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Friday, February 21, 2014

A brutal power play in East

A brutal power play:

1. Setting the scene

It seems that some EU politicians have been setting the tone for Ukraine, notably its contempt for the elected government. Jelko Kacin, MEP and EU representative for the Balkans, stated in a TV interview, (Sarajevo) released on the 12th february: 

 "If you follow the developments in the Ukraine, you will see in a week or two how we treat the irresponsible political elite."

Recently, Srdja Trifkovic gave an interview on RT about the situation in Ukraine, where he mentioned: “What we are looking at, objectively, is that from the phase of demonstrations, early on, the protests had degenerated into hooliganism in mid-December, and into terrorism since January 19.” Indeed, there are reports of “peaceful” demonstrators” storming & raiding state armouries and this is despite some serious amount of appeasement from the government in the beginning of January, to stop the spiral of violence.

Comparisons have been made between Bosnia and Ukraine, even before the latest upsurge in violence in Maidan square, euphemistically labelled as “clashes” by the MSM. Former German envoy to Bosnia, Christian Schwarz-Schilling stated pretty much the same, that “a violent movement is more than likely to emerge” in Bosnia.  This was in response to the outbreak of protests in Bosnia, including Tuzla, Sarajevo, Mostar, Bihac and Zenica.  This was in an interview dated the 09/02/14 in DW. One very interesting comment (on Bosnian politicians) is:  “The politics that they have practiced must be stopped immediately. The privileges they have enjoyed for too long from old times now must be curtailed. But this would necessitate involvement from the international community. And I don’t see that coming. “ Well maybe not yet, since bloody chaos is taking place in Kiev. Not being a political expert nor have I been watching this topic, I still find that these words are remarkable & oddly similarly spoken both about Bosnia & Ukraine. Did anyone of the EU or the “international community” speak in a similar tone before the Kiev protests? Has anyone managed to catch any similar words being expressed about Ukrainian politicians back in November or before?

 2. Do as I say not as I do

 What kind of mind-set is at work where a democratically elected president is being told to leave & be forced out of office by the rule of armed mobs? Did anyone notice the contrast in the language spoken in Washington & Brussels about Ukraine, and that of President Morsi’s overthrow in Egypt? Obama wants the elected Ukrainian government “not resort to violence when dealing with peaceful protesters”. What about the signals transmitted by the likes of the State Department’s Victoria Nuland in Kiev, giving out cookies in December and then in her "Nuland-Pyatt Conversation".

On a side-line, it is also noteworthy, that the Bosnian riots turned peaceful after the 8th of February but the protesters have “vowed not to give up on their cause”. (Wikipedia, 2014 unrest in BiH, 2014). * It was equally amazing to hear very little condemnation of the violence by EU politicians, particularly by Ashton who said: “ The leadership needs to be aware of issues raised by people…” I suppose that’s one way of saying it. On the other hand, Croatia called for “an immediate cessation of violence”. In fact only of the few voices that spoke about the events in a rational manner was Aleksandar Vucic, “There is no need to solve political problems by setting buildings on fire, using violence and beating up police.” The British foreign secretary simply mentioned “What happened in Bosnia is a wake-up call”. Umhh, don’t press the snooze button any time soon.

The Bosnian protests are still simmering: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/19/anti-government-protests-continue-bosnia. "Europe will try to use this crisis as an opportunity," a Western diplomat told Reuters and others are trying to pin the blame on the Dayton Accord. The greatest hypocrite must come be the Turkish foreign minister, (who was in Sarajevo on the 12th February) who said: "Today is the day to act in Bosnia and we must not wait any longer.” This is the foreign minister of a country that has its own regular protests, who are getting hosed down with water cannons and tear gassed; where peaceful protests last year ended in violence and bloodshed.

