Faisal Shazad Life Sentence: Times Square Bomber Faisal Shahzad Statement

Times Square bomber-wanna-be Faisal Shahzad has received a sentence of Life in Prison and has issued a statement making it clear why any Muslim-militant can NEVER be believed. Shazad is a naturalized American citizen. When asked about his pledge of allegiance to the U.S., Shahzad said "I did swear but I did not mean it." See a video below.

Faisal Shahzad

On May 1st Faisal Shahzad, 31, left a bomb in a 1993 Nissan Pathfiner and parked it in New York's busy Times Square. He walked away and waited for the explosion that never happened beyond a sputter.

He lit the fuse of his crude, homemade bomb, then fled on foot, pausing along the way to listen for the explosion that never came, court papers said.

A street vendor spotted smoke coming from the vehicle and alerted police, who quickly cleared the area. The bomb attempt set off an intense investigation that culminated two days later with investigators plucking Shahzad off a Dubai-bound plane at a New York airport.

Shazhad pleaded guilty, and said he hoped to kill at least forty people with the failed bomb which the FBI duplicated and said the explosion ripped a SUV in half, caused a huge fireball and "shredded" four other vehicles parked in the vicinity.

Unless the U.S. leaves Muslim lands alone, he warned, "we will be attacking U.S., and I plead guilty to that." 

Faisal Shahzad and Huma Asif Mian Shahzad

It is believed Shahzad married Huma Asif Mian in an "arranged" marriage on December 24, 2004. Mian was born in Colorado and recently graduated the University of Colorado with a degree in Accounting. Her father, Mohammad Asif Mian is a petroleum engineer "expert," who "registered Democrat," in Connecticut, will be incarcerated.  Shazhad told the court he believes only in Islamic Shariah law and Muslim "soldiers" will never accept democracy. There are reports that Huma Asif Mian fled to Pakistan.

Justice.gov has a detailed report on the failed bombing and the ten Federal charges. The second video below is believed to be Faisal Shahzad meeting with the nine-lived, celebrated terrorist, Hakimullah Mehsud.


Faisal Shahzad Neighbors (video)
Hakimullah Mehsud nd Faisal Shahzad (video)

Ground Zero Mosque Tax Exempt Public Funding Avoids Usury? Shariah Law Comes to NYC

The Retuers headline: "Ground Zero Muslim Center may get public financing," even though the project developer says the facility will hold "1,000 worshippers." Developers are hoping to raise $70 million in tax-exempt debt and the city of New York is considering tax-exempts bonds. Shariah law requires the mosque to built with no funds repaid with interest. How does all this come together? Will New Yorkers provide Shariah Compliant Financing for their Muslim residents, not for a mosque, but for a community center? Shariah finance succeeds where terrorism fails?

Graphic courtesy of Infidel Blogger's Alliance

Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook

Linked by Larwyn's Linx and Doug Ross - Thank you Larwyn!

Pelosi to Investigate Ground Zero Mosque Protesters: Who is Funding the Protesters

Nancy Pelosi is so out of touch with America that she can't believe we will not protest this abhorrent idea of this victory mosque without someone paying for it. She believes the protest is political and calls building it or not is an "urban development" decision.

Mosques are Barracks, Helmets, Bayonets and Faithful Soldiers

From The Washington Times: AUDIO

"There is no question there is a concerted effort to make this a political issue by some. And I join those who have called for looking into how is this opposition to the mosque being funded," she said. "How is this being ginned up that here we are talking about Treasure Island, something we've been working on for decades, something of great interest to our community as we go forward to an election about the future of our country and two of the first three questions are about a zoning issue in New York City." 

Calls to investigate the funding for those proposing $100 million "Cordoba House" have fallen on deaf ears, though, as New York's Mayor Mike Bloomberg has described such an investigation as "un-American."

Note that Mayor Bloomberg said investigating where the money to build the mosque comes from is "unAmerican," but it is apparently not "unAmerican" to poke around in the American grassroots dislike of this victory trophy mosque.

Graphic courtesy of Weazel Zippers



Side note: Are you aware of the weekly Ten Buck Friday Poll? You can leave your nomination for constitutional conservatives to be entered in the poll. The winner each week receives donations from Ten Buck Friday participating bloggers and readers. Please leave nominations for next week's Ten Buck Friday poll in comments on any page in my blog, or follow the link on the poll, found in my lefthand sidebar, to comments and post your nomination.

Counting this week's poll, we have 11 more weeks to election day, November 2nd.

Please help us find constitutional conservatives around the country, and then support them with your donation each week. See the poll below.
posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook
Linked by: TalkWisdom - Thank you Christine!Reaganite Republican

Shariah Finance - Jihad for Money: Video Transcript

I recently had a conversation with my brothers about Shariah Finance. I realized that I did not remember all that I knew about the subject, and it was time for a refresher. I went back to a previous post, the last half of which is about our U.S. Treasury supporting Shariah Compliant Finance, through the Harvard Law School's Project on Islamic Finance leadership. A part of that post included the video below, with the transcription of the video first.

Shariah Finance - Jihad for Money

This is such an important subject. I see one of my family member's investments held in an institution offering Shariah Financing, and one of the holdings is in a Shariah compliant fund shown below.

Here the video from ACT for America and a transcription: (note that the video seems to be from the period of the Bush TARP bill - late 2008)

Hi, I'm Joy Brighton. As a former Wall Street trader, investment professor, a Democrat, and an American concerned for my country and way of life, I'm here to break the silence and tell you about more greed and negligence on Wall Street and in Washington. While you and the government focuses on the subprime mortgage collapse, there is another financial crisis brewing. The same disastrous formula - Wall Street and their lawyers are focusing on profits and not enough on risk, and Washington is paying little attention to what is going on.

It's called Shariah Islamic Finance, the newest, fastest growing financial market in the world, and oh yes, Wall Street is on board bigtime. So you ask what is Shariah Finance? Though Wall Street is focused on the money side of Shariah Finance, Shariah Law is the reason this market exists; Shariah Islamic Law, comprised of rules like Muslim women are the property of men, "polygamy, forced child marriages, death to homosexuals and the obligation to wage holy war or jihad against infidels.

There are rules for infidels like you and me. Either we convert to Islam, pay a protection tax or we are killed. Who practices such inhumane law? The governments of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, and radicals like the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda.

How did Shariah Finance become acceptable in the West? In the spirit of multiculturalism, political correctness, and greed gone way overboard, Wall Street has bought in to a multi-million dollar advertising campaign coming from the Middle East. We are being told that "quote, Muslims have religious banking requirements and if you create investments accord to Shariah Law, 1.2 billion Muslims, loaded with oil money, will beat a path to Wall Street. However, the majority of moderate Muslims worldwide, do not want anything to do with Shariah Law, or Shariah Finance.

Everyday Muslim leaders are warning about the dangers of Shariah Finance.

