My latest in PJ Media:
Suicidal self-hatred continues to sweep the West. Mariane Pearl, the widow of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and beheaded by Islamic jihadis in Pakistan in 2002, has suffered a great deal, and it is perhaps churlish and uncharitable to venture any critical word at all. But it isn’t she I am criticizing. It is the general tendency, the felt need or the unspoken imperative, to take all possible opportunities to exonerate Islam of all connection to crimes done in its name and in accord with its teachings. One can never solve a problem by pretending it doesn’t exist. But that is exactly what we are doing.
The 19th anniversary of Daniel Pearl’s murder was Monday, and on Wednesday, Mariane Pearl published an op-ed in the Washington Post entitled “My husband’s killer could go free in Pakistan. Despite the injustice, I still have hope.” It began: “Almost two decades ago, the people of Pakistan sent me messages expressing sadness and anger at the murder of my husband, Daniel Pearl, in their beloved country. Danny was 38 years old and the Wall Street Journal’s bureau chief for South Asia. “I am a Muslim and this, my friend, is not Islam,” one wrote. My favorite message read: “Your husband had a great smile . . . a happy mixture of Pope John Paul and Dean Martin.”
It is certain that Mariane Pearl received numerous messages after the murder of her husband. The one that she and/or the Post chose to give first mention, however, was “I am a Muslim and this, my friend, is not Islam.”
The first question that springs to mind about this is: Why this message? Why is cleansing Islam’s image the number one priority?
The second question is: Why is this always asserted but never explained? Daniel Pearl was made to state that he was a Jew in a video, where he likely read a statement the jihadis had prepared for him: “My name is Daniel Pearl. I am a Jewish American from Encino, California USA. I come from, uh, on my father’s side the family is Zionist. My father’s Jewish, my mother’s Jewish, I’m Jewish. My family follows Judaism. We’ve made numerous family visits to Israel. Back in the town of Bnei Brak there is a street named after my great grandfather Chaim Pearl who is one of the founders of the town.” Then he was beheaded.
In a hadith that Muslims consider authentic, Muhammad is depicted as saying: “The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.” (Sahih Muslim 6985)
There is more. Read the rest here.
Dude says
‘This is Not Islam’
Where, when?
mortimer says
Here … 2006:
In Sudan, an article considered offensive to the Prophet in the Al-Wifaq newspaper in 2005 led a Sudanese court to close the publication for three months. On August 6, 2006, Islamists decapitated Al-Wifaq’s editor.
Yet another journalist decapitated by the ‘will of Allah’.
william carr says
Their very clerics preach violence and death to non Moose LImbs and they should know what they are doing. It does not matter how many times you say a zebra is a giraffe, it will never be so.
Wellington says
The very obvious elephant in the room is still being ignored. Indeed, there is a major pretend game (mpg) still going on, whereby if you dare even mention the very obvious elephant in the room, then you are somehow deficient, ignorant, even a bigot and hater, never mind you may have actually lost a loved one because of that damn elephant in the room who remains “invisible.”
The Age of Nonsense marches on. Past periods of Western history exhibited a load of faults, but we live in a new age of Western history, a unique one, whereby civilizational suicide has become “woke.”
Further trouble ahead. Much. A given.
AleX says
!
QED
mortimer says
It is an age of narcissism. That is why the Leftards believe they are infallible. They are not. Pride comes before a fall.
revereridesagain says
This happens because they worship gods. The incoherent rantings of the Quran and other ‘holy writ’ give “comfort” and “hope” to millions of morons who swallow the nonsense whole. Their ‘holy writ’ exhorts them to contribute alms to the poor! What matters it if so many of its devout followers choose obedience to its command to slaughter the unbeliever, if those who gain “comfort” can shield their eyes and block their ears and chatter like monkeys that It Is Not Islam?
mortimer says
Islam is the only religion that specifically and eternally commands beheading.
