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May 25, 2005
Charged with Defaming Islam?
Oriana Fallaci, noted Italian author and journalist, has been ordered to stand trial in Italy for allegedly defaming islam. Her 2004 book "La Forza della Ragione" (The Force of Reason) was cited by muslim activists for inciting religious hatred.
Today's Washington Post reports that Italian State Prosecutors had originally dismissed the defamation charges on freedom of speech grounds but they were reinstated by a local preliminary judge.
It seems muslims, and this judge, are not familiar with the concept of freedom of speech.
Adel Smith, a high-profile Muslim activist who brought the original law suit, hailed the decision."It is the first time a judge has ordered a trial for defamation of the Islamic faith," he told reporters.
I was not even aware that it was possible to defame islam any more so than already is the case, this courtesy of the purveyors and practitioners of the "religion of peace" themselves.
In her 2002 book "La Rabbia e l'Orgoglio" (The Rage and the Pride), written shortly after the 9/11 attacks, Fallaci sought to explain why Europe has decided to surrender to, as she puts it, "islamic invasion." Lorenzo Vidino's article for National Review elucidates the matter quite nicely.
Fallaci carefully examines the historic and political reasons that have led Europeans to vilify their own culture, consistently embrace anti-Americanism, and pander to every request from the increasingly powerful Muslim communities that populate the dying Old Continent. Her analysis does not leave much hope for the future of Europe, although she takes a far more optimistic position on her adoptive country, the United States...Fallaci has her own interpretation of the massive Islamic immigration that is rapidly changing the face of European cities. She sees it as part of the expansionism that has characterized Islam since its birth. After reminding the reader how Islamic armies have aimed for centuries at the heart of Europe (a part of history that is not taught anymore in Europe, since it would offend the sensitivity of Muslim pupils), reaching France, Poland, and Vienna, she lays out her case, claiming that the current flood of immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa is part of a carefully planned strategy.
Fallaci is in her 70s, suffers from cancer and currently lives in New York which makes it unlikely that she would return to Italy to answer the charges.
In "The Force of Reason," Fallaci wrote that thousands of people had been killed over the last 20 years in the name of islam and that the islamic faith "sows hatred in the place of love and slavery in the place of freedom."
Now who could argue with that as being anything but absolutely correct.
Italian Justice Minister Roberto Castelli called the court's ruling an attack on freedom of expression, saying, "In Fallaci's book there is very strong criticism but not defamation." He went on further to say, "In Europe we are seeing the birth of a movement that is looking to silence those who don't follow a single mindset, within which it is forbidden to speak ill of Islam."
In "The Rage and the Pride," Fallaci stated, correctly in my view, that Western civilization and society is superior to islamic society. In fact, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said much the same thing, "We should be conscious of the superiority of our civilization, which consists of a value system that has given people widespread prosperity in those countries that embrace it, and guarantees respect for human rights and religion."
At a speech in 2002 at the American Enterprise Institute, Fallaci brilliantly expounded on the problem which islam poses.
The problem is that the solution does not depend upon the death of Osama bin Laden. Because the Osama bin Ladens are too many, by now: as cloned as the sheep of our research laboratories. In fact, the best trained and the more intelligent do not stay in the Muslim countries... They stay in our own countries, in our cities, our universities, our business companies. They have excellent bonds with our churches, our banks, our televisions, our radios, our newspapers, our publishers, our academic organizations, our unions, our political parties. Worse, they live in the heart of a society that hosts them without questioning their differences, with- out checking their bad intentions, without penalizing their sullen fanaticism.If we continue to stay inert, they will become always more and more. They will demand always more and more, they will vex and boss us always more and more. Til the point of subduing us. Therefore, dealing with them is impossible. Attempting a dialogue, unthinkable. Showing indulgence, suicidal. And he or she who believes the contrary is a fool.
In the same speech she also had harsh words for the European Union.
...the ignorance and the lack of leadership that favors the Muslim invasion. Identical the fad of the Politically Correct that encourages it. To believe me, you only have to observe the financial club you proudly call European Union. A club that only serves to impose the rhetorical nonsense called common currency to pay fabulous and undeserved salaries (tax free) to the members of its inept and useless Parliament.A club that shelters more than 15 million sons of Allah and God knows how many of their terrorists... A club that fornicates like a whore with the Arab countries and fills its pockets with their filthy petrodollars. The same petrodollars with which the Saudi Uncle Scrooges buy our ancient palaces, our banks, our commercial and industrial firms. A club, moreover, that dares to speak of cultural similarities with the Middle East. You chatterers, you mentally retarded! Where the hell is the cultural similarity with the Middle East, you cretins, you silly clowns?!? At Mecca? At Bethlehem, at Gaza, at Damascus, at Beirut?!? At Cairo, at Tripoli, at Nairobi, at Tehran, at Baghdad, at Kabul?!?
We need more women and men like Oriana Fallaci who speak the truth as to the grave danger which islam poses.