 3. Malevolence from the West

Cynically, this is just one element of a long power play, at times very brutal, highly vindictive in nature, which is progressively going towards Russia’s door. Take note of this comment in the UK’s Guardian: “The result is a deepening of the crisis that will affect not only the fate of Ukraine, but that of Russia, the European Union and the United States.” It potentially gives the EU, & the USA the opportunity to move in and break the “old regime”, change habits and re-mould the Ukrainian political landscape into its own image. (Cue Serbia, Georgia, Ukraine x1, Egypt x 2, Libya and an attempt on Syria).

Some may wonder why another red line is being drawn. A possible clue is  that Ukraine exports Russia's natural gas to Europe.  The areas in which the pipelines are located are also the areas that are out of reach of the Ukrainian government's control.

Similar words are being spoken about the Bosnian political elite too, but no red lines as yet are drawn, just being talked about at the moment.  The question for how long?

 Notes & references:

http://grayfalcon.blogspot.fr/2014/02/jelkos-confession.html.

Delegation for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo (and guess where else?) Ukraine and Iraq: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/23691/JELKO_KACIN_home.html;jsessionid=F20FB9B5FEB5BCE4D0BBF8FD5C5FB3FE.node2

The original video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDigGyhhlw0&feature=share&list=UUGySVuPJyGOnRSRegCsIICQ&index=1 (from 15:25 onwards to just 16:00), published on the 12th February.

 A transcript of a video interview with Srdja Trifkovic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKkiazCsZ8M www.dw.de/bosnia-its-just-like-ukraine/a-17420506

 http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/obama-threatens-consequences-for-ukraine-violence/article5708778.ece

 * (Historical archive documents were destroyed during the rioting, possibly of significant interest).

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/11/us-bosnia-unrest-future-insight-idUSBREA1A0B120140211

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/19/ukraine-repercussions-world

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Convert condemned to death

En francais Charles Le Bourgeois a rencontré Joseph Fadelle, un ancien musulman condamné à mort pour s’être converti au catholicisme. http://youtu.be/R_2Gu3Slp3Y

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

opening doors to the plight of Christians in peril


Christian flash mobs in Germany:



Let's have more of this right across Europe and elsewhere. VISIBILITY. These events were organised by the charity Open Doors. HOW? Well here's a start?

In the UK: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/
Worldwide:   http://www.opendoors.org/

HELP with their work in Syria:
http://www.opendoorsuk.org/campaign/savesyria/forms/signup.php?src=footlnk

1. SIGN THE GLOBAL PETITION
2. DONATE TIME or MONEY







Being a Copt child in Egypt

http://www.christian-dogma.com/vb/showthread.php?p=3386564

Cyril Rif‘at Fayiz from the Minya region in Egpyt was kidnapped by “unknown persons”. A ransom of early the equivalent of $150,000 USD, was later demanded by his captors.

Why? Because he just happens to be a Copt, a Christian, one of millions living in Egypt, under the thumb of Islam since 642AD. Seen as second rate citizens, which is convenient for others to harass, kidnap and murder with impunity.

Here is something that I did a while back:  Ok no MB in power but still that doesn't that the Copts are safe, Islam is Islam and will subjugate and repress others.


 

La France

Raised Muslim now Jewish - changing perceptions

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=14755
Escape from Gaza and hate, now Jewish.
Story one 

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/01/the-trials-and-hopes-of-a-jordanian-muslim-named-yitzhak-rabin/282764/
One family's 18-year quest to honor Israel's slain prime minister—and escape the resulting backlash.
Story two


And on a side note, in the West, the mainstream media regularly disparage Israel for its "bad human rights" towards the Arabs.  When I say, vanity, it is because it is their warped pride of having been defeated by the Jews, while trying to overpower and destroy the state of Israel, in 1948,   (1967, 1974).  But that's not what all it seems on the ground, judging by:

If only 1

Notice the lack of empathy, the blatant manipulation of entire generations by Arab countries, a vanity exercise with the result:

Syria and Lebanon are among the Arab countries that declined to accept Arabs from pre-state Israel as citizens, insisting instead that they - and their children, grandchildren and all future descendants – remain known as “refugees” with the right to “return” to Israel.