There is the Muslim Canadian Congress, American Islamic Forum for Democracy,  Muslims Against Shariah and many other Muslim moderates in the West, but no one is listening. You see, Shariah banking was created by Sheiks like al-Qaradawi, a terrorist banned from entering the U.S. and Britain. Yet as I speak, al-Qardawi says:

"I like to call it jihad with money because God has ordered us to fight our enemies with our lives and our money. ~ Sheik Yousuf al-Qardawi

The danger of Shariah Finance is not only that it is welcoming Shariah Law into our society, but a percentage of this money must go to Islamic charities. The problem is that since September 11th, twenty-seven Islamic charities have been identified by the U.S. government as funders of terrorism. Yes, America needs investment dollars, but are we willing to trade national security for it? There are ways to accept oil money into our economy, and protect our democracy without opening ourselves up to Shariah Law.

New evidence shows that al-Qaeda financed 9/11/01 attacks with funds received from Shariah Financing. Let me tell you what Wall Street is doing: First, they are marketing Shariah investment as the hot new product for all American pension funds insurance companies and corporations; Second, they are hiring religious sheiks to sit on advisory boards overseeing where and how to invest dollars to comply with Shariah Law. This is giving Muslim sheiks a seat of power at corporate headquarters all over America. In essence, Wall Street is welcoming Islamic Law into our banking system.

What is Wall Street not doing? First, Wall Street is not disclosing the connection between Shariah Law, the Taliban al-Qaeda and Iran. Second, Wall Street is not telling customers of the jihadi background of the Shariah experts they are hiring.

Many of your are customers of these financial institutions that are offering Shariah bonds, mutual funds, hedge funds, and insurance as legitimate and ethical.

AIG

Arcapita

BNP Paribas

Bank of America

Citicorp

Barclays Capital

BlackRock Shariah Finance

Dow Jones Index

Deutche Bank

Goldman Sachs

HSBC Amanah

JP Morgan Chase

Merrill Lynch

Millennium Finance Corp

Morgan Stanley Capital

Paulson and Company

S&P Family of Shariah Indexes

Shariah Capital

UBS United Bank of Switzerland

Wachovia

What is driving the Shariah banking craze? Money and lots of it. The Middle East takes in over $1 trillion a year in oil profits. This translates to billions of dollars lining the pockets of investment banks, law firms, insurance companies and consultants. Today lawyers and consulting firms are the key drivers of the Shariah banking craze. In fact, Harvard Law School just hosted their 8th Annual Islamic Banking Conference, where these firms learn that this market is very ethical and culturally important. 

My colleagues were there. No one explained what Shariah Law is, it's link to terrorism and human rights abuses. Harvard Law is even teaching the U.S. Treasury about the opportunity of Islamic banking. I've had hedge fund managers and advisers to sovereign (inaudible) and bank CEOs say "if I don't do this deal, someone else will.  Make it illegal and I'll stop doing it."

 Maybe this all sounds crazy, but no more crazy than September 11th would have sounded on September 10th. No more crazy than our government needing to bailout our economy to the tune of $700 billion and the disasters at Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Lehman Brothers.

You must wonder: Isn't someone telling the government about this? Yes we have. Over the past year my colleagues have sat down with top officials at the Security and Exchange Commissions, US Treasury, Attorney Generals offices, aides to Pres Bush and CEOs of banks.

We have provided them with detailed documentation. The response from the Treasury Department:

"I don't know what Shariah Law is, but it can't possibly be what you say it is." 

Another senior Treasury official said:

"We are not responsible for disclosure or transparency." 

The SEC said:

 "Wall Street is disclosing. They are saying that these religious investments can't invest in alcohol or pork." 

So let me ask you, how would you react if your pension fund invested in an ethical, no alcohol mutual fund, and then you discover that there is a relationship between your investment and terrorists killing U.S. soldiers and civilians.

In my opinion, that is securities and consumer fraud. We are selling our soul and our security for money. We have no time to waste. We the people must rise up and stop this.

(The end of the video is about joining ACT for America's effort to stop Shariah Finance. ACT is an excellent and effective organization. Just follow the ACT link above)

End transcript.

Other Resources:
The Washington Times: Frank Gaffney: Treasury submits to Shariah

America Must Not Bail Out Sharia Finance (but we will) - Infidel Blogger's Alliance

Obama appoints Sharia Finance Specialist as White House Fellow

U.S. Interest in Shariah Finance Opens Dangerous Doors, Critics Say





ACT Shariah Law (video)

Are you aware of the weekly Ten Buck Friday Poll? You can leave your nomination for constitutional conservatives to be entered in the poll. The winner each week receives donations from Ten Buck Friday participating bloggers and readers. Please leave nominations for next week's Ten Buck Friday poll in comments on any page in my blog, or follow the link on the poll, found in my lefthand sidebar, to comments and post your nomination.

Counting this week's poll, we have 11 more weeks to election day, November 2nd.

Please help us find constitutional conservatives around the country, and then support them with your donation each week. See the poll below.
Posted by Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook

Elena Kagan and Islamic Shariah Law

The emotions around the appointment of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan are raw. I can hardly bear to write about what our Senate is doing to our country by placing Kagan on the highest bench in the land and for the term of her lifetime. Andrew McCarthy highlights Kagans' acceptance of shariah law and her sheer stupidity in understanding it.

Elena Kagan

 Here's a snippet, speaking of Dean Kagan at Harvard by McCarthy at NRO:

 Real courage at Harvard would have called for condemning the university’s profoundly immoral, gluttonous promotion of sharia. While Kagan was at the law school her patron, Harvard’s president Larry Summers, accepted stunning $20 million donation for the creation of a program of studies to lionize Islam’s history and jurisprudence. The cash came from the Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the billionaire investor whose attempted $10 million contribution to the Twin Towers fund had been refused by New York mayor Rudy Giuliani when bin Talal blamed the 9/11 atrocities on American foreign policy. Summers, the anti-Giuliani, not only took the money but named the program and an endowment in the prince’s honor. And why not? By then, as Ben Shapiro reported, Harvard’s law school already had three Saudi-funded institutions devoted to the study of sharia...

Yet there were no condemnations from Dean Kagan over the prince’s lavish gift. To the contrary, she proceeded to forge the law school’s “Islamic Finance Project.” Its purpose is to promote sharia compliance in the U.S. financial sector....

Kagan and other apologists for SCF would absolve themselves from the real-world consequences of their allegedly well-intentioned diversity fetish. But legitimizing any aspect of sharia is the endorsement of all of it. Moreover, there is no cut-and-dried separation of sharia brutality from the tidy, white-collar world of financial transactions. 

The article is long and detailed. Please clink the link above to read.

From The Daily Caller:

Robert Spencer, the director of Jihad Watch, told The Daily Caller that Kagan would help advance Sharia law in America out of ignorance. “[Kagan] would knowingly and wittingly abet the advance of Sharia, but she wouldn’t do it understanding anything about Sharia. She would do it out of her ignorance.”

Spencer attributes Kagan’s fondness for Sharia to naïveté and liberalism. “There is a general tendency on the part of political liberals in the United States today to take a benign view of Islam and Islamic law,” he said. “They are generally uninformed and share a hatred of the West and Western civilization.”

