Tenured Pennsylvania professor who questioned Shoah, referred to Israel as ‘hydra-headed monster’ cannot be fired, university president says; Pakistan-born lecturer gets green-light to express his opinions outside classroom
Associated Press
Published: 10.29.10, 01:59 / Israel News
The president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania says he cannot fire a tenured professor who has questioned the Holocaust and expressed virulent anti-Israel views because the teacher has kept his opinions out of the classroom.
A Thursday statement from Ivory Nelson, president of the state-supported university, says Professor Kaukab Siddique's beliefs may be "insidious" but he can express them "as long as he does not present such opinions as the views of the university."
Siddique has questioned the Holocaust and called for the destruction of Israel in forums including a September rally in Washington, DC, and an online magazine he edits called New Trend.
Speaking at the recent Labor Day rally, Siddique said: "We must stand united to defeat, to destroy, to dismantle Israel – if possible by peaceful means... For the Jews, I would say, 'See what could happen to you if the Muslims wake up.' And I say to the Muslims, Dear brothers and sisters – unite and rise up against this hydra-headed monster which calls itself Zionism.'"
Vocal critic of Israel
Originally from Pakistan, Siddique, 67, is a vocal critic of what he calls "Israel's record of human-rights abuses in the Palestinian territories." Nevertheless, he maintains that his Labor Day statements have been misunderstood.
The professor's remarks sparked outrage among pro-Israeli groups and as Lincoln University is a Pennsylvania State-sponsored school, State Senator Daylin Leach – and numerous other members of the State Assembly – have urged Lincoln president Ivory Nelson to ensure the professor's "anti-Semitic diatribes" had not made their way into the university's classrooms.
Siddique is a tenured professor in English and mass communications. He did not respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.
source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3976608,00.html
Showing posts with label muslims. Show all posts
Showing posts with label muslims. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Christian evangelists acquitted in Tanzania
by Staff
September 10, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - On August 12, a court in Tanzania acquitted two evangelists of "illegal preaching." Eleutery Kobelo and Cecil Simbaulanga were arrested in October 2009 after Muslims invited them to participate in a religious debate.
The Christians reported that no Muslims showed up at the site of the supposed inter-faith debate until they arrived with government security agents who charged them with "using religious sermons to incite Muslims and Christians into viewing each other with suspicion."
The accusers had claimed that the Christians' message that Jesus is God had annoyed Muslims and therefore disrupted a peaceful coexistence between the two faiths. During the 10 months of hearings, the Muslims reportedly failed to show up in court to support their allegation of illegal preaching.
"We are grateful that the court has done justice and made its ruling based on Tanzania's constitution that allows for freedom of religion and assembly," Eleutery shared. "We thank the Christians worldwide for praying for us." (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09662.shtml
September 10, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - On August 12, a court in Tanzania acquitted two evangelists of "illegal preaching." Eleutery Kobelo and Cecil Simbaulanga were arrested in October 2009 after Muslims invited them to participate in a religious debate.
The Christians reported that no Muslims showed up at the site of the supposed inter-faith debate until they arrived with government security agents who charged them with "using religious sermons to incite Muslims and Christians into viewing each other with suspicion."
The accusers had claimed that the Christians' message that Jesus is God had annoyed Muslims and therefore disrupted a peaceful coexistence between the two faiths. During the 10 months of hearings, the Muslims reportedly failed to show up in court to support their allegation of illegal preaching.
"We are grateful that the court has done justice and made its ruling based on Tanzania's constitution that allows for freedom of religion and assembly," Eleutery shared. "We thank the Christians worldwide for praying for us." (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09662.shtml
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Poll: Growing number incorrectly call Obama Muslim
US survey based on interviews conducted before controversy over ground zero mosque shows 18% think their president is Muslim, up from 11% who said so in March 2009
Associated Press
Published: 08.19.10, 08:03 / Israel News
Nearly one in five people, or 18%, said they think Obama is Muslim, up from the 11% who said so in March 2009, according to a poll released Thursday. The proportion who correctly say he is a Christian is down to just 34%.
The largest share of people, 43%, said they don't know his religion, an increase from the 34% who said that in early 2009.
The survey, conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center and its affiliated Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, is based on interviews conducted before the controversy over whether Muslims should be permitted to construct a mosque near the World Trade Center site. Obama has said he believes Muslims have the right to build an Islamic center there, though he's also said he won't take a position on whether they should actually build it.
About three in 10 of Obama's fiercest political rivals, Republicans and conservatives, say he is a Muslim. That is up significantly from last year and far higher than the share of Democrats and liberals who say so. But even among his supporters, the number saying he is a Christian has fallen since 2009, with just 43% of blacks and 46% of Democrats saying he is Christian.
Among independents, 18% say Obama is Muslim – up from 10% last year.
