Jameed has drawn attention to what he regards as irresponsible and inflammatory reporting in Jordanian newspaper al-Ghad and I can’t help but agree with him. Actually, I’d say what I read was outrageous! The article (in Arabic) is about the reaction of the family of the Iraq al-Hilla car bomber (pictured), who, to my great dismay, turns out to be a Jordanian national.
According to the article, the family of this mass-murder — who killed over 100 innocent, unarmed Iraqis — celebrated his "martyrdom" by organizing what is called the "wedding of the martyr." The author of this article refers to this butcher as a "shaheed," or a martyr, and calls his appalling act "martyrdom" and part of the "Iraqi resistance."
What is still worse is that the author twists the facts on the ground, saying most of those killed in this massacre were Americans. This is a total lie. Really, what kind of crap is this?!?!
I’m so furious! This is the worst journalism ever! Does al-Ghad think that they can be proactive by publishing this kind of crap. Is this what Jordanians should expect from this so called "controversial" new Jordanian publication.
I’m tempted to boycott this publication for publishing such an outrage!
UPDATE: I encourage everyone who is as outraged by this article as I am to send an e-mail to the editor-in-chief of al–Ghad newspaper and complain. His name is Imad al Hmoud and his e-mail is: editorial@alghad.jo
Linda,
Bravo! Hear, Hear.
CBS recently ran a story in which entire towns came out to party like its the fourth of july every time some poor black kid was lynched in the 1920s and 30s. In fact, in one story, 10,000 people came out to see the burning and lynching of 16-year old black kid who was chained. He was first castrated.
When he tried to climb out of the pit where he was placed, his body on fire, his fingers were cut off. His charred body was then hung up for all to see.
A picnic scene. And according to American historians, pictures of lynchings were made into postcards and traded.
Celebration all round, y’hear?
But back to Natasha’s point. I totally agree with what you said Natasha. But can we really say we are surprised. If the scourge of suicide bombing is not even allowed into a debate forum and people who oppose suicide bombings become pariahs, are we really going to be surprised when a rag like Al-Ghad runs its toilet-paper articles?
Remember what I told you, there has to be a cultural revolution before we can even talk such high-minded notions of democracy. I am sure that you will find millions who agree with the tone of the article. After all, would a published commit commercial suicide and print something unpopular.
Nah…
Actually, Brian:
During the Crusades, the European crusaders rejoiced in the name of Christ for killing Jews, Muslims and other Christians when they first sacked Jerusalem. There are first witness accounts handed down over the generations of Crusaders tearing Jews in half because it was believed that they swallowed gold coins.
And Brian, the sacking and massacres in Jerusalem were officially sanctioned by the pope. Pope Urban II told all crusader princes and kings at the Council of Clermont in 1095 that their armies would not be punished by God for killing non-Christians.
This led to the wholesale massacre of European Jews in such prominent European cities as Cologne.
Accordig to an account from that time, called the Gesta Fancorum, the blood of Muslims, Jews and Eastern Christians who had sought sanctuary in what is today the Al Aqsa Mosque was “ankle-high”.
I hope by Rest of the World, you don’t mean North America. You’d be surprised how many other countries and people there are…
Brian, by saying this i am in no way defending the article and the actions of the terrorist.
but, to say you know of no actions like that that were celebrated in the west might be something you want to reconsider. have you heard of something called the KKK?
Thankfully the “Rest of The World” isn’t as ignorant as our friend Brian here.
I hate to tell you what this says to the Rest Of The World about the Arab / ME / Islamic culture. Suffice it to say that I know of no instance in the West’s recorded history where such a celebration of murder has taken place, much less one with official permission or sanction.
Here are some links from Iraqis about the bombing.
http://tinyurl.com/68xfu
I can’t find the link to one Iraqi who worked in the hospital that treated the victims of the blast. Sorry.
I read the same report on Radio Sawa page on the web. They clearly identified and named the family members. It seems to me the victims families in Iraq will be getting this news as well. Not a good omen for Al Salt.
This guy is Salteese too !!!
YEs Natasha. That is what you should do. boycott them and boycott the ads that are in that paper as well.
Dude came from the Hadj? I tell you, that’s one big Woodstock. It messes with your mind.