And here we go again
Writing by treason on Sunday, 22 of May , 2005 at 10:39 pm
Abu Ghraib Part 2. This week, both The Sun and New York Post, having learned nothing from the Newsweek incident, have run photos of “The Butcher of Sagdad” on their front pages. So the Bush administration braces for another round of riots and mayhem.
But I suspect feelings in Iraq are mixed. In the Muslim world, nudity is a humiliation for men, as witnessed by the Abu Ghraib incident. But those inside Iraq, those who lived under Saddam Hussein’s tyranny, are probably going to let this one slide. Besides, he’s not completely nude - he’s in his undies. But the Bush administration will continue to flog itself over this one and promise to make sure that those responsible will feel the wrath of those who are above such things. Yeah, yeah, we’re basically decent people here in the States, but when are we just going to say: “It’s unfortunate, but who the hell really cares - the guy’s in his shorts. Big hairy deal.” Don’t you get the feeling that sometimes these things would blow over faster if we weren’t always falling over ourselves trying to apologize and make everything all right?
I don’t get the feeling that the other side is wringing its hands over atrocities or humiliations. Reports from Gitmo keep coming about how our soldiers are using vile techniques to squeeze information out of detainees. Using things like women and dogs. Detainees claim female soldiers smear red fluid on the Muslims, telling them it’s menstrual blood. And then they bring in dogs for intimidation. It appears that Muslim men have issues with cleanliness. Dogs are unclean. So in response to the question on IslamOnline.net, “Is it permissible for a Muslim to own a dog?,” the answer from Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is:
“A dog can be owned for purposes such as the following:
1. A trained dog for hunting. Remember in Islam we are only allowed to hunt for food; there is no such thing as hunting for fun, for we are not allowed to kill or torture animals or drive them out of their habitats for the fun of it.
2. A trained dog as a guide. This would be the case if a person is blind and he/she has no choice but to keep a dog for essential services. In this case, it is permissible for him/her to keep a dog inside the house once it has been trained for service, but it is still recommended that the dog have its own sleeping arrangement.
3. A dog trained for police duties.
4. A guard dog to guard houses or property.
5. A dog used by farmers to shepherd cattle and sheep.
We are, however, not allowed to keep a dog as a pet, since it is not a very clean animal. How often have you come across the nasty sight of dogs taken for a walk licking their own excrement? Isn’t it disgusting to see their owners kissing the mouth of such animals after such incidents as if nothing happened? Would you kiss the mouth of your own baby if he were to do the same? Think how many parasites and microbes may be hiding in their mouths.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has spared us from being contaminated by such filth when he ordered us to stay clear of the saliva of dogs. If we ever come into contact with a dog’s saliva we must wash the spot seven times, the first of which should be with sand or dirt. It is also possible to use a bacterial soap instead of sand or dirt.
In conclusion: Don’t contemplate taking a dog home as a pet. If, however, you do need to keep a dog for any of the reasons given above, then you may do so. But take every precaution not to have contact with its saliva, and also arrange for a separate living space.”
Obviously Sheikh Ahmad Kutty has never met sailor Mitch and his terrier Milo.
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