Pew analysts attribute the findings to attacks by his opponents and Obama's limited attendance at religious services, particularly in contrast with Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, whose worship was more public.
Andrew Kohut, the Pew Research Center's director, said the confusion partly reflects "the intensification of negative views about Obama among his critics." Alan Cooperman, the Pew Forum's associate director for research, said that with the public hearing little about Obama's religion, "maybe there's more possibility for other people to make suggestions that the president is this or he's really that or he's really a Muslim."
'We got information from media'
Obama is the Christian son of a Kenyan father who was raised Muslim. From age 6 to 10, Obama lived in predominantly Muslim Indonesia with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. His full name, Barack Hussein Obama, sounds Muslim to many Americans.
White House officials did not provide on-the-record comments on the survey, but they prompted Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston to call The Associated Press.
Caldwell, who said he has known Obama for years, said the president is a Christian who prays every day. He said he was not sure where the public confusion about the president's religion came from, but he called false media reports about it "a 24-hour noise box committed to presenting the president in a false light."
Six in 10 of those saying Obama is a Muslim said they got the information from the media, with the largest portion – 16% - saying it was on television. Eleven percent said they learned it from Obama's behavior and words.
Despite the confusion about Obama's religion, there is noteworthy support for how he uses it to make decisions. Nearly half, or 48%, said he relies on his religion the right amount when making policy choices, 21% said he uses it too little and 11% too much.
At the same time, the poll provides broad indications that the public feels religion is playing a diminished role in politics today, with fewer people than in 2008 saying the Democratic and Republican parties are friendly toward religion.
With elections for control of Congress just over two months away, the poll contains optimistic news for Republicans. Half of white non-Hispanic Catholics, plus three in 10 unaffiliated with a religion and a third of Jews support the GOP – all an increase since 2008.
The survey also found:
* The Democratic Party is seen as friendly to religion by 26%, while 43% say the same about the Republicans. That's a 9 percentage point drop for Republicans since 2008, and 12 points lower for Democrats.
* Fifty-two percent say churches should stay away from politics, a reversal of the slim majorities that supported churches' political involvement from 1996 to 2006.
The poll, overseen by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, involved landline and cell phone interviews with 3,003 randomly chosen adults. It was conducted July 21-August 5 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3939636,00.html
Associated Press
Published: 08.19.10, 08:03 / Israel News
Nearly one in five people, or 18%, said they think Obama is Muslim, up from the 11% who said so in March 2009, according to a poll released Thursday. The proportion who correctly say he is a Christian is down to just 34%.
The largest share of people, 43%, said they don't know his religion, an increase from the 34% who said that in early 2009.
The survey, conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center and its affiliated Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, is based on interviews conducted before the controversy over whether Muslims should be permitted to construct a mosque near the World Trade Center site. Obama has said he believes Muslims have the right to build an Islamic center there, though he's also said he won't take a position on whether they should actually build it.
About three in 10 of Obama's fiercest political rivals, Republicans and conservatives, say he is a Muslim. That is up significantly from last year and far higher than the share of Democrats and liberals who say so. But even among his supporters, the number saying he is a Christian has fallen since 2009, with just 43% of blacks and 46% of Democrats saying he is Christian.
Among independents, 18% say Obama is Muslim – up from 10% last year.
Pew analysts attribute the findings to attacks by his opponents and Obama's limited attendance at religious services, particularly in contrast with Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, whose worship was more public.
Andrew Kohut, the Pew Research Center's director, said the confusion partly reflects "the intensification of negative views about Obama among his critics." Alan Cooperman, the Pew Forum's associate director for research, said that with the public hearing little about Obama's religion, "maybe there's more possibility for other people to make suggestions that the president is this or he's really that or he's really a Muslim."
'We got information from media'
Obama is the Christian son of a Kenyan father who was raised Muslim. From age 6 to 10, Obama lived in predominantly Muslim Indonesia with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. His full name, Barack Hussein Obama, sounds Muslim to many Americans.
White House officials did not provide on-the-record comments on the survey, but they prompted Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston to call The Associated Press.
Caldwell, who said he has known Obama for years, said the president is a Christian who prays every day. He said he was not sure where the public confusion about the president's religion came from, but he called false media reports about it "a 24-hour noise box committed to presenting the president in a false light."
Six in 10 of those saying Obama is a Muslim said they got the information from the media, with the largest portion – 16% - saying it was on television. Eleven percent said they learned it from Obama's behavior and words.
Despite the confusion about Obama's religion, there is noteworthy support for how he uses it to make decisions. Nearly half, or 48%, said he relies on his religion the right amount when making policy choices, 21% said he uses it too little and 11% too much.
