Mali: Christians Arrested After Refusing To Listen To Islamic Sermon As Foreign Jihadists Join Mali Islamists

France24 – “AFP – Dozen of Algerian jihadists have arrived in the Malian city of Timbuktu to support armed Islamist groups who are imposing an increasingly brutal version of sharia law in the vast northern areas under their control, security sources said Sunday.

The latest influx of foreigners joining the Al-Qaeda linked Islamists was revealed as interim authorities in Bamako postponed a key conference to plan the country’s transition back to democracy and tackle the crisis in the occupied north…

As plans for the internationally-backed intervention force take shape, reports have increased of Sudanese, Algerian and other west Africans joining the jihadists’ ranks.

‘Dozens of Algerian jihadists arrived in Timbuktu this weekend to reinforce the AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) camp,’ a regional security source told AFP.

He said the fabled city of Timbuktu was ‘increasingly becoming the headquarters of AQIM in northern Mali.’

… in the north, Islamists backed by the regional Al-Qaeda franchise soon seized full control, ousting the more secular Tuareg to pursue their goal of running the region according to a severe form of sharia law.

Married couples have been stoned, thieves have had their arms amputated and smokers and drinkers have been whipped…

Two weeks ago the jihadists began going door-to-door to arrest women who were not wearing veils.

Also on Sunday, three Congolese citizens were arrested in Timbuktu after refusing to listen to an Islamic sermon because they are Catholic, a local government official told AFP.

‘They were thrown into one of the Islamists’ prisons in Timbuktu,’ he said.” Read more.

Flashback: Mali: 200,000 Christians Flee Country To Escape Islamic Persecution As Islamists Impose Sharia Law – “In the Northern part of the African nation of Mali, a refugee crisis is quickly escalating. The front page of the Vatican newspaper expressed concern over the gravity of the situation. It noted that many of the refugees were Christians that were trying to escape persecution from a version of Sharia law that has been imposed in parts of the country by a group known as the ‘Ansar Dine’ movement. The Algerian newspaper El Khabar has reported that some 200,000 people have fled to refugee camps in Mauritania and Algeria.” Read more.

Flashback: Mali: Christian Leader Beheaded as Islamists Terrorize Country, Create List of All Christians They Intend to Execute by Beheading – “A Christian leader has been beheaded and others are being threatened with similar treatment as Islamic militants run amok in Mali, West Africa. Christians have fled the town of Timbuktu in the north of the country where harsh Sharia Law has already been imposed amid reports that churches in Gao, 200 miles to the east, have been completely destroyed… ‘We have escaped in the wake of horrible death threats as the Islamists have a list of all the Christians in Timbuktu whom they intend to execute by beheading.’” Read more.

Iran Thrilled Over Obama Second Term, ‘World Stability And The Global Economy Will Become Its Hostage’

All that laughing has turned into high-fives. And all those high-fives may soon turn into something else …

By Reza Kahlili – “In his first news conference after re-election, President Obama said there was still time for a diplomatic solution on Iran’s nuclear program and that Iran could enjoy ‘peaceful nuclear power’ if it meets international obligations.

Diplomacy has failed and international sanctions, though having some effect, have not persuaded the radicals ruling Iran to stop their illicit nuclear program. The economic screws must be tightened.

Iranian leaders did not hide their satisfaction in Mr. Obama’s re-election and the prospect of more negotiations, which, in their view, will buy them more time to develop nuclear weapons.

Professor Pirooz Mojtahedzade, who teaches political geography at Tehran University, said in a recent interview, ‘Perhaps one reason for Obama’s success in his re-election campaign was his opposition to the warmongering Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] of Israel, which officially eliminated the effect of the Zionist lobby in presidential elections, and the result of this is that the Israel lobby will not have much effect on U.S. politics in the next four years.

‘I have no doubt that the U.S. desires negotiations. We must remember the promises by Obama in his first four years to change U.S. politics internally and externally to address international matters peacefully, including Iran’s nuclear energy program through negotiations and peaceful means,’ Mr. Mojtahedzade said.

His thoughts were echoed in several other analyses in Iranian media. One said America is in no way looking for a confrontation with Iran and, in fact, has such a confrontation as its red line. Therefore, it’s only natural that the Islamic republic is aware of this limited U.S. strategy and will benefit from it, the analysis argued.

Proof of that claim, the analysis said, is the recent incident in which

Hamas: To Get Our Country Back ‘We Kidnap Soldiers And Kill Jews … Then We Will Raise The Banner Of Islam’

Al-Aqsa TV, 11/21/2012:

We are the [Al-Qassam] Brigades
Brigades – we kidnap soldiers
Brigades, we kill Jews
Brigades, we watch the borders
Brigades, we are not afraid of death
Brigades, gear up your weapon
Gear up, gear up
Destroy the usurper’s dens and set fire to the oppressors
Through training and preparations, you roar, oh lion of Qassam
It’s in your hands to get [our] country back
and then we will raise the banner of Islam.

