Jihadi Du Jour: Saudi Mufti Defends Spirit Of Jihad

RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia's leading religious figure, the grand mufti, Sunday defended the spirit of jihad, or holy war, as a God-given right, weighing in on the controversy over the pope's remarks on Islam.

"God ...authorized the faithful to defend themselves and to fight against those fighting them, which amounts to a right legitimized by God," he said.

"The order to fight did not start with the Prophet Mohammed ... Other prophets fought their enemies, including the prophets of the Israelites such as Moses and David," said the mufti.

Actually the order to fight given to the Israelites were against the Canaanites and the inhabitants of the "Promised Land" ...long before Mohammed created Islam and turned those orders against the Jews, the Christians, and the non-believers. It is concievable, though not particularly to my liking, that God would order the slaughter and removal of people to provide land for Abrahan's sons, as the Bible states. After all it was God they thought was guiding them. But...Did God authorize conversion by the sword? Well...Not in any Bible I've ever read...and trust me I own and have read many.

Comparing God's revelation to the Muslims and to the Jews is truly comparing apples and oranges ...or should I say halal and kosher.

Also: Ayatoldyaso!

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Jihad, a principle of Islam is not for imposing religious belief on others, it is a liberation movement and campaign against slavery.

In a meeting with members of the headquarters in charge of organizing prayers congregations, the Supreme Leader said that it is unjust to be ignorant of the principle of Jihad, and at the same time introduce it in a bad way -- a reference to a statement made by Pope Benedict XVI who misportrayed Jihad to link Islam to violence.

"The first aspect of Pope's statement is the accusation he brought against Islam and the second aspect is that the Pope has rushed to the aid of hegemonist powers to create religious conflict between Muslims and Christians."

Which Pope are we talking about? The current one or the one circa 600 AD? This is NOT A NEW CONFLICT!

"The Pope's statement revealed the backdrop of conspiracy of the arrogant powers to create tension between religions and lead followers of different religions to stand against each other rather than cooperate in the international community," the Supreme Leader said.

"Western papers had attempted to incite crusade by printing caricatures against Islam and the Pope's statement is a new link of the same chain."

Also he said: "Those who benefit from the pope's comments and drive their own arrogant policies should be targeted with attacks and protests," he said, referring to the United States. [Can anyone say redundant?]

Yeah..."Loose Change: The Persian Version".

Labels: Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Christianity vs Islam, Iran, Jihad, Judaism vs Islam, Mohammed, Mufti, Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh