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January 30, 2006
Is Danish cartoon controversy related to attacks on Iraqi churchs?
I came across this Elaph article (in Arabic) via Jameed indicating that some Iraqi sources are linking the latest attacks on churches in Iraq -– in which at least three people were killed and nine were wounded -- to the current controversy involving the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten.
According to these sources, some Iraqi-Christian students at the University of Mosul were recently attacked by people upset by the publication of these caricatures in Denmark and Norway. These attacks came following the issuance of several fatwas that called for the expulsion of "the infidels and crusaders" for insulting the prophet. The Iraqi sources said it was likely that the coordinated church attacks that took place yesterday (Jan. 29) are linked with the recent anti-Christian campaign.
I'm not sure how credible this news is, as I've not seen mention of it anywhere else. But if it is accurate, then the world has absolutely gone crazy. What kind of a logic is this? People get upset at Danish cartoonists, so they decide to whack their fellow citizens! And who are these low-life individuals issuing fatwas that call for attacks on innocent civilians, ones who happen to belong to a religious minority. But then again, I guess I shouldn't expect logic to pour forth from Iraq anytime soon.
It is no secret that the number of Christians in the Middle East is rapidly dwindling. According to this IRIN article, "about 150,000 Christians are believed to have left the country [Iraq] since the US occupation began in 2003." The number of Palestinian-Christians inside the Palestinian territories is also on the decrease, and I believe the same thing is happening in Egypt (please correct me if I'm wrong).
This is extremely bad news, as it would mean that, in the long run, the Mideast would lose the diversity that it has always enjoyed. I would ask clerics to issue a counter-fatwa urging believers to safeguard their Christian brethren who are amongst among the indigenous inhabitants of the Middle East who have suffered and fought hard to protect their nation.
Posted by Natasha at 10:56 AM in Religion, The Disturbing | 
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Tracked on Jan 30, 2006 7:57:17 PM
Comments
Wow, if true, between this and some of the comments on your newswire on the subject, maybe I should be a little more concerned about my infidel status in Jordan.
Posted by: kinzi | Jan 30, 2006 11:43:35 AM | Email this comment
I would ask clerics to issue a counter-fatwa urging believers to safeguard their Christian brethren who are amongst among the indigenous inhabitants of the Middle East who have suffered and fought hard to protect their nation.
AMEEEEN
Posted by: anon | Jan 30, 2006 11:44:05 AM | Email this comment
I'm not sure the number of Egyptian Christians is actually decreasing, but intercommunal tensions seem higher every time I look in on the situation.
Posted by: Brian Ulrich | Jan 30, 2006 11:44:25 AM | Email this comment
a counter-fatwa? well first, fatwas are not poker and second they cant issue a fatwa on something that is already stated quite clearly in the quran and in the sunnah of the rasool pbuh. in the same manner no imam is going to issue a fatwa that says murder is a sin or don't drink wine. in Islamic doctrine the concept of not attacking christians because of their religion is a matter engraved in stone.
however despite what is written in the quran or the sunnah, one should never underestimate a human being's capacity for stupidity.
this is one of those cases.
as for the article, i read it over at jameed's but you just reminded me that its from elaph, so you're right to be weary of the source.
as for the car bombs, it's a possibility they are related but given that they were car bombs and the fact that they are churches an educated guess would point to zarqawi and alqueda who are more famous for attacking mosques than anything else.
jewish temples and christian churches are forbidden to be touched also according to Islam (in case anyone was wondering)
Posted by: Nas | Jan 30, 2006 12:43:22 PM | Email this comment
This is bad news. Anyway, Iraq is living in a chaos now and in the absence of the law enfocement, extremists and criminals will act freely.
Posted by: Blower | Jan 30, 2006 12:56:19 PM | Email this comment
Nas, since you know better, aren't fatwas also issued to provide clarity for an issue. I'm certain you are correct regarding the things you cite in the Quran. But when people on the ground see these actions, then hear a fatwa saying "these actions are just," isn't there a place for a cleric to issue a fatwa to provide clarity, putting people back on the proper path. [Clerics do issue fatwas that contradict one another at times sa7?].
You can always say "the rule is clear" but if someone has come out and confused that rule with a fatwa, why isn't it worth the effort of someone recognizing the edict as wrong to clarify the issue for those on the ground. Perhaps you regard it as unnecessary because you know, but perhaps it's not fully understood by some. Perhaps it would also be a good gesture. Lastly, haven't fatwas been issued since time immemorial to provide clarity on religious issues, illuminating the "unknowing" by explaining that this or that is wrong to them, regardless of its presence in religious texts?
Posted by: Jeff | Jan 30, 2006 1:07:31 PM | Email this comment
In the lands of law and order, only law and order prevail; why should my life be under the mercy of ambiguous fatwas and counter fatwas; or ambiguous laws; should I say!