If only 2
http://youtu.be/LE3K49fEGv0

Snapshot of foreign jihadists in Syria

According to a BBC online article dated the 25/10/13, there were a total of:

"...scores of Europeans who have travelled to Syria in the last few years. Various estimates put the figure at 500-600."

I did some searching on the WWW and came up with these figures from various press and organisational sites: does it only add to 600? NO. In fact, more, a lot more.





These graphs are an approximate snapshot of the numbers per country, (mostly from the West or non-Islamic in nature).   The information is based on stated figures in a wide range of media articles, as well as reports on the issue.  If anyone has other figures then please let me know.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

An atheist gets religious asylum


 An Afghan turns away from Islam, while living as a refugee in the UK and becomes an atheist.
BBC article

Here are some quotes from the BBC article:

"They said the man's return to Afghanistan could result in a death sentence under Sharia law as an apostate - someone who has abandoned their religious faith - unless he remained discreet about his atheist beliefs."

"But because every aspect of daily life and culture in Afghanistan is permeated by Islam living discreetly would be virtually impossible, they said." 


Judging by the range of comments, there is support for this person's case since there are a number of commentators stating that "all religions can be dangerous".  However the best comment is this one:

"I LOVE the "oh that's alright then" type comments from Atheists who, had this man declared himself any other faith would demand he be sent back.

People who flee cruelty from their home country should always be welcome in a country that is civilised."

The Islamic states of the world, from 1450 to today MAP


Dont' notice the initial fast expansion of Islam into Europe, including Spain. 
This map is very selective as it starts in 1450.

The lack of other notable invasions from the East is not clearly identified, yet the later maps for 1925 clearly mentioned European colonisation as being a factor. You can see the huge hit that India suffered as well as the fractionation into different political entities.  It starts

(M. Izady/Gulf 2000 Project)
(M. Izady/Gulf 2000 Project)

Terror attack maps

 Business as normal...   Every single terrorist attack in 2012 was logged by The University of Maryland-based National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.

Click to enlarge. (Start GTD)
http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2013/12/brunt-global-terrorist-attacks-born-three-countries/75824/?oref=d-interstitial-continue?oref=d-interstitial-continue   

Walls in the world Map

Speaks for itself really.

What was the fuss about the Israeli wall, Rector of St James church, as it is not  really the only separation wall in the world? Is she going to build a replica wall of the Saudi - Iraq wall for instance, for the next Christmas London stunt?

Source: "Atlas des migrants en Europe. Géographie critique des politiques migratoires européenne," Armand Colin. (Nicolas Lambert / MigrEurop)
Source: "Atlas des migrants en Europe. Géographie critique des politiques migratoires européenne," Armand Colin. (Nicolas Lambert / MigrEurop)

Modern day Slavery Map





The comment in the Washington Post does not explain but merely describes the practice of modern day slavery and includes the following statement:

"It's highest in Mauritania, a shocking four percent, due in part to social norms tolerating the practice." (Italics mine -  I wonder what this could be?? dohhhh.   The Washington Post cites slavery in Sub-Saharan countries as a legacy of:


 "The legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and European colonialism are still playing out in the region; ethnic divisions and systems of economic exploitation engineered there during the colonial era are still, to some extent, in place. Slavery is also driven by extreme poverty, high levels of corruption and toleration of child "marriages" of young girls to adult men who pay their parents a "dowry.""


What a load of claptrap and very misleading. Slavery existed, often as a African tribe practice, then this was further exacerbated by the arrival of Islam and its  slave trade, which is well documented.  This started a long time before any Europeans came on the scene to "take their pickings". The Washington Post conveniently overlooked this primary deep rooted legacy.  Maybe it is linked to the social norms that were mentioned in the main article. Source:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/10/17/this-map-shows-where-the-worlds-30-million-slaves-live-there-are-60000-in-the-u-s/


Share of each country's population that is enslaved. Data source: Walk Free Global Slavery Index. (Max Fisher/Washington Post)

A bit of visual history

Interesting to see the complete lack of information for the Mediterranean region. The map is a visual depiction of British, Dutch and Spanish shipping routes in the period from 1750 to 1800. The sparsity of ships travelling in the Mediterranean shows the reality at the time of the dramatic impact of the Berber pirates had on European shipping.


