Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Serious question about politics in that region.

If I remember correctly, you are in the Middle east region, correct?

What is your view on the events happening in Egypt, Tunis, and Libya?

How is that affecting where you are at right now?

How do other countries in that area view the events?

Thanks for answering.

TJJJ

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Bump for WII

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Sorry I was on vacation.

Right now Saudi is quiet but the King just returned from the US and announced a big aid package for the Saudis to stave off any possibility of troubles for the Kingdom.

Bahrain right now is a mess and the unrest there is religious in nature, the Iranians have a lot of influence there religiously and the majority group (Shias) are pressing hard for equal rights and a say in the government. Bahrain is a common destination for westerners in this area and they are pretty much staying out of that country.

Egypt as I understand and the other north African countries are basically police states where the governments are very corrupt and a few people enjoy the wealth while the others live in poverty. This is, I believe, what kicked off Tunisia. Their unrest is across the board and is political for the most part.

Yemen see Bahrain....

Saudi and the UAE are quiet for now so we are not directly effected. We do and always have had an exit plan LOL but that is what you do when you live overseas.

The religious unrest concerns us the most as eastern Saudi along with Yemen and Bahrain are all affiliated with the religious groups that run Iran/Iraq.

Hope that starts clarification

wii

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

So, what do you think of what is being proposed by some news/political commentators --

That Iran is pushing for rebellion and overthrow of governments in these countries in north africa and other parts of that area with the idea of establishing a caliphate with sharia law over the whole area?

and that many of the demonstrators in Egypt (maybe other areas) were brought in from outside (many had the same style cell phone and same style blankets and spoke in a dialect that was not Egyptian)?

That 85 percent of Egyptians favor the death penalty for those who convert from Islam?

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

I think that this is quite accurate. The Shia leadership, holy sites, and base of religion is in Iran and they are spreading.

It was interesting that for the first time when we returned to Saudi they checked our passports carefully and in detail to make sure that we were not in Egypt

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Are you near the demonstrations that are taking place, WII?
What do you think will happen?
Stay safe.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Quite near. We were shopping in Dhahran yesterday. Qatif is near Dhahran.

The Saudi people want those demonstrations quashed. So, probably, they will be as happened in Qatif yesterday.

To get to Dhahran we have to pass Qatif. There were extra checkpoints set up near the town. We did not go through the town directly so we were not aware that the demonstrators were fired on until we returned home.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

What do you think of the King hearings in DC today, or did you see any of the testimony?

Sounds like the moderate Muslims are very serious about dealing with the radicals, I was encouraged by the testimony of Dr. Sasser.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

I only saw the interviews / story on FoxNews. Radicalism is becoming serious business. An example - yesterday the chief of police in Afghanistan was killed by a suicide bomber. He was, by the way, a Muslim. Most of the bombings in Pakistan have been either in the Mosques or in the public markets, and those bombers are probably not targeting westerners by bombing mosques they are targeting other Muslims.

This has to be addressed and it has to start with intolerance for radicalism and extremism within the Muslim community itself. It is good to see Muslim leaders in the US stand up and start facing it. Dialogue is a start but the Muslim community needs to reject and expose it as it is identified.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

WII - that I can agree with. A lot of my problem with this entire issue has been that almost no one within the Muslim community has stood up to the radicals. If that starts happening, it will change my mind-set on several levels.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

By Saudi people, you mean the average citizen or the rulers?

From the news it seems the demonstrations were either non-existant or very low key.

Thanks for answering questions.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Sandie, sadly I believe the state controls the media there somewhat.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Oh, okay. Thanks.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

In this case the average people. There appears to be no love for Iranian Shias among the reg'lar folks. So, probably, the protests won't go far.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Just read this and was wondering what you thought. It sounds like what you just said:

Thanks again for your input.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110311/..._gulf_protests

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

The silence by Muslim leaders in speaking out against or condemning terrorism by the radicals has been interpreted as approval of the action by many in America.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

The same "many" also draw conclusions about others who have done or said nothing just because they are different.

It is human nature.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Wii - don't try to place the victim mentality here. You know that it has long been a part of Muslim culture to not criticize other Muslims when you are speaking with non-Muslims.
Until that is overcome, the perception will be there that there is approval of these acts.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Just heard from a friend in Saudi and was told it's worse there now than it ever has been..said everything is about to blow up...