Posted by: jareer | Jan 30, 2006 1:27:21 PM | Email this comment
Jeff, a fatwa is not on a higher level in Islam than the quran or the sunnah. There are of course many things in both materials that may be unclear and demand the attention of fatwas to analyse them and clarify them as you said. However this sort of thing is so basic its not a matter of not bothering to issue a fatwa its a matter of that it shouldn't.
It's like this, every country in the world says that murder is illegal right? Do you need christian clergy or the Vatican to issue such reminders everytime someone is killed?
Not harming Christians and Jews who live among us is such a fundemental thing in Islam, it has nothing to do with my own knowledge compared to others, a 9 year old kid would know this.
like i said, you will have your stupid people at the end of the day who will neglect laws in a moment of rage or just plain stupidity. check this out.
Posted by: Nas | Jan 30, 2006 1:35:59 PM | Email this comment
I agree with Jeff. Muslim clerics need to issue a fatwa clearly condemning such acts because they are increasing.
Posted by: amal | Jan 30, 2006 1:42:36 PM | Email this comment
Okay, Nas, I understand all of that; truly, I do. But you miss the key ingredient in this whole scenario: It is not just an "it's in the book you should know it" situation. There has been a fatwa issued that does appear to contradict what you are saying should be common knowledge. Do see where I'm headed here?
It's fine to say, "It's in the book, everyone should know." But then someone – a cleric – pops up and says something that muddies the waters, such that many might think now it is open season on Christians; that is how I regard the fatwa that Natasha relates.
So, if that fatwa is out there, contradicting what you cite as common well-known information, then it would tend to confuse those that look to fatwas for practical day-to-day direction. And yes, I know fatwas don't rise above the writings of the Quran. But for the ordinary man on the street, they do serve as guidance sa7? So if I think I know and understand something from the Quran but someone, like a cleric, says something that counters my understanding with a fatwa, then I might be confused sa7?
The answer and my point: that confusion does exist. It's obvious. It wasn't created by the Quran. It was created by a fatwa. So why on earth wouldn't it be proper for someone to come along and rectify that wrong, to clarify something that was obviously muddied? Again, I understand completely what you are saying -- The Quran says this is wrong; it's not confusing.
But the issuance of this fatwa appears to contradict what you are saying doesn't it? That makes it confusing to some? Doesn't it seem the logical and diplomatic thing to do is to clarify this for a multitude of reasons? If you think not, do you think that it’s okay for some of these "out-of-line" fatwas to be issued even though they could result in confusion, violence and, if nothing else, mistaken perceptions of Islam?
Posted by: Jeff | Jan 30, 2006 2:12:19 PM | Email this comment
Jeff, I see your point and I tend to agree with what you've said. If such a situation arises which deems a fatwa then I support it. Especially if it is in the spirit of protecting Christians based on fundemental Islamic teachings as well as clearing up the chaos of crazy scholars and their own fatwas.
However I'm forced to ask: has there been a surge in "kill the christians" fatwas that i'm not aware of? Have christians anywhere else in the Arab world been killed or come under attack for something some danish newspaper printed, other than Iraq? If not then it begs the question why iraq? and the answer is quite clear. It is the same answer if we were to ask "why are shia' mosques not bombed anywhere else but in iraq?".
Posted by: Nas | Jan 30, 2006 2:38:07 PM | Email this comment
Nas,
Shia mosques were bombed a number of times in Pakistan.
Posted by: natasha | Jan 30, 2006 2:51:53 PM | Email this comment
Well do you want to say Arab world, or Islamic world? Or, your query begs the question: what about fatwas coming forth from Western countries, a phenomena sure to rise. There are those often intense "watch" sites that document anti-Christian violence of that sort. I'm not sure of the numbers, but I'm sure there are other examples.
And there weren't just bombings in Pakistan, there were armed men with guns shooting and killing Shiite worshippers on Fridays, I believe on more than one occasion. And their have been Christian schools shot at and bombed as well in Pakistan.
But I'm not keeping tabs on the number or general rise or decline of this type of fatwa. I see one as wrong enough to merit correction or at least some address from a scholar somewhere for the reasons you agreed to that were cited above. The Islamic world is not alone in this, of course. The Christian world has its Pat Robertson, it's Jerry Fallwell. But their words, while confusing to some, don't carry the weight of a religious edict and rarely (if ever) the damage.
Posted by: Jeff | Jan 30, 2006 3:02:46 PM | Email this comment
And so were churches in Pakistan too. How about Egypt,just last week when they tried to reenovate or build a new one. Why didnt this "incident" make it way to the world news ! Just asking !!
Posted by: jareer | Jan 30, 2006 3:05:26 PM | Email this comment
no fatwa required ... diss the prophet or quran. While a samll % of muslims (5%*1.3bil=65,000,000) may actually take your life no muslim on earth will have a problem with your death.
This is clear and concise in the quran ... you don't need to go to the ahadith or any other source.
Yes this is the "religion of peace".