Data source: Climatological Database for the World’s Oceans (James Cheshire)
Data source: Climatological Database for the World’s Oceans (James Cheshire)

Saturday, January 11, 2014

The words pastor Martin Niemoller

The profound words written by the German pastor Martin Niemoller about the apathy of individuals in face of a totalitarian  ideology marking its mark in the 1930s.  

Fast forward to 2014,  his words are still relevant to us.  Although nazism is not the main concern, we are still faced with the increasing intolerance  of Islam, the version propagated by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.  The states wield considerable influence among the ruling elites in North America and the EU. Even the likes of Serbia are in awe of UAE power and money.    They are oblivious to the dangers of  changing their societies to accommodate and import the kind of ideology and culture that is undemocratically imposed in the Arabian Peninsula.  

Theses Islamic states underpin a raft of anti semitism,mysognistic  practices and also take a very dim view of any type of dissent and visible evidence of other non-Muslims faiths. We are aware of the every increasing persecutions of Christians in Syria, through either forced conversion,  exile or death are the options given by the jihadis.   The backers of the jihadis are Saudi Arabia and Qatar,  well what a surprise there!  One minute they own football clubs in London and Paris, the next minute more money gets directed to the Syrian jihadis.  One minute, we put Saudi fuel into our cars, the next minute, Saudi money goes to a myriad of places, obstentially  to promote, dawa,  Islamic outreach andProselytizing programmes.  

It is very disconcerting to see the amount of funds that is going to extremely violent, hateful groups who want to create a unified community of Muslims, known as the caliphate.  (If that doesn't remind you and bear similarities to the 1930 and 1940s plan in Germany, then you need to look into this  further).  The Arabian peninsula brand of Islam has taken hold hold right across the world. 

You may think that this does not concern me at the moment.  

They came for the Christians in the Middle East, but I didn't speak out because I'm not a Christian in the Middle East.  Then they come for the Jews in the Middle East, I don't speak out because I don't live there either.   They came for the critics of Islam and Muslims, charged them with hate crime and racism, but I didn't batter an eyelid because I'm not an 'islamophobe'.    


Friday, January 10, 2014

Under persecution and pressure for being Christian


I've made a rough list, work in progress, on the estimated numbers of Christians. Where possible I've tried to give information on the larger  denominations.   This list reflects the ongoing persecution of Christians, in relation to actual violence perpetrated by Islamists, the negative impact that they have towards Christians. Additionally, the likes of Lebanon and Palestine are included due to the strong influence of Islamist political groups in the area.

Lately there have been articles in the media, in the UK, the US and in France about the persecution, but little details on the actual numbers that are actively targeted or under pressure for their faith, are forthcoming.

1. Syria  - about 2,300,000 prior to the start of the civil war.
2. Egypt - 6 to 10 million, ( most are Copts,  up to 8 million).
3. Iraq - 300,000 left (1.4 million in 1980).
4. Pakistan - 2, 500,000 Christians.
5. Bangladesh - 450, 000 approximately.
6. Indonesia - 7 million Catholics, (3%) and 5.7 % are Protestants.
7. Palestine -50,000 down from 173,000 in the 90s.
8. Lebanon - 1.5 million in total
9.Malaysia -harassment   - 2,500,000 Christians
10. should go to Iran - 300,000 aprox figures.

If you know of specific or more precise info, then please send me them.  Many thanks!


Really want peace and tolerance across the board?



If Muslim organizations in North America, Europe and Australia want all non- Muslims to respect them and tolerate Islam in our midst then they list of suggestions, (from jihad Watch website), might provide some really useful pointers:
 They can call upon Muslim individuals and groups to:
1. Focus their indignation on Muslims committing violent acts in the name of Islam, not on non-Muslims reporting on those acts.

