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| Europe |
| Abu Hamza Calls Shuttle Tragedy 'Sign From God' |
| 2003-02-03 |
| A controversial British cleric drew criticism from moderate U.K. Muslims on Monday for describing the space shuttle Columbia disaster as a "sign from God" and the astronauts aboard as "criminals." Abu Hamza al-Masri, a firebrand radical wanted in Yemen on terror charges relating to the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, told reporters that the space shuttle represented "a trinity of evil because it carried Americans, an Israeli and a Hindu." The cleric was referring specifically to Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut, and Indian-born mission specialist Kalpana Chawla, a Hindu. Yep. That must be the reason. Couldn't be anything else... "The Muslim people see these pilots as criminals. By going into space they would have sharpened the accuracy of their bombs through satellites," al-Masri said. "These missions would increase the number of satellites for military purposes. It would increase the slavery of governance of other countries by America. It is a punishment from God." If God concerned himself with such things, Abu Hamza would be a pillar of salt by now... The cleric mentioned reports that the break-up of the spacecraft began above Palestine, Texas, which he sees as a "sign from God." If it was over Palestine at 40 miles up, it was "over" Blanket, Bangs, and Commanche, Texas, too. I'm not too sure what that's a sign of, though, not being a theologian by training... But Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the mainstream Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, dismissed al-Masri's comments as "lunacy" and said that British Muslims would be feeling sympathy for the dead astronauts and their families. Mark your calendar: I believe this might mark the first use by a Muslim leader of the "L" word. And damned accurately, I might add... "These people went to explore space and to learn more about it — this is how human knowledge progresses," he told CNSNews.com. "The people who died in this catastrophic accident will do down as great benefactors of humanity. They were courageous and bold." And, we might add, better men than Abu Hamza ever was or will be. And that statement includes the women on board. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #3 May something heavy fall upon him from a great height. |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-02-03 12:58:25 |
| #2 Watch out Abu Hamza. Your little rant is bad Karma............. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-02-03 12:49:32 |
| #1 Watch out Abu Hamza. Your little rant is bad Karma............. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2/3/2003 12:49:32 PM |