Muslims worldwide come to grips with a bloody Ramadan

[webfact]

Muslims worldwide come to grips with a bloody Ramadan
By ZEINA KARAM and SARAH EL DEEB

BEIRUT (AP) — As Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan, many are struggling to comprehend a wave of attacks that killed 350 people across several continents during the holy month and made urgent the question of what drives the militants to ever more spectacular violence against civilians.

The diverse, high-profile targets — including one that struck the heart of Islam in the month's final days — underline the warnings of many experts: the Islamic State group, especially when on the defensive at home, will metastasize far beyond its theater of operations.

The extremist group has always sought attention and recruits through brazen terrorism. The projection of daring, operational competence and utter disregard for the norms of its enemies has proven a winning strategy among its disenfranchised and angry followers around the Muslim world.

But having lost the key city of Fallujah in recent weeks, capping a series of setbacks in Iraq, the group is pushing to project strength while also diverting attention from its battlefield humiliations.

"ISIS is waging an existential fight," said Fawaz Gerges, a London-based scholar of jihadi groups, using an alternate acronym for the militant group. "The future of the Islamic State is on the line, and it is trying to maximize the cost for its adversaries and also to inspire this particular segment of young men and women who subscribe to its ideology."

If the militants needed to send a message, the onset of Ramadan provided a convenient context.

Although the month is a holy time meant for introspection, peace and piety, it has been transformed in the hands of the extremists who have thrived during the recent decades of turbulence around the region, particularly in war zones like Iraq, Afghanistan and more recently in Syria.

Although the vast majority of the faithful regard Ramadan as a time for prayer and forgiveness, militant Muslims and hard-line clerics have been touting the month as a time for victory in jihad, or holy war.

Weeks before Ramadan, IS called for its supporters to strike wherever possible. In a digital age where statements on the internet quickly proliferate, those calls appear to have found resonance among some circles of disenchanted Muslim youth around the globe.

From Omar Mateen, who pledged allegiance to IS as he shot and killed 49 people at a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando on June 12, to the militants who killed 44 at Istanbul airport, to the young men who killed 20 hostages at a popular restaurant in Bangladesh on July 1, such violence highlights how radicals across the world can carry out attacks that are instantly attached to IS, even when the Syria- and Iraq-based group does not formally claim responsibility.

They also underlined the increasingly blurred lines in which attacks, even those stemming from local grievances, could be assigned to IS and be transformed into a global cause. The bloodshed, targeting Muslims and non-Muslims alike, also demonstrates the difficulty in neutralizing a threat that is often inspired and not necessarily directed.

Still, many of the attacks appeared to have involved careful planning, spaced out with targets clearly meant to induce fear and shock across continents.

In Yemen, where suicide bombers and other militants carried out at least seven simultaneous attacks in the southern port city of Mukalla against security targets on June 27, 43 people were killed. In one of the attacks, a bomb was concealed in a box of food brought to soldiers at a checkpoint to break their dawn-to-dusk Ramadan fast.

In the capital of Bangladesh, where attackers killed 22 people at a popular restaurant in an upscale Dhaka neighborhood frequented by diplomats and foreigners, witnesses said the attackers tortured some of the hostages before killing them for failure to recite from the Quran.

In Baghdad, residents hardened by years of war said the July 3 bombing was like no other, trapping shoppers in an inferno of fire that killed at least 175 people in one of the deadliest single attacks since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

"This is a second Hiroshima and Nagasaki," said Ammar al-Khafaji, a 50-year-old local from Karada district of Baghdad, where the attack happened. His son lost three of his friends in the bombing.

The wave of attacks culminated Monday with triple suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia, including one outside the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medina, one of the holiest sites in Islam that killed four security troops. The nature of the attacks and their apparently coordinated timing suggested the Islamic State group could be to blame, although no one claimed responsibility.

The attacks come as the IS group is increasingly on the defensive in both Syria and Iraq. Its hold on territory has shrunk in both countries, after losing key strongholds, including the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

Ibrahim Bayram, a Beirut-based political analyst, said the attacks aim to dispel the notion that the organization is going to vanish or shrink.

"With such attacks, it is proving that it is still capable of crossing borders and conducting attacks" everywhere, including in the holy sites in Saudi Arabia, he said. That is a key for the group, which seeks to boost its credentials and recruitment.

The attack in Medina outside the sprawling mosque grounds where the Prophet Muhammad is buried, however, sparked particular disgust. Millions of Muslims from around the world visit the mosque every year as part of their pilgrimage to Mecca. Across social media and on channels used by the Islamic State group, supporters appeared to be grappling to explain or come to terms with the attack, quickly labeled by opponents as an attack on Islam itself.