2. Renounce definitively, sincerely, honestly, and in deeds, not just in comforting words, not just "terrorism," but any intention to replace Western constitutions (or the constitutions of any non-Muslim state) with Sharia even by peaceful means. In line with this, clarify what is meant by their condemnations of the killing of innocent people by stating unequivocally that non-Muslim civilians, including Israelis, are innocent people, teaching accordingly in mosques and Islamic schools, and behaving in accord with these new teachings.

3. Teach, again sincerely and honestly, in transparent and verifiable ways in mosques and Islamic schools, the imperative of Muslims coexisting peacefully as equals with non-Muslims on an indefinite basis, and act accordingly.

4. Begin comprehensive international programs in mosques all over the world to teach sincerely against the ideas of violent jihad and Islamic supremacism.

5. Actively and honestly work with Western law enforcement officials to identify and apprehend jihadists within Western Muslim communities.


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Chalk and cheese

News round up 2

"The power of the Church does not lie within itself or its ability to organize, but hides in the deep waters of God" and the Gospel cannot be proclaimed "with inquisitorial beatings of condemnation. No, the Gospel is preached gently, with fraternity and love", with an open heart , "always longing " for God,   Words spoken by Pope Francis' homily during Mass this week.  

How refreshing to see this, when we can see the calls for hate, destruction and warfare by Islamic clerics. On a local scale,  just compare this to what happened in Lebanon lately, where a library run by a Christian priest was torched by mob,who  were given the green light by a local Islamic cleric.   

On a more disturbing level, look at the example of the Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah,  who said it is " necessary to destroy all churches in the region".  This is the true face of a widely exported version of Islam, called Wahhabism. Where is the 'love' and 'fraternity' in this statement.   He could be viewed as almost being the Muslim counterpart of the Pope, as he wields considerable influence in Islamic issues. Imagine if the Pope had called for the destruction of mosques in Europe, the outcry would instantaneous and tremendous in its intensity.   The Sheik based his pronouncement, fatwa, on the sayings of the prophet Muhammad, (known as a Hadith), that there are not to be two religions in the Arabian peninsula. Effectively, he is mandating extreme bigotry and violence against Christianity and also Judaism as well.  

Destruction: state of ruin, devastation or act of destroying.

We in the West blissfully ignore this type of  provocation,  aided and abetted by the mainstream media as well  cowardly politicians in charge of us.   The vision of Christianity that the Pope stated is far far different from that of the grand mufti. For long, can we delude ourselves that we Christians can counter this bigotry and incitement to violent with ignorance.  The likes of the Grand Mufti will not respond to our 'love and fraternity' in a similar fashion.  That's clear from his fatwa. We are sleep walking into a more destructive society, as our inability to respond to  the power of the Islamic world,  which unlike the Catholic Church, does  engage  in the violent persecution and destruction of those who try to stand up to it.



Wednesday, January 8, 2014

US and Muslim and a zombie

A US judge in 2012 stated the following:

In many other Muslim-speaking countries, err, excuse me, many Arabic-speaking countries, predominantly Muslim, something like this is definitely against the law there, in their society. In fact, it could be punished by death, and frequently is, in their society.

He was presiding over a trial involving a Muslim defending who had allegedly attacked an atheist dressed as a zombie Muhammad, during an Halloween parade.  What's even more interesting that there was also a zombie Pope in the parade, who wasn't assaulted by an angry Catholic.   The words of the judge is disturbing, even more so given the fact that he made it obvious that he was a Muslim himself. 

This is a striking attitude of certain Muslims, 1. To act violently against perceived insults to their faith; and 2 the way that other Muslims don't admonish the violence act but in fact support the act of the perpetrator.  

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/atheist-choked-by-muslim-and-then/#jDBAKTR1GXKYzW0g.99

Dakar and North Africa



The Dakar motorsport rally was formerly known as "The Paris–Dakar Rally.  It started in 1978 and ended getting cancelled in 2008 due to terrorist threats in Mauritania.  Subsequently it is now annually held in Argentina and Chile.  

