Thousands of Afghans Burn Effigy of Pope Benedict, Call for Killing of Christian Converts

From Weasel Zippers:

We can try and liberate them from the Taliban but we can’t liberate them from their biggest oppressor, Islam…
(3 News New Zealand)- Over a thousand protesters turned out onto the streets of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, to demonstrate against foreign NGOs (non-governmental organisations) which were being investigated for spreading Christianity in the country.

This is the third mass protest in just over a week since Afghan authorities suspended two Christian aid groups, the US-based Church World Service and Norwegian Church Aid, on suspicion of proselytising in the strictly Islamic nation.
During their hour-long march, demonstrators shouted slogans such as “Death to America! Long live Islam!” and carried banners and placards protesting against the foreign presence in the country.
The protesters, who were mostly college students, also burned a stuffed figure in western dress, reportedly an effigy of the Pope.
An estimated 200 police were on duty at the protest, which ended peacefully.

“We want those who have converted from Islam to be punished. We also want the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to ban all the churches that have been established and any organisation spreading Christianity here,” said one protester, Zabiullah Khan.

Pakistani Anti-Christian Bigotry

Pope Challenges Pakistan over Christian Murders & Blasphemy Laws

Asia It:

Zardari promises Pope to overcome discrimination caused by religion.

The "need" to promote respect for the rights of all citizens in talks between the President and Benedict XVI. In Islamabad, meanwhile, it is announced that Christian organizations in the country have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The ‘need’ to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religion emerged from meetings today between the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo and Secretary of State cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr. Dominique Mamberti. Echoing this statement is news from Islamabad that the Pakistan Christian organizations have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law.

A statement released by the Vatican Press Office states that " The cordial discussions provided an opportunity to examine the current situation in Pakistan, with particular reference to the fight against terrorism and the commitment to create a society more tolerant and harmonious in all its aspects. Talk then turned to the positive role played by the Catholic Church - continues the statement - in the social life of the country through her educational, healthcare and aid activities. Evoking recent episodes of violence against Christian communities in some localities, and the elements that have favoured such serious incidents, emphasis was given to the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for the rights of all citizens".

The same argument was also addressed by Zardari in his talks with Italian politicians, in which the Pakistani president said the government of his country will take steps against the abuse of the blasphemy law. Moreover, on 18 September, during a state visit to London, Zardari had promised greater government vigilance, but human rights organizations in Pakistan say the president's words remain an unrealistic goal that ignores the reality of the situation.

The law, created to defend against offenses against Islam and the Prophet, has become an instrument of discrimination and predatory violence. The event promoted by the CCP Christian is called All Parties Conference and was created to coordinate the efforts of all Christian groups who are calling for the abolition of Article 295, paragraph b and c of the Penal Code. On 24 October, to facilitate the participation of as many people as possible, the initiative will be held simultaneously in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

The National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Church (NCJP) states that "the country's Christian community continues to live in fear and insecurity" and cites the most recent cases of abuse of the law arguing that the authorities undertake investigations without decision or results.

In the district of Sialkot and the village of Gojra, Punjab, investigations and the trials are blocked. The NCJP says that over the last five days no progress has been made to see justice done for the Christians killed and assaulted there. Local Pakistani sources say that in Gojra, a village in which eight Christians were burned to death in early August, the provincial administration and police are covering up the affair so as not to risk public disorder. The Commission adds that "some of those detained over the violence have been released on bail by the Anti-Terrorism Court”.

There is a similar situation in the district of Sialkot, home to Fanish Robert, the 20 year old Christian who was killed in prison September 14 two days after his arrest for blasphemy. The family of the young man had to leave their home in Jethikey for security reasons and only returned on 24 September. Now they are asking the authorities to transfer the remains of their son to his village of origin. The funeral and burial of Fanish were to have taken place in Sialkot to avoid anti-Christian episodes, but were marred by police intervention to "prevent further unrest”.

Further reporting here and here.

The "Religion of Peace & Love" in Pakistan

Pakistani Christian women react over the death of members of their community, in Gojra, 360 kilometers ( 224 miles) from Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Aug 3, 2009. Pakistani Christians were closing their schools across the country for three days starting Monday to protest the killings of eight members of their community by Muslims, violence that drew condemnation from Pope Benedict XVI. (Daylife-AP)


This will NEVER end until we identify and overthrow or extinguish the Jihadists, oops sorry for that word, core Islamic beliefs and retrograde tenets:

LAHORE (The UK Catholic Herald) - Eight Pakistani Christians were killed, 50 homes destroyed and two churches burned when a rampaging mob of up to 3,000 Muslims tore through the town of Gojra, in eastern Pakistan, last Saturday.