This might partly explain why there was no responsibility claim.

Mohammad Ballout, writing in Lebanon's daily As-Safir newspaper on Tuesday, said the attacks in Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia aim to send a direct warning to the Sunni-led nations that the undeclared truce with them may collapse if they don't revise their strategies toward IS and halt their support for the war on the group.

Gerges said the Medina attack was not surprising. "There are no red lines anymore," he said.

It is also possible that the radicals are seeking to goad the U.S.-led coalition arrayed against them to take them on in their strongholds of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

Those are the prizes, yet the Iraqis seem reluctant to move on their second-largest city, lost two years ago. In Syria, there is almost no ground war to speak of: with the coalition reluctant to ally with the government of President Bashar Assad, it has sufficed with air power, leaving the fight on the ground to Kurdish militias and smaller groups. The two cities offer the prospect of a bloody, house-to-house fight that many jihadis calculate would be worth losing, if only because it would cost their enemy so dearly.

___

Associated Press writer Ali Abdul-Hassan in Baghdad contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-06

[mesterm]

Why is this shocking to them, didn't they read their own religious literature? It's all prescribed in there anyway.

[Jingthing]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

[Boon Mee]

But, but, we've all been told that a Musulman is a member of a Peaceful Religion?

[Jingthing]

But, but, we've all been told that a Musulman is a member of a Peaceful Religion?

Anyway, don't blame the texts or the religion. You can find horrible texts in many religions. Blame the people in modern times preaching acting on such inspirations and the people doing it. We can't change the texts but the behaviors can change.

Also, to demonize all Muslim people because a minority of them act out horrific terrorist acts is a futile reaction. There are just too many Muslim people. Got to learn to live with them and insulting all of them will just makes things worse.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Jingthing

[The Deerhunter]

But, but, we've all been told that a Musulman is a member of a Peaceful Religion?

Anyway, don't blame the texts or the religion. You can find horrible texts in many religions. Blame the people in modern times preaching acting on such inspirations and the people doing it. We can't change the texts but the behaviors can change.

Also, to demonize all Muslim people because a minority of them act out horrific terrorist acts is a futile reaction. There are just too many Muslim people. Got to learn to live with them and insulting all of them will just makes things worse.

The PC media tell us not to demonize all Muslims because of the (relatively few?????) violent extremist Muslims, but want all gun owners to be automatically categorized with the (genuinely few) gun nutjobs. The people you call "extremists" actually refer to the people you call moderates, as "apostates", that is Muslims who choose (in their so-called moderation) to ignore the later "correct" but more violent teachings of the Koran and who deserve to be tortured before being killed, by those calling themselves, real Muslims, because, unlike you and me, apostates should know better. The Old Testament has enough of the same contradictory and horrific blood-lust content as the Koran to make it totally unsuitable for children, but the Koran just has more and worse. But,unfortunately, the Koran's adherents are generally less educated than Old Testament adherents and are much more likely to be controlled by extreme leaders in acting out their particular version of the inerrant word of the same God. Confused? Why be confused? Become an atheist and your confusion will evaporate.

So anyway, that is where we are right now, the good crazies v/s the bad crazies and the bad crazies killing each other as well as killing and raping the good crazies; and also killing and raping indiscriminately, the rest of us as well. So, welcome to the 21'st Century, well into the age of Aquarius, if you believe any of that stuff either.

Edited July 6, 2016 by The Deerhunter

[12DrinkMore]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

I don't think it is complicated.

Islam is a religion that originally had the sole purpose of creating an utterly obedient army that was convinced they would be paid in the hereafter for obeying the word of allah mohamed. He did not have enough cash to pay them otherwise. Turned out the scheme worked extremely well, and has been employed so successfully that a third of the world's population now dedicate their existence to it.

I do not consider that any member of this religion can be called modern. 1,500 years of scientific progress has left no discernible mark, and the call to be a "good muslim" essentially leaves them morally and intellectually stuck around 500 CE.

There IS a fundamental need to act on the islamic dogma, because to do anything else is utterly denying the religion in its entirety.

[Jingthing]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

I don't think it is complicated.

Islam is a religion that originally had the sole purpose of creating an utterly obedient army that was convinced they would be paid in the hereafter for obeying the word of allah mohamed. He did not have enough cash to pay them otherwise. Turned out the scheme worked extremely well, and has been employed so successfully that a third of the world's population now dedicate their existence to it.

I do not consider that any member of this religion can be called modern. 1,500 years of scientific progress has left no discernible mark, and the call to be a "good muslim" essentially leaves them morally and intellectually stuck around 500 CE.

There IS a fundamental need to act on the islamic dogma, because to do anything else is utterly denying the religion in its entirety.

If what you say is true, then abandon all hope.

[JHolmesJr]

Sunni vs Shia....not our problem.

Have at it, lads.

[Jingthing]

Sunni vs Shia....not our problem.

Have at it, lads.

That's definitely part of it.

Like the recent atrocity in Baghdad is arguably more about a political sectarian power struggle than follow orthodox Islamic dogma.

[hawker9000]

Sunni vs Shia....not our problem.

Have at it, lads.

If only that were all there were to it.

[Steely Dan]

I have an issue with the 350 figure mentioned in the op.

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/images/Ramadan-Bombathon-2016.jpg

According to the bombathon scorecard the death toll is 1723.

The website doing the hateful act of collating news reports has a link to each attack in case anyone wants to quibble. On a positive note even Muslim leaders are starting to grasp the nettle here instead of resorting to denying the attacks were anything to do with Islam.

[Doc46]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

They don't Need to But, they are Brainwashed ,So they Will act on those messages.

[ggt]

There should be a meeting of the minds...Western, ME, Asian...to share information and techniques to combat these rogue Muslims...

Anything less than a world coordinated effort...will prolong this nightmare indefinitely...

[mcfish]

My long term ex who is a sweet, smart well educated girl liked to discuss world news (rare for a Thai) and also happened to be a Thai Muslim. Not once ever did she dare to say 'oh gee that is terrible about that bomb"

I truly believe if her own mother were blown up the result would be the same, just to scared to critisize Allah and islam

[12DrinkMore]

There should be a meeting of the minds...Western, ME, Asian...to share information and techniques to combat these rogue Muslims...

Anything less than a world coordinated effort...will prolong this nightmare indefinitely...

Islam has a third of the world's population enslaved to its anachronistic cr4p.

There will always be internal power squabbles when so many fanatical people are involved, but fundamentally they are all islam.

I get very depressed when I think about the future of the world. Instead of science, logic and moral decency taking precedence, an ever increasing number of the world's population is islamic. Where is the barrier being set in Europe against muslims, who are already there, having two to three times as many babies as the native Europeans? Add in the flood of refugees, who will get support and be paid to produce even more muslim babies. It may take a few hundred years, but unless something happens NOW, Europe WILL be under islam.

It is the inevitable consequence of opening borders and allowing the unlimited freedom of religion.

[tomacht8]

Europe needs to secure its external borders.

[NeverSure]

There should be a meeting of the minds...Western, ME, Asian...to share information and techniques to combat these rogue Muslims...

Anything less than a world coordinated effort...will prolong this nightmare indefinitely...

Islam has a third of the world's population enslaved to its anachronistic cr4p.

There will always be internal power squabbles when so many fanatical people are involved, but fundamentally they are all islam.

I get very depressed when I think about the future of the world. Instead of science, logic and moral decency taking precedence, an ever increasing number of the world's population is islamic. Where is the barrier being set in Europe against muslims, who are already there, having two to three times as many babies as the native Europeans? Add in the flood of refugees, who will get support and be paid to produce even more muslim babies. It may take a few hundred years, but unless something happens NOW, Europe WILL be under islam.

It is the inevitable consequence of opening borders and allowing the unlimited freedom of religion.

Europe needs to secure its external borders.

"With Open Gates: The Forced Collective Suicide of European Nations"

[mesterm]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

Seems that they've been acting on it for a long time. We just hear about it more now because we live in a more globalized world.

[mesterm]

Why is this shocking to them, didn't they read their own religious literature? It's all prescribed in there anyway.

One of my own was killed by a bomb planted by these guys and it was very painful..anyways, i did do some research as to whether or not the statement made by you is true. It is my understanding that the religion states "TO KILL THE DEVIL/EVIL INSIDE OF ONESELF" and not the human standing next to you. But these b@stard$ have taken on an entirely new meaning and so i strongly believe THE RELIGION IS FLAWED AND SHOULD BE ABANDONED.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

Yes, the religion is flawed, so it should at least be updated. But no, not a single word may be altered in literature which claims its prophet went to heaven on a flying donkey.

[brewsterbudgen]

My long term ex who is a sweet, smart well educated girl liked to discuss world news (rare for a Thai) and also happened to be a Thai Muslim. Not once ever did she dare to say 'oh gee that is terrible about that bomb"

I truly believe if her own mother were blown up the result would be the same, just to scared to critisize Allah and islam

Do Christians criticize God?