Beheading Commanded in Sharia Law – Reference –
“As for the captives, the amir [ruler] has the choice of taking the most beneficial action of four possibilities: the first to put them to death by cutting their necks; the second, to enslave them and apply the laws of slavery regarding their sale and manumission; the third, to ransom them in exchange for goods or prisoners; and fourth, to show favor to them and pardon them. Allah, may he be exalted, says, ‘When you encounter those [infidels] who deny [the Truth=Islam] then strike [their] necks’ (Qur’an sura 47, verse 4)” — Abu’l-Hasan al-Mawardi, al-Ahkam as-Sultaniyyah (The Laws of Islamic Governance)
Naildriver says
Woodruff of PBS attacks those who would even suggest any Islamic association with terrorism, with a smug ‘that isn’t even a debate any longer!’ kind of dismissive annoyance. Other network news anchors do it too; and actors as Ben Affleck get down right belligerent, as with Mahre’s suggestion of Islam’s culpability.
So even liberals with sterling leftist credentials cannot even tweak this narrative, established by traitors, any longer.
It really is becoming a ‘militia’ moment, upon this one issue: that Islam is this nation’s enemy, and needs to be identified as such, and defended against, as directed by the Constitution — to remedy this betrayal from Democrats.
If any such militia exists, patriots shouldnt expect things to become more suitable for their action, to save the republic; as, within a year, I expect, these traitors will have stacked the SCOTUS itself with their operatives.
gravenimage says
Daniel Pearl’s Widow Highlights Message She Got About His Murder: ‘This is Not Islam’
……………..
Alas, there is nothing more Islamic than kidnapping and beheading Jewish victims.
mortimer says
I bet that poor Mariane Pearl lives in constant apprehension.
James says
You are wrong, Mrs Pearl. This is the purest form of Islam. Take some time to read the WHOLE Koran and the hadiths.
Infidel says
Actually, Mrs Pearl didn’t state whether she agreed w/ it or not – she was just transmitting what her muslim interlocutors were telling her. She’s probably better off not telling us whether she herself believes that or not, given the risks to her that would result
Honest Ali says
Stockholm Syndrome. She needs to get psychological dealt to deal with her husband’s murder.
mortimer says
Mariane Pearl did not express her own views but those of people who wanted to whitewash Islam. Many Muslims don’t like beheading, but they still do not have the sense or courage to leave Islam.
Jim says
Islam is what its adherents make of it, the scriptures say to do things like the jihadists do, so that is Islam for them at least. I never hear of Muslims criticizing the jihadists, they only seem to insist on their own innocence. So the rest of the world should simply tolerate more and more crimes, because this is not Islam. Well, no doubt there are mainly nice Muslims, but why should the other countries not protect themselves against the false Muslims who commit jihad. And against the nice Muslims who are complicit as well and provide crowds of innocent people to hide among. It does not matter if it is not Islam, the source of crimes should be identified and opposed to stop it, even if the jihadists and terrorists are not real Muslims. It reminds me of Germans who talk of crimes committed in the name of the German people, as though the rest of the world should do nothing about the crimes because they were not really committed by Germany. Furthermore, it does not matter who the real Islam is and what the true Islam does, it still has to be opposed, and the complicit persons have to be blocked from complicity despite their pseudo-innocence.
mortimer says
Jim, your opinion is mistaken. Shari law decides what is Islam, not the people. If Muslims are ignorant of the Islamic law, it doesn’t change anything.
Islam is CARVED IN STONE in the IJMA (consensus) of the classical scholars.
Most ordinary Muslims know Islam ANECDOTALLY, rather than from actual, formal study. Muslims grow up knowing that they should not criticize other Muslims.
They grow up knowing they cannot speak out or think critically. No one tells them to think independently using the scientific method.
Michael Copeland says
“O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are shown to you, will distress you”.
Koran 5:101
Eugene Leady says
Great thoughts
gregbeetham says
Not Islam my ass, what else is it due too when murders like this are conducted only by Muslims?
mortimer says
Beheading those who resist Islamic takeover is an eternal decree from Allah that no Muslim may abrogate or wish away.
