World Affairs Board - View Single Post

Ray · 04-12-2004, 20:25 PM

Praxus,

There are many issues that you have raised that does merit attention. However, they way you are stating them is not appearing acceptable.

All Islamic state except probably Malaysia and Indonesia are Theocracies. Even Pakistan, which is helping the US after US managed to persuade Musharraf, is a Theocracy! They are theocracies since the law is based on the Koran and it is binding on non Moslems too. Unfair you may say, but then that is how it is. In Malaysia and Indonesia, though Moslem countries, the law is not based on the Koran or so I learn.

Therefore, note how many Nations require to be addressed! I eqally have no idea how they can be addressed and made to see light that rules like an eye for an eye or stoning folks for adultery is barbaric. Sure, I too am with you that this type of unaldulterated barbarism is not in synch with the modern world.

Saddam was not a Koran thumping tick (not that I approve of his inhumane ways). In fact, he never allowed the Koran to dictate the way of life in Iraq. That is why the Shias, though in majority, could do damn all. He also gave Iran (one of Bush's axis of evil country) a bloody nose. What do we do to him? Throw him out on the flimsiest of excuses.

In fact, the US has done exactly the opposite to what you are advocating and the western fears of the funamentalist Islam! They have thrown out the baby with the bath water.

Compare this with Saudi Arabia which is the fountainhead of the most hated form of Islam (as per Western and modern world beliefs) i.e. whahabis. Yet, the US molly coddles Saudi Arabia and now the US administration after 9/11 is forced to make appropriate noises to show that they are also bringing the Saudis to heel. I am afraid a leopard cannot change its spots. It will just rub some dust on it to obscure the spots from far!

Given the two examples above (Saddam and the Saudis), I remain confused as to what Bush means by war against fundamentalist Islam or militant Islam? Saddam who was not an Islamist and was a pariah amongst the Moslem countries is kicked out and Saudis the most militant of the lot given a warm hug!

Iran is worse than Syria and yet it is not getting its due share of breathing down the neck while Syria is. Of course, the reason is because of the Syrian relations with Israel. However, that is less important than having centres for exportation of Islamic hotheads i.e. Iran. Iran is more dangerous than Syria if Koran thumping at the pulpit is the index.

Shias and Sunnis cannot see eye to eye, even if they are Moslems. If Sistani or the Shias of Iraq become the arbiters of Iraq's fate, then there will be a Shia belt right from Western Afghanistan to Eastern Saudi Arabia. Imagine its import in the future.

In so far as imposing the US Constitution on others, it will not work. The cultural difference will not blend. They have to be educated to see the goodness of 'individual rights', though I doubt if they will care since the Koran is their law and it is a book that has medieval value system as its bottom line. However, I still have hope that with modern education and more visistation to western countries, they will realise the value of individual rights and while officially not accepting it, they will slowly impose them to make it acceptable. An example is that the use of condoms. It is not acceptable by the religious text or so says the local mullahs here, but Pakistan has an official programme to control birth since the economic realties have taken precedence over social and religious bigortry. Are you aware that seeing the TV or a movie or listening to music is anti Islam? How more antediluvian can one get. Yet, I have hope.

If Winter Comes, Can Spring be Far behind?

04-12-2004, 20:25 PM	#34 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,239 Country:	Praxus, There are many issues that you have raised that does merit attention. However, they way you are stating them is not appearing acceptable. All Islamic state except probably Malaysia and Indonesia are Theocracies. Even Pakistan, which is helping the US after US managed to persuade Musharraf, is a Theocracy! They are theocracies since the law is based on the Koran and it is binding on non Moslems too. Unfair you may say, but then that is how it is. In Malaysia and Indonesia, though Moslem countries, the law is not based on the Koran or so I learn. Therefore, note how many Nations require to be addressed! I eqally have no idea how they can be addressed and made to see light that rules like an eye for an eye or stoning folks for adultery is barbaric. Sure, I too am with you that this type of unaldulterated barbarism is not in synch with the modern world. Saddam was not a Koran thumping tick (not that I approve of his inhumane ways). In fact, he never allowed the Koran to dictate the way of life in Iraq. That is why the Shias, though in majority, could do damn all. He also gave Iran (one of Bush's axis of evil country) a bloody nose. What do we do to him? Throw him out on the flimsiest of excuses. In fact, the US has done exactly the opposite to what you are advocating and the western fears of the funamentalist Islam! They have thrown out the baby with the bath water. Compare this with Saudi Arabia which is the fountainhead of the most hated form of Islam (as per Western and modern world beliefs) i.e. whahabis. Yet, the US molly coddles Saudi Arabia and now the US administration after 9/11 is forced to make appropriate noises to show that they are also bringing the Saudis to heel. I am afraid a leopard cannot change its spots. It will just rub some dust on it to obscure the spots from far! Given the two examples above (Saddam and the Saudis), I remain confused as to what Bush means by war against fundamentalist Islam or militant Islam? Saddam who was not an Islamist and was a pariah amongst the Moslem countries is kicked out and Saudis the most militant of the lot given a warm hug! Iran is worse than Syria and yet it is not getting its due share of breathing down the neck while Syria is. Of course, the reason is because of the Syrian relations with Israel. However, that is less important than having centres for exportation of Islamic hotheads i.e. Iran. Iran is more dangerous than Syria if Koran thumping at the pulpit is the index. Shias and Sunnis cannot see eye to eye, even if they are Moslems. If Sistani or the Shias of Iraq become the arbiters of Iraq's fate, then there will be a Shia belt right from Western Afghanistan to Eastern Saudi Arabia. Imagine its import in the future. In so far as imposing the US Constitution on others, it will not work. The cultural difference will not blend. They have to be educated to see the goodness of 'individual rights', though I doubt if they will care since the Koran is their law and it is a book that has medieval value system as its bottom line. However, I still have hope that with modern education and more visistation to western countries, they will realise the value of individual rights and while officially not accepting it, they will slowly impose them to make it acceptable. An example is that the use of condoms. It is not acceptable by the religious text or so says the local mullahs here, but Pakistan has an official programme to control birth since the economic realties have taken precedence over social and religious bigortry. Are you aware that seeing the TV or a movie or listening to music is anti Islam? How more antediluvian can one get. Yet, I have hope. If Winter Comes, Can Spring be Far behind? __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA Last edited by Ray : 04-12-2004 at 20:33 PM.