“Cancelled due to safety fears”

The organisers were forced to cancel the 2008 rally because of a poor security condition in North Africa.   Very little detailed  information is made known about the reasons for this cancellation.  It is directly linked to the murder of 4 French tourists in Mauretania in Dec 2007.  The rally organisers themselves received direct threats from terrorists groups. Here is an extract of the statement issued at the time:

"Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation could be taken.”

The Islamic angle - "al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb" (Qaedat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Maghrib al-Islami)
Who were these terrorists, as unnamed in much of the internet articles on the Dakar Rally.   The clue is this: AQMI.   Digging down further on the internet (in French press), reveals  that the original grave concern was due to an communique issued on the 29 December 2007, denouncing the Mauritanian authorities, their support in providing safety and security to the event.  Moreover, the attack on the French tourists was also attributed to the work of AQMI.

So basically, since 2009, the Rally organisers are playing it very safe by holding the event far from troublesome North Africa areas.   Parts of the rally ‘stages’ had been previously skipped due to security concerns, but 2008 the whole event was cancelled.  This shows the reality that the ongoing poor security and presence of Islamic terrorists have at times since 2009, gained the upper hand, i.e. Mali in 2013.  This group are well-funded through the proceeds of kidnappings; see the New York Times “Kidnappings fuels extremistsin Western Africa”. In the article, a local commander said” Lots of Western countries are paying enormous sums to the jihadists.” 

realpolitik

One former Canadian hostage wrote about his experience in a book, “A Season in Hell: My 130 Days in the Sahara with Al Qaeda.” He talked about the mentality and mind-set of his kidnappers: “There’s no doubt of their faith: they would sit chanting in the full Sahara sun for hour after hour.” Mr. Fowler added: “They are realists in the sense that they understand realpolitik. They understand pressure on governments.” Coming back in a full circle, we see the direct consequence of their successful pressure, when watch the progress of the Dakar Rally in Argentina or Chile. 

Blast from the past

The question we need ask ourselves, why are allowing Western governments to cave into the terrorists, by paying huge ransom pay to the jihadists.   Perversely, this has a matching echo, one from the past, not from land-based jihadists, but their seagoing counterparts, in the form of the Barbary Pirates.  That is another story in itself. 



















handing over





US Secretary of State John Kerry has recently proposed a number of controversial topics, in talks with the Palestinian leadership.  One official said, "Kerry's recent ideas focus on handing over parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian National Authority and that Jordan will have the jurisdiction on holy sites and places in the city."

Not a good idea, especially if it entails handing over Jewish and Christian places of worship. Why is this so, I hear you say. Well, just look at the way that the main mosque in Jerusalem is managed,  (very shoddily), as such, it would not bode well for other non-Muslim places of worship.

“In 1948, when the Jordanian government occupied Judea and Samaria, the Al-Aqsa Mosque was placed under the Jordanian Waqf Ministry, which oversees Islamic sites. In 1967, when Israel won the Six-Day-War and regained control over Jerusalem, it did not take control of Al-Aqsa. Instead, Israel transferred control of the mosque to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf [trust], an independent religious body to oversee the Islamic holy sites there.” 

In the article, a member of the mosque is asked about the very poor condition of the building, he replied   "Look at the donation boxes here; they collect an average of one million shekels ($284,000) per month. We have no clue where that money goes...The poor and the needy never get any of it."

Another member of the mosque said: "The wrongdoers are from our own folks, son. We are the ones who have destroyed Al-Aqsa... I have worked with the Jordanians, with the Jews, and the Palestinians, I have seen them all, and I know what is really happening."  

The decayed state of the mosque is not a recent event, it has been so for well over a century. That’s not the end of the story, it has to be remembered that Jordan is a predominantly  Islamic state, with  approximately 97%  Muslim population. Although Jordan does have an indigenous Christian minority, (2%), it is tiny compared to 1950, when it consisted of 30% of the population. 