Relic says
Let me at them.
mortimer says
No, Relic, use your mind to debunk the ideology and purify hatred from your heart so that Muslims will be won over to civilization and reason.
gregbeetham says
You aren’t going to achieve anything by being nice to something from the 7th century when their primitive culture regards such attempts as weakness to be exploited and dominated. They understand only one language, violence, well that and playing the victim after they perpetrate violence themselves.
gravenimage says
Mortimer, the idea that practicing Muslims can be won over to civilizatiion and reason if only Infidels do not hate them is mistaken. In fact, most Infidels do not hate Muslims, including most Anti-Jihadists. This *does not* make Jihadists civilized.
Andrew says
I wonder how many texts she received from Pakistan that were actually from Christians in Pakistan, and the muslim ones were muslims who disagree with ISIL or any of the other madmen running around the world screaming allah whatsitcalled,..However if muslims stopped telling us all that they are doing this killing, raping, slaughtering, beheading IN THE Name Of islam then perhaps, just perhaps, we will start to notice the disconnect, but as they scream it, and act it out, Im gonna believe they are doing this in the name of the voice they have created inside their head, called allah, and now they are asking this voice for guidance, and that really has to be the very definition of insanity
John Forbes says
Best rendition of what happened to Daniel Pearl is on the Post of Mark Steyn while listening to Dr James A. Mitchell who interrogated Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
A real rendition & a nasty one.
The killing of Jews is an Islamic DUTY & is sanctioned.
More Islamic Lying – again & the WEST is utterly determined to listen to this garbage & believe & give ISLAM another PASS!
Erik says
I understand this sentiment but I have started seeing this as a positive message because it’s simply clever marketing. Our focus needs to be on inclusive promotion of western values and patriotism. The left is inclusive but promotes islam and globalism, the right is patriotic but doesn’t know how to reach the islamic population. There’s all this argumentative debunking, religious people just shut down. It would be wiser to learn from the left. Invite muslims in to socialize and interact, and then engage in conversion on a more subtle and non-confrontational level.
If violence IS truly Islam, then logically a devout muslim should fight us. That won’t make people leave Islam. That’s the message that terrorists use to recruit. Do we want to help them? Europe has like 3.5 muslims for each EU soldier, USA has ca. 2.5 for each US soldier at home, do we want to push them to the extremes by putting them on the defense? Really?
Propaganda works. Muslims are happy to adopt western consumerism and capitalism because there’s a marketing machine driving this message. Let’s tell the story of western values, control the media, the narrative, and convert as many as possible to western values. And nothing has driven more people to atheism than modern western post-enlightenment culture.
gravenimage says
Erik–with all respect–the idea that Muslims wage violent Jihad agianst Infidels is because they are not inclusive enough and too confrontational is mistaken.
In fact, most Westerners have been very welcoming–it is only when they learn about Jihad terror that some have reconsidered.
Islam itself teaches waging violent Jihad against Infidels until they submit to Islam–this pre-dates Western enlightenment culture by about 1200 years.
And the idea that Daniel Pearl was beheaded because he was not inclusive enough is completely mistaken–the problem is the exact opposite–that he was sadly *far* too trusting.
Terry Gain says
Q. Is this Islamic. A. If Muhammad (Islam’s inventor and role model) did it, then it is quintessentially Islamic.
Muhammad ordered the murder of critics and those who were described as the enemies of Islam – Jews and those who would not submit to Islam (him). So yes, the killing of Daniel Pearl was Islamic.
gravenimage says
Grimly true.
Giacomo Latta says
”and this, my friend, is not Islam”
So, who has the final say on what is Islam? One unknown possible muslim or the koran, the only book muslims kill for?
Linde Barrera says
To Giacomo Latta- Let’s all remember there is doctrine (based on laws and principles) and human behavior (based on preferences and prejudices). Often the doctrine guides the human behavior but sometimes does not. In the case of Islamic doctrine, killing infidels is clearly stated; yet many, many Muslims do not adhere to this doctrinal decree of killing infidels. Thank the real God + not Allah the false god, for that.
