A demonstrator against the Pope's visit shouts at a praying pilgrim

BeliefNet has a very good comment on the subject:

“Over a hundred of these fringe protest groups coalesced, as they so often do, into a confused mêlée of conflicting special interests,” reported Yiannopoulos. “They were united, however, in the sheer nastiness with which they expressed their views. To give but one example — as pilgrims sang “Hallelujah”, “Long Live the Pope!” and Benedicto!” demonstrators responded with shrieks of “Nazis!” and “Padophiles, watch out children!”

“So much for the inclusive tolerance trumpeted by the Left,” writes Yiannopolos. ”Here in Madrid was its real face: a sneering, violent mob of self-righteous bullies who thought it appropriate to hurl abuse at children for the crime of having pride in their faith and being excited about by a visit from the Holy Father.”

Yesterday, police had to protect us from an “indignados’” mob who wanted to “beat us” just for being Catholics and the day before yesterday, pilgrims were targeted (most of them youngsters and one of them in a wheelchair) because “Catholics provoke us, they shouldn’t exist. We should burn them alive like in 1936“. Everything with this kind of “beautiful” and “elegant” images, which tried to mock Christian Catholic faith:

A penis with a supposed rosary hanging from it: they pretend to critisize Catholics with that

Photo.

1936. Most of my family was murdered that same year because they were Catholic and Libertarian-Conservatives. I hope history doesn’t repeat itself.

Anyway, as Catholic Herald writes: “Madrid will never forget this scenes of devotion” and “The street party pauses for the Way of the Cross“.

More photos here.

A note: this event hasn’t cost the taxpayers a dime, because it has been paid by the pilgrims (70% of the total cost) and the sponsors (the rest 30%).

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More than 1 million and a half are to arrive this week to celebrate this great event for all the Catholics. There are people from India, Yemen, Ethiopia, Poland, USA, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Portugal, Chile, Mexico, etc, etc. The organization has even scheduled events regarding religious persecution with both a photo-exhibit and some speeches by people who have suffered persecution.

Tu est Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Aeclessiam meam (St. Matthew, 16, 18).

Have a very good week you all! God Bless!

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Lal Masjid or Red Mosque (Pakistan)Image by varunshiv via Flickr

Because what the country needs is really more Islamism, more religious extremism and more persecution against non-Muslims:

The imam of Islamabad’s famous Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) has accused the government of “corrupting the country”. He has called on the “soldiers of Islam” to fight “to create an Islamic nation” where “Sharia laws can be enforced”. Mullah Abdul Aziz’s threats are raising concerns in a country where minorities are already victimised and the central government is hostage to fundamentalist fringes. In July 2007, the Lal Masjid was the scene of a gun battle between extremist militants and Pakistani soldiers that caused more than a hundred dead. Meanwhile, the Christian community is preparing for Minorities Day, tomorrow, which was established by the late Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic government minister murdered on 2 March.

The Red Mosque leader blames the Pakistani government for not imposing “Islamic laws in the country,” of polluting it “with corruption” and inviting “the wrath of Allah by allowing the Americans to continue the drone attacks” that “kill our Muslim brothers”.

“It`s time for us, the soldiers of Islam, to take a stand against this government and reclaim the Islamic Pakistan,” he said. For that purpose, “I already have over 5,000 students” and “we will use every means possible to make Pakistan an Islamic state” in which Sharia is enforced.

via PAKISTAN Red Mosque imam ready for war to ‘talebanise’ Pakistan – Asia News.

Yeah, soldiers of Islam, blablablablahhhh. This macho-soldier of Allah was captured, when the Lal Masjid’s revolt 4 years ago, fleeing the mosque in a burqa! These guys are so ridiculous, that if they didn’t cause so much trouble and death, they would serve for the perfect Marx brothers’ comedy…

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German-Turk flag (¡!). Image via Wikipedia

A 26-year-old German-Turkish citizen charged with plotting an attack with explosives on U.S. installations in Germany and attempting to recruit al-Qaida supporters over the Internet is standing trial in Frankfurt.

Prosecutor Michael Bruns told a court Friday at the opening of the trial that the man, identified only as Adnan V. had planned a “seriously threatening violent attack.”

Bruns says the suspect had collected small amounts of explosives and instructions for making a bomb at his home in nearby Offenbach, where he was arrested in October 2009.

Bruns says the suspect was planning to “kill innocent people that he viewed as ‘unbelievers.'”