Posted by: jack | Jan 30, 2006 3:46:53 PM | Email this comment
Natasha, let me be more specific, any country where alqueda isnt existant. have churches and mosques been bombed regularly?
Jeff, keep in mind that fatwas which relate to safegaurding Christian citizens have been issued on more than one occassion; Qardawi is just one example of many who issues such fatwas regularly. Except we just assume that they arn't. why? because sane moderate muslims dont sell magazines. crazy fatwa issuing clerics do. The problem is that fatwas cannot be issued to cure stupdity but only to clarify the unclear.
Do both of you remember the Islamic conference which took place in Jordan last summer. The results of that conference were the first of its kind and greatly beneficial to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike as it sought to fight crazy "ulama" who issue their own fatwas according to Bin Laden. See the same Muslims who say we must kill Christians will call Muslims who disagree with them as kufar or apostates, which is the most serious crime/sin in the religion.
curing people of the alqueda mentality goes much deeper than simple fatwas.
Posted by: Nas | Jan 30, 2006 8:18:07 PM | Email this comment
Should they be hit regularly to claim there is a problem? Like thursdays and every other Sunday ?
Posted by: jareer | Jan 31, 2006 3:50:45 PM | Email this comment
WHAT WE ALL NEED TO DO , IS GO BACK TO OUR DEEN AND LEARN ABOUT IT FROM THE ROOTS ! INSTEAD OF EVERY ONE HERE GIVING THEIR OPINION THUS CREATING MORE CONFUSION ! FATWA ? BY WHOM ? WHO GAVE HIM THE AUTHORITY TO GIVE ANY FATWA ANYWAY ? LEARN ABOUT ISLAM PROPERLY AND YOU WILL KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG !!! " KILLING AN INNOCENT PERSON IS LIKE KILLING THE WHOLE OF HUMANITY " IS WHAT ALLAH TELLS US IN THE QUR'AAN !!!
BILAL
Posted by: BILAL | Feb 2, 2006 5:04:34 PM | Email this comment
Bilal it seems you may well be wrong. The attacks escalated and the Danish embassy was burnt down. Came across this as well, sounds like a Fatwa to me.
The Mujahideen Army in Iraq--a prominent Sunni insurgent group--has released a new communique threatening to attack Denmark and Norway over a series of recent cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Mohammed. According to the statement:
…We, along with the rest of the world, have observed the offensive and harmful blasphemy against the blessed messenger Mohammed. This wrongdoing was perpetrated by several institutions from the promiscuous countries Denmark and Norway who secretly hate Islam and its leaders... Settling for [merely] boycotting these cowards is a position of weakness that is indicative of a feeble nation that does not stand up in defense of its Prophet and the principles that it believes in. They started [the battle] and they should suffer its consequences. We call upon all our brigades in the Mujahideen Army to attack whatever they possibly can in these two countries specifically, and in other countries who repeat what they have done… Let us make our own efforts on top of Allah’s expected revenge—and hopefully, Allah will choose us to be among those who seek revenge for Mohammed in his name, as this in itself is a great honor for a Muslim.
Check your history, religious fervour is stirred up to motivate the followers to do unspeakable things in the name of their God (whichever one it might be). A Christian would tell you that what is going on right now in the World is clearly the work of Satan, it is his domain and will remain so until the second coming of Christ. These extremists are being mislead by their leaders into doing things that their own scriptures forbid, how else do you explain that.
Posted by: concerned | Feb 5, 2006 4:40:54 PM | Email this comment
I personally feel that most westerners have abandoned their religion of christianity. This is leading to them becoming insensitive to the religions and religious sentiments of other peoples.
Maybe the Danish should go more to church and practice christianity. maynbe then Christ would drag them out of this Christian versus Islam hell-hole which the west is now finding itself in.
Posted by: Em. Jay. Lobo | Feb 9, 2006 12:23:24 AM | Email this comment
i agree with u at the point regarding safety of christian community in general. but i personally think that the whole issue would be resolved if Denmark do realize their MISTAKE.yes no doubt it is all rubbish and since 9/11 most of the western counteries are simply bungling by igniting muslims every now and then by mocking their relegion. i mean why in heavens name would media start mocking islam by degrading their HOLY PROPHET in a most offensive way.that won't do. such inhuman practices would only add up to already widening gap and resentment will surge .
my point overhere is that freedom of speech or whatever should not play with sentiments and dignity of islam and afterall holy prophets aren't ordinary people in any relegion. they should be sensitized towards such issues. as far as fatwa is concerned. the thing is that every single being in muslim community has enough understanding to measure up such issues. this is something very serious. i'll only hope that if muslims are not troubled regarding their relegion in such great extents will resolve all such hatred and conflicts. most of the time its the reaction by muslims... n the actual action isn't executed by them.stop provoking muslims n it will help us all.
Posted by: AYESHA KHURSHID | Feb 14, 2006 6:03:59 AM | Email this comment
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