Gazans Empowered By Latest Truce, Believe Latest Fight Is ‘The First Nail In The Coffin Of Israel’

Zechariah 12:2-3a, 9, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces … It shall be in that day [that] I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”

By Tobias Buck – “When they finally emerged from their houses after eight days of Israeli bombardment, the people of Gaza seemed to have only one desire: to satisfy their craving for sugar.

Sweet shops and pastry makers were over-run with customers on Thursday morning, the day after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire entered into effect.

‘People rushed to the shop as soon as it opened,’ said Abu Wassim, the owner of Alqadi Famous Sweets in Jabalya. His store sold four times more baklava, knaffeh and other sugary delights than on normal days. ‘In your country, when you celebrate a victory, you open a bottle of alcohol,’ he said. ‘Here, we go and buy sweets.’

In Gaza, they have been treating the end of the latest bloody clash between Israel and Hamas as a Palestinian victory. Of that they have no doubt.

On Wednesday night, thousands celebrated spontaneously in the streets, minutes after the ceasefire announcement. On Thursday, declared a national holiday by the Gaza authorities, there were victory parades and rallies. On Friday, the midday prayers were dominated by declarations of victory, with some preachers drawing a line between the latest conflict and the Prophet Mohammed’s victory over the infidels.

The sense of triumph and elation came despite the loss of 162 Palestinian lives, the wounding of more than 1,000 and the destruction of hundreds of buildings.

In conventional terms, Hamas’s military achievements were negligible: As in the past, Gaza-based militants fired barrages of rockets and missiles at Israel, but only few reached their intended targets. Six Israelis were killed by Palestinian fire – a relatively low figure given the intensity of the missile fire from Gaza.

Yet Hamas leaders and ordinary Gazans alike insist that this conflict felt very different from Israel’s military onslaught four years ago.

Not only did Israel this time stop short of a ground invasion, but the rocket squads of Gaza managed to fire missiles at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the commercial and political centres of Israel. None of the missiles did any damage. What mattered, however, was the sight of Israelis running for the bomb shelters…

As he shuffled away, a Hamas sheikh began his eulogy of Mohammed Jamal. He praised his martyrdom, saying the dead man and his family would be guaranteed a place in heaven. And the latest clash with Hamas’s enemy had been a great victory, he said, ‘the first nail in the coffin of Israel’.” Read more.

Indonesia: Hundreds Of Muslims Threaten Churches In West Sumatra

The Jakarta Post – “A mob numbering in the hundreds and grouped under the banner of the Islamic Organizations Communication Forum (FKOI) descended on two churches on Tuesday: Stasi Mahakarya and GPSI (Gereja Pentakosta Sion Indonesia).

Those in the crowd threatened to use force to stop the congregations from building additional structures in their compounds, nailing wooden boards outside the churches.

However, the mob was not able to come too close to the houses of worship, which were guarded by nearly 200 police officers and Indonesian Military (TNI) troops.

West Pasaman Regent Baharuddin said on Friday that he would ensure the safety of all religious followers to perform divine services. ‘Not a single stone will be thrown at other religious followers in West Pasaman. I assure you of that,’ Baharuddin told The Jakarta Post by telephone on Friday.

Baharuddin’s support for religious freedom was tempered by his support for the protestors, who, before visiting the churches, forced several cafes they said were selling alcoholic drinks to close. ‘I thank them for helping the government to discipline the cafes. Also, the church needs to seek permits before expanding its building.’

FKOI chairman Achmad Namlis said that organization’s efforts were made only to remind the churches to obtain permits before launching new construction projects.

‘This is not the tyranny of the majority. We’ll let the Christians perform their rituals as long as they don’t breach regulations,’ Achmad, who is the chairman of the local Muhammadiyah chapter, said.

Rev. Bernard, a pastor at one of the churches, said that two Islamic organizations had rejected the permit he applied for three years ago. ‘We will soon prepare the documents to get the permit,’ Bernard said.” Read more.

Flashback: Massive Increase of Radical Islamism Spreads Throughout Indonesia, Including ‘Top-Quality’ Universities – “The suicide bombing of a church in Central Java on Sept. 25 pointed not only to a new level of attacks on religious minorities in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country but to a political bent that accommodates Islamist extremism. ‘Radicalization of Islamic teachings and understanding is a problem in Indonesia,’ admitted Dr. H. Nasaruddin Umar, director general of Islamic Community Guidance under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. ‘There’s a need to re-explain the concept of jihad.’ Pino Damayanto, aka Ahmad Yosepa Hayat, who blew himself up wounding over 20 members of the Sepenuh Injil Bethel Church (Bethel Full Gospel Church) in Solo on Sept. 25, apparently believed it was his religious duty to kill ‘the enemies of Islam,’ according to his understanding of ‘jihad.’” Read more.