The words of a Jordanian son of an ex-priest, sharply sums the situation in which these Christians find themselves:

"You know, coexisting with Muslims is difficult," he says, choosing his words so as to convey truth but not offend. It is the way of conversation here, to let nuance reach the heart. "Muslims don't accept others. They want everyone like them. We show them friendship. They don't show outward hostility, but you feel it inside your soul." 

It remains to be seen the viability of Mr Kerry's proposals or how they could pan out. Given the widespread mistrust and continued intolerance of Christians, it is very hard to swallow the "suggestion" to hand over control to Muslims of Jewish & Christian places of worship and holy sites.

Back to Jerusalem, the day to day lives of Palestinians isn't a rosy one either, at best it is comparable to the situation that the Jordanian Christians, at worst, threats to their livelihoods.  The picture of persecution is the same across the region. " They are all embarking down the same path as Palestinian Christians, as one of the participants from Jerusalem exclaimed. He spoke in a tone marked by a mix of desolation and sadness, “Only around 40,000 Christians remain in our country. In Gaza, where Sharia has prevailed for several years now, there are only 1,300 Christians. Even in Jerusalem, the city of the resurrection of Jesus and the cradle of Christianity, there are no more than 4,000 Christians.”



 The irony is not lost on me: the Israeli Christians and Muslims are the freest in the Middle East by any standard of measure.  Let's hope that this remains the case, along with ownership and control of the Jewish & Christians religious places.



References:

 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/10/eastern-christians-and-the-arab-spring.html



Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Syrian Christians -"This is not your country"

Freedom of speech is a human right


 A discussion paper by the Stresemann Foundation in Germany. 

 
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
How Islamic Organizations Are Threatening Our Basic Rights
Felix Strüning Sept 2013

"Freedom can only exist where every person can freely express his or her opinion and freely receive information, because the fundamental right to freely express one’s opinion is the prerequisite for many other human rights such as: freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom of science. Yet that which is a human right for the Western world and constitutes a state of law is a crime for others. In Islam, nothing that questions its claim to truth may be publicly expressed. "

 .......................................................................................................
Felix Strüning – Polemic Term Islamophobia
 
 
Abstract:
The term “Islamophobia“ is often used to defame criticism on Islam. Based on scientific surveys, this discussion paper shows that the necessary conditions for “Islamophobia” –in terms of an unfounded fear or condemnation – are not preva-lent among the German populace. Though Islam is disapproved by 2 thirds to 3 quarters of Germans, those surveyed name specific reasons for their  opinion, and this factual criticism is independent of any bias of the relevant individuals. Openly hostile acts against Islam, on the other hand, find only little acceptance.Thus, speaking of “Islamophobia” appears to be inapplicable; in fact, we find a renunciation of certain ideological characteristics or behavioural patterns associated with or traced back to Islam
1
.
http://www.stresemann-stiftung.de/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Stresemann-Foundation-Struening-Polemic-Term-Islamophobia-WWW2012-07-09.pdf

.....................................................................................................................................................

Other information in English: http://www.citizentimes.eu/category/english/


Alilo Georgia

Messiah has risen song in Greek/ Arabic

Monday, January 6, 2014

Update on the wall at st james

Update

This is an extract from a commenter on a webpage talking about THAT wall... Seriously you couldn't make the end ....

I visited St James Church yesterday to have a productive exchange of views. The conversation went like this:
Me: What is the good you hope to achieve through this wall?
Steward: To make people aware.
Me: Aware of what?
Steward: That this wall exists in Bethlehem.
Me: Given that this wall only gives a very partial picture of a complex situation, how would that awareness help?
Steward: Perhaps it will encourage people to talk, instead of having a wall.
Me: People are talking - Kerry's peace process is happening right now.
Steward: Are they? Who is Kerry?
Me: What is the good you hope to achieve through this wall?Steward: To make people aware.Me: Aware of what?Steward: That this wall exists in Bethlehem.Me: Given that this wall only gives a very partial picture of a complex situation, how would that awareness help?Steward: Perhaps it will encourage people to talk, instead of having a wall.Me: People are talking - Kerry's peace process is happening right now.Steward: Are they? Who is Kerry?