As Oriana Fallaci correctly says, "a civilization, a culture, cannot survive without passion, cannot be saved without passion. If the West does not wake up, if we do not refind passion, we are lost."
Islam is not a "religion of peace", there are no "moderate muslims" and they are not interested in "dialogue." There only goal is conquest.
We must stand firm. We must act with Clarity & Resolve.
Patrick at Clarity & Resolve has an excellent piece on this as well.
Our Italian friends at The Right Nation (il blog amerikano di ideazione.com) have more on Oriana.
IsraPundit also has more on Oriana.
Posted by William at May 25, 2005 11:18 AM
Copyright © 2007 by author. May not be copied, published, or otherwise used (except for brief quotes) without express permission of author. Articles published with permission by Pardon My English.
-->Comments
guess what - freedom of speech means different things in different places. try spreading nazi propoganda in france or germany.
still, this woman lives in new york, so whoopie-freakin-do
Posted by mattk ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.pardonmyenglish.com//nav-commenters.gif)
at May 25, 2005 01:08 PM
Not all muslims are extremists. You are making a blanket statement about something you don't understand when you say that Islam is spreading hatred instead of love. There are misguided followers in many religions, including Christianity. Christian activists have committed many terroristic acts within the U.S., including bombing abortion clinics and shooting doctors. It is not Islam, it is a few fundamentalists (and when you respond that thousands have committed these acts in Islam, remember that thousands out of many millions is a fraction of one percent).
Posted by kryonik at May 25, 2005 01:27 PM
Much of Europe doesn't have freedom of speech, at least no where near the freedoms that we have. I don't know if Italy does allow such speech or not.
As far as 'christian activists' blowing up abortion clinics, yes there have been a few of those, but I've seen nothing as of yet that is remotely close to Al Quaeda or the millions of other groups.
I might add the word is 'extremist'. Not 'fundementalist'. Now YOURE the one making negative blanket statements about something you don't understand.
Posted by MJohnson at May 25, 2005 02:28 PM
If convicted what would be the punishment? This may relate to a few posst I did earlier in the month
Posted by gunner at May 25, 2005 03:16 PM
It's the biggest bogus red herring and false-analogy argument to dismiss one group by pointing to another...."see, they all do it" (even if they all don't do it)....Apples and volkswagons. Ironically, you didn't mention LEFTY extremists that kill people as well.....hmmmmm...wonder why? ...and in a way it is "extremists" AND "fundamentalists" (those that live strictly by the Qu'ran and its tenets for living as a good muslim)....because if your strictly follow the Qu'ran, you MUST kill or convert non-believers
9:5 Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.....and that's NOT "taken out of context."
Posted by Sarge at May 25, 2005 03:46 PM
Yes Sarge, and if you follow a strict interpretation of the bible it gives advice on selling your daughter into slavery.
Posted by mattk at May 25, 2005 05:35 PM
Good, good....keep those talking points coming. As always....point to them bad ole Christians. They're the exact same thing aren't they? Now, look at reality and see that there is a large group of not-so-"extremist" muslims that ARE killing non-muslims (mostly members of "other" religions....non-theists are the last to go) in numerous countries, worldwide...following the orders of their Book.....and tell me how many Christians are selling their daughters into slavery? As our current muslim points out, if you're to be called a muslim YOU MUST follow the tenets of living as put forth by the word of Allah in the Book. Would you call this latest resident muslim an "extremist"? Or is it mainstream Islam?
Wait...I some Christian just posted their daughter on E-Bay....gotta go put a bid in.
Posted by Sarge at May 25, 2005 05:48 PM
Hey Matty, it looks like your birthday present from Dad is not going to make it.
You'll have to substitute 6 liberal guys collectively.
Posted by Radical Redneck at May 25, 2005 06:06 PM
Here's just a small example of this "religion of peace":
1. 1968, Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by MUSLIM MALES BETWEEN THE AGE OF 17 & 40.
2. In 1972, at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGE OF 17 & 40.
3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
6. In 1985, the cruise ship Achlle Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thown overboard in his wheelchair by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
7. In 1985, TWA Flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver, trying to rescue passengers, was murdered by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
8. In 1988, Pan AM Flight 103 was bombed by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
9. 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by MUSLIM MALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
11. On 10/12/00, the USS Cole was bombed and 17 American Sailors were murdered by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
12. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
13. In 2002, reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by MUSLIM MALES MOSTLY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 17 & 40.
Posted by CathyD at May 26, 2005 12:48 PM
In response to mattk the guy who said that the Bible gives advice on selling you daughter into slavery: "Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards." Nehemiah 5:5
Christianity did not exist in the old testament the new testament teaches only this "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35. compare that to the above quoted verse from the Qur'an the point is, while Christendom may be responsible for many horrible things over the years they can all be attributed to the people that did them, unlike Islam. To truly be a Christian you must follow the commandment quoted above just as to be a Muslim you must follow the Qur'an which clearly says (my words) that anyone who is not Muslim needs to be killed or converted! therefore all Moderate(or whatever you want to call them)Muslims are not following the Qur'an ( and God bless them for that)
Posted by Bill at May 26, 2005 06:13 PM
The passages from the Quran are taken out of context by plebians who do not know how to interpret the verses and the specific circumstances the actual verses relate too in time,as a pleb often would, but not to worry. However just think (if thats possible) that if it means how you interpreted it then today their wouldnt be a facist Zionist entity and there wouldnt be any of the 7 million coptic christians in Egypt or in Palestine or the other Muslim countries as the first four Caliphs and thier successors would have killed all the Jews, Christians, Hindus. Please go back to school and this time read something more useful then 'My pet Goat'. When you learn to stop dying for the Zionist state and open your eyes you will maybe, just maybe see whos running your country!