According to Spencer, Kagan will be a willing accomplice in the ongoing stealth jihad — or the institution of Sharia into non-Muslim societies via non-violent means, such as the courts and mainstreaming Islamic customs — currently underway against the “The goal of the jihad is to assert the primacy of Islamic law over non-Muslim society and over Muslim societies where it is not fully enforced, and that can take place either through violent or non-violent means and the goal is the same,” he said.

Linked by
 Le Fleur de Lys too - Thank you.
The Current - America, Baseball and We the People - Thanks to John Carey!

News From Sderot

By Findalis of Monkey in the Middle

From the Sderot Media Center 2 important articles.

In the 90th minute of the PR game, does Israel have a last shot at Europe?

by Noam Bedein

Israel's legitimacy as an independent Jewish state is being undermined and threatened like never before, especially in Europe.

This became apparent during a short journey to Brussels and a nine-day speaking tour in Norway during the diplomatic crises of the Gaza aid 'flotilla'.

"It doesn't look good for Israel in the future if in this crisis, Israel loses support from friendly countries such as Spain and Italy" said a colleague who works as a political consultant of an Italian MP, (and asked not to be named citing security concerns).

At the European Parliament house in Brussels, the flotilla aftermath made one issue obvious: Israel had better start strategizing on focusing its talking points and PR in presenting the Israeli perspective to the last of the Europeans still willing to listen. Or else Israel risks becoming isolated like South Africa was in the last years of Apartheid.

"It is a dangerous situation when EU members choose to be blind, in order not to see and hear the actual facts," an Italian MP told me regarding the Israel's side presented to the EU Parliament house after the flotilla episode.

This observation was made while en route to a press conference where Efraim Halevy, former Israeli ambassador to the EU, was ' lynched’ by reporters, over the flotilla crises, and was raked over the coals by a REUTERS reporter. Ironically, the same REUTERS news agency had fabricated flotilla photos to present the image of 'peace activists' by splicing out the knives carried by the Turkish terrorists.

All this took place minutes before a Conference on Global Terrorism, where Mr. Halevy was asked by the Palestinian ambassador to the EU: "What about the serious accusation of the Swedish reporter about the stealing Palestinian organs by Israeli soldiers during the Gaza war? Why was that reporter kicked out of Israel for further investigation?"

The fact that questions like these about Israeli policies still ring in the international forums, reflect the depths of hatred and pure misinformation that is being cultivated in Europe--emanating from successful propaganda campaigns reminiscent of the Third Reich era against the Jewish people.

No matter what basic facts were presented and exposed to all about the Gaza aid flotilla, as so well presented by Law Professor Alan Dershowitz in his article- "Israel obeyed international law: Legally, the Gaza flotilla conflict is an open-and-shut case" it wouldn't matter because EU countires and their MP's have already been wooed to one side.

"The EU’s primary ‘case' against Israel in the EU Parliament regarding the flotilla crises, is with no doubt the killings’ in "international waters," according to Mr. Nuno Martines from European Friends of Israel.

Israeli PR is ticking at one minute before the END GAME, where there’s no looking back. It must refocus its main points and battles, when the Gaza/Palestinian narrative has had so deep an effect on people’s minds and hearts.

And this is the result of losing in the first battle in the Second Gaza Media War:

Case in point: a small briefing of the Israeli Ambassador to the EU took place in a local library in down town Brussels. This session was scheduled before the flotilla crises organized by the organization "Young Professionals of Foreign Affairs’ regarding the relationship between Israel and the EU.

Almost all the questions asked by young professionals in the audience at the meeting had a direct reference to the Holocaust or to Nazi Germany.

A young Italian woman's query was typical: "I admit I don’t know enough about the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, but how can you as people who experienced a Holocaust can let children starve in an humanitarian crises like Gaza is?"

A young staffer for a Belgian MP chimed in: "How can people who’ve been through so much only 65 years ago, ignore the sufferings of the Palestinians?"

And the last question,asked in a laconic, non-chalant manner - "Why should Israel keep its identity as a Jewish state? After all, we all remember the last European country that wanted to define itself on a nationalistic note, and look what happened in Germany from there..."

The people who assess the results of the Israel PR media war at this time must come to some immediate conclusions. It is vital that we work to promote the basic human rights as Jews and Israelis for self determination as a state. The time has also come to pioneer a proactive response to the Gaza narrative as Hamas has become a household term around the world.

Based upon this experience in Brussels, Israel must re-focus its time and efforts on outreaching to the thousands of young adult professionals who work as MP staffers to the 736 EU MPs of the EU Parliament house and the European commission. Sending young Israelis to conduct dialogue with Europe's up and coming generation is the most effective outreach that can be done.

As an Israeli who lives less than a mile from Gaza and experiencing the third 'cease fire' between Israel and Hamas where already hundreds of rockets have been fired towards Israel, I know that the times are difficult. The total number of rocket and missile attacks fired from Gaza towards Israel as of mid-June, has risen to 370 since the end of the military operation in Gaza, January 18, 2009. It is clear is that the security situation in southern Israel on the ground is very fragile, just as Israel’s image is in neighboring Europe. We need to do all we can to prepare for the inevitable battle of rocket/flotilla warfare, while simultaneously implementing a media strategy to retain our allies in Europe.

As Israel marks five years to the withdrawal of Israeli troops and civilians from Gaza Strip--the only nation in modern history that has ever given land for peace after winning a war--Hamas continues to find other means to wage conflict. Since Hamas militarily took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, the battle for Israel's right to exist has only increased. As of now, the Islamic regime of Hamas today, the only such terrorist organization in the world that controls an entire population of civilians thanks to international support, is doing all it can to win on the PR front.

It's seems as Gaza today is haunting us..

And here comes the next load of ships...

I personally have given up on Europe and the trash that lives there.  I firmly believe that within a  few years Europe will be living under Shar'ia Law as Dhimmis.  Too bad for them, the warning signs are there now.


Finding an Oasis of Israel Support Among Christian Zionists

by Noam Bedein

As the director of Sderot Media Center, I find it is important to speak at eye-level to university students and other young audiences and to present a first-hand account of Israel’s stand versus the Gaza narrative.

During my fourth visit to the Christian Zionist communities in Norway, where I was invited by a pro-Israel advocacy group by the name of MIFF, to take part in a media conference that took place in Oslo. As a resident of Sderot, I talked about what it is like to live under the constant threat of missiles fired from Hamas-ruled Gaza.

I defend Israel’s blockade of Gaza, as a legal and necessary measure against an entity sworn to Israel’s destruction and its removal that would lead to a flood of heavy Iranian weaponry, including long- range missile systems entering Gaza.

My visit coincided with Israel’s latest diplomatic crisis in wake of the Turkish-led Flotilla to Gaza that tried to forcefully break Israel’s naval blockade while posing as a self-described human rights delegation offering humanitarian aid.

I cannot begin to describe the oasis of comfort I felt at the sight of the huge Israeli flags waving proudly from the terraces of pro-Israel Christians.