At the same time, the poll provides broad indications that the public feels religion is playing a diminished role in politics today, with fewer people than in 2008 saying the Democratic and Republican parties are friendly toward religion.
With elections for control of Congress just over two months away, the poll contains optimistic news for Republicans. Half of white non-Hispanic Catholics, plus three in 10 unaffiliated with a religion and a third of Jews support the GOP – all an increase since 2008.
The survey also found:
* The Democratic Party is seen as friendly to religion by 26%, while 43% say the same about the Republicans. That's a 9 percentage point drop for Republicans since 2008, and 12 points lower for Democrats.
* Fifty-two percent say churches should stay away from politics, a reversal of the slim majorities that supported churches' political involvement from 1996 to 2006.
The poll, overseen by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, involved landline and cell phone interviews with 3,003 randomly chosen adults. It was conducted July 21-August 5 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3939636,00.html
Friday, August 6, 2010
An open letter to my Muslim brothers and sisters
From blog of 'Son of Hamas'
1942. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin Al-Hussaini visits the Muslim storm troopers of the Bosnian SS.
The world condemned Nazi Germany for trying to conquer the world. But it affirms and accommodates Islam which commands Muslims to replace the nations with a global caliphate.
The world condemned Adolph Hitler for believing that Aryans were the master race, created by God to rule the world and who considered all others to be Untermenschen, racially inferior. Non-Aryans were pollution, garbage to be swept up and shoveled into landfills and incinerators. Yet the world ignores a fundamental doctrine of Islam that lists “disbelievers” amongst “types of filth and impurities” which include “urine, feces, semen, carrion, blood of carrion, dogs and pigs.” 1
The world condemned Hitler as a racist who systematically slaughtered as many as 17 million Jews, ethnic Poles, Romani, Soviet civilians and POWs, disabled people homosexuals and political opponents in six years. But despite its vow of “Never again!” it sticks its head deep into the oil-soaked sand and pretends that Islam has not turned the world red with innocent blood for more than fourteen centuries.
Hitler publicly condemned prostitution, yet ordered Himmler to establish brothels for German soldiers, forced laborers and prisoners. 2 Muhammad established one moral code for Muslims and another for himself, one that allowed him at the age of 53 to take a nine-year-old child to bed as his wife. 3 Yet, how many of you today dream of such a thing for your little girls? And if not, are you greater than your Prophet?
Muhammad declared it. The Qur’an mandates it. Yet most Muslims deny it.
How can this be?
The “great masses,” Hitler wrote, ” . . . more easily fall a victim to a big lie than to a little one, since they themselves lie in little things, but would be ashamed of lies that were too big.” 4
Point for point, the Prophet and the Führer agree. Point for point, Mein Kampf nods to the Qur’an.
Hitler was a terrorist. 5 So was Muhammad. 6
Hitler murdered those who opposed him. So did Muhammad.
Stop believing the Big Lie, my brothers.
Be furious with me for what I am saying. Fill my blog with outraged comments quoting suras that contradict those that I cite here, as evidence that I am wrong. They will only prove that I am right. The Qur’an, which all Muslims must believe to be the infallible word of God, is riddled with contradictions and factual and historical errors. No? Go to www.thequran.com and read for yourself what Muslim scholars say, verse by verse, about their holy book.
You who are outraged, how well do you know your Qur’an? Have you read it, studied it? Do you understand it? For centuries, Christians knew only what their priests told them. They did not have access to Scripture. Martin Luther changed that in 1522, when he published the New Testament in the language of the people. Nevertheless, even with the abundance of resources, translations and paraphrased versions, half of today’s Christians do not know their Bible. 7
Unfortunately, it is the same with most Muslims.
What is Islam to you? Culture or life? Divine truth or superstition? Something you know or only believe? Your faith or just your inheritance?
A “moderate” Muslim is not one who is not violent; he is one who is simply uninformed. It is not that he is not an extremist; it is that he is apathetic. The God of the Bible says, “because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” 8 The god of the Qur’an holds the same opinion.
Please stop being lazy. Begin showing love for your families and your neighbors by reading your Qur’an and your Hadith, and asking the inevitable questions.
The Prophet and his book are not merely mistaken; they are wicked. Hitler killed countless millions on the battlefields and in his extermination camps in six years, but Muhammad has been killing steadily since the seventh century—Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims. The Qur’an commands even the slaughter of its own.
You are the only hope the world has of crushing the Big Lie. Christians cannot stop it. The secular world is afraid to try.
Your weapon is truth. First, you must love and respect your religion enough to learn the truth; then you must love your neighbor enough to share that truth.