Posted by UKMuslim at May 26, 2005 07:51 PM
More pure hatred from the religion of peace. Sorry to burst your hatred bubble Mr. UK Muslim....but how does one take a translation by 3 muslim scholars and provided by the ISLAMIC COMPUTING CENTRE of your very own United Kingdom out of context when the context IS:
9:001.....those idolators that you (muslims) have treaties or agreements with have a declaration of immunity from Allah and the Messenger.
9:002....go about the land for four months (the Great Pilgrimage) and know that you cannot weaken/frustrate/escape Allah...and Allah will shame those who reject him.
9:003...Allah and his Messenger proclaim that treaties and agreements are dissolved (so far as Allah and His Messenger are concerned)....that they (Allah and His Messenger) are free from the treaties and obligations with Pagans/idolators.....and unbelievers will receive painful punishments (assuming in the afterlife).
9:004....fulfill your obligations and agreements and treaties with idolators/idolators....Allah loves the righteous.
009.005YUSUFALI: But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Got that right? After the Great Pilgrimage......KILL IDOLATORS/PAGANS WHEREVER YOU MAY FIND THEM...BESEIGE THEM, LAY IN WAIT IN AMBUSHS FOR THEM, TAKE THEM CAPTIVE......UNLESS THEY REPENT AND BECOME MUSLIMS. That's some "context" you got going there.....nice try.
Posted by Sarge at May 27, 2005 10:47 AM
Taken out of context; Not interpreted properly; Ignorant plebes who don't know how to read the book.
THATS WHAT WORRIES ME.
The Catholic Church had to keep Bibles away from Christians in order to get them to kill in God's name.
Many Islamic Mosques seem to have to keep Qu'rans away from Muslims in order to stop them from it.
Posted by MJohnson at May 27, 2005 04:56 PM
UKMuslim;
Old Mohammad is dead amd the interpitations of the Koran have come from his less than enlightened followers.
Who were Muhammads offical interpitors, who sat at his feet and recorded his fatwas. After the first Caliphate it was those could get richest and fatest. We, Christians have our problems but you people have no continuity of faith or doctrine.
I can talk to a Rebbe and come to an understanding of our common faith in G_D the creator.
His plan to save all men through his Son, Christ our Lord, reveals His hope that all men will come to him in faith and be recieved into the Body of Christ.
There is no mention cutting off of heads or forcible conversions, as in Iran, come to me and you shall be saved.
So you people have to get off of the shit and put your real agenda on the table. It is about power and living in the 9th century.
Bill
Posted by Little Bill at May 27, 2005 05:37 PM
I can post quotes too seeing as i went to Catholic School
Who is the father of Joseph? MAT 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. LUK 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.
Who was at the Empty Tomb? Is it: MAT 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. MAR 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. JOH 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Is Jesus equal to or lesser than? JOH 10:30 I and my Father are one. JOH 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Ascend to heaven "And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (2 Kings 2:11)
"No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven, ... the Son of Man." (John 3:13) AS YOUR OWN BIBLE SAYS! JESUS (pecae be upon him) WASNT CRUCIFIED! HE IS A GREAT PROPHET THAT WILL COME BACK AND DESTROY THE CROSS+ & THE SWINE!
It is you who needs to be saved! and you need to stop sending those porn fuelled, crazed homosexual rapists, around the world, pretending that they want to spread freedom when all they want is a bit of ass! and to sacrifice themselves as goyim!
This is what the Catholic Priests taught me when they werent practicing the acts of Sodom & Gomorah with each other, well theres nothing like practice.
Posted by UKMuslim at May 27, 2005 08:01 PM
Hmmmmmm.
Yup.
Either that's not the same crazy nut posting as UKMuslim, or, I begin to beleive he's played us all the fool.
I'm not even sure if he is a muslim. Seems to be more of a pissy hormonal 14 year old hiding behind those rants. Or maybe a moonbat who didn't get his prozac doing some role playing.
At any rate, that post is such a nonlinear spew of incorrect non sequitars, I dare say it's impossible to even address from a sane perspective.
Posted by MJohnson at May 31, 2005 09:21 AM
"...went to catholic school..." Good job ignoring the quotes from your book that you HAVE to follow to be a good muslim. Sorry....it's not MY Bible.....I'm a heathen, a non-theist.
Posted by Sarge at June 3, 2005 09:06 AM
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