Where only moments before I felt so isolated, drowning in a sea of hatred while the massive negative media blindly turned against Israel, with every headline screaming “Israel massacres human rights activists”, these Chrisitan Zionists unapologetically took a stand for Israel. While European politicians were calling for a boycott on Israel - the Christian Zionists communities got together and made a point of purchasing products with labels “Made in Israel.”

My travels have exposed me to the pro-Israel Christian communities.

Being raised in an orthodox Jewish home, it has been somewhat of an experience for me to feel at home with the Christian communities. Yet, only they understand me when I point out that the Middle East conflict is a war of religions. These communities are completely familiar and in agreement with the Jewish people’s right to live in the Land of Israel.

Nancy and Doug's beautiful home in Lyngdall, Norway.

When I get up with the Bible in hand and say “here in this Bible is the word of God saying that the Land of Israel belongs to the People of Israel”. We have every right to live in Sderot and any other part of the land in peace and security". The audience cheers and says “Amen” and “Hallelujah.”

It was New Year’s Eve, 2010, when I first met the presidential candidate of Zambia, Dr. Savior Chishimba. Savior, a devout Christian and staunch Zionist, came to Sderot to take part in the Sderot “Sderot Rally for Hope” - an initiative of the Sderot Media Center - commemorating one year to the “Cast Lead” military operation in Gaza, marching to the hope that the new decade will bring a halt to Qassam rockets from Gaza targeting civilians in Sderot.

Dr. Savior represented the African civilians who fell pray to acts of terror from radical Islamic forces during the last decade.

Saviour Chashimba at the Sderot Rally for Hope.

Nowadays, most African countries do not have diplomatic relations with Israel due to their succumbing to the Arab boycott and their oil dependency on the Gulf States.

Traveling to Africa, I was invited to speak at the Kenya Security Council and at two Kenyan universities where most of the students are Christians. I was received warmly and was able to talk openly about life in Sderot alongside Islamic terror and the necessity for a security fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip. This was mentioned in context to the parallel threat facing Kenya and the importance of a security fence between Moslem Somalia and Christian Kenya where approximately 5000 Moslems infiltrate Kenya daily including radical Islamic elements who carry out terror attacks on Kenyan territory.

Our paths crossed again last March at the “Jerusalem House of Prayer” in Lusaka, capitol of Zambia where I was invited to speak. Savior said he was planning another visit to Israel and I invited him to join my family for Seder night.

Dr. Savior took me up on the invitation and indeed joined my family for Seder Night at my parents’ home in Efrat, Gush Etzion:

Savior took delight in the many rituals he witnessed at our Seder table. He enjoyed the taste of his first Matza and loved the idea of drinking 4 cups of fine wine! He followed with rapt attention the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and it was clear that he was familiar with the story.

Chashimba and Bedein at press conference in Lusaka, Zambia.

His parting words to us were his promise to renew diplomatic ties with Israel when elected president and to set up the Zambian Embassy in Jerusalem. “I plan to awaken the Christian majority in Zambia to the importance of having ties with the Jewish people in Israel”, he said.

“Whosoever blesses the Jewish people will be blessed and whosoever curses the Jewish people will be cursed. You see that all the nations are now coming out against Jerusalem and the Jewish people but you have nothing to fear because the Jewish people will come out on top!”

When he left, someone at the table declared: "Elijah the Prophet has come to give us good tidings!

Speaking to many Christian Zionist audiences all over the world, has led me to believe that in order to make a dent in world opinion that is currently stacked up against us, Israel’s leaders must enlist the help of our Zionist Christian allies. To do so, Israel must send out emissaries to these communities and provide them with advocacy tools so they can stand with Israel and the values it represents and to be prepared and effective in swaying world opinion away from the dangerous Jihadists who vow to destroy all Western civilization.

May G-d Bless the Christian communities world-wide who understand, love and support the State of Israel.  May they grow and flourish for many years to come.

Take a good look at those so-called Christian churches, the ones called Main Stream.  They are dying. The young people don't attend, the families stay away, they are dying.  They also don't support or recognize Israel's right to exist or the right of the Jewish people to have a homeland in our ancestral home.

The churches that are thriving have Zionists for their membership.  They will flourish and grow.

The Sderot Media Center is a voice to the world for the people of Sderot.  It exists only with the aid of contributions from people like you.  Please give.

Banning Sharia Law on Oklahoma Ballot

Oklahoma State Representative Rex Duncan announced the Save our State Amendment which will be on the state's November 2nd ballot as State Question 755. See the video below.

Oklahoma Rep. Rex Duncan

Logan's Warning is enthusiastic in their reporting of this Resolution to receive the vote of the people:

Oklahoma lawmakers have seen the light, and are looking to follow in the footsteps ofLouisiana and ban Sharia Law. This is a great step in our war with Islam. The reason is that, not only does it protect us from Islam, it will also expose the pro-Sharia Muslims. Personally I would like to take it one step further though. After the law is passed, I would arrest and deport if possible, any Muslim that calls for Sharia Law. All Sharia loving Muslims are to be looked upon as enemies of the state, just like Nazis were.

Infidels are Cool says CAIR is already worked up - not happy, and quotes an article in Politics Today:

Sharia law defines a Muslim’s duties to God and to others, including social transactions and business, penal and family relationships. It is derived from numerous sources, but is not a single code of laws and is open to interpretation, though it is generally associated in the West with a draconian strictness.

As Infidels are Cool points out with an edge of sarcasm, "jihad, death to America, Israel , anyone who stands up to Islam," can certainly be considered "draconian strictness."

Note the mention of "family relationships." See, that's the thing. Muslim families come to America, and some of the women, maybe many of the women, maybe most of the women want to ditch the burqa and hijab...and other things. Shariah law would give Muslim men the added advantage of having Shariah law, and applying it, in the Land of the Free and the Brave.

Saad Mohammed, the director of Islamic Information for the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City said:

“Sharia is more of a protection than something used to oppress,” Mohammed said.

That's a subject for another post, but statements like this, make Americans want to run for the barf bag. We know better. That's why laws are coming down everywhere to stop Shariah. Too bad there wasn't a "pre-emptive" strike on Shariah compliance in our financial institutions. We are already paying for that lapse of common sense.

Video from this Logan's Warning post:




Oklahoma State Rep. Rex Duncan Video text:

Oklahoma voters will have a chance to make a Pre-emptive strike against the spread of international law and Shariah law, which is the fundamentalist Islamic law spreading into Oklahoma courts

We believe Oklahoma courts should follow Federal laws, Oklahoma laws, the Constitution of our country and state and establish common laws to include other state's laws, so long as it does not include 

Shariah law.

It's not a problem in Oklahoma, but it is a problem in other states.

It is an emerging spreading threat. I believe other States will follow Oklahoma's lead.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno is Muslim Model in Malaysia: Kartika Shukarno, Lubna Hussein Lashes

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno is a Muslim model in Malaysia. She drank some beer in a hotel lobby and, under Muslim law, she will be caned. See update below. See 4-1-10 update below.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno

Ms. Shukarno is sentenced to 6 lashes with a rattan cane. Amnesty International tried to rescue her from the lashings but Kartika says:

I want to respect the law.

