|
|
|
New Strategy - Wargames at Discount Prices
100+ Computer and Board games all with free shipping.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject:
The Saudi Islamic Affairs Department of the Saudi Embassy in DC
swhitebull
11/30/2003 1:27:45 PM
|
This is a MEMRI article that came in toto via Email. It is about the Website that the Saudi Islamic Affairs Department at the Embassey in DC. The website is posted here if you want to read further.
Special Report - Saudi Arabia
November 26, 2003
No. 23
The "Islamic Affairs Department" of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C.
By Steven Stalinsky*
Introduction
Saudi Arabia's embassy in Washington, D.C. recommends the homepage of its Islamic Affairs Department (IAD) to Americans who want to learn about Islam and Muslims. The website contains hundreds of pages of information about Islam and is linked via the Internet to branches of the Saudi government worldwide, including embassies in London and Rome.
Officials of the Saudi government working at the IAD in Washington, D.C. and its worldwide offices have been mentioned in media reports in 2002 and 2003 for suspected connections with terrorist activities. During the past week, it was reported that the FBI has subpoenaed records and documents of Saudi government bank accounts in the U.S., including accounts from the IAD.
The website of the IAD is divided into the following subjects: Islam, Qur'an, Pillars, Sunna, Multimedia, and Languages. The center of the homepage has an interactive section titled "What is the religion of Islam?" which opens to a content list of the website, with the following subjects: Allah, Faith, Rights, Women, Islamic Law, Tolerance, War, and Human Rights. The front page of the IAD's website displays the official flag of the Saudi government, which bears a sword beneath the Muslim creed: "There is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." The IAD states, "Islam is not, as some imagine in the West, a religion of the sword nor did it spread primarily by means of war."
This report focuses on how the following topics are presented by the IAD of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C.: Jihad and Martyrdom, Teaching Islam's Superiority over Christianity and Judaism, Rights in Islam of Dhimmis (non-Muslims under Muslim rule), the Punishment of Non-Believers, the Superiority of Polygamy in Islam to Western Monogamy, and the Rights of Women.
The website contains information that is anti-Western in general and anti-American in particular. In one instance for example, the IAD states, "Today's false idols, which dominate over the entire world, are Democracy, Capitalism, Socialism and Communism. Islam instead calls for a Khilafa (Caliphate) based on consultation, and a just economic system based on Zakat and a prohibition of usury."
The website also contains many documents answering Western criticism of Saudi Arabia and Islam. One example states, "Islam is not a terrorist group as the stereotype would have one believe... We are told that Muslims are terrorists, barbaric and what not. But let us recall what the Christian authorities did... over 12 million people were put to death through the authority of the 'Inquisitions.' Such barbaric act has never been committed by any Islamic authority in the history of Islam. Where was the media then and where are they now - let us judge. Who is barbaric, who chops heads?..."
All material in this report appears in its original English as published by the IAD. The following is a summary of MEMRI's report. To view the full report, including citations, please visit
link
Part I: Jihad, Martyrdom, & The Rewards of the Martyr
The IAD explains the concepts of Jihad and martyrdom in Islam. Excerpts from the Qur'an and Hadiths are provided as evidence to foster these concepts in the contemporary Muslim world.
*'The Muslims are Required to Raise the Banner of Jihad in Order to Make the Word of Allah Supreme in this World'
The IAD explains that any system opposed to Islam must be fought by Jihad: "The Muslims are required to raise the banner of Jihad in order to make the Word of Allah supreme in this world, to remove all forms of injustice and oppression, and to defend the Muslims. If Muslims do not take up the sword, the evil tyrants of this earth will be able to continue oppressing the weak and [the] helpless..."
*Hadiths Exalting Jihad & Martyrdom
The IAD cites many Hadiths on the importance of martyrdom as well as the rewards of the martyrs in order to inspire Muslims. Among these are some of the most widely associated with Jihad:
"Narrated Anas: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: 'A man from among [the] people of Paradise will be brought forward. Allah will ask him: 'O Son of Adam! How did you find your home?' He will reply: 'O my Lord! It is the best home,' then Allah will say: 'Ask and wish anything you like.' The man will say: 'I would ask You to send me back to the world in order to be killed in Your way ten times.' (This is because of the superiority of the martyrdom and the high position which martyrs would have in heaven)... We are alive in Paradise where we are provided with sustenance, so that they would neither renounce fighting in the way of Allah nor retreat at the time of war..."
"Narrated Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet (pbuh) said: 'Whoever of My slaves comes out to fight in My way seeking My pleasure, I guarantee him that I will compensate his suffering with reward and booty (during his lifetime) and if he dies, I would forgive him, have mercy on him and let him enter Paradise.'"