[mesterm]

[mesterm]

My long term ex who is a sweet, smart well educated girl liked to discuss world news (rare for a Thai) and also happened to be a Thai Muslim. Not once ever did she dare to say 'oh gee that is terrible about that bomb"

I truly believe if her own mother were blown up the result would be the same, just to scared to critisize Allah and islam

Do Christians criticize God?

No they don't. But at least they don't kill you (as often) when someone else does.

[GeorgesAbitbol]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

I don't think it is complicated.

Islam is a religion that originally had the sole purpose of creating an utterly obedient army that was convinced they would be paid in the hereafter for obeying the word of allah mohamed. He did not have enough cash to pay them otherwise. Turned out the scheme worked extremely well, and has been employed so successfully that a third of the world's population now dedicate their existence to it.

I do not consider that any member of this religion can be called modern. 1,500 years of scientific progress has left no discernible mark, and the call to be a "good muslim" essentially leaves them morally and intellectually stuck around 500 CE.

There IS a fundamental need to act on the islamic dogma, because to do anything else is utterly denying the religion in its entirety.

Your talent to rewrite Religion History is amazing. I bet you already had some request from Michael Bay for a movie or two

Edited July 7, 2016 by GeorgesAbitbol

[12DrinkMore]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

I don't think it is complicated.

Islam is a religion that originally had the sole purpose of creating an utterly obedient army that was convinced they would be paid in the hereafter for obeying the word of allah mohamed. He did not have enough cash to pay them otherwise. Turned out the scheme worked extremely well, and has been employed so successfully that a third of the world's population now dedicate their existence to it.

I do not consider that any member of this religion can be called modern. 1,500 years of scientific progress has left no discernible mark, and the call to be a "good muslim" essentially leaves them morally and intellectually stuck around 500 CE.

There IS a fundamental need to act on the islamic dogma, because to do anything else is utterly denying the religion in its entirety.

Your talent to rewrite Religion History is amazing. I bet you already had some request from Michael Bay for a movie or two

Not yet, but I live in hope.

Mohamed clearly had ambitions when, inspired by the power of the Christian religion to create dedicated adherents through belief in a god, he came up with his own pet god and a few motivational stories. After a while he was very successful and became a threat to the Meccans. It took about a decade to create an army of 10,000 converts, with which he took Mecca and destroyed their religion.

Now there are two billion of them, all totally convinced that their god is greater.

I may have left out all the details, but that is the essential story.

[kinmaew]

bloody Ramadan

[halloween]

It is claimed that only a small percentage of muslims become radicalised, so we should be tolerant of those, as of yet, peaceful.

What percentage of a neighbouring country would be tolerated invading your country and killing citizens?

[Mosha]

Europe needs to secure its external borders.

Too late for that Sunshine.

Sent from my SMART_4G_Speedy_5inch using Tapatalk

[Caps]

I don't think it's fair to blame their religious literature. It's much more complicated than that. Sure there are messages in Islamic dogma that justify the terrorism we're seeing, but in no way do modern people need to act on those messages.

I don't think it is complicated.

Islam is a religion that originally had the sole purpose of creating an utterly obedient army that was convinced they would be paid in the hereafter for obeying the word of allah mohamed. He did not have enough cash to pay them otherwise. Turned out the scheme worked extremely well, and has been employed so successfully that a third of the world's population now dedicate their existence to it.

I do not consider that any member of this religion can be called modern. 1,500 years of scientific progress has left no discernible mark, and the call to be a "good muslim" essentially leaves them morally and intellectually stuck around 500 CE.

There IS a fundamental need to act on the islamic dogma, because to do anything else is utterly denying the religion in its entirety.

Your talent to rewrite Religion History is amazing. I bet you already had some request from Michael Bay for a movie or two

Not yet, but I live in hope.

Mohamed clearly had ambitions when, inspired by the power of the Christian religion to create dedicated adherents through belief in a god, he came up with his own pet god and a few motivational stories. After a while he was very successful and became a threat to the Meccans. It took about a decade to create an army of 10,000 converts, with which he took Mecca and destroyed their religion.

Now there are two billion of them, all totally convinced that their god is greater.

I may have left out all the details, but that is the essential story.

Yes and he took Mecca during Ramadan which is one of the reasons more happens during the period

The belief in Ramadan as a month of war comes from Islamic history itself. The Prophet Muhammad waged his first jihad, known as the Battle of Badr, during Ramadan in 624. Eight years later he also conquered Mecca during the month of Ramadan, thereby claiming the city which houses one of Islam's most holy sites today: the Kaaba.

But hey...if they are killing each other let them crack on, better them than us