She is 32 years old and the mother of two. She wants her caning in public.

...Miss Shukarno has even asked for the caning to be carried out in public to send a clear message to Muslims that they should shun alcohol.

The prosecutor said that consuming alcohol is a very serious offense. Her "cane" will be lighter than a cane used for men, and the prosecutor says the lashes are intended to "educate," not "punish."

Caning, administered on the buttocks, breaks the skin and leaves permanent scars. Kartika said earlier that she wanted authorities to cane her as soon as possible so she can resume her life with her husband and children.

Two-thirds of the Malaysian population are said to be Muslim., but beer and alcohol being present in the country is not against the law. Perhaps this form of "evil" brings in big revenue through taxes, as it does in the U.S. or perhaps non-Muslims drink a lot.

In some reporting I see a comparison between Ms. Shukarno's case and that of the Sudanese female journalist, Lubna Hussein, who is sentenced to 40 lashes for wearing trousers in public. Let us not make that mistake. Both women live under Shariah law. Kartrika respects the law and wants others to respect it also. She believes her sentence is justice. Ms. Hussein views her sentence inhumane and against all religions.

Lubna Hussein

Hussein, reportedly a Christian, and "an enemy of public morals, insisted that she be lashed publicly and she sent a very strong message when she wore the same trousers to her trial. She has no respect for Shariah Law, and she intends to use her sentence to highlight the plight of Sudanese women. Lubna Hussein, a widow in her 30's was among 13 women arrested July 3 in a raid by members of the public order police force on a popular Khartoum cafe for wearing trousers, considered indecent by the strict interpretation of Islamic law adopted by Sudan's Islamic regime. All but three of the women were flogged at a police station two days later. Hussein is out on bail.

But Hussein and two other women decided they wanted to go to trial and Hussein invited human rights workers, western diplomats and fellow journalists to Wednesday's hearing.
Some of her women friends showed up in court Wednesday wearing trousers in a show of support.
"This is not a case about me wearing pants," said Hussein, who works in the media department of the U.N. Mission in Sudan and contributes opinion pieces to a left-leaning Khartoum newspaper.
"This is a case about annulling the article that addresses women's dress code, under the title of indecent acts. This is my battle. This article is against the constitution and even against Islamic law itself," she said after the hearing.

Ms. Hussein worked for the UN as a public information officer, and was forced to quit her job for her decision to go to trial. Lubna is a journalist and has learned that her name is on a "blacklist," and she cannot leave the country. Women forcing a trial under Shariah Law...very unusual. There must be some Muslim men in a fuss over this. Her trial on August 4th brought out women and men in support of Lubna and police brought out the tear gas to disperse the crowd.

"We are here to protest against this law that oppresses women and debases them,” said Amal Habani, another journalist, who was also arrested last month for writing a column in support of Ms Hussein.

The judge adjourned the trial until September 7th, saying that he needed to investigate, or in his words, "seek clarity" on whether or not she is immune from prosecution due to her employment with the UN. Protesters were waving banners, "No Return to the Dark Ages." This report says that Ms. Hussein's attorney was beaten by police during the protests. Lubna Hussein does not want immunity. She wants the world to see what happens when a woman decides to choose her own clothing:

They want to check with the UN whether I have immunity from prosecution,” she said outside the courtroom. “I don’t know why, because I have already resigned from the United Nations. I think they just want to delay the case.” Before the hearing, another of Ms Hussein’s lawyers said that his client would take her case to the Constitutional Court if necessary.

The flogging of this strong and vocal woman will not be looked upon kindly. The Sudenese government is already on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror. What will they do now? Let her wear her trousers? I don't think so, but she is giving these men who, according to Luba, distribute their law and punishment loosely and on a whim, a large dose of grief.

As for Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, the Muslim model in Maylasia, she will "remain" in prison where the caning is scheduled to be carried out. We'll see if she is successful in getting her bottom caned publicly, as she is requesting, all in the quest to keep her fellow Muslims from the evils of alcohol. Update 10-05-09: Ms. Shukarno's caning has not yet happened. She has been approached by filmmakers to portray herself in a movie, but said she make no decision until her sentence has been carried out. Here's a confusing report about Shukarno desire for publicity, or not.

Update 4-1-10:
Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno will not be caned. Her sentence will be communted, according to her father, but she will serve a three-week community service stint at a children's home in Pahang beginning April 2nd, 2010.

Ms. Shukarno refused to appeal her sentence, and asked to be caned in public.

Three other Malaysian women WERE caned in February for adultrey.



 Photo credit for Lubna Hussein: GuardianUK and Observer

A Letter To America

by Findalis of Monkey in the Middle A letter from an Englishman to the people of America

Dear Mr and Mrs America, I am writing this letter to you in the hope that I can draw to your attention the dangerous route your country is taking, I am naught but an ordinary Englishman who is seeing the danger signs springing up in the country where my children live, below is what I see happening in America, and I would not like to see the USA going down the same disastrous route that the UK has been taken by its government. Many years ago, just after the small argument that America and Britain had over taxes,people from all over Europe migrated to the New World, they came for a new life and a new start, they did not come as French Americans, Dutch or German Americans or even English Americans, they arrived and became "Americans" , they signed up to the American way. These people remembered their old country but were committed to their new one, its values principles and practices were the bedrock of their being in America. These people set about building the most powerful country on the planet, they had a common aim, a common belief and a common will, that will was to build America for their children. These people endured much hardship and privation but they did not give up, they were determined to build America. The foundations of your country was built by these people, the ideals of your country are steeped in the sweat and blood of these early Americans. Alas the sacrifices of these people appear to be slipping into history, they are being relegated to folklore. The foundations that were laid are being eroded and there is a great danger that America will no longer be American unless a change of course is made. The Balkanization of America could happen, Multiculturalism has reared its destructive head in the USA. Multiculturalism is an invention of socialist dogma, its main premise is that all cultures can live in complete harmony in the same space without surrendering any of their cultural beliefs and practices. On the face of it that is true, indeed Europe has many cultures on its land mass but they are all in their own space these spaces are called countries, each country , as you know has its own unique culture. It is precisely that concept that multiculturalism dislikes intently, multiculturalism states that you can have significant populations of other cultures, practicing their culture, living in Germany for example and there will not be any conflict of cultural ideals, provided that the host country - in this case Germany makes concessions to the other culture. Multiculturalism does not tolerate the concept of a united nation state, united in the sense of its own culture being predominant within that country, this is a big no - no. The multiculturalist concept fractures countries and leads to the partition of those countries, Kosovo is a prime example of this happening. When the "guest" cultures grow bigger the demands upon the" host" country grow stronger, inevitably the host country has to surrender more of its own values, principles and practices in order to accommodate the wishes of their guests - not to do so would be seen as racist or Xenophobic. Islam has now taken root in the USA, Islam will not surrender any of its beliefs and practices, Islam will demand that the USA accommodate all of its wishes, Islam will demand that the USA introduces legislation that makes it unlawful to criticize Islam, Islam will demand its own Sharia legal system, Islam will demand its own food (Halal), Islam will demand its own schools (Madrases) Islam will demand its own governing body Islam will grow in the USA, the birth rate of Muslims is very high, when sufficient numbers are reached they will eventually demand their own state - Balkanization will have started. Should any American want to see what Multiculturalism and the influx of Islam into a country results in, all I can say is take a look at the UK, a good hard look. If Mr and Mrs America want to keep America American, remember your roots, do not allow your government to sign away your history, The labour government have done just that in the UK - without our permission America has a "Democrat" President, the policies of the democrats in America are almost exactly the same as the Labour government in the UK, they are all based upon socialist concepts, The EU is based on Socialist concepts and is run by ex communist party members, as is the UK. If America wants to be overrun by hordes of people who do not support the American way of life, who expect to be given precedence upon arrival in the US, who will have no allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, who will jeer and insult American military personnel, who will overtly declare their hatred of America and will plan to destroy the USA and all it stands for - then carry on with the socialist multicultural model. I know many in America are aware of what is happening and I hope that many many more will realize the situation as well, there is however one thing all Americans must remember - AMERICA IS NOT TOO BIG TO FALL, you now have the enemy within, you like the UK have a fifth column in your country.