The victims, who included two young children, were either burned alive or shot.

The attacks were said to be among the bloodiest against Pakistani Christians in the country's history. Some of those killed were understood to be Catholics.

The mob gathered after rumours had spread that children had cut up a schoolbook which included verses from the Koran. The children had supposedly been making confetti for a local wedding.

As well as those killed, more than 20 people were injured in the attack as the mob, carrying sticks, clubs and a small number of firearms, took to the streets last weekend.

The attacks came two days after a related incident in the nearby village of Korian where gangs set fire to more than 70 Christian homes and two small Protestant churches.

A telegram was sent on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI to Bishop Joseph Coutts of the Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad. It said the Pontiff was "deeply grieved to learn of the senseless attack on the Christian community of Gojra city which resulted in the tragic killing of innocent men, women and children". The message also included condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the survivors.

"In the name of God he appeals to everyone to renounce the way of violence, which causes so much suffering, and to embrace the way of peace," the telegram said.

The Pope asked Bishop Coutts to "encourage the whole diocesan community, and all Christians in Pakistan, not to be deterred in their efforts to help build a society which, with a profound sense of trust in religious and human values, is marked by mutual respect among all its members".

The bishop expressed his grief and anger after the attacks. Speaking from Pakistan in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted Christians, Bishop Coutts said: "There is a lot of anger among the people about what has happened. Emotions are running extremely high. People could respond in any way. This is undoubtedly one of the worst attacks we have faced."

Bishop Coutts presided at the funerals of those killed in the Gojra violence last Sunday. He denounced the failure of the authorities to tackle the causes of the violence and criticised the police for not acting quickly to stop the mob, describing the official response to the violence as "half-hearted and ineffective".

The bishop said the number of recent attacks against Christians was a clear signal that their safety was being ignored.

He said: "In all these cases, the police did almost nothing to stop the rampaging mobs. Condolences, apologies and assurances always pour in from officials and other citizens after the event, but the timely action required to prevent such incidents has always been missing."

Bishop Coutts stressed the continuing need to work towards inter-religious cooperation.

On Tuesday the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, appealed to the government of Pakistan to ensure "that justice is done in the wake of these terrible events". Dr Williams also criticised Pakistan's "draconian laws against blasphemy".
(Gee Rowan this would have nothing to do with your obscene dhimmitude, would it?)

Christian groups have repeatedly called for the repeal of Pakistan's 1986 blasphemy laws, which deal harshly with perceived "crimes of disrespect" towards the Koran or the Prophet Mohammed. Perpetrators of these crimes are liable to sentences of life imprisonment or the death penalty, according to the decrees of sharia law. Critics say the laws target Christians who have reportedly had 23 per cent of blasphemy cases brought against them, despite only representing three per cent of Pakistan's predominantly Muslim population.

John Pontifex, a spokesman for Aid to the Church in Need, said Pakistan's laws against blasphemy were encouraging vigilantism.

He said: "The blasphemy laws as they stand amount to mob rule, and we know that Christians are suffering persecution and vendettas at the hands of Pakistan's Muslim majority."

Pakistan's missionary schools closed on Monday to mourn those who were killed in the violence.

Bishop Sadiq Daniel, head of the Anglican diocese in Karachi and the south-western Baluchistan province, said: "Christian schools will remain closed for three days from today to mourn the death of innocent people in Gojra."

He added: "There is no proof of blasphemy, but if someone has done that he, and not the entire community, should be punished."

Officials denied that rumours concerning the desecration of verses from the Koran had any basis.

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities, said authorities were also investigating reports that "masked men armed with explosives" were at the forefront of the violence, indicating that Islamist militias were involved.

"Allegations of desecration of the Holy Koran, which were used as an excuse by banned [Islamist] groups to foment such a big scale of violence, were baseless and without grounds," he told a news conference on Monday.

Punjab's provincial police chief Tariq Salim Dogar said that 64 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

However, the head of the Catholic Church in Pakistan released a statement which complained that when Christians were attacked the culprits were "arrested but never brought to justice".

The statement also demanded that the Pakistani authorities decide on "a comprehensive policy" to eliminate "hate speeches" against other religions.

Didn't these JIHADISTS (take that Brennan and Napolitano) get the memo, our "President", well at least de-facto, is named Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., and he can even pronounce Pakistan correctly!!!!!

Vatican Exposes Double Standard

Benedict XVI condemns exhibit, notes Koran would never be likewise debased:

The Pope has condemned a "disgusting" taxpayer-funded exhibition in which visitors are urged to deface the Bible.

Visitors were offered pens by gallery bosses so they could scrawl comments on the text - leading to a host of puerile and obscene remarks.

Pope Benedict XVI believes the stunt would not have been contemplated with a copy of the Koran.

His anger over the show, organised by council-funded arts body Culture and Sport Glasgow, was expressed by a senior Vatican priest.

The adviser to the Pope said: "It is disgusting and offensive. They would not think of doing it to the Koran."

Public complaints about the exhibit at the prestigious Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow have forced organisers to put the vandalised Bible on show in a locked case, while still allowing visitors to write comments on blank sheets of paper.

The Made In God's Image exhibit is the work of Glasgow artist Anthony Schrag.
He wanted gays and transsexuals who felt left out of religion to 'write their way back in' to the holy text.

Mr Schrag worked with members of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in Edinburgh on the project.

But MCC minister Jane Clarke said: "I had hoped people would show respect for the Bible. I am saddened some have chosen to write offensive messages."

Hat Tip: Vlad Tepes

Pope's Top Advisor Slams Obama

Fr. Samir Khali Samir, S.J., one of Pope Benedict's top advisers on Islam and author of 111 Questions on Islam, has many positive things to say about President Obama's June 4th speech in Cairo. But, in this June 5th piece for Asia News, he also expresses some serious concerns, especially about Obama's approach to tolerance and religious freedom:

The fifth point is religious freedom. Here Obama goes a little beyond historic truth and uses mythical concepts to justify his position. He maintains that Islam has always been a tolerant religion. But this is ambiguous: religious freedom is not only a question of tolerance. Tolerance means allowing others to exist, it does not mean freedom of speech, freedom to preach or convert.

Then he falls into the trap of myths when he uses the Caliphate of Andalusia and Cordoba a san example of this tolerance, placing it in direct contrast to the Inquisition. This is completely exaggerated myth.

First of all the Inquisition was historically after the caliphate, but the affirmation is also wrong in its contents. There was a lot of persecution under the Andalusia Caliphate, of Christians, Jews and even Muslims: Averroè was forced to flee from Cordoba; the same fate for the Hebrew Philosopher Maimonide.

He then points to Indonesia where he lived during his childhood. And here there is little to argue about. However the Indonesia of today is less tolerant than it was in the past. Despite this he seems conscious of the fact that steps need to be taken to ensure reciprocal respect. Among situations of difficulty he lists (a little out of place) the Maronites in Lebanon and (with no small measure of courage given that he is in Egypt) the Copts in Egypt.

Finally he also cites conflicts between Sunni and Shiites to show that tolerance is needed also among Muslims themselves and not only with Christians.He then gives some examples of tolerance “American” style. He speaks for example of the zakat, the juridical religious tax in support of other Muslims. But this is a private fact that no-one can impede, and yet he points to it as an important sign of tolerance.

Twice or three times he calls in cause the issue of the veil and women’s’ clothing, to say that they have the right to dress as they desire, but this argument seems more aimed at satisfying Muslims, because it is not real issue of religious freedom. Instead the right to believe or not to believe, to be homosexual or not, to convert to another religion, are not addressed. He points to Saudi Arabia as an example of collaboration between religions, but says nothing of the lack of religious freedom in that country.

In concluding, Fr. Samir compares Obama's message in Egypt to the message presented by Pope Benedict XVI during his recent trip to the Middle East:

Comparing his message to that of the Pope during his trip to the Holy Land, it seems to me, that with regards the Palestinians, the pope was far less ambiguous. Both defended the right of Israel to exist, both condemned the violence, but Benedict XVI spoke in precise terms of the Two States; he even said that the security barrier is unacceptable and that Jerusalem has to be the capital of both States. Obama instead only spoke of Jerusalem as the “spiritual capital” of the three Abrahamic religions.

The pope also spoke of the “indestructible bonds” between Jews and Christians, but did not justify these bonds with a weak historic motivation.

It must also be said that the pope’s situation was far more delicate, because Benedict XVI went into the eye of the storm, among the Israelis and Palestinians. Instead this speech by Obama only served to please Islam.

Also see a May 14, 2009, column by Fr. Samir, "The Pope, Arabic Islam and the West".

And speaking of religious tolerance, this interview with Coptic Orthodox priest Fr. Zakaria Botros (labeled "one of the most wanted infidels in the world" by al Qaeda) offers a harrowing glimpse into the daunting (and sometimes deadly) situations faced by many Christians living in the Middle East.

Finally, Tom Hoopes of National Catholic Register points out "3 Things Obama Didn't Say" in the Cairo speech, including his failure to promote LGBT lifestyles as he has in the United States by declaring June to be "LGBT Pride Month".

If you are interested in purchasing Father Samir's book, click here.

Samir Khalil Samir is a Jesuit priest of Egyptian descent who now teaches in Beirut at St. Joseph University and is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on Islam. He has been a visiting professor at many universities, including the University of Cairo, Georgetown, University and the University of Bethlehem (Palestine). He is the founder of CEDRAC, the Center of Arabic Christian Documentation and Studies. He also directs the publication of the collection of the Arabic Christian Heritage, and is the president of the International Association for Christian Arabic Studies. He is the author of twenty books and about five hundred scholarly articles concerning Islam and Christianity.

Bibi Coming to America

Photo courtesy of YNet-GPO

Via Fox News:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may endorse the creation of a Palestinian state during his upcoming meeting with President Obama in Washington,Israel's defense minister said Saturday.

But sources close to the Israeli government told FOX News that Netanyahu will first seek assurances from Obama that neighboring Arab nations will back the weak Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas in concessions for peace.

Netanyahu's government was encouraged by Vice President Joe Biden's speech to the American Israel Political Affairs Committee in which he said one of the clear responsibilities the Arab states have is to support the Palestinian Authority's effort to govern on the West Bank, "develop and reform its institutions, help the people of Gaza work toward returning to Gaza."

The endorsement would be a significant shift for the Israeli leader, who has made clear in the past that he does not think the Palestinians are ready to rule themselves. But that position has put him at odds with long-standing U.S. policy that supports Palestinian statehood as the cornerstone of Mideast peace efforts.

"I think and believe that Netanyahu will tell Obama this government is prepared to go for a political process that will result in two nations living side by side in peace and mutual respect," Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Channel 2 TV on Saturday.

In a revealing passage of this article, the Likud government is apparently willing to cede the following to the Palestinian Authority:

Netanyahu has said the old formula of trading land for peace has been unsuccessful. He has suggested focusing instead on building up the Palestinian economy and security services loyal to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

But Netanyahu has acknowledged neither track is a substitute for political negotiations. And on trips to Egypt and Jordan last week, he said he wanted to quickly renew talks with Palestinians that stalled last year without any breakthrough.

Aides say he favors giving Palestinians the powers to govern themselves but minus the powers that could threaten Israel -- establishing an army, making treaties with states including Iran, importing heavy weapons, or controlling air space close to Israel's international airport.

For the record, this sounds very similar to the concept which former Foreign Minister and Kadima Party Chief Tzipi Livni was proposing, although her model would have had slightly enhanced rights, & in line with Pope Benedict XVI's call for a "homeland" as opposed to an outright state.

Related Links:

Pres. Peres meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan, endorses hypothetical peace overture with the 57 Islamic states

In depth strategies being pursued by Israelis prior to sit down with Barack Obama

Netanyahu lands in Washington, ready for White House meeting

Likud rebellion could be brewing in the Knesset & cabinet

Royal intrigue in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

MSM will pick apart or engender anti-Bibi rhetoric, original W road map could be in play

UPDATE 1:

Ode to my infidel, anti-Jihadist brother in arms, Midnight Rider:

Give Sharia a Chance? In NYC???

Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit

Jihad and Sharia being promoted in New York City, near Ground Zero!!!

The "Religion of Peace" is kind, amiable and welcoming to all, don't you think? With a "prophet" like Muhammad, a man who spread peace, love and joy (through the sword) how could it not be?

Since the Islamo-Fascist spewing the Friday Street Dawa cited the Pope, amongst others, I just thought it would be quite apropos that we should remember Regensburg, Germany and this particular citation from Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”