By Henrikus
I have come to understand that freedom of religion in Canada means religion is free from scrutiny, free from criticism and enjoys a free pass from the media. Unless the religion is Christianity, religion can do no wrong and no negative opinion will be tolerated. Through many rejected letters to editors, rejected comments to on-line forums at the CBC, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star, it has become apparent to me that Canadian media will not tolerate any deviation from the progressive party line. Clearly our media has the unshakable understanding that all religions are equally good for society; evidence to the contrary is simply not welcome and is not tolerated.
My local paper, the Cambridge Times, has showcased hijab clad girls, proudly looking on as a long awaited dome was hoisted to the top of one of the local mosques. It ran an opinion piece entitled “Teen’s death [Asqa Parvez] nothing to do with Islam”. This paper was however not interested in printing any opinions to dispute that theory. I don’t know how many opinions were rejected on the other side of the religious motivation divide but I do know how many of mine were. While this is a local newspaper, its “Guest Column” feature, has not shied away from topics condemning George Bush, opinions accusing the US of seeking world domination or otherwise joining in on the Obama cheerleading chorus. Undoubtedly, this newspaper is just one of many like it in Canada – always there to promote the myth of multiculturalism but deaf and blind to truck loads of contrary evidence.
Below is my latest attempt to express an opinion on a topic of grave concern to many in my city but a topic that fails to be mentioned in our local media. Perhaps the editors did not like terse style; they are of course free to publish what they see fit and reject what they deem to be substandard material. Perhaps the Human Rights Tribunal cases against Maclean’s magazine by the Canadian Islamic Congress have put a chill through the industry. Perhaps they are more concerned with the delicate sensitivities of niqab clad ladies and moustache-less bearded men who have appeared in town within the past decade than the concerns expressed by men with European sounding names. At any rate – here is my opinion piece that met the fate of the delete button in Cambridge Ontario:
After many horrific terrorist attacks, our media still gives scant consideration to the motives behind fanatical killers such as those in Mumbai. Ignorance is not bliss. As this modern plague infects more societies, it is time to do more than scratch the surface.
Consider what we know from media reports about the Mumbai attacks. There were at least 10 attackers – nine continued killing until their final breath and only one was captured alive. The targets, aside from the train station, were high profile targets where Westerners were known to congregate. Survivors have told the media that the attackers were looking for Western hostages – specifically Americans, Britons and Jews. The attackers did release hostages - but only those of the Muslim faith. Doctors reported that the dead found in the Jewish cultural center were tortured before being killed. The captured terrorist claimed that he and the others were trained for months in Pakistani occupied Kashmir. Wherever the killers came from – it is clear that they were well trained and well equipped. The elite Indian commandos who finally ended the terror siege said that the attackers kept up with them every step of the way and were formidable opponents.
The facts do not paint a picture of disaffected youth gone wild or malnourished freedom fighters bravely attacking an army of aggressors. These were not run of the mill militants or criminal thugs; they had a clear agenda. Their attack was premeditated - their targets selected, their enemies identified and they were prepared to slay and be slain; only the final body count was to be seen. These barbaric attackers fit the mold we have come to know yet most of us are too polite to utter the phrase that fits this murderous phenomenon. Theirs was an act of war and it was driven by religious convictions so strong that they were prepared to die for them. This was an act of holy war - Jihad.
By connecting the J- word with the tragedy in Mumbai, I do not tarnish those who share the religion with the attackers; the mujadeen themselves did this with the very act of terror committed. The word “Jihad” aptly describes both the act and identifies a credible motivation in one word that fits the known facts. Bali, Beslan, Madrid, London, New York & Mumbai - the location varies but always present were brainwashed believers calmly killing innocents in a determined effort to secure a place in heaven. Undoubtedly some readers will scream outrage at the “secure a place in heaven part” of my last comment but do they know where this outrageous idea originates? Apparently the confused soldiers of god misconstrue the Koran itself and take literally words such as these:
“Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain” Koran 9- 111
Pizzerias, wedding parties, buses, schools – innocent people engaged in banal activities of life suddenly and horrifically killed by the soldiers of god. These fearless soldiers of god appear to have a different perception of innocence and their role in maintaining god’s earthly laws is based on past precedent –
“How many towns have We destroyed (for their sins)? Our punishment took them on a sudden by night or while they slept for their afternoon rest.” Koran 7- 004.
I understand that people’s eyes tend to glaze over when confronted with quotes from a holy book so please verify my claims; read the Koran (find it on line at the University of Southern California – Muslim Student Association web site http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA). Pay attention to the context – it will make it all the more clear, inspiring and peaceful.
While you’re at it, use the search engine at the site & do a search for the word “Jihad”. Curiously you won’t find this term of central importance to the religion in the Koran. You will however find the term is used repeatedly in the Islamic scripture known as the Hadeeth – the very foundation for Islamic Sharia law. In Sahih Bukhari, the most revered and universally accepted collection of Hadeeth; “Jihad” appears 56 times. The most common context of Jihad is in the nature of:
Allah’s Apostle was asked, “What is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, “What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, “To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause.” Volume 1, Book 2, Number 25
And this
Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah guarantees (the person who carries out Jihad in His Cause and nothing compelled him to go out but Jihad in His Cause and the belief in His Word) that He will either admit him into Paradise (Martyrdom) or return him with reward or booty he has earned to his residence from where he went out.” Volume 9, Book 93, Number 555:
Perhaps some learned person will provide a more suitable theory to explain this curse of the 21st century. Of course, it is far less troubling to keep our heads planted in the sand and to go no further than to dismiss these bona fide Hell’s angels as “militants”.
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