2. “Secrets of Nazi camp brothels emerge in German exhibition,” Reuters, November 7, 2007
3. D.A. Spellberg, Politics, Gender, and the Islamic Past: the Legacy of A’isha bint Abi Bakr, Columbia University Press, 1994, p. 40
4. Mein Kampf, volume 1, chapter 10, paragraph 31, Manhein translation
5. Mein Kampf, volume 2, chapter 5
6. The Qur’an, sura 5, chapter 60 (Shakir)
7. http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/177-christians-say-they-do-best-at-relationships-worst-in-bible-knowledge?q=bible
8. The Holy Bible, NIV, Revelation 3:16
The world condemned Nazi Germany for trying to conquer the world. But it affirms and accommodates Islam which commands Muslims to replace the nations with a global caliphate.
The world condemned Adolph Hitler for believing that Aryans were the master race, created by God to rule the world and who considered all others to be Untermenschen, racially inferior. Non-Aryans were pollution, garbage to be swept up and shoveled into landfills and incinerators. Yet the world ignores a fundamental doctrine of Islam that lists “disbelievers” amongst “types of filth and impurities” which include “urine, feces, semen, carrion, blood of carrion, dogs and pigs.” 1
The world condemned Hitler as a racist who systematically slaughtered as many as 17 million Jews, ethnic Poles, Romani, Soviet civilians and POWs, disabled people homosexuals and political opponents in six years. But despite its vow of “Never again!” it sticks its head deep into the oil-soaked sand and pretends that Islam has not turned the world red with innocent blood for more than fourteen centuries.
Hitler publicly condemned prostitution, yet ordered Himmler to establish brothels for German soldiers, forced laborers and prisoners. 2 Muhammad established one moral code for Muslims and another for himself, one that allowed him at the age of 53 to take a nine-year-old child to bed as his wife. 3 Yet, how many of you today dream of such a thing for your little girls? And if not, are you greater than your Prophet?
Muhammad declared it. The Qur’an mandates it. Yet most Muslims deny it.
How can this be?
The “great masses,” Hitler wrote, ” . . . more easily fall a victim to a big lie than to a little one, since they themselves lie in little things, but would be ashamed of lies that were too big.” 4
Point for point, the Prophet and the Führer agree. Point for point, Mein Kampf nods to the Qur’an.
Hitler was a terrorist. 5 So was Muhammad. 6
Hitler murdered those who opposed him. So did Muhammad.
Stop believing the Big Lie, my brothers.
Be furious with me for what I am saying. Fill my blog with outraged comments quoting suras that contradict those that I cite here, as evidence that I am wrong. They will only prove that I am right. The Qur’an, which all Muslims must believe to be the infallible word of God, is riddled with contradictions and factual and historical errors. No? Go to www.thequran.com and read for yourself what Muslim scholars say, verse by verse, about their holy book.
You who are outraged, how well do you know your Qur’an? Have you read it, studied it? Do you understand it? For centuries, Christians knew only what their priests told them. They did not have access to Scripture. Martin Luther changed that in 1522, when he published the New Testament in the language of the people. Nevertheless, even with the abundance of resources, translations and paraphrased versions, half of today’s Christians do not know their Bible. 7
Unfortunately, it is the same with most Muslims.
What is Islam to you? Culture or life? Divine truth or superstition? Something you know or only believe? Your faith or just your inheritance?
A “moderate” Muslim is not one who is not violent; he is one who is simply uninformed. It is not that he is not an extremist; it is that he is apathetic. The God of the Bible says, “because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” 8 The god of the Qur’an holds the same opinion.
Please stop being lazy. Begin showing love for your families and your neighbors by reading your Qur’an and your Hadith, and asking the inevitable questions.
The Prophet and his book are not merely mistaken; they are wicked. Hitler killed countless millions on the battlefields and in his extermination camps in six years, but Muhammad has been killing steadily since the seventh century—Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims. The Qur’an commands even the slaughter of its own.
You are the only hope the world has of crushing the Big Lie. Christians cannot stop it. The secular world is afraid to try.
Your weapon is truth. First, you must love and respect your religion enough to learn the truth; then you must love your neighbor enough to share that truth.
* * *
1. “Muslim students ‘being taught to despise unbelievers as filth,’” Sean O’Neill, The Sunday Times, April 20, 20062. “Secrets of Nazi camp brothels emerge in German exhibition,” Reuters, November 7, 2007
3. D.A. Spellberg, Politics, Gender, and the Islamic Past: the Legacy of A’isha bint Abi Bakr, Columbia University Press, 1994, p. 40
4. Mein Kampf, volume 1, chapter 10, paragraph 31, Manhein translation
5. Mein Kampf, volume 2, chapter 5
6. The Qur’an, sura 5, chapter 60 (Shakir)
7. http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/177-christians-say-they-do-best-at-relationships-worst-in-bible-knowledge?q=bible
8. The Holy Bible, NIV, Revelation 3:16
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Muslims kill Christian woman and children in Pakistan
by Staff
August 4, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - A Christian woman and her four children were murdered by a Muslim mob in Jhelum, Pakistan after her 11-year-old son was accused of committing blasphemy.