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Victim? Hardly. Guilty of making generalizations myself. Even on this board.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Did you now. Where in Saudi? LOL

Does your friend know something that the entire interconnected, cross-referenced, and linked Expat community does not know?

That implies involvement.......hm

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

WII - any comments on this?

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

My comment on those who have a perception of someone who does or says nothing was posted earlier. There are dozens and dozens of instances where the Muslim community specifically and strongly condemned terrorist attacks and if (1) actually stating it gives the wrong perception and (2) doing or saying nothing at all also gives the wrong perception then there really cannot be an answer can there? LOL

Below are a few quickly copied specific instances of public comment by (American) Muslim leadership. There are more examples of this than the server has memory to hold. (1) Claiming that the Muslim community is silent was deeply inaccurate in the first place then (2) actually drawing a conclusion from the silence that was not actually there was a bit amusing. You getting this logic?

U.S. MUSLIMS CONDEMN TERRORIST ATTACKS

(WASHINGTON, DC - 9/11/2001) - The American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC), today condemned the apparent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and offered condolences to the families of those who were killed or injured.

The AMPCC statement read in part:

"American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

American Muslim Alliance (AMA) Condemns Terrorist Attack

(Newark, California: 9/11/01) The American Muslim Alliance, a national civic education organization, condemned today's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in the "strongest terms".

Dr. Agha Saeed, the national Chair of the American Muslim Alliance, Stated:

"These attacks are against both divine and human laws and we condemn them in the strongest terms. The Muslim Americans join the nation in calling for swift apprehension and stiff punishment of the perpetrators, and offer our sympathies to the victims and their families."

(WASHINGTON, DC - 9/11/2001) The American Muslim Council calls upon the members of the Muslim community to come together at this tragic time where so many of our fellow Americans have been killed and injured. This American tragedy affects all of us and we should do whatever we can do help save lives of the injured victims. AMC encourages Islamic Centers to start blood drive campaigns and encourages everyone to visit hospitals and medical centers in the capitol and New York City to donate much needed blood to those who are required to receive immediate medical assistance.

(Washington, DC 9/11/01) - Joining the Muslim community around the country, the Washington based American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ) is appalled and strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, and other parts of the country. AMJ sends out its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of these cowardly attacks.

As Muslims we utterly deplore these heinous and barbaric acts and hope for the quick apprehension and swift applications of justice. We also urge the media to exercise restraint, act responsibly when reporting, and not rush to judgment. Until the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice, all media reports should be accurate, restraint, and sensitive.

AMJ calls on Muslims nationwide to offer every assistance they can to help the victims of today's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Muslims in local communities should take the following IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:

* Muslim medical professionals are asked to go to the scenes of the attacks to offer aid and comfort to the victims.
* Muslim relief agencies should contact their counterparts to offer support in the recovery efforts.
* Individual Muslims should donate blood by contacting the local office of the Red Cross. (Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE 1-800-GIVE-LIFE .) They should also send donations to those relief agencies that are on the scene of the attacks.

(WASHINGTON, DC - 9/11/2001) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on Muslims nationwide to offer whatever assistance they can to help the victims of today's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

Muslims in local communities should take the following IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:

* Muslim medical professionals are asked to go to the scenes of the attacks to offer aid and comfort to the victims.

* Muslim relief agencies should contact their counterparts to offer support in the recovery efforts.

* Individual Muslims should donate blood by contacting the local office of the Red Cross. (Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE 1-800-GIVE-LIFE .) They should also send donations to those relief agencies that are on the scene of the attacks.

MUSLIMS OFFER HELP FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS

(WASHINGTON, DC - 9/11/2001) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, is calling on Muslims nationwide to offer whatever assistance they can to help the victims of today's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

In an alert to the American Muslim community, CAIR suggested that the following actions be taken:
Muslim medical professionals are asked to go to the scenes of the attacks to offer aid and comfort to the victims.

Muslim relief agencies should contact their counterparts to offer support in the recovery efforts.

Individual Muslims should donate blood by contacting the local office of the Red Cross. (Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE 1-800-GIVE-LIFE .) They should also send donations to those relief agencies that are on the scene of the attacks.

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

Wii - that's why I do like you on the forum. I do like to hear other viewpoints than my own, when they make sense :):)

Re: Question for Walks In Islam.
 

It is an interesting forum and the learning goes two ways