*The Rewards of the Martyrs
According to Islamic tradition, those who are killed waging Jihad are rewarded in the afterlife. The IAD of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. cites Hadiths to describe what happens when a believer wages Jihad and commits martyrdom:
"Narrated Anas bin Malik that Allah's Messenger said: 'Allah has made in Paradise a wide valley in which He has created dunes of white musk. When it is Friday, Allah descends to it. The pulpits of gold are kept thin there for the prophets and chairs made of pearl are arranged for the martyrs and the maidens with big lustrous eyes will get down from their upstairs rooms. They all praise Allah and glorify Him.' The Prophet said: 'Then Allah will say: 'Clothe My slaves.' So they will be dressed. He will say: 'Feed My slaves.' So they will be fed. He will say: 'Make them drink.' So they will be made to drink. He will say: 'Perfume My slaves.' So they will be perfumed. Then He will ask: 'What do you want?' They will say: 'O our Lord! We want Your pleasure.' The Prophet said: 'Allah will say: 'I am pleased with you.' Then He will order them to disperse. So they will deport. And the maidens with big lustrous eyes ascend to the upstairs rooms. Which are made of green emerald and red ruby.'"
Part II: Teaching Islam's Superiority Over Christianity and Judaism
*Islam Is The Universal and Final Message: Christianity and Judaism Are Not Acceptable
The IAD explains: "It is our opinion that whoever claims that any religion other than Islam is acceptable, such as Judaism, Christianity and so forth, is a non believer. He should be asked to repent. It is also our opinion that whoever rejects the universal message of Muhammad, (pbuh), rejects the message of all messengers, even if he claims that he believes and follows His Messenger."
Verses from the Qur'an are cited to explain the Muslims' superiority over Christians and Jews: "Allah does not accept any other religion from anyone, for He, the Exalted, said: 'Surely, the true religion according to Allah is Islam..." Another verse states, "Whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from Him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers."
The IAD adds, "We believe it is obligatory to take the texts of the Qur'an and the prophetic traditions conceding Allah's attributes at their face value and to interpret them in a way that is suitable to Almighty Allah. We reject the practice of those who twist the meanings of these texts and understand them in a way that was not intended by Allah and His messenger."
*The Qur'an Abrogated All Previous Religious Scriptures and Exposed the Distortions and Revisions of the Torah and the Gospels
According to the IAD, the Qur'an "abrogated all previous revealed books," such as the Torah and the Gospels. It explains, "The previous scriptures were meant for a limited period. Their use ended with the revelation of the Qur'an, which abrogated them and exposed their distortions and changes... They underwent distortion, addition, and omission: 'Some of the Jews pervert words from their meanings.'" The IAD cites additional Qur'anic verses as further evidence: "So woe to those who write the Book with their hands, and then say: 'This is from Allah,' that they may sell it for a little price. So woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for their earnings." Regarding Jews and Christians, the IAD explains, "there is a group among them who twist their tongues with The Book, that you may think it is a part of The Book but it is not part of The Book. And they say 'It is from Allah,' yet it is not from Allah, and they tell a lie against Allah and they know it.'"
*The Disobedience of Jews and Christians
The IAD also cites a verse from the Qur'an that says most Jews and Christians are disobedient in their religious beliefs: "You [Muslims] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind... Had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have Faith, but most of them are disobedient to Allah and rebellious against Allah's Command."
The IAD also attacks rabbis and monks for perverting Judaism and Christianity by citing a verse from the Qur'an: "They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah), and (they also took as their lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded (in the Torah and the Gospel) to worship none but One Ilah (God i.e., Allah), La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshiped but He)."
*'Any Form of Worship That Does Not Conform To Islam Is Not Valid'
According to the IAD, only prayers of Muslims are of value: "From... Qur'anic injunctions we can conclude that any form of worship that does not conform to Islam is not valid. Any prayer outside Islamic teachings becomes useless because Allah will never accept it... When Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed the worst is that which they bought."
Part III: Rights of Non-Muslim 'Dhimmi' Under Islam
*Islamic Law on the Status of Minorities
Non-Muslims living under Muslim rule should follow certain Islamic laws and regulations relating to them. The term "Dhimmi" is defined by the IAD as follows: "Dhimmis are the group most eligible for rights, because they live in an Islamic territory and under the protection of the Muslims, besides the Jizya (head-tax set by Islamic law on Non-Muslims under Muslim rule) they pay to the public treasury... The leader of the Muslims is under strict obligation to provide protection to them and shield them against any sort of potential or actual harm that may befall them."
*'Dhimmi Must Be Discriminated'; Christians May not Display any 'Abominable' Crosses
According to the IAD, "Dhimmis must be discriminated from Muslims in their attire. They are not allowed to display any abominable deed or gesture that could go in conflict with Islam such as the cross or bell. Observation of the above mentioned rules promotes amity among Muslims and removes all traces of enmity and hatred."
