumper stickers on my car anymore because it bothers him that people will see him driving the car and get upset and maybe do something, nor do I wear my anti-Bush t-shirts when I'm with him, but I sure do when I'm going somewhere alone!

We lived in Pittsburgh when 9/11 happened (now we're in Dallas). My husband's Hindu colleague was going to a movie the weekend after 9/11, and when he came out of the movie he found his brand new car dented and with paint thrown on it. He assumed it was kids who thought he was Muslim. A young Pitt student who was Pakistani was assaulted while walking down the street merely because his assailant thought he was a terrorist.

People can be so hateful and ignorant. I really wish these people would open their minds and just listen for five minutes; maybe they'd learn something. But that seems to be asking for too much.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

13. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Islam consider the sacrifice

to be that of Ishmael, the first born of Abraham (Christian sp.)?

I know it is minor, but I think if we understand each other's beliefs we can truly have an honest inter-faith dialog.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Yes, from what my freind explained

it is important to start to udnerstand each other

What amazes both my friend and I are the many similarities between teh faiths, that is where the bridges should be built, at least IMHO

[I_Make_Mistakes]

15. Agreed, and at least from a Biblical perspective, Ismael was

indeed the first born of Hagar and Abraham.

Nadin, I have great respect for your knowledge and I believe you have a military background, that also aids in this discussion. Nightline said this Eid thing could send a message to the region, if you read below, I believe (not sure that the Shia do not celebrate the Hajj Eid), what is the message and to whom. I know that you may not know, but this is the pressing issue right now!

That is at least what I am trying to determine. I think the Muslims would have a better chance of unmasking this, but, I DO think the message Eid vs. execution is really important!

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. I was a medic (in the reserves of the Mexican Army)

that is my background. My husband was a Chief in the USN... still a Chief, retired

As to the significance, there is a message there... definitely.

My guess is... one of two

1.- We executed a secularist... who no longer was a Muslim

2.- We will do what we need to do to make you follow the straight and narrow.

They have enacted Sharia law, as part of the Constitution

Watching the Power of Nightsaees right now

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x664

And a nugget of the message may be in there

[I_Make_Mistakes]

17. I too started watching The Power of Nightmares from ur previous

post, by the way thanks for that!

It could mean, that the Kurdish/Shia dominated Iraqi Government is respecting the Hajj Eid, because I am only guessing that the Hajj is mostly attended by Sunni's because it is in Saudi Arabia. I will not press you anymore tonight, I do believe that only a Muslim could provide an insight into the meaning of this "supposed message".

Have a Happy New Years and see ya around!

[jaysunb]

8. Here's an in depth look at what it means...

<snip>
First, the festival marks the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is one of the most important parts of the muslim year. The prayers and kutba (sermon) beginning the Eid celebration are the culmination of the pilgrimage.

The second, and more significant in this case, aspect of Eid ul Adha is that it marks the muslim prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael at the command of God (You may know these characters better as Abraham and Isaac). This festival’s name is often translated as the Feast of Sacrifice. While regional traditions vary, Eid ul Adha is normally celebrated by a family group sacrificing a lamb and sharing it equally amongst relatives and the poor. This is a day which usually combines something akin to American/Christian ideas of Thanksgiving and Easter: there is a pervading sense of thankfulness for the bounty of God and an emphasis on both charity and feasting as a manifestation, at the same time there are constant rememberances of sacrifice in the name of God.

<more here >
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/28/195350/82