On June 21, the Christian boy went to the local store to buy laundry detergent. The shopkeeper, upon learning the boy was a Christian, refused to sell any products to him. When the boy returned home and informed his mother of the incident, she phoned her husband -- Jamshed Masih -- and asked him to rush home from work.
Before he was able to return, Muslim residents arrived at the family's home and accused the boy of committing blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. When Jamshed's wife argued against the accusation, they killed her and the children -- two boys and two girls.
Authorities are reportedly too fearful of the local Muslim leader to file charges. The family had earlier been warned by the Muslim leader to leave the predominately Muslim area. (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09557.shtml
August 4, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - A Christian woman and her four children were murdered by a Muslim mob in Jhelum, Pakistan after her 11-year-old son was accused of committing blasphemy.
On June 21, the Christian boy went to the local store to buy laundry detergent. The shopkeeper, upon learning the boy was a Christian, refused to sell any products to him. When the boy returned home and informed his mother of the incident, she phoned her husband -- Jamshed Masih -- and asked him to rush home from work.
Before he was able to return, Muslim residents arrived at the family's home and accused the boy of committing blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. When Jamshed's wife argued against the accusation, they killed her and the children -- two boys and two girls.
Authorities are reportedly too fearful of the local Muslim leader to file charges. The family had earlier been warned by the Muslim leader to leave the predominately Muslim area. (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09557.shtml
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
NYC Panel Clears Way for Ground Zero Mosque
A New York City panel sponsored by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will allow a mosque to be built near Ground Zero.
The 9-0 vote Tuesday by the Landmarks Preservation Commission permits the existing building to be torn down and paves the way for a group called the Cordoba Initiative to begin construction on a 13-story Islamic center.
According to the commissioners, the 152-year-old building does not meet historic criteria to qualify as a landmark.
"We really stand for peace, and peace is what matters the most," said Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement. "And we believe the symbolism of being close to the site that had so much tragedy emanating from it is the very site that we believe will bring about much healing."
However, the American Center for Law and Justice, which is representing a New York City firefighter who survived the 9/11 terror attacks, expressed a different view.
"The actions taken by the City of New York represent a blatant disregard for the city's own procedures, while ignoring the fact that this is a historic and hallowed site that should not be destroyed to build an Islamic mosque," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.
"It has been clear from the beginning that the city has engaged in a rush to push this project through - ignoring proper procedure and ignoring a growing number of New Yorkers and Americans who don't believe this site is the place to build a mosque," Sekulow continued.
Sekulow said his organization would be filing a legal challenge to the panel's "flawed" decision on behalf their client.
Former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani also didn't mince words when he called the mosque a "desecration," while talking to conservative talk radio host Jeff Katz. He added that "decent Muslims" would take no offense at opposition to the Islamic center since they too desired peace.
"Nobody would allow something like that at Pearl Harbor. Let's have some respect for who died there and why they died there," Giuliani said. "Let's not put this off on some kind of politically correct theory."
Meanwhile, a prominent Jewish group has also spoken out against the mosque. The Anti-Defamation League said the mosque would be disrespectful to the victims and families of Sept. 11 and that the location was "counterproductive to the healing process."
source:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/August/NYC-Panel-Clears-Way-for-Ground-Zero-Mosque/
The 9-0 vote Tuesday by the Landmarks Preservation Commission permits the existing building to be torn down and paves the way for a group called the Cordoba Initiative to begin construction on a 13-story Islamic center.
According to the commissioners, the 152-year-old building does not meet historic criteria to qualify as a landmark.
"We really stand for peace, and peace is what matters the most," said Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement. "And we believe the symbolism of being close to the site that had so much tragedy emanating from it is the very site that we believe will bring about much healing."
However, the American Center for Law and Justice, which is representing a New York City firefighter who survived the 9/11 terror attacks, expressed a different view.
"The actions taken by the City of New York represent a blatant disregard for the city's own procedures, while ignoring the fact that this is a historic and hallowed site that should not be destroyed to build an Islamic mosque," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.
"It has been clear from the beginning that the city has engaged in a rush to push this project through - ignoring proper procedure and ignoring a growing number of New Yorkers and Americans who don't believe this site is the place to build a mosque," Sekulow continued.
Sekulow said his organization would be filing a legal challenge to the panel's "flawed" decision on behalf their client.
Former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani also didn't mince words when he called the mosque a "desecration," while talking to conservative talk radio host Jeff Katz. He added that "decent Muslims" would take no offense at opposition to the Islamic center since they too desired peace.