The suspect made no statement to the court. His trial continues Aug. 19.

via German-Turk on trial for supporting al-Qaida – World news – Europe – msnbc.com.

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Strasbourg Cathedral at sunset. Image by Giant Ginkgo via Flickr

Great. Have they actually considered this guy could be lying?

London, Aug 13 (ANI): A suspected terrorist has been granted bail in Britain after he claimed in black and white that he had changed his mind on terrorism.

The Algerian, who can be identified only as “U”, was detained in 2001 after arriving in Britain from Afghanistan in 1999.

“U” has been officially classified as an “active terrorist head of a group of individuals in the UK with an international reach”, and MI5 believe that he had direct links to killed al-Qaeda leader Bin Laden and other terrorists who had planned to bomb Strasbourg Cathedral in France and Los Angeles Airport.

British lawmakers have termed the decision as “insane”, while a terror expert called it “worrying”.

“This insane decision shows our courts have turned to mush,” Tory MP Douglas Carswell said, while terrorism expert Neil Doyle added: “It is very worrying.”

Britain wants to deport him to Algeria, where he could be jailed over fears that he could prove to be danger here. He is appealing to the Supreme Court against the move.

via Suspected terrorist granted bail in UK over ‘change of heart on terrorism’ claim – Yahoo!.

Anyone suggesting any measures to control this guy? He could have changed his mind, but it is really improbable…

Carunculate seed of Ricinus Communis. Image via Wikipedia

Well, I am anxious to know what Obamamessiah has said about this:

The New York Times, citing classified intelligence documents and unnamed officials, reports that terrorist operatives have been making efforts to buy large quantities of castor beans – which contain the toxic ricin protein – and shift them to a remote tribal area controlled by insurgents for processing.

Ricin is so poisonous that inhalation of a few minute grains is enough to kill an adult. It was used in deadly incidents including the 1978 assassination in London of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov and, in 2002, was the subject of a bioterrorism scare in the UK capital following a police raid on a facility said to be plotting its manufacture.

US officials are reported to have told Mr Obama that an attack is not imminent and that the terrorist arm has yet to formulate a means for dispersing it as a weapon.

They believe that the ultimate goal is to find an effective means of packing the white powder around explosives and detonating the devices in packed public areas such as shopping malls and airports, the New York Times revealed.

via Yemen: Barack Obama warned that al-Qaeda planning ricin attack – Telegraph.

The Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort. Image via Wikipedia

Twelve heavily armed suspected Taliban militants barged into the residence of an American national and kidnapped him in the wee hours today after overpowering his guards in Pakistan”s Punjab provincial capital.

About a dozen armed men entered the house of Warren Weinstein in Block J of Model Town neighbourhood at 3:30 am and took him away after overpowering his four guards, police spokesman Niyab Haider Naqvi told PTI.

The kidnappers bundled Weinstein into a vehicle and took him to an unknown location, Naqvi said.

Other officials, who did not want to be identified, said they suspected the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan was behind the abduction.

US Embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez confirmed that an American citizen had been kidnapped but declined to identify him.

“He was working for a private company. We are working with Pakistani authorities on the issue,” Rodriguez said.

Security guards at the American”s residence were preparing for ”sehri”, the pre-dawn meal in the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, when the kidnappers struck.

via American kidnapped by suspected Taliban in Lahore –  .

UPD: The kidnapped man is an American Jewish.

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“While the station retracted the advertisements within 48 hours of first screening them and issued a public apology, this episode is telling of the dominant interpretation among members of the Malay bourgeoisie there about the value of Ramadan,” writes Bahrawi. “Ending each advertisement is a condescendingly moralizing message that puts the onus of betterment on the culturally ‘other’ when the focus should be an improvement of the self.

“In one, non-Muslims are explicitly told: “Do not be loud or obnoxious.”

“In another, it was: “Do not be greedy and eat in public.”

“More than spell out the exclusive nature of Islam, the advertisements are revelatory of the inability of Malaysia’s ultra-Malay elites to overcome ethnic tensions with the minority Chinese,” writes Bahrawi. “Ramadan or not, the advertisements suggest that their rose-tinted view of Malaysia is one colored by race-tinted glasses.”

via Malaysian TV station pulls Ramadan commercials aimed at non-Muslims – Beliefnet News.

