Article

2004-05-29 China-Japan-Koreas

Ahead of Iraq Deployment, 37 Korean Troops Convert to Islam

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by tipper 2004-05-29 2:50:13 AM|| || Front Page|| [11130 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I've always known that Koreans really hate the US, but this is the first I've heard of them converting to Islam, just so they can have an excuse to hate Uncle Sam.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2004-05-29 3:00:09 AM|| [http://www.polipundit.com] 2004-05-29 3:00:09 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 [Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]

Posted by Dog Bites Trolls TROLL 2004-05-29 3:54:20 AM|| 2004-05-29 3:54:20 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 "I became a Muslim because I felt Islam was more humanistic and peaceful than other religions. And if you can religiously connect with the locals, I think it could be a big help in carrying out our peace reconstruction mission."

It will be a big help alright, maybe not to the USA though.

Taking into consideration the fact that most of the inhabitants of Irbil are Muslims, the unit sent its unreligious members to the Hannam-dong mosque so that they could come to understand Islam. Some of those who participated in the program were entranced by Islam and decided to convert.

Good plan, commander. Your unit is full of fifth columnists now.

A unit official said the soldiers were inspired by how important religious homogeneity was considered in the Muslim World;

'Religious homogeneity' That's the nice way of saying, 'Death to the Infidels!'

if you share religion, you are treated not as a foreigner, but as a local, and Muslims do not attack Muslim women even in war.

Is there another Islam being talked about here? What I have read, one of Islam's ideas of religion is to attack women.

He expressed his aspirations. "If we are sent to Iraq, I want to participate in religious ceremonies with the locals so that they can feel brotherly love and convince them that the Korean troops are not an army of occupation but a force deployed to provide humanitarian support."

Keep thinking that going in. I am pretty sure in a few weeks the truth will rear its ugly head, and your unit will be disbanded.

Posted by badanov 2004-05-29 4:20:44 AM|| [http://www.rkka.org] 2004-05-29 4:20:44 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 I wouldn't read too much into this. Religious affiliation in East Asia seems to be a different concept than in the West and the Muslim world. I have known people who claimed to be Buddhist, Daoist and Christian, and saw nothing unusual in this.

Posted by Phil B 2004-05-29 4:35:17 AM|| 2004-05-29 4:35:17 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Phil that may be true but Islam is a one-way ticket. I'm not sure about converts but theres a death-sentence for anyone born a moslem who decides to change teams. A few of them might be in for a nasty surprise when they confront the real Islam.

Posted by ruprecht 2004-05-29 9:37:20 AM|| [politicaljunky.blogspot.com] 2004-05-29 9:37:20 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Maybe they just think they will be more likely to stay alive and not be a target of ambush or beheading if they convert nominally for the period of their tour of duty.

A smart idea, I'd do it myself!

Posted by Anon1 2004-05-29 10:59:50 AM|| 2004-05-29 10:59:50 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 This is what happens when there is 'sensititvity training' on Islam and it doesn't include the truth about Islam.
Anon1..you will be a target of ambush and beheading unless you join the jihadis, look how many Iraqi Muslims the jihadis have killed...and you will be a target for death if you become an apostate when you get back home too. If one only converts for their tour of duty, they better watch their back when they get back home.

Posted by TS(vice girl) 2004-05-29 11:11:43 AM|| 2004-05-29 11:11:43 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Anon1 - Maybe they just think they will be more likely to stay alive and not be a target of ambush or beheading if they convert nominally for the period of their tour of duty.

A smart idea, I'd do it myself!

That's just the attitude we need in this hour of peril. Let's do what is thought to be the easy or safe way. This is the attitude which could ultimately bring us down. The Islamonutzoids at least will defend their belief system, no matter how satanic it may be. On the other hand, there are people on "our" side who would change their belief system at the drop of a hat (or head) to save their sorry-ass hides.

Not sure if your on "our" side Anon but your attitude allowed me to vent.

Posted by Constitutional Individualist 2004-05-29 11:16:46 AM|| 2004-05-29 11:16:46 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 These folks are in for a suprise when they find out that 'arab' muslims are holier then 'non-arab' muslims....

Posted by CrazyFool 2004-05-29 11:29:18 AM|| 2004-05-29 11:29:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#10 Huh? Who the hell cares if you "convert" to islam purely for the purpose of advancing your goal: being an effective soldier in Iraq and possibly helping you to stay alive!

I'd have no problem with this convenient tactic as a westerner who doesn't believe in gobbledygook religion anyway.

I don't give a rats whether the Iraqis think I'm Islamic or Moronic but if thinking I'm Islamic makes them more willing to co-operate with me as a foreign soldier then I'd consider it a psy-ops tactic to help me achieve my goal.

Posted by Anon1 2004-05-29 1:42:10 PM|| 2004-05-29 1:42:10 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 I don't give a rats whether the Iraqis think I'm Islamic or Moronic but if thinking I'm Islamic makes them more willing to co-operate with me as a foreign soldier then I'd consider it a psy-ops tactic to help me achieve my goal.

So, a deception is fostered by you in order to maintain cooperation. Once the mission is accomplished, do you think you and the jihadis will go to the local tavern to laugh about the massive deception you fostered on them while you buy them a round?

Remember, we're sposed to be at war, and while deception is a major part of war, one thing you do not do to allies is to deceive them about your views and/or intentions. You do not want them coming to the conclusion that it is also alright if they allow a few Al Qaeda folks in their camp while they make you believe they are not radical.

Posted by badanov 2004-05-29 1:47:50 PM|| [http://www.rkka.org] 2004-05-29 1:47:50 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Remember liberal mean submit.

Posted by Shipman 2004-05-29 3:41:01 PM|| 2004-05-29 3:41:01 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 badanov: this is life. that happens already. read daniel pipes on Al Fadl who proposed constitutional amendment in the United States.

Posted by Anon1 2004-05-31 3:12:05 AM|| 2004-05-31 3:12:05 AM|| Front Page Top

#14 Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]

Posted by Dog Bites Trolls 2004-05-29 3:54:20 AM|| 2004-05-29 3:54:20 AM|| Front Page Top

03:54 Dog Bites Trolls
10:37 Anonymous5037
10:27 Anonymous5037
10:25 Anonymous5037
03:18 Dog Bites Trolls
02:40 Dog Bites Trolls
01:00 Outraged
01:02 Outraged
01:02 Outraged
02:32 God...your Ultimate Holyness
03:12 Anon1
05:58 Mike Sylwester
03:38 Mike Sylwester
02:13 Phil Fraering
01:41 Valentine
01:12 Jen
01:06 Phil_B
01:03 gromky
00:19 .com
00:14 Stephen
00:04 Quana
23:53 Phil_B
23:50 Edward Yee
23:44 .com