Great Britain is fighting for its very soul. The indigenous people of the British Isles are under threat from Islam daily. Already Shar'ia Law governs many areas. Areas in which a non-Muslim is forbidden to go. There are calls here in the US to incorporate Shar'ia Law into our court system. There are efforts by CAIR to force the US into giving special privileges and rights to Muslims in the workplace, schools, and recreation centers. No other minority group ever asked for special privileges, yet we are suppose to grant it to Muslims. The warnings are being sounded. Will we in the US ever listen?

Shariah Compliant Financing: Geithner, Feds Must Defend Lawsuit

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and the Federal Reserve attempted to have a lawsuit dismissed against them, which charges that U.S. ownership of American International Group (AIG) is unconstitutional because AIG is the "market leader in Shariah compliant financing." The lawsuit cites links between "charities that receive funds as a result of Shariah-compliant financing and "terrorist organizations that are hostile to the United States."

Timothy Geithner

The controversy involves Shariah-compliant financing, part of which requires charitable contributions to those who "struggle for Allah" ("jihad").

The lawsuit is filed as Kevin J. Murray v. Timothy F. Geithner and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Thomas More Law Center is representing Mr. Murray. U.S. District Judge Lawrence P. Zatkoff pointed to a "government co-sponsored forum entitled Islamic Finance 101." Murray argues that it is unconstitutional for the government to own 77.9% of a company that "extensively practices Shariah-compliant finance." Geithner and the Feds asked the judge to dismiss the case immediately. In what a Washington Times editorial describes as a "devastating 16-page decision," Judge Zatkoff denied Geithner's motion, which said the U.S. was in "Times of Crisis" when the ownership of AIG occurred. Zatkoff said that even though we may have been in "Times of crisis," such times "do not justify departure from the Constitution." Hurrah for a judge who respects the constitution and rules for the Constitution and intends for a citizen to have a full hearing on the issue. What a refreshing change in a week that has seen Attorney General Eric Holder completely and blatantly dismiss a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panthers, with plenty of evidence, including video and witness testimony. Photo Credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta

ACTION ALERT: CAIR is to meet with members of the House and Senate.

By Findalis of Monkey in the Middle
 
It is time to contact your Congressmen and Senators again.

The Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR) is starting to lobby Congress for special considerations for the Muslim community. ACT! for America members, it’s time to take ACTION !!!  

STEP ONE: Send emails and faxes, starting today and continuing through the weekend, to your Member of Congress and two Senators asking that they not meet with CAIR given that the FBI has severed contacts with CAIR. Include the story below in your emails and faxes. (Click here to find contact information for your Member of Congress and Senators).  

STEP TWO: On Monday or Tuesday place a follow-up call to your Member of Congress and two Senators. Ask to speak to their Defense or National Security Legislative Assistant (LA). When you have the LA on the phone, ask (1) if they got your email or fax and the article; (2) if they read it; (3) if the Member of Congress or Senator is aware of the issue. If the LA has not seen or read the email or fax, send it again if necessary. If you don’t reach the LA, leave a message and phone number, and if you don’t hear back by the next day, call again!
 
LET’S SEND A RESPECTFUL, CLEAR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS: THE FBI HAS CUT OFF CONTACT TO CAIR DUE TO ITS TIES TO HAMAS. CAIR WAS AN UNINDICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR IN THE HOLY LAND FOUNDATION TRIAL. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SHOULD NOT MEET WITH CAIR.

And email us at info@actforamerica.org to let us know what response you get from your contacts to Congress.

The FBI has already cut all ties to CAIR, now it is time for the Congress to do the same.

FBI Cuts Off CAIR Over Hamas Questions

by Mary Jacoby IPT News January 29, 2009 The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has cut off contacts with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) amid mounting concern about the Muslim advocacy group's roots in a Hamas-support network, the Investigative Project on Terrorism has learned.

The decision to end contacts with CAIR was made quietly last summer as federal prosecutors prepared for a second trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), an Islamic charity accused of providing money and political support to the terrorist group Hamas, according to people with knowledge of the matter. CAIR and its chairman emeritus, Omar Ahmad, were named un-indicted co-conspirators in the HLF case. Both Ahmad and CAIR's current national executive director, Nihad Awad, were revealed on government wiretaps as having been active participants in early Hamas-related organizational meetings in the United States.

During testimony, FBI agent Lara Burns described CAIR as a front organization. Hamas is a US-designated foreign terrorist organization, and it's been illegal since 1995 to provide support to it within the United States. The decision to end contacts with CAIR is a significant policy change for the FBI.

For years, the FBI worked with the national organization and its state chapters to address Muslim community concerns about the potential for hate crimes and other civil liberty violations in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. But critics said the FBI improperly conferred legitimacy on CAIR by meeting with its officials, even as its own investigative files contained evidence of CAIR leaders' ties to Hamas.

Last autumn, FBI field offices began notifying state CAIR chapters that bureau officials could no longer meet with them until CAIR's national leadership in Washington had addressed issues raised by the HLF trial, according to people with knowledge of the notifications. CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper declined to comment Wednesday when the IPT called for comment. Before hanging up, Hooper said "We're more than happy to cooperate with legitimate media. But we don't cooperate with those who promote anti-Muslim bigotry."

In one letter obtained by IPT News, James E. Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Oklahoma City field office, canceled a meeting of the local Muslim Community Outreach Program, a state-federal program designed to enlist Muslims in terrorism prevention and investigate reports of civil liberties violations. "Regrettably, due to circumstances beyond my control, the meeting will be postponed until further notice as a result of the planned participation by the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations," Finch's Oct. 8, 2008 letter to Muslim groups in the Oklahoma outreach program said. Finch made clear the Oklahoma office valued its relationship with local Muslims. He said the stumbling block to further outreach was CAIR's national leadership. "[I]f CAIR wishes to pursue an outreach relationship with the FBI, certain issues must be addressed to the satisfaction of the FBI.