Nigeria: Suicide Bombers Attack Church, At Least 11 Christians Killed, Dozens Injured

By Heather Murdock, VOA – “ABUJA — Twin suicide bombers have attacked a church inside a military base in Nigeria’s Kaduna State, a volatile area known for sectarian and religious violence. Reuters news agency quotes a military spokesman as saying 11 people were killed and dozens injured.

Authorities say a bus was driven into St. Andrews Protestant Church inside a military base around noon Sunday, about ten minutes before a second suicide bomber detonated a Toyota Camry just outside.

In an e-mail to reporters, the director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Bola Koleoso, said he cannot yet confirm a casualty count but the injured have been taken to two separate hospitals.

Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Chair Diji Haruna says the church service was over when the bombs went off, but clergy and choir members were still inside.

‘Today is another bad day for Nigeria. It’s another bad day for Christians, both Christians and Muslims. Anybody that loves peace, today is a bad day for them,’ said Haruna.

The bombing took place in Jaji town about 30 kilometers from the state capital. Haruna says the military has now locked down the area. Although the bombs went off hours ago, he says information is still scarce.

‘The people that died are being carried to the mortuary and those who are injured are being carried to the hospital. It should be a military hospital in which they will still quarantine the place. You hardly get access to those places,’ said Haruna.” Read more.

Nigeria: Boko Haram Kill 3 Children Of Officer In Their Mother’s Presence – “Three children between the ages of 5,7 and 12 were Thursday slaughtered in the presence of their mother in Sulimanti ward of Maiduguri metropolis when the bread winner Mr. Aduju Zubairu an SSS personnel was away, even as five others were also shot dead during a night attack by gunmen suspected to be members of Jamatul Ahlis Sunnah Lid Daawa wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram. Our correspondent who was at the scene of the incident in Sulimanti, Thursday morning, where the children were slaughtered gathered that the assailants stormed the resident of the victims at exactly 1:55 am and forcefully broke the main gate, violently woke up the three children and slaughtered them before their mother.” Source – Information Nigeria.

Flashback: Nigeria: ‘Proud Soldiers Of Allah’ Vows To Take Down Government And Destroy Christianity, ‘We Will Devour You … Our Joy Is To Die In Jihad’ – “‘You, Jonathan, cannot stop us; instead we will devour you in the three months like you are boasting … We are proud soldiers of Allah; we will never give up as we fight the infidels. We will emerge as winners … for us, [death] is eternal victory to die working for Allah. Our joy is to die in Jihad for Allah … We are not doing physical human service, but Allah’s work … We are not afraid because we are not doing man’s work but Allah’s work…” Read more.

Rumors Of War: Russia Sends War Ships To Gaza Coast In Preparation For Violent Escalation

If true, this move by Russia appears to have been made after the “cease fire” took effect. Why now? …

Al Arabiya – “Russian warships anchored off the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea to prepare the evacuation of Russians in the area, should the conflict in Gaza escalate, The Voice of Russia quoted a Russian Navy Command source on Friday.

‘The detachment of combat ships of the Black Sea Fleet, including the Guards missile cruiser Moskva, the patrol ship Smetliviy, large landing ships Novocherkassk and Saratov, the sea tug MB-304 and the big sea tanker Ivan Bubnov, got the order to remain in the designated area of the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea for a possible evacuation of Russian citizens from the area of the Gaza strip in case of escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict’, the spokesperson said.

He added that ship crew members will continue routine combat training, maintenance of equipment and weapons along with other military services.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops fired on Gazans surging toward Israel’s border fence Friday, killing one person but leaving intact the fragile two-day-old cease-fire between Hamas and the Jewish state.

The truce, which calls for an end to Gaza rocket fire on Israel and Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, came after eight days of cross-border fighting, the bloodiest between Israel and Hamas in four years.” Read more.

Poll: Palestinians Itching For Another Fight With Israel, Don’t Want Long-Term Gaza Ceasefire – “According to a survey conducted by the Palpress Arabic-language website, the Palestinians are itching for another fight with Israel, less than a day after the Jewish state agreed to prematurely halt its campaign to eliminate the Gaza missile threat… it appears groups like Hamas will only use the days and months of calm ahead to prepare for the next round of violence. And they will apparently have majority support among the public for doing so.” Read more.

Turkish PM Accuses Israel Of ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ In Gaza, ‘Sooner Or Later Israel Will Answer For The Innocent Blood It Has Shed’ – “… Erdogan accused Israel of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza, saying the Jewish state’s air raids could not be considered self-defense. ‘Israel is committing ethnic cleansing by ignoring peace in this region and violating international law,’ Erdogan said, according to AFP. ‘It is occupying the Palestinian territory step by step.’ He further claimed that Israeli air raids against Gaza could not be deemed self-defense, accusing Western countries of aiding what he called a ‘terrorist state’ by condoning its violence in the Middle East. ‘Sooner or later, Israel will answer for the innocent blood it has shed so far,’ he said.” Read more.