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Edgar Hoover building - headquarters. Image via Wikipedia

The attorney for a Florida Muslim cleric accused of supporting terrorists wants to learn the identity of a key FBI informant in the case.

Evidence shows the informant recorded numerous conversations with the cleric, 76-year-old Hafiz Khan. Khan’s attorney says in court papers that learning the informant’s identity is critical in preparing his defense. The informant helped drive Khan to appointments and assisted him in dealing with government programs such as Medicare.

The FBI recordings form the backbone of the U.S. case against Khan and his two sons. They are each charged with four terrorism support-related crimes and have pleaded not guilty. The charges each carry potential 15-year sentences. Three others are still at large in Pakistan

Prosecutors say they funneled at least $50,000 to the Pakistani Taliban terror group.

via Fla. imam seeks identity of informant used in Pakistani Taliban terror finance case – The Washington Post.

The media in Pakistan are trying to explain the murder of a leading Catholic politician as the result of a family quarrel rather than a political assassination, according to a lawyer who is tracking the case.

Tahir Naveed, who is monitoring the investigation into the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, reports that media outlets are portraying the death of Pakistan’s former religious-affairs minister as the product of a personal dispute. That explanation is inadequate, Naveed says, because “Shahbaz had no personal enemies.”

via Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : Pakistani media portray death of Catholic politician as result of family feud.

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Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, when Mohammed was still living... Image via Wikipedia

A CONTROVERSIAL religious leader with close links to Ireland’s largest Muslim organisation has been banned from entering the country, the Irish Independent has learned.

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service refused to approve an entry visa for Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian cleric who has defended suicide bombing and advocated the death penalty for homosexuals.

Sheikh al-Qaradawi (84) is head of the European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), a private Islamic foundation whose headquarters is in the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) in Clonskeagh, Dublin.

Immigration officials are understood to have blocked his entry to the country after Mr Al-Qaradawi described suicide-bombing attacks on Israelis as “martyrdom in the name of God”.

via ‘Fatwa’ sheikh with links to Irish Muslims is refused visa – National News, Frontpage – Independent.ie.

US IED detonator. Image via Wikipedia

The devices have been the insurgents’ preferred weapon for several years, but their use rose 14 per cent year-on-year, in the second quarter of 2011.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) caused the majority of Nato casualties in 2010 and their indiscriminate use has been blamed by the United Nations for contributing to record civilian casualties.

From April to June, 3,845 exploded or were found, according to the Pentagon’s Joint IED Defeat Organisation (JIEDDO). Coaliton killed and wounded from the bombs rose 15 per cent yearly to 1,248 over the same period.

In June, use of roadside bombs was 25 per cent higher than average.

Most of the bombs are of homemade explosive, but attempts to block the import of ammonium nitrate fertiliser used in its manufacture have failed to stop the increase in devices.

via Taliban use of IEDs reaches record high in Afghanistan – Telegraph.

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Map of India, showing region of West Bengal. Image via Wikipedia

Alliance of Civilizations?

A gang of 50 Muslim extremists disrupted a prayer meeting at a Christian woman’s home in West Bengal, an Indian state that borders Bangladesh. Threatening to burn down the home, the group told Selina Bibi, a convert from Islam to Christianity, that she must leave the area or return to Islam.

The woman, who was baptized a Protestant in March, had been stripped and beaten by local Muslims following her conversion.

25% of West Bengal’s population is Muslim; nationwide, the figure is 13%.

via Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : India: extremists disrupt prayer meeting, beat convert to Christianity.

Map of the Philippines with Cotabato highlighted. Image via Wikipedia

A bomb exploded yesterday evening at the residence of a gun store owner in the southern Philippines, where a homemade bomb killed two people and wounded 10 others four days ago, officials said today.

Lawyer Cynthia Guani-Sayadi, city administrator, said the explosion occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday outside the house of JV Martinez along De Mazenod Street in the southern city of Cotabato occurred but no casualty was reported.

“The explosive was left outside Martinez residence. He was not around that time,” said Sayadi.

Martinez is the owner of a gun store along the city’s Quezon Avenue where a bomb went off Tuesday killing two people and wounding 10 others.

“He (Martinez) already gave his side to the police. He told investigators that he has no idea why his shop was attacked. But we know that he has several grudges,” said Sayadi.

via Bomb blast rocks Cotabato – Home » Other Sections » Breaking News.

Nonetheless,  Philippine President Benigno Aquino is in talks with MILF’s leader Murad Ibrahim. We have to remember that MILF’s objective is to create an Islamic state in Mindanao.