Unfortunately, these issues cannot be addressed at the local level and must be addressed by the CAIR National Office in Washington, D.C.," the letter said. A spokesman for the FBI's Oklahoma City office referred questions about the letter to the FBI's national press office. In Washington, FBI spokesman John Miller said, "We've certainly been in contact with CAIR chapters" about the un-indicted co-conspirator designation. "The letter speaks for itself." Letters with similar wording were sent in other states, people with knowledge of the matter said.

It is not known how many letters were issued, but the FBI has had strong working relationships with CAIR chapters in states including Ohio, Michigan, Arizona and Florida. Hamas was formed in 1987 as the Palestinian wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, the global Islamic political movement that aims to spread the rule of Shariah, or Islamic law, throughout the world. A North American branch of the Brotherhood supervised HLF, CAIR and other organizations to build political, financial and public relations support for Hamas, evidence at the HLF trial showed.

The U.S.-based Brotherhood formed a Palestine Committee, headed by Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook, in 1988 during the first intifada uprising in Palestinian territories against Israel. Hamas's stated policy is for the destruction of Israel. CAIR co-founders Ahmad and Awad were early active members of the Palestine Committee, evidence showed.

Wiretaps recorded the two CAIR leaders participating in strategy meetings of the committee in the 1990s, and both were also on a phone list of its members, the evidence showed. The first HLF trial in Texas ended in a mistrial in October 2007. In November 2008, the second trial resulted in convictions of five former HLF officials on all counts of providing material support to Hamas

is unclear what changed between the first and second HLF trials to make the FBI rescind its policy of outreach to CAIR. The un-indicted co-conspirator designations were made on May 27, 2007 in connection with the first HLF trial. Moreover, much of the evidence linking the CAIR officials to Hamas was aired in an earlier public trial in 2006. CAIR, however, vigorously challenged the un-indicted co-conspirator designation as a violation of its First and Fifth Amendment rights, accusing the government of "demonization of all things Muslim" in a brief filed in the summer of 2007 with the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

The co-conspirator designation is "particularly insidious and ironic as CAIR is an organization dedicated to fostering acceptance of Muslims in American society and protecting the civil liberties of all Muslim Americans," CAIR's brief read.

The government filed a brief on Sept. 4, 2007 opposing CAIR's filing, arguing the group lacked standing to challenge the co-conspirator designation and that the matter was moot, as the evidence was already entered into the public record. The judge never ruled on CAIR's request. The HLF trial showed that CAIR was formed to covertly influence US opinions of the Palestinian conflict and Islam, but without revealing its connections to Hamas. Read the full article here.

To allow CAIR access to members of Congress to discuss security issues would be like allowing the Mafia to discuss issues about organized crime with members of Congress. To find and contact your Congressman or woman go here. To find and contact your Senator go here.
   
REMEMBER: Ask to speak to their Defense or National Security Legislative Assistant (LA). When you have the LA on the phone, ask (1) if they got your email or fax and the article; (2) if they read it; (3) if the Member of Congress or Senator is aware of the issue. If the LA has not seen or read the email or fax, send it again if necessary. Send a copy of the article and remember to always be polite.

Crucifixion, Whips and Honor Killings..

Cross posted by Findalis of Monkey in the Middle ...are now all permitted in Gaza under the new Shar'ia act that has been passed.

In line with its Islamist ideology, the Palestinian Authority in Gaza has enacted a new law adopting the traditional Muslim criminal code. Penalties include amputation and crucifixion, as well as the death penalty for negotiations contrary to Hamas's interpretation of "Palestinian interests". According to a report on the new law appearing Wednesday on the Al-Arabiya website, as translated by Palestinian Media Watch, the Palestinian Legislative Council approved a bill "to implement Koranic punishments." The Arabic website, the online arm of the popular Al-Arabiya satellite news outlet, refers to the London-based Saudi-owned newspaper Al-Hayat, which said the decision to implement shari'a (Islamic law) was "seen as unprecedented," and that it has "brought criticism and concern from human rights organizations in the Gaza Strip." The criminal code adopted by the PA includes such punishments as lashes, amputation of thieves' hands, crucifixion, approval of blood revenge, and execution. According to the Arabic press, the law stipulates that only the victim of a crime can pardon opt to forgo the "Koranic penalties". Among the crimes punished with lashes, and that have no specific "victim" who can pardon the offender, are the consumption, owning or producing of wine. According to the new PA law such an individual "will be punished with 40 lashes if he is Muslim, and anyone who drinks wine, or angers another person [with wine], or causes him distress when drinking wine in a public place, or goes to a public place while drunk, will be punished with no less than 40 lashes and imprisonment for the minimum of three months." Touching on the political aspect of the Hamas ideology, the new law reportedly includes the death penalty for anyone who "raised a weapon against Palestine on behalf of the enemy during war, was appointed to negotiate with a foreign government on a Palestinian issue and negotiated against Palestinians' interest, performed a hostile action against a foreign country in a way that endangers Palestine in war or in harming political relations, served a foreign army in time of war, advised or helped soldiers to enlist in this army, weakened the spirit or the force of resistance of the people, or spied against Palestine especially during war." If in fact passed, as reported in the Arabic press, the new law only puts into practice what was stated succinctly by a PA legislator - Hamed Bitawi of the Hamas organization - just after Hamas won the January 2006 PA elections in a sweeping victory: "The Koran is our constitution, Mohammad is our prophet, jihad is our path and dying as martyrs for the sake of Allah is our biggest wish." His statement was answered with a standing ovation and calls of "Allahu Akbar". It also bears noting that the Palestinian Authority Constitution as it was adopted under the PLO's Yasser Arafat and led by Fatah also declares, "The principles of Islamic shari'a are a major source for legislation." Full Story

What fun! I guess that Gaza will now be out as a destination for Spring Breakers. No liquor, no rock and roll music and women who look like this: Not a very fun place to spend spring break. On the other hand we will now see a surge in Honor Killing. It has been made legal to kill your mother, sister, daughter, aunt, etc... if she has destroyed your honor. And the execution method of crucifixion might boost tourism. It will be a great thing to watch on Hamas television the executions of gays, lesbians, and other undesirables if you cannot attend them in person. Or watch the whipping of those who take a beer or two for enjoyment. The stoning of adulterous women should be a great ratings boost and let us not forget the weekly amputations of hands of the thieves. And while this is happening do you believe for one instance that the MSM will report on it? Or that gay and lesbian groups will take to the streets around the world to protest the murder of their brothers and sisters? Or women's groups demanding justice for the women of Gaza from the tyranny of Shar'ia? You won't hear anything of the sort. What you will hear from all these groups is the condemnation of Israel for so-called Human Rights Violations and the praise of Hamas.

