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Sermon after Friday prayers in Nejaf

Another report from Haider Ajina. Before turning this space over to him, I draw your attention to this passage from his comments:

Iran has forbidden Iranian Arabs living in Ahwas (an Iranian province on the Persian Golf. Arabs are a minority in Iran) from practicing their Muslim celebrations for Eid Al-Fitr. Here we have a Muslim country, run by A (supposed) Muslim government forbidding Muslims in their own province from practicing Muslim celebrations (these celebrations did not include self flagellation, since that is forbidden by Islam). I am a Muslim living in the USA and no one has ever forbidden me from practicing any portion of my religion or religious ceremonies. Muslims in the USA practice their religion freer than Muslims do in Iran……The significances of this is tremendous.…..

Greetings,
The following is my translation of a head line and article which appeared on October 27 in ‘Sot Al-Iraq’

‘Sermon after Friday prayers in Nejaf’,

By Khuther Elias

‘After Friday prayers in the Fatima Mosque in Nejaf , Imam Sadir Aldien Alqabanchi delivered a sermon titled ‘Iraq is a piece of the Arabic fabric’.

‘He said in his sermon, ‘since the dictatorship was brought down in Iraq, some have said Iraq has left the Arabic fabric because of the following reasons;

1- A free political and governmental system. Which is quite different from the rest of the Arab world, thus they consider it different from the Arabic fabric.

2- The Shiite majority forming a unity government and attaining their proportional rights through elections. They said this is a second reason.

3- Minorities in Iraq have their rights protected. The Kurdish minority have finally received their deserved rights under the unity government. They said this is was the third reason.

‘The imam then added, ‘Today the Arab world has been influenced by these statements and there are forces at work to return Iraq to the Arab fabric by destabilizing or annulling the current government and maybe even brining Saddam back. These reasons are why the Arab world has turned its back on Iraq and created false rumors of division and suspicion of what they call the Shiite crescent etc.. Iraqis reaffirmed that Iraq is a piece of the Arab fabric and will not leave it. No Iraqi wants to leave the Arab world we want Iraq to be an effective member of the Arab world. Iraqis did this by their free vote for the constitution which affirmed this. He added, ‘we must have a policy of mutual openness between us and the other Arabic countries. Iraqis chose the road of freedom from dictatorship and other Arabs thought that to be a step backward, they are wrong. Yes we have our problems but we have the resolve to cure the problems with patience, wisdom and courage. Talk about dividing Iraq is false and no one in Iraq wishes to divide the country. The USA under the leadership of James Baker is studying choices and options about the Iraqi situation. We Iraqis have three immovable matters,

1- No to the return of the Baathists or dictatorship.
2- No to violence or terrorism.
3- No to foreign interference in Iraqi leadership.
Other than these three immovable points they (the Baker commission) can study any other options they wish.

‘Alqabanchi then called on the government to take responsibility towards the residence of Balad and save them form the terrorists. He added, ‘we believe that all of Iraq’s province must move towards rebuilding and development and avoid internal strife. We hope that the provinces experiencing turmoil will resolve their problems fairly and in brotherly spirit’.

The Imam of one of Nejaf’s (oldest and most influential city and center of Shiisim) most prominent mosques ‘Fatima Mosque’ gave this sermon today after Friday prayer at the end of Ramadan, after Eid Al-fitr (breaking of Ramadan fast) and after a tough month. This sermon sets the tone for most Shiite mosques in Iraq. The tone and resolve of this sermon is unmistakable. Iraqis solving their problems through ‘patience, wisdom and courage’ is a clear and concise statement by religious leaders rallying Iraqis towards a strong democracy and freedom. If any one in the west had any thought that the majority of Iraqis want to ever go back to dictatorship or will put up with their neighbors meddling in Iraqi security, or want Iraq divided, these thoughts, I am sure have been erased. Iraqis also know they have no friend in Iran. Iran is supporting Shiite and Sunni subversive groups. They want Iraq unstable to keep the focus off Iran. They also fear democracy.

Iran has forbidden Iranian Arabs living in Ahwas (an Iranian province on the Persian Golf. Arabs are a minority in Iran) from practicing their Muslim celebrations for Eid Al-Fitr. Here we have a Muslim country, run by A (supposed) Muslim government forbidding Muslims in their own province from practicing Muslim celebrations (these celebrations did not include self flagellation, since that is forbidden by Islam). I am a Muslim living in the USA and no one has ever forbidden me from practicing any portion of my religion or religious ceremonies. Muslims in the USA practice their religion freer than Muslims do in Iran……The significances of this is tremendous.…..

Iraqis also know they have no friend in Syria. Syria is supporting former Baathist and their ilk. Saudi Arabia is also no big fan of democracy at it boarders. Saddam’s no. 2 man Izzat Ibrahime Al-Duri most wanted man in Iraq is directing Baathist terrorist activity from within Saudi Arabia. He is funding activities from the millions of dollars the Baathists stole from the Iraqi people.

Iraqis have tasted freedom, the rule of law, democracy and rights of the individual; they will never go back to pre spring 2003.

Regards
Haider Ajina
McKinleyville CA

"Anti-War" Activist Speaks Out

Counter-protesting Cindy Sheehan at Fresno State:

Cindy Sheehan, whose son Army Spc. Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq in 2004, came to Fresno State on Wednesday night to speak about her loss, and what she called an illegal and immoral war.

Robin Butterfield, whose son, Lance Cpl. Anthony "Tony" Edward Butterfield, was killed in Iraq in July, was there as well. Butterfield said she came to remind people that Sheehan did not speak for all of those who have lost a loved one in the war on terrorism.
<...>
"George Bush has made us a hated and despised country," Sheehan said. "This is a tragedy of humanitarian proportions, and I'm not OK with that."
<...>
Outside the auditorium, Robin Butterfield stood with her husband, Keith, and more than a dozen family members, holding flags and signs supporting Tony Butterfield and accusing Sheehan of disrespecting her own son's sacrifice.

Keith Butterfield, who said the group did not plan to disrupt Sheehan's visit, said it was a silent protest.

"Some of the things she's said, we feel are disrespectful of our son, and of hers," Keith Butterfield said. "I feel she's angry. She lost her son. I lost my son, and I'm angry, too. But the difference is, I recognize my son was doing it for himself and for his country. We're here to respect my son, and her son as well."

The small protest did not escape the attention of those in attendance, many of whom broke off to address the Butterfields. One woman, who wouldn't identify herself, called Robin Butterfield "pathetic" for protesting against Sheehan. Keith Butterfield said everyone was entitled to an opinion.

"Let them be disrespectful to us," Keith Butterfield said. "We don't want to be like that. We just want to say that Cindy Sheehan does not speak for us."

(Via Chickenhawk Express)

Tip of The Iceberg

That's what one blogger can uncover about any story.

Then other bloggers start in, and eventually you have a real grass roots movement, in this case working to expose a phony one.

Antimedia has been researching the pre-military career of Jonathan Hutto, and has found even more things to make you go "hmmmmm"...