PS- I bet my last buck that no Islamic imam anywhere can explain why those “kill the infidel” verses are in the Quran AND say how Islam is a “religion of peace”. ?
gravenimage says
Actually, while not all Muslims themselves practice violent Jihad, very few actually reject it as an Islamic concept. Many Muslims regard Jihadists as “Martyrs” and heroes.
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
Even unto death denial be my friend. Let no bloodshed that flows across my lover’s bosom come between our pact of subterfuge. His crown lay bare upon the dusty and bloodied floor serves no purpose of my presence and intents.
tim gallagher says
This type of violence is clearly what islam is and has always been about. Excellent start to the article in saying that “Suicidal self-hatred continues to sweep the West”. Amen to that, Robert Spencer. I suppose it must be largely the march of the left through schools and universities (lefties brainwashing many young people) and also government bureaucracies, but there are so many people in the western world these days who have developed a hatred for the western world and seem to want to be apologetic all the time and feel guilt and think that the countries of the western world have done great wrongs to everyone. This seems to me to be part of why so many idiots buy the lies that Muslims constantly try to fool us with. Many fools think , oh, we must have done something to upset the Muslims when, in fact, Islam simply creates evil monsters all on its own.
gravenimage says
Too true. Who can forget the handwringing in so many quarters after 9/11, with people moaning, “why do they hate us?”.
tim gallagher says
It’s funny, gravenimage, but I just had a bit of an argument (just a couple of hours ago) with a couple of freinds of mine who are typical left wingers (we play golf together every week and will remain friends – they know that I am some of kind of weird right winger and have been for years) on this issue. I was saying that I am a Christian and that. to my mind, Christianity is the best religion ever (by far) and also that I believe that western civilisation is far and away the best mankind has created. I was saying that, look, we are living this really pleasant lifestyle here (I meant in any western society, not just Australia) and yet, just as I mentioned up above, people seem to want to say how terrible we, the people of the western world, have been and what terrible things we have done. I said that I am not buying that. One of my friends put forward this point of view, which I think is very common. He thought that all religions are OK, have nice principles and only the fanatics spoil it by behaving badly. He said that most Muslims are good people and are trying to behave well, etc. I had already said that I believe Islam is a rotten religion and is the worst of religions. I said that the Koran is full of calls to go out and kill the non-believers. This same friend said that he didn’t believe those quotes are really in the Koran. I said I will bring the quotes in to show him. He is a good guy, mainly a musician, but reads a lot, but I thought, how lazy not to go and try to check on whether the quotes are in the Koran. It is what we are up against. The two people I was arguing with are typical of so many. At least I expressed very clearly that I don’t buy this western self-hatred crap, but it is so common.
gravenimage says
Tim, I think that people like your friend are very common. I know a lot of people like this–otherwise decent individuals but in deep denial about the threat of Islam. They don’t know, and worse, they don’t *want* to know.
tim gallagher says
Yes,gravenimage,I only mentioned what my friend had said because I am sure that this type of attitude is very common. It is definitely not the way to deal with what I believe are very significant problems, 1 being Islam which I see as clear enemy and 2 this whole self hating thing which many people in the west seem to have -always being apologetic and getting around feeling that the western world has done really bad things to endless people. About a month ago I was talking to another friend that I only very occasionally catch up with. He is a fellow conservative and has read up on Islam and is very tough on it. Our attitudes to islam are very similar.He says that when he tells people about various barbaric things done by Muslims, they often respond by saying “well, that’s the way Muslims used to behave but they don’t behave that way anymore”. I don’t bother arguing much with people and I’d never had someone say this, but I thought, how out of touch with reality some people are. They just can’t be woken up from their slumber. As you put it, they truly don’t want to know.
gregbeetham says
So according to you it was Christians who treated aboriginals badly not the pioneers who had their cattle speared by the aboriginals. Learn some history; there were no Crusaders in Australia…ever.