"Nobody would allow something like that at Pearl Harbor. Let's have some respect for who died there and why they died there," Giuliani said. "Let's not put this off on some kind of politically correct theory."
Meanwhile, a prominent Jewish group has also spoken out against the mosque. The Anti-Defamation League said the mosque would be disrespectful to the victims and families of Sept. 11 and that the location was "counterproductive to the healing process."
source:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/August/NYC-Panel-Clears-Way-for-Ground-Zero-Mosque/
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Iran drops apostasy charges against women converts
by Michelle A Vu, Christian PostPosted: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 8:34 (BST)
Two female converts in Iran were acquitted of all charges and arrived safely in another country on Saturday.
Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh were cleared of apostasy, anti-state activities, and participating in illegal gatherings, according to Elam Ministries, an Iran-focused ministry that has followed the case since the beginning.
Iranian authorities warned the women that they faced serious consequences if they continue their Christian activities in Iran.
The founders of Elam Ministries, Sam and Lin Yeghnazar, received the two young women at an airport in an undisclosed country on Saturday. The name of the country was withheld for security reasons.
“It was very emotional when we first saw them,” said Lin Yeghnazar. “Now, we want to see them rest and recover.”
Rostampour and Amirizadeh were arrested in March 2009 on charges of anti-state activity and for “taking part in illegal gatherings”, in other words, involvement with house churches. They were detained in the notorious Evin prison, a facility known for its human rights violations, while their trial took place in Tehran.
The young converts suffered psychological abuse during their detainment, including sleep deprivation and intense interrogation lasting hours. They also suffered from health problems but were denied medical attention.
In prison, they were pressured to renounce their new Christian faith and to return to Islam but they repeatedly refused.
During an August 9 court hearing, they reportedly told the judge, “We love Jesus,” “Yes, we are Christians,” and, “We will not deny our faith.” In October they learned that a third charge of apostasy had been added.
They were conditionally released on November 18, but updates on their condition in April revealed that the two women were still in frail physical condition.
“We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” said Amirizadeh in a statement Saturday. “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.”
Rostampour also thanked Christians worldwide for their prayers, which she credits for sustaining them throughout the ordeal. She said eventually they would like to share what occurred during their detainment, but for now they wanted to pray and “seek the Lord for His will”.
In Iran it is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity, although Christians are allowed to convert to Islam.
Over the past year, authorities have shut down at least three churches and accused them of converting Muslims. None of the three churches have been given permission to re-open yet.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/iran.drops.apostasy.charges.against.women.converts/25960.htm
Two female converts in Iran were acquitted of all charges and arrived safely in another country on Saturday.
Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh were cleared of apostasy, anti-state activities, and participating in illegal gatherings, according to Elam Ministries, an Iran-focused ministry that has followed the case since the beginning.
Iranian authorities warned the women that they faced serious consequences if they continue their Christian activities in Iran.
The founders of Elam Ministries, Sam and Lin Yeghnazar, received the two young women at an airport in an undisclosed country on Saturday. The name of the country was withheld for security reasons.
“It was very emotional when we first saw them,” said Lin Yeghnazar. “Now, we want to see them rest and recover.”
Rostampour and Amirizadeh were arrested in March 2009 on charges of anti-state activity and for “taking part in illegal gatherings”, in other words, involvement with house churches. They were detained in the notorious Evin prison, a facility known for its human rights violations, while their trial took place in Tehran.
The young converts suffered psychological abuse during their detainment, including sleep deprivation and intense interrogation lasting hours. They also suffered from health problems but were denied medical attention.
In prison, they were pressured to renounce their new Christian faith and to return to Islam but they repeatedly refused.
During an August 9 court hearing, they reportedly told the judge, “We love Jesus,” “Yes, we are Christians,” and, “We will not deny our faith.” In October they learned that a third charge of apostasy had been added.
They were conditionally released on November 18, but updates on their condition in April revealed that the two women were still in frail physical condition.
“We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” said Amirizadeh in a statement Saturday. “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.”
Rostampour also thanked Christians worldwide for their prayers, which she credits for sustaining them throughout the ordeal. She said eventually they would like to share what occurred during their detainment, but for now they wanted to pray and “seek the Lord for His will”.
In Iran it is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity, although Christians are allowed to convert to Islam.
Over the past year, authorities have shut down at least three churches and accused them of converting Muslims. None of the three churches have been given permission to re-open yet.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/iran.drops.apostasy.charges.against.women.converts/25960.htm
Monday, May 17, 2010
Somali Christian executed by Muslims
(christiansunite.com) - Three Islamic al-Shabaab rebels killed a Christian man in front of his home in Afgoye, Somalia on March 23. The men shot Mu'awiye Hilowle Ali at close range, hitting his head and chest and killing him instantly.