www.persecution.org

2014 Christian phobia news round up Week 1

Indonesian Muslim threats to Christians. In an ongoing dispute of the use of “Allah” a group is intending to hold a mega-demo. With previous experience of Muslim demos, (latest being in Bangladesh), I’m predicting scuffles, outbreaks of violence and placards of virulent hatred as well. All being stirred up organized by Islamic leaders. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/01/05/Muslim-group-to-hold-mega-demo/ Islam

sanctities are the Quran and the prophet Muhammad and now in Malaysia and Indonesia, the word ‘Allah’. They were a wall unto us, both by night and day. 1 Samuel 25.16 More about the Christmas stunt hosted by the church of St James’ Piccadilly called ‘Bethlehem Unwrapped’, involving a replica security wall. The organizers seem to be in bed with some ‘colourful’ organizations with dubious records on human rights or love for Christians in the Middle East. http://www.newenglishreview.org/bloga.cfm/blog_id/51516/More-about-the-wall-at-St-James


Christians in Egypt have been in the firing line and have suffered a fatality, just before Orthodox Christmas too. It is truly sad to hear the silence. If St James Church had any pluck, it would show Christian solidarity with their persecuted, hunted Christian brethren in the Middle East and in Pakistan.

An historical library in Lebanon owned by a Greek Orthodox priest was torched, as a result of a Muslim mob, taking issue to the fact an article was supposedly published on the internet insulting Islam and the Prophet Mohammad. It seems that rumours about Islam and its prophet can be dangerous when read by Muslims. Evidently, they don’t wait but act on impulse. “Father Srouj has nothing to do with the article and the source of the website is from Denmark and was published on Jan. 7, 2010,” Ayyoubi said in Tripoli Serail.”


According the newspaper, the hot headed mob acted on the issue of a fatwa calling for an attack. Only a Muslim leader issues fatwas. This is one incident, part of a recent escalation in violence in Lebanon, largely Muslim sects.
These incidents convey the impression that Muslims are easily offended by the slightest negative and others suffer as result of this. There is no goodwill on the part of certain Muslim leaders to verify rumours, check facts before setting in motion a violence reaction. It is interesting to note that the priest in Lebanon forgave the attackers. These Muslims are not imperviousness to negative remarks, comment, rumours or debates about Islam. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jan-04/243098-historic-library-torched-in-n-lebanon.ashx#axzz2peEAdoPY
The role Islam plays at rectifying all misdeeds committed by society, especially dissenting voices or non-Muslims, is a disturbing one. It shows that intolerance is alive and well in a number of Islamic circles. Belligerency, brow-beating are part of the way that certain Islamic leaders, rectify “supposed misdeeds”, by encouraging threats, acts of violence to achieve this. It is not limited to the Muslim community, as the imprisonment of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian shows too well. She was convicted for “blasphemy” in 2009 and in November 2010 she was sentenced to death. She has recently written a letter to the Pope. http://www.citizengo.org/en/2175-freedom-asia-bibi-christianpersecution
The majority of Muslim world-wide try to keep a low profile and remain silent, principally of a result of the prevailing tendencies to employ aggressive way of keeping the rank and file in order.
On another issue of intolerance, there has been a spate of vandalism, abuse against churches in France lately. The authorities are still unwilling to tackle these incidents in any meaningful way, they just look the other way. It may do to the fact that the Catholic Church lay members being very vocal over the introduction “Gay” laws, known commonly as “Le Mariage pour tous”.
One very recent incident took place in the Parisian church of Sainte Odile, where the authorities have stated that the perpetrator was unbalanced, yet the priest is saying quite the opposite, “determined”.
http://www.christianophobie.fr/breves/pour-le-cure-de-sainte-odile-le-profanateur-netait-pas-un-desequilibre-mais-determine
Comment of the news round-up "Ijtihad — independent thinking and reasoning — was given priority, but over the years radicals have conveniently buried this term and pushed for collective thinking, which continues to be the way of life for many who follow the religion." Muslim historian S Irfan Habib