Part IV: The Punishment of Those Who Do Not Believe in Islam
*'The Fire Will Burn Their Faces, and They Will Grin With Displaced Lips'
On multiple occasions the IAD discusses the rewards of believers and punishment of non-believers, as described in the Qur'an: "We believe in paradise and hell. Paradise is the abode of enjoyment which Allah, the Exalted, prepared for the righteous... Hell is the abode of punishment that Allah has prepared for the unbelievers and the evildoers. The torture and horror in it cannot be imagined: 'Surely, we have prepared for the evildoers a fire... If they call for help, they will be helped with water like molten copper which will scald their faces. How dreadful a drink and how evil a resting place!'"
"Whoever opens his heart to dis-belief," the IAD explains, "on them is Allah's wrath and they shall have a severe punishment." The IAD elaborates that those who believe in Islam are rewarded greatly, while those who do not will receive a tremendous punishment, such as fire burning off the non-believer's face. For example, the following Qur'anic verse is cited: "Those whose scales (of good deeds) are light, they are those who lose their ownselves; in Hell they abide. The Fire will burn their faces, and they will grin with displaced lips (disfigured)." On another occasion, the IAD explains that, "disbelief is the rejection of any of the pillars of Islamic faith..."
Part V: Polygamy Under Islam is Superior to the Monogamy of the West
*In American Society Men Often Leave Wives for Prostitutes
Marriage in the contemporary U.S. is described by the IAD as follows: "In the American society many times when relations between husband and wife are strained, the husband simply deserts his wife. Then he cohabits with a prostitute or other immoral woman without marriage."
*"Monogamy Protects Men, Allowing Them to 'Play Around'"
Western monogamy is explained by the IAD as follows: "The truth of the matter is that monogamy protects men, allowing them to 'play around' without responsibility. Easy birth control and easy legal abortion has opened the door of illicit sex to woman and she has been lured into the so-called sexual revolution. But she is still the one who suffers the trauma of abortion and the side effects of the birth control methods. Taking aside the plagues of venereal disease, herpes and AIDS, the male continues to enjoy himself free of worry. Men are the ones protected by monogamy while women continue to be victims of men's desires. Polygyny is very much opposed by the male dominated society because it forces men to face up to responsibility and fidelity. It forces them to take responsibility for their polygynous inclinations and protects and provides for women and children."
*In the U.S. Monogamy has Ruined the Family: 'The (American) Male is Very Polygynous, Getting Away with Not Taking Responsibility for Families'
The IAD further details how the U.S. has been weakened by monogamy: "The present Western society, which permits free sex between consenting adults, has given rise to an abundance of irresponsible sexual relationships, an abundance of 'fatherless' children, many unmarried teenage mothers; all becoming a burden on the country's welfare system. In part, such an undesirable welfare burden has given rise to a bloated budget deficit which even an economically powerful country like the United States cannot accommodate... In short, we find that artificially established monogamy has become a factor in ruining the family structure, and the social, economic and political systems of the country... It appears that the (American) male is very polygynous, getting away with not taking responsibility for the families for which he should be responsible."
Part VI: The Rights of Women
*Rights of a Husband over his Wives
Qur'anic verses and Hadiths are used by the IAD to explain the rights a husband has over his wives: "The husband's rights on his wife are greater than hers over him." Another source states, "Men have a supervisory authority on account of the physical advantage they possess..." It is also stated, "When the husband calls his wife to his bed and she disobeys, and he spends the night in anger against her, the angels keep cursing her till the morning." In addition, "If a woman dies while her husband was pleased with her," it is explained that "she will enter into Paradise."
American Law is Consistent with a Muslim Husband's Right to Strike His Wife
The IAD explains that the Qur'an authorizes a husband to beat his "disobedient wife." Like many sources in modern Islamic history, the IAD tries - by basing its interpretation on Hadith - to explain this authority as limited in circumstances as well as in harshness (i.e. limited to use of small, unharmful methods, such as beating with a toothpick).
If a woman does not follow authority, the IAD explains at what point men are allowed to discipline her: "The maximum disciplining measure is limited by the following: a) It must be seen as a rare exception to the repeated exhortation of mutual respect, kindness and good treatment. Based on the Qur'an and Hadith. This disciplining measure may be used in the case of lewdness on the part of the wife or extreme refraction and rejection of the husband's reasonable requests on a consistent basis. Even then other measures such as exhortation should be tried first. b) As defined by the Hadith, it is not permissible to strike anyone's face, cause any bodily harm or even be harsh. What the Hadith qualified as 'dharban ghayra mubarrih' or light beating, was interpreted by early jurists as a (symbolical) use of the 'miswak' (a small natural toothbrush)."
"They [qualify] the permissible 'beating' as beating that leaves no mark on the body. It is interesting that this latter fourteen centuries old [Hadith] is the criterion used in contemporary American law to separate a light and harmless tap or strike from 'abuse' in the legal sense. This makes it clear that even this extreme, last resort... that may save the marriage does not meet the definitions of 'physical abuse,' 'family violence,' or 'wife battering' in the twentieth century laws in liberal democracies, where such extremes are commonplace that they are seen as national concerns."
*Steven Stalinsky is Executive Director of MEMRI.
swhitebull - more food for thought
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