Islamists had previously accused Mu'awiye and his family of spreading "fitna" -- an Arabic word for religious discord. Trained in the former Soviet Union, Mu'awiye had served in the Somali armed forces. He converted to Christianity in 2006. Members of al-Shabaab refused to allow Mu'awiye's body to be buried in a public graveyard, calling it Muslim territory.
As a result, he has been temporarily buried in the compound of his home. He is survived by his wife and 10 children. In response to the tragedy, a Somali church leader in Mogadishu said, " martyrdom will only strengthen the Somali church and that such violence will never succeed in stopping the church planting movement we see in Somalia today."
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09329.shtml
Islamists had previously accused Mu'awiye and his family of spreading "fitna" -- an Arabic word for religious discord. Trained in the former Soviet Union, Mu'awiye had served in the Somali armed forces. He converted to Christianity in 2006. Members of al-Shabaab refused to allow Mu'awiye's body to be buried in a public graveyard, calling it Muslim territory.
As a result, he has been temporarily buried in the compound of his home. He is survived by his wife and 10 children. In response to the tragedy, a Somali church leader in Mogadishu said, " martyrdom will only strengthen the Somali church and that such violence will never succeed in stopping the church planting movement we see in Somalia today."
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09329.shtml
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Human rights group seeks freedom for religious converts
by Brian HuttPosted: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 11:21 (GMT)
A new human rights group is mobilising people around the world to stand up for the freedom of religious converts to freely live out their faith.
Set My People Free to Worship Me is planning to stage simultaneous marches on April 3 in London, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Cairo, Stockholm and Sydney.
The group’s founder Kamal Fahmi said he was organising the protests to seek freedom, justice and equality for religious converts. The movement wants especially freedom for converts to worship, marry and raising their children according to their new faith.
“We want to advocate that all people, especially Muslims, have the freedom to change faith, to live out and practice their new beliefs,” he said.
Mr Fahmi stressed the movement was non-violent. hopes the marches will become an annual event.
He said: “We believe that it is time to support our suffering Christian brothers and sisters from Muslim background and raise awareness of the injustices that they face.”
The group has launched a petition demanding “freedom to worship in the Muslim world” and condemning apostasy laws.
It reads: “In our rapidly changing world, religious values and human rights are being challenged. Every year thousands die because of persecution, injustice and oppression by governments and religious institutions.
“If we don’t watch it, very soon justice and equality for all men and women will be usurped. In the Muslim world the Muslim people don’t have the freedom to choose their faith. We wish to speak out against the Muslim apostasy law worldwide.”
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/human.rights.group.seeks.freedom.for.religious.converts/25411.htm
A new human rights group is mobilising people around the world to stand up for the freedom of religious converts to freely live out their faith.
Set My People Free to Worship Me is planning to stage simultaneous marches on April 3 in London, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Cairo, Stockholm and Sydney.
The group’s founder Kamal Fahmi said he was organising the protests to seek freedom, justice and equality for religious converts. The movement wants especially freedom for converts to worship, marry and raising their children according to their new faith.
“We want to advocate that all people, especially Muslims, have the freedom to change faith, to live out and practice their new beliefs,” he said.
Mr Fahmi stressed the movement was non-violent. hopes the marches will become an annual event.
He said: “We believe that it is time to support our suffering Christian brothers and sisters from Muslim background and raise awareness of the injustices that they face.”
The group has launched a petition demanding “freedom to worship in the Muslim world” and condemning apostasy laws.
It reads: “In our rapidly changing world, religious values and human rights are being challenged. Every year thousands die because of persecution, injustice and oppression by governments and religious institutions.
“If we don’t watch it, very soon justice and equality for all men and women will be usurped. In the Muslim world the Muslim people don’t have the freedom to choose their faith. We wish to speak out against the Muslim apostasy law worldwide.”
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/human.rights.group.seeks.freedom.for.religious.converts/25411.htm
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Militant Muslims destroy church building in Indonesia
A mob of approximately 1,000 Muslims attacked a church building under construction in Bekasi Regency, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.
At midnight on December 17, the Muslims arrived at the Church of Saint Albert, some on bikes and some on foot, and stormed into the building, carrying banners and tanks of kerosene. One witness reported hearing them shout, "Destroy ! Destroy it! Replace the church with mosque!"
The Muslims damaged bricks, broke lights, uprooted newly planted trees and set the building on fire. No one was injured in the attack, but damage amounted to around 60 million rupees (approximately $6,700 CAD). Local Christians were planning to use the nearly completed building for a Christmas Mass service.
Following the attack, a leader of the church's construction committee shared, "Even though our chapel was attacked we are not afraid. We will continue the construction of this chapel until its completion." (Sources: AsiaNews, Union of Catholic Asian News)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08900.shtml
At midnight on December 17, the Muslims arrived at the Church of Saint Albert, some on bikes and some on foot, and stormed into the building, carrying banners and tanks of kerosene. One witness reported hearing them shout, "Destroy ! Destroy it! Replace the church with mosque!"
