According to Pakistani Federal Minister Senator Azam Khan Swati of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam the flogging of the 17-year-old girl in Swat was a Jewish conspiracy. He explained that it is the work of Jews aimed at destroying peace in Swat and distorting the image of those Islamists who sport beards and wear turbans.
The video has angered the world. I am not sure, however, which is more plausible. The theory of a Jewish conspiracy or the Pakistani government’s expression of surprise that Sharia law can be applied with a vengeance. The government (reportedly after this video was taken) turned over the entire Swat Valley to Sharia law and Taliban justice.
For the full story, click here.
Thank you all. I will do my best to contribute as regularly as possible.
Mr. Khawaja,
I hope you will keep posting to this site as well.
Mr. Khawaja, I agree wholeheartedly with Buddha and Bron. I’ve enjoyed your contributions to this post. I am especially interested in the views of Muslims on free speech issues in general and in the criticism of religious views in particular. I hope you will frequent this site to share your opinions.
Buddha:
agreed!
Bron,
Let’s not forget their preservation and advancement of science through the Dark Ages either.
Omar:
I second Buddhas invitation.
We all need a better perspective on these issues.
Western civilization owes a debt of gratitude to Arab/Islamic scholars for rediscovering and perserving the greek philosophers such as Aristotle.
lol
Should read –
“I’d like to encourage your posting” . . .
That’s what multi-tasking will get you!
Mr. Khawaja,
This is indeed an interesting thread. I’d also like you to encourage your posting here for two reasons. Firstly, your posts are well reasoned and presented. Secondly, we have a wide variety of religious backgrounds posting here, from atheists and agnostic deists to devout Jews and Christians. If as a group the regular posters here show any consistent religious bias, it’s against fundamentalist extremism from any religious tradition and for Freedom of Religion and the Separation of Church and State. As a self-identified moderate, you fit well in the mix.
We do not, however, have a regular contributor to make the case for moderate Muslims. I for one think you could do a great service not only to moderate Muslims by acting as a voice for them here in JT’s salon, but you could further help round out and balance the discussions here with your continued contributions and perspective.
Now if we could just find a moderate Hindu poster, we’d have the majority of religious perspectives covered.
Also a belated congratulations on reinstating Chief Justice Chaudhry. That was a huge step in remediation of the image of Pakistan and progressive for the Rule of Law over tyranny.