Image via Wikipedia

Umar Patek, 40, who has a US bounty of $1 million on his head and is Indonesia‘s most wanted fugitive, was arrested by Pakistani security agencies who have said they are investigating him for links to militant groups in Pakistan.

A Pakistani official said: “Right now he is being interrogated. The Indonesians want access to him and they are coming.”

Kevin Rudd, Australian Foreign Minister, said: “For us it is clear that Patek has been arrested. Furthermore, it is our view that Patek’s arrest is potentially a major step forward in the fight against terrorism.

“His arrest might offer some small comfort to the nearly 100 Australian families who lost loved ones in the Bali bombings way back in 2002. Of course, his arrest does not bring anyone back.”

via Bali bombing mastermind finally captured – Telegraph.

He has been extradited to Indonesia today.

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Image via Wikipedia

Well, I wonder: has he seen the 72 virgins yet?

Coalition forces in Afghanistan have killed the Taliban insurgents involved with the recent downing of the CH-47 helicopter, which killed 22 Navy SEALs, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan announced Wednesday.

The strike killed Taliban leader Mullah Mohibullah and the insurgent who fired the shot associated with the August 6 downing in the Tangi valley of Wardak province, NATO said.

via NATO: Taliban who brought down copter killed – This Just In – CNN.com Blogs.

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She is expecting her second baby and oh, ah, goes to church

A family of albino Muslims are being terrorised by bigots because their daughter married a man from another religion.

The so-called ‘honour’ retribution has included smashed windows at their Coventry home, vandalised cars and death threats.

Now, head of the family Aslam Parvez has made a plea to the culprits to end the hatred.

…Aslam Parvez, 53, blames members of the Muslim community who believe the family have been dishonoured by his daughter’s marriage.

The hate campaign started five months ago when a national magazine published an article on albinos which featured Naseem, who no longer lives in Coventry and has little contact with her family.

It revealed how she has married a Christian, goes to church and is expecting her second child with her husband.

A Coventry Police spokesman said they received an allegation from the family on July 20 and are investigating the matter.

Mandy Sanghera, a social worker and Coventry expert in honour violence, is supporting the family.

She said: ‘This family is already vulnerable because of their condition and have clearly been affected by honour violence against them.

‘They don’t deserve it. They need the support of the community not to be alienated by them. I urge those responsible for doing this to stop.’

She began to change, friends say. Shahdady no longer wanted to wear a burka that covered her face and body but would don just the hijab head scarf instead. She’d registered at the Adult Learning Centre to work on her high school diploma this fall and was hoping to one day realize her dream of becoming a doctor.

“All her friends were finishing college or university and getting good jobs and she felt she was being left behind,” explains family friend Zaffar Baloch. “She wanted to throw away the veil and live an ordinary independent life of a woman.”

But she had to sponsor her husband here and his arrival in May forced her back into the cage she had struggled so long to escape. He wanted her to wear a burka, to stay away from Facebook, to put aside any plans she had of resuming a secular education.

“She rebelled,” explains Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress. “With the help of social services, she got an apartment for herself and her son. She was leaving her husband and asking for a divorce. How dare she? It would dishonour everyone.”

She and her son moved out July 1. After just three weeks of freedom, she was dead.

Between 1 and 2 a.m. on July 22, neighbours in the building at 3131 Eglinton Ave. E. heard the shrill screaming of a child that went on for 15 minutes. And then silence. More than 15 hours later, Shahdady’s distraught father discovered his 2-year-old grandson alone in the apartment with his daughter’s dead body. She had been strangled on her bed.

via Deafening silence greets honour killing | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun.  Via BCF.

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Location of Karachi. Image via Wikipedia

A 38-year-old layman has been gunned down in Pakistan’s largest city.

Arnold Archie Dass was slain in front of dozens of onlookers in the oldest Christian neighborhood in Karachi. In the decades since property values have risen in the neighborhood, members of the “Muslim land mafia” have been harassing area Christians, the Pakistan Christian Post reported; the area is now predominantly Muslim.

via Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : Christian gunned down in Pakistan.

More information on AsiaNews.it:

The victim was getting into his car to go home from work. Local sources say a group of gunmen opened fire in front of dozens of witnesses.

…the group of Islamic extremists who carried out the attack left the scene undisturbed after checking that their target would not survive.

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