The Muslims damaged bricks, broke lights, uprooted newly planted trees and set the building on fire. No one was injured in the attack, but damage amounted to around 60 million rupees (approximately $6,700 CAD). Local Christians were planning to use the nearly completed building for a Christmas Mass service.
Following the attack, a leader of the church's construction committee shared, "Even though our chapel was attacked we are not afraid. We will continue the construction of this chapel until its completion." (Sources: AsiaNews, Union of Catholic Asian News)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08900.shtml
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Muslims attack worship service in Uganda
by Staff
November 20, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - Approximately 40 Muslims armed with machetes and clubs attacked the World Possessor's Church International in Namasuba, just outside the capital city of Kampala, Uganda, on November 1 while believers were holding a worship service.
When the church members heard the Muslims outside, they gathered at the front door to try to prevent them from entering. Some Christians were able to escape through the church's rear door.
When the Muslims noticed one of the Christians taking photographs of them, they beat him severely. Nearby residents eventually arrived on scene and helped the Christians ward off their attackers. When police arrived, they assisted in stopping the assault but made no arrests.
Local Muslims have long opposed the existence of the church in Namasuba, complaining that church members try to convert Muslims in the area. They have also argued that the church building's outdoor stairway encroaches on the alley and that the church members make too much noise.
Many of the believers are reportedly too fearful to return to church and attendance for the worship service held the following Sunday decreased from 250 to 100 people. "Since the attack we have been receiving a lot of threats from the Muslims," said Pastor Henry Zaake. "There is a conspiracy that we can't understand. This trend really gives me sleepless nights."
Ask God to sustain all the victims of this attack through His peace and grace. Pray that the members of the church will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08761.shtml
November 20, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - Approximately 40 Muslims armed with machetes and clubs attacked the World Possessor's Church International in Namasuba, just outside the capital city of Kampala, Uganda, on November 1 while believers were holding a worship service.
When the church members heard the Muslims outside, they gathered at the front door to try to prevent them from entering. Some Christians were able to escape through the church's rear door.
When the Muslims noticed one of the Christians taking photographs of them, they beat him severely. Nearby residents eventually arrived on scene and helped the Christians ward off their attackers. When police arrived, they assisted in stopping the assault but made no arrests.
Local Muslims have long opposed the existence of the church in Namasuba, complaining that church members try to convert Muslims in the area. They have also argued that the church building's outdoor stairway encroaches on the alley and that the church members make too much noise.
Many of the believers are reportedly too fearful to return to church and attendance for the worship service held the following Sunday decreased from 250 to 100 people. "Since the attack we have been receiving a lot of threats from the Muslims," said Pastor Henry Zaake. "There is a conspiracy that we can't understand. This trend really gives me sleepless nights."
Ask God to sustain all the victims of this attack through His peace and grace. Pray that the members of the church will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08761.shtml
Friday, October 9, 2009
Study: Muslims = Quarter of World Population
A new study reveals nearly one in four people in the world practice Islam.
A new study reveals nearly one in four people in the world practice Islam.
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life says the total global population is estimated to be 6.8 billion. Of this number, Muslims of all ages living in more than 200 countries in the world today total 1.57 billion or 23 percent.
When compared to Christianity, there are an estimated 2.1 billion Christians of all ages living in the world today.
The report gives precise numbers on a religious population whose size has long been debated.
The study also maps out where the world's Muslim population lives in a very comprehensive fashion. It also contradicts the idea that Muslims are Arabs and Arabs are Muslims.
Here are some of the key findings of the Pew Forum's study Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population.
- 60 percent of all practicing Muslims in the world live in Asia.
- 20 percent live in the Middle East and North Africa.
- 15 percent live in sub-Saharan Africa.
- 2.4 percent live in Europe and less than 1 percent in the Americas.
- The world's largest Muslim population can be found in Indonesia. There are more than 200 million Muslims living there.
The report finds that India, which is majority Hindu, has the third largest Muslim population of any nation with more than 161 million Muslims. Germany has four million Muslims and that's more than the entire country of Lebanon.
There are concerns about the growth of Islam, because in Muslim countries ruled by Islamic law, religious liberty is rare or nonexistent.
"Look at how Christians today are treated in countries where Islam is dominant," said Geert Wilders, Dutch politician and filmmaker. "Try buying a bible in Saudi Arabia. Try to visit a church in Iran. Try to do anything Christian in an Islamic country. There is no room for it. They are intolerant."
Source: CBN.com - http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2009/October/New-Study-Maps-Global-Muslim-Population-/
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