I came across this Elaph article (in Arabic) via Jameed indicating that some Iraqi sources are linking the latest attacks on churches in Iraq -– in which at least three people were killed and nine were wounded — to the current controversy involving the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten.
According to these sources, some Iraqi-Christian students at the University of Mosul were recently attacked by people upset by the publication of these caricatures in Denmark and Norway. These attacks came following the issuance of several fatwas that called for the expulsion of "the infidels and crusaders" for insulting the prophet. The Iraqi sources said it was likely that the coordinated church attacks that took place yesterday (Jan. 29) are linked with the recent anti-Christian campaign.
I’m not sure how credible this news is, as I’ve not seen mention of it anywhere else. But if it is accurate, then the world has absolutely gone crazy. What kind of a logic is this? People get upset at Danish cartoonists, so they decide to whack their fellow citizens! And who are these low-life individuals issuing fatwas that call for attacks on innocent civilians, ones who happen to belong to a religious minority. But then again, I guess I shouldn’t expect logic to pour forth from Iraq anytime soon.
It is no secret that the number of Christians in the Middle East is rapidly dwindling. According to this IRIN article, "about 150,000 Christians are believed to have left the country [Iraq] since the US occupation began in 2003." The number of Palestinian-Christians inside the Palestinian territories is also on the decrease, and I believe the same thing is happening in Egypt (please correct me if I’m wrong).
This is extremely bad news, as it would mean that, in the long run, the Mideast would lose the diversity that it has always enjoyed. I would ask clerics to issue a counter-fatwa urging believers to safeguard their Christian brethren who are amongst among the indigenous inhabitants of the Middle East who have suffered and fought hard to protect their nation.
i agree with u at the point regarding safety of christian community in general. but i personally think that the whole issue would be resolved if Denmark do realize their MISTAKE.yes no doubt it is all rubbish and since 9/11 most of the western counteries are simply bungling by igniting muslims every now and then by mocking their relegion. i mean why in heavens name would media start mocking islam by degrading their HOLY PROPHET in a most offensive way.that won’t do. such inhuman practices would only add up to already widening gap and resentment will surge .
my point overhere is that freedom of speech or whatever should not play with sentiments and dignity of islam and afterall holy prophets aren’t ordinary people in any relegion. they should be sensitized towards such issues. as far as fatwa is concerned. the thing is that every single being in muslim community has enough understanding to measure up such issues. this is something very serious. i’ll only hope that if muslims are not troubled regarding their relegion in such great extents will resolve all such hatred and conflicts. most of the time its the reaction by muslims… n the actual action isn’t executed by them.stop provoking muslims n it will help us all.
I personally feel that most westerners have abandoned their religion of christianity. This is leading to them becoming insensitive to the religions and religious sentiments of other peoples.
Maybe the Danish should go more to church and practice christianity. maynbe then Christ would drag them out of this Christian versus Islam hell-hole which the west is now finding itself in.