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âMiracleâ baby draws Bethlehem crowds
File this under âoh-fer-cryin-out-loudâ...Palestinians in the West Bank town revered by Christians as Jesusâ birthplace have been thronging to the adjacent Aida refugee camp for a glimpse of the 11-day-old infant many are calling a "miracle baby." The boy has gained attention for being born with a large birthmark across his cheek that roughly forms in Arabic letters the name of his uncle, Ala, a Hamas militant killed by Israeli troops after he was suspected of having planned a suicide bombing. The family, devout Muslims, called it a divine message of support for the Palestinians against Israel... Yes, of course. The Israeli army declined comment, but one security source said, As she spoke, an Israeli army patrol fired tear gas at stone-throwing youths nearby. Despite the commotion, the imam from the campâs main mosque entered the crowded living room, traced a finger along the swirling birthmark... and pronounced it a "gift from God." Wait, thereâs more: Adding to a tale spread mostly by word of mouth and published Monday in the Jerusalem Post, the baby -- named in honor of his dead uncle -- was born on the 27th day of the holy month of Ramadan, revered as the night the Koran was revealed to the prophet Mohammad... And there you have it... Posted by: Rafael 2003-12-03 |
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