Yesterday, we discussed another massive book burning by Islamic State as well as reports of the destruction of ancient art pieces. The latter report appears true after ISIS posted a video of its militants taking sledgehammers and drills to ancient art work and statues going back to the 7th Century. The actions are reminiscent of the infamous destruction of the famous giant Buddhas of Bamiyan.
This is the history and culture of a people being systematically destroyed by a force of hatred and ignorance. Fueling by their extreme view of Islam, these men are eradicating evidence of their own civilization at the direction of clerics who see the images as offensive to God. To watch these ignorant men destroying priceless pieces of art is sickening. However, it should be watched. Ironically, just as ISIS wants people to see this, so do those who oppose them. This is truly the fact of ISIS. What remains incredible is that thousands of people in the West see images of decapitations and destruction and flock to IS while most of humanity, including most Muslims, are entirely repelled by these images.
It is a glimpse into the nightmare of those who have spent their lives preserving ancient works from this area for future generations. ISIS is wiping out any identity beyond its own blood-soaked, hateful image of religious orthodoxy.