O, little town of Bethlehem

Cross posted by Findalis of Monkey in the Middle
 
Bethlehem, the name brings to mind the birthplace of David, of Jesus. The tomb of Rachel.
A place where peace and tranquility should prevail. But the truth behind the PA lies is not a pretty picture. While the MSM describes the exodus of Christians from Bethlehem and blames the Israeli government for it. The truth is uglier than it really is.

A number of Christian families have finally decided to break their silence and talk openly about what they describe as Muslim persecution of the Christian minority in this city.
The move comes as a result of increased attacks on Christians by Muslims over the past few months. The families said they wrote letters to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the Vatican, Church leaders and European governments complaining about the attacks, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

According to the families, many Christians have long been afraid to complain in public about the campaign of "intimidation" for fear of retaliation by their Muslim neighbors and being branded "collaborators" with Israel.

But following an increase in attacks on Christian-owned property in the city over the past few months, some Christians are no longer afraid to talk about the ultra-sensitive issue. And they are talking openly about leaving the city.
"The situation is very dangerous," said Samir Qumsiyeh, owner of the Beit Sahur-based private Al-Mahd (Nativity) TV station. "I believe that 15 years from now there will be no Christians left in Bethlehem. Then you will need a torch to find a Christian here. This is a very sad situation."

Qumsiyeh, one of the few Christians willing to speak about the harsh conditions of their community, has been the subject of numerous death threats. His house was recently attacked with fire-bombs, but no one was hurt.
Full Story

Who would believe that in the 21st Century Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs? And the MSM blames Israel for this when it is the stated policy of the late Yassar Arafat and the Palestinian Authority.

Question: What's worse than being bullied, harassed, intimidated and persecuted for your faith? Answer: Being bullied, harassed, intimidated and persecuted for your faith – and watching the perpetrator of these crimes against humanity successfully blame someone else for committing them. That's exactly what is happening to Christians today in Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority. They are being beaten up. They are being killed. They are having their businesses burned down. They are watching their daughters raped. They are being run out of their ancestral homelands. And the very people doing this – Arafat's PA – are blaming it all on Israel. The latest evidence of this campaign came on Christmas Day in an editorial in the Jordan Times. Interestingly, the editorial doesn't sugar-coat the toll on Christians. Full Story

Christians are leaving as fast as they can. In a decade or two there will be no Christians in the city and the PA will be able to do what they have planned all along: To Turn the Church of the Nativity into a mosque.

Greeting that welcomes pilgrims who enter Nazareth.
 

Palestinian Authority's Treatment of Christians

Christians in the Palestinian Authority Palestinian Christians: Victims not Partners
These are but a few articles.

A larger list is here. A sad commentary is in today's Jerusalem Post. A sad look at what was, what is and what might have been.

"O, little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie." This is truer today than it ever has been since this song was written many years ago. Phillip Brooks, a Christian, wrote it in 1865 while on a horse from Jerusalem to Bethlehem for a midnight service.

Although a few tourists do come, especially now at this Christmas season, Bethlehem remains still, unlike years past. It's been eight years since I last set foot in Bethlehem. As a Jewish Israeli tour guide, I am forbidden by law to endanger myself and go to this once colorful city. Gone are the days when thousands went to Bethlehem. Tourists, pilgrims from around the world, shoppers, and Israeli Arabs and Jews came.

Gone are the days when you could eat the best falafel and hummus in the little stone building across from Rachel's Tomb. I remember the bargains. There was the wonderful flea market in the Bethlehem shuk . We came on aliya in the '80s and with our limited budget could go to Bethlehem and buy good furniture at bargain prices - delivery was free.

The rattan and the wicker outdoor furniture was good and cheap. Pillows were thrown in at bargain prices. WE ATE in all those lovely outdoor cafés in and around Manger Square. We walked around with our tourists and enjoyed the ambiance and atmosphere. Many times I stayed overnight with my pilgrims on Christmas Eve. A few times we were near Manger Square and I remember the sweet sounds of the choirs which came from all over the world to celebrate Christmas in the city where Jesus was born. Each sang the familiar Christmas carols in its own language. It was glorious.

The Catholics came in droves from all over the country. They came for midnight Mass amid great pomp and ceremony and, as a guide, I had the privilege of seeing and participating in many of these celebrations. I often had an opportunity to talk to reporters. Some were just tourists themselves and I tried to make them Zionists. Sometimes they listened. We became friends. Those times are over.

We were so safe and sound and comfortable on those Christmas eves and days. We were surrounded by the IDF. It maintained the peace, offered security for crowds that otherwise might have gotten out of control.

I REMEMBER one morning many years ago, in the '80s, when I arose early on a Christmas morning. I looked down from my second-floor window overlooking Manger Square. What to my wondering eyes did appear? No, not Santa and his reindeer, but Israeli soldiers all over the square with big blue plastic bags. At the approach of dawn, they were leaning down and filling them with cigarette butts, candy wrappers, leftover food and all the trash the pilgrims and tourists had dropped the night before.

It brought tears to my eyes. We had control then and we did our job. Bethlehem, the city where King David was also born, was still ours. TODAY, BETHLEHEM is a virtual ghost town at night. No one dares venture out. There is no security and no rule of law. Most of the Christians have left, and the few stores and shopkeepers who remain have a hard time making ends meet. We don't go to Bethlehem anymore, though it is only a few kilometers away. It is so close and yet so far. It is closed to you and me, probably for many years ahead.

However, we know that things change, so perhaps, as the song suggests, in those dark streets will shine an everlasting light and perhaps the hopes and fears of all these years may once again meet in the night.

It has already been decided by Hamas that if they ever got full control of the West Bank and God Forbid, the nation of Israel they will do the following:

1. Kill all the Jews in the land.
2. Drive out, force conversions or kill all the Druse, Baha'i and Christians in the land.
3. Have the land only for Muslims and destroy or convert other faiths holy sites for Muslim only use.
4. Impose Shar'ia Law

The last one is coming true.

The Hamas parliament in the Gaza Strip voted in favor of a law allowing courts to mete out sentences in the spirit of Islam, the London-based Arab daily Al Hayat reported Wednesday.

According to the bill, approved in its second reading and awaiting a third reading before the approval of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as the Palestinian constitution demands, courts will be able to condemn offenders to a plethora of violent punitive measures in line with Sharia Law

Such punishments include whipping, severing hands, crucifixion and hanging. The bill reserves death sentences to people who negotiate with a foreign government "against Palestinian interests" and engage in any activity that can "hurt Palestinian morale." According to the report, any Palestinian caught drinking or selling wine would suffer 40 lashes at the whipping post if the bill passes. Thieves caught red-handed would lose their right hand.

How much longer will Christian pilgrims be allowed to worship in Bethlehem? The Palestinian Authority just might continue the charade for a while, but only for a while and a very high fee for their protection.

After a bit, there will be no more Christians allowed at one of the most holiest sites in their faith. And the world's media would still blame that on Israel and the Jews. I ask Christians on this holiday to remember their persecuted brothers and sisters in Bethlehem in their prayers.