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Home Front
Muslims In Washington Pray For Unity
2003-04-19
IslamOnline.net
Worshippers from across the Muslim world — from Morocco to Indonesia — filled a Washington mosque Friday to pray for unity and faith in the face of troubled times. "We are passing through a lot of trouble," imam Abdullah Khouj said. "Such trouble makes wise people puzzled, troubled and gloomy about things." But he urged the worshippers: "Be not divided among yourselves, and hold tight to the rope" of faith tying Muslims to Allah. An international collection of flags hanging outside the Islamic Cultural Center in northwest Washington was reflected in the range of nationalities sharing chicken and rice in the courtyard after the prayers. Mohamed Abukela, an Egyptian, said that the imam's message — "Muslims have to be united" — gave solace to worshippers who don't know what's right.
Where's the part about "we're all Americans"? Or aren't they?
One worshipper said the imam was referring to the "trouble that many nations are feeling at this moment" while urging the faithful to seek truth through introspection over the war in Iraq and its aftermath. She said Muslims were asking themselves: "What have we done that merits a calamity like this?"
What are you thinking, that you consider it a calamity?
The woman, an Indonesian, said she was saddened by Friday's news that an infrastructure contract had been awarded to Bechtel National worth up to 680 million dollars. "To us it's like eagles seeing their prey," she said, gesturing with her hands formed into a raptor's talons. "Even when the earth is still red (from war), already people are competing in snatching the reconstruction projects. It is a public secret that this war (in Iraq) is unjust."
Even while the earth is still red, we're beginning reconstruction. Who did she think was going to do the reconstruction? The Baathists? The "government" — American or (not-yet existent) Iraqi? Companies do things. That's why they exist. You give them money and they turn it into structures, systems, or what have you. They hire people, to include local people, and they give them a part of the money they received. Their employees — the people they hired — get to buy groceries, support their families, and go bowling. I still haven't figured what's had about that.
A Sudanese worshipper, Elnur Khudur of Sudan: "I believe democracy will be established in Iraq (but) I don't believe they will be loyal to USA. They have been ruled by the British; I don't think they will again accept any sort of foreign rule in Iraq." Recalling the imam's sermon, Kadari explained: "You cannot break the direct link between the human being and God. God created us to help people."
So send your resume to Bechtel. They're hiring.
Posted by:Fred Pruitt

#7  Article 56 is an interseting read.
..."All seizure of, destruction or willful damage done to institutions of this character, historic monuments, works of art and science, is forbidden, and should be made the subject of legal proceedings."

The way I understand it this say's the occupying powers are not allowed to seize,destroy or cause willful damage.
The property of the National Museum was not siezed,destroyed,damaged or looted by the coalition forces.
Took a quick glance at the other articles,basically they say anything that belonged to Saddam's government and was not nailed down belongs to the Coalltion.Also in the case of Communist country's,since everything belongs to the state everything can be siezed.
Posted by: raptor   2003-04-20 07:01:47  

#6  And yet not one word of thanks for those who gave thier lives for Iraqi democracy(am I suprised,no).
What about a thank you for a country that welcomes those of any faith?
How about a"Job well done"for ridding the world of a vicious tyrant,and in the process freeing an entire country?
Didn't know about art.55,thanks Ptah.
What about the Iraqi police and others who are being paid with American dollars,that ain't oil money.
Posted by: raptor   2003-04-20 06:34:51  

#5  *blinks* so what was the request for 80Bn to congress? The last number I heard for the war was 25Bn, so that leaves 55Bn.

The link to a copy of the convention is here.

Very interesting. Technically, we can keep all the movable cash and valuables we find in Saddam's ccastles, including that 600+Million found yesterday. We can even levy monies to maintain the army while its there. However,article 55 calls out forests and agricultural estates, and doesn't mention mines or mineral resources.
Posted by: Ptah   2003-04-19 19:38:13  

#4  To Ptah: We ARE going to use Iraqi money to reconstruct Iraq. Either Iraq will sell its oil to generate the bucks to pay for the reconstruction (if the UN lifts sanctions) or we'll expropriate the oil (pursuant to article 55 of the Hague CONVENTION
RESPECTING THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND) and sell it on the open market.
Posted by: Norman Rogers   2003-04-19 17:04:13  

#3  A Sudanese worshipper, Elnur Khudur of Sudan: "I believe democracy will be established in Iraq (but) I don't believe they will be loyal to USA."

We neither want nor expect loyalty, although we wouldn't turn it down if offered. We just want you to stop being such utter jerks all the time. Calm down, stop grabbing an AK every time something pisses you off.

How much is that to ask?
Posted by: mojo   2003-04-19 15:19:46  

#2  If we were going to use Iraqi oil money to rebuild Iraq, then there'd be a case for competitive bidding. However, if we're doing an Iraqi Marshall Plan, paid for by American dollars, then he who pays the piper calls the tune, and giving American money to American companies is perfectly legal and proper. This nameless b*tch would have no problems directing Muslim money to muslims, but has a cow when American money is directed to American companies.

Hypocrisy is nowhere categorically identified as a sin, and consequently condemned in the Koran.
Posted by: Ptah   2003-04-19 13:42:14  

#1  My grandfather worked for Bechtel from 1945 until his death in 1958. They were (and I assume still are) a can-do company that gets things done in refineries, pipelines, docks, and major infrastructure. They have had a major presence in the middle east for generations now, and their reputation is based upon getting things done and done right. As for all the whiners looking for another issue to beat us up on: Hire the best or wallow with the rest.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2003-04-19 11:48:17  

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