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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Beheading video in big demand on Baghdad streets |
| 2004-09-05 |
| The hottest selling item at Baghdad's video CD market is not a movie or a music video. It's an ordinary Egyptian whose beheading was filmed by his Muslim militant captors and distributed as a gruesome message to anyone who cooperates with US troops in Iraq. "The CD is in big demand. We sell about 300 to 400 clips a week," said Abu Muhammad, a shop owner who said he didn't have the stomach to watch the decapitation by knife. "We have all kinds of customers, both old and young." The video shows a terrified Mohammed Abdel Aal kneeling in front of masked militants with AK-47 assault rifles as he confesses to planting electronic devices in houses that guided bombs dropped from US warplanes. One of the militants pulls out a knife, knocks down Abdel Aal, then severs his head and places it on his body over a pool of blood. Such acts have been posted on radical Islamic websites carrying footage of several executions since militant groups and guerrillas began a wave of kidnappings of foreigners in April. It now appears that hostage-takers are also spreading chilling warnings to bustling Baghdad street markets and shops, where the CD of Abdel Aal sells for the equivalent of 70 US cents. Several shopkeepers said the CD of the Egyptian was distributed by people from the guerrilla hotbed of Fallujah to Baghdad vendors who broadcast them on screens over crates along streets. Called "The Spy", the CD appears on store shelves beside productions that have captivated Arab audiences for years, from popular Egyptian comedians to belly dancers to pirated Western action movies. One store owner said he could not bear to watch the execution CD, let alone sell it to scores of customers who appear every day. "I remember I ran over a cat in 1985 and the sound of its suffering still haunts me so I can't watch this death," said Haydar Khalil, 54. "The market is booming but I just can't do it." But his friend, who watched the video, said the Egyptian deserved his fate. "He said he offered Iraqi girls to the Americans. We cannot accept this, especially from a fellow Arab," said Allaa Hamdan, 32. The video has already generated conspiracy theories in a country where people kept quiet for decades to avoid the iron first of toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. "A Muslim could not do something so barbaric. This was the work of Israeli intelligence trying to give Muslims a bad image in the world," said video shop owner Abu Safwat. |
| Posted by:TS(vice girl) |
| #7 Ummmm The Gentle Men was a sarcastic post (not mine) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-09-05 10:23:17 PM |
| #6 Quite so .com, quite so. I've posted several times here about the "The Three Conjectures", the firepower on *1* Ohio class submarine and, going back some, what the West did to *fellow Westerners* just 60 years ago. I do it to inform people like Gentle what is at stake here. They truly believe that the West will just keep taking these attrocities, and continue giving concessions. My point is that even if the US does nothing (which is certainly not a given), there is still Russia and China in the wings (neither of whom has cared too much about killing vast numbers of their *own* citizens, let alone anyone elses!) There's even Israel - who is quite capable of reducing all major Islamic population centres to radioactive rubble - although with Israel, I feel that will only be used as a "Samson Option". Wake up Gentle and co.! - the sands are running out, and making comments like "I expect the Egyptian was a Copt and had it coming" does not enamour your belief system to people who really *can* screw up your day! |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-09-05 10:19:53 PM |
| #5 Tony - I've always found it fascinating that those who prey upon the weak(er) lose touch with the provable fact that no matter how tough and ruthless they think they are, there's always somebody who could give them lessons. The jihadists live in a bubble of fantasy. The world is waking up - and as you clearly point out, there are people who could easily pop their bubble. [enter Islamic city of choice here] Weather Forecast: 32,000 degrees and partly cloudy. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-09-05 10:04:17 PM |
| #4 Oh, so Islam does not reject brutal killing of non-moslems then? I see. You know, the West is *very very very* good at being brutal when pushed to it. Read up on what the RAF did to Dresden in Feb '45 - 40,000+ burned alive. And that was to Westerners - with 1945 technology. We've come a long long way since then. Pray that we don't get 'brutal'. Would you care to comment on the events in Beslan? The brutal killing of kids ok with Islam is it? |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-09-05 9:53:48 PM |
| #3 You just don't understand. That is not Islam. Islam rejects brutal killing of Moslems. I expect the Egyptian was a Copt and had it coming. |
| Posted by: The Gentle Men 2004-09-05 7:00:01 PM |
| #2 Boris-- Just highlight the last sentence. Then type ctrl-C (apple-C if on a Macintosh) and then ctrl (or apple) V. There's another post for you and $5 from Iranian intelligence! You know, I was thinking that it might be better for them to pay you in the child pornography you like so much--ask your accountant to see if "barter" gives more favorable tax treatment. |
| Posted by: BMN 2004-09-05 6:32:24 PM |
| #1 those dang Joooos |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-09-05 6:27:36 PM |