CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" dir="ltr" lang="en-US"> <head profile="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11"><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/","20130126120110","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1359201670"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 2.8.4"/>  <title>Gorilla’s Guides » Palestine</title> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110js_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/js/jquery-1.2.6.min.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110js_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/js/jquery.ui.1.5.min.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110js_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/js/neewee.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110cs_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/blueprint/screen.css" type="text/css" media="screen, projection"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110cs_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/blueprint/print.css" type="text/css" media="print"/>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110cs_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/style.css" type="text/css" media="screen, projection"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110cs_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/themes/neewee/color_scheme_blue.css" type="text/css" media="screen, projection"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Gorilla’s Guides RSS Feed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/feed/"/> <link rel="pingback" href="http://gorillasguides.com/xmlrpc.php"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Gorilla's Guides » Palestine Tag Feed" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/feed/"/> <link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="http://gorillasguides.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd"/> <link rel="wlwmanifest" type="application/wlwmanifest+xml" href="http://gorillasguides.com/wp-includes/wlwmanifest.xml"/> <link rel="index" title="Gorilla's Guides" href="http://gorillasguides.com"/> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 2.8.4"/>  <meta name="keywords" content="Mosul, Kirkuk, Refugees, Christians, Middle East, بالمسيحيين, Religion, Ethnic cleansing of Christians, Syria, IRIN, Features, Iran, Kidnappings, Islam, الإسلام‎, Christians - persecution of, War Crimes, Jordan, Photos, Israel, Lebanon, Orphans, الايتام, الأيتام, News, Barack Obama, Independent -The (UK), reconciliation, Resistance, Christianity, violence, Afghanistan, northern iraq, kidnapping, Gaza, christian minority, iraqi christians, Widows, Saudi Arabia, Saddam Hussein, invasion, Egypt, occupation, Constitution, GZG failure to protect Christians, Palestine, History, Catholic Church, Pilgrimages, Asia News, America, Press, invasion of iraq, christian population, Islam Online.net, Archbishop Louis Sako, Pakistan, Muthanna, Pope, Samawah, religious freedom, poverty alleviation, Gulf War, Vatican, Arabs, churches, Arbil, Catholics, unemployment levels, Christian population - decline of, Humanitarian Relief, Hamas, chaldean catholic, American defeat in Irak, minority communities, interior minister, migration, Sudan, OIC, Yemen, palestinians, Zionism, Palestinian refugees in Irak, Middle East Online, chaldean church, Somalia, Rabia, situation in iraq, Syrian border, Crimes against humanity, Solidarity, Peter Moore, Ur, Dar Al Hayat, fundamentalists, Collective punishment, Niger, Barack Obama - Cairo speech, Photo, Guantanamo, American decline, crusaders, Christian political parties, Robert Fisk, christian persecution, al Hayat, Easter, Korea, humanitarian crisis, Coptic Christians, Taliban, Archbishop Paul Faraj - kidnapping and murder of, Beirut, Oppression, christian institutions, al-Amin, streets of baghdad, colonialism, catholic archbishop, samawa, Canon Andrew White, Cairo, terry jones, West Bank, christian churches, christian minorities, salt content of the water, clash of civilizations, happy memories, Mecca, humanitarian workers - targeting of, Sadat - Anwar, walking on the water, Christian Arab contribution to region, L'Orient-Le Jour, christian faith, prophet jesus, Filipinos, maronites, Ramzy Baroud, Prophet Jesus Son of Mary, Lake Sawa, Christian ecumenism - need for, first gulf war, Prophet Isa Ibn Mary, Galilee, salt, maronite catholics, andrew white, birds, war on iraq, law - equality before the, Medina, Comoros Islands, Monsignor Fouad Twal, Michel Sabbah, evaporation, self castration, religious education"/> <style type="text/css">.recentcomments a{display:inline !important;padding:0 !important;margin:0 !important;}</style> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110js_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/plugins/advancedsearch/advancedsearch.js"></script><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110cs_/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-content/plugins/advancedsearch/advancedsearch-lite.css" type="text/css" media="screen"/> </head> <body> <div class="container"> <div id="navigation"> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/">Home</a></li> <li class="page_item page-item-6"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/gorillas-guides-for-the-perplexed/" title="Gorilla’s Guides For The Perplexed">Gorilla’s Guides For The Perplexed</a> <ul> <li class="page_item page-item-3589"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/gorillas-guides-for-the-perplexed/fatwas/" title="Fatwas A Brief Guide">Fatwas A Brief Guide</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="page_item page-item-2066"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/cholera-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d9%88%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a7/" title="الكوليرا Cholera">الكوليرا Cholera</a></li> <li class="page_item page-item-759"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/scenes-from-an-iraki-childhood-march-16th-2007/windowslivewriterscenesfromanirakichildhoodmarch16th2007-fd1720070316-crying-children-kirkuk-morgue-waiting-to-collect-fathers-body-250x325-72dpi6jpg/guide-to-the-samarra-bombing/" title="Guide To The Samarra Bombing">Guide To The Samarra Bombing</a></li> </ul> <div id="subscribe"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/feed/">Subscribe to RSS</a> </div> </div> <div id="header"> <h1><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/">Gorilla’s Guides</a></h1> <h2>“The only thing these sand niggers understand is force and I’m about to introduce them to it.”</h2> <div id="search"><form method="get" id="searchform" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/"> <div><input type="text" value="" name="s" id="s"/> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="Search"/> </div> </form> </div> </div> <hr/> <div id="content" class="span-13 append-1"> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-13916"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2011/11/20/dar-al-hayat-ayoon-wa-azan-regretting-bush-junior-and-his-administration/#respond" title="Comment on Dar Al Hayat – Ayoon wa Azan (Regretting Bush Junior and his Administration)">No Comments</a></span> Posted on November 20th, 2011 by Mohammed Ibn Laith</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2011/11/20/dar-al-hayat-ayoon-wa-azan-regretting-bush-junior-and-his-administration/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Dar Al Hayat – Ayoon wa Azan (Regretting Bush Junior and his Administration)">Dar Al Hayat – Ayoon wa Azan (Regretting Bush Junior and his Administration)</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/analysis-briefings-commentary/" title="View all posts in Analysis Briefings Commentary" rel="category tag">Analysis Briefings Commentary</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/al-hayat/" rel="tag">al Hayat</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/american-decline/" rel="tag">American decline</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/american-defeat-in-irak/" rel="tag">American defeat in Irak</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/barack-obama/" rel="tag">Barack Obama</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/dar-al-hayat/" rel="tag">Dar Al Hayat</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/guantanamo/" rel="tag">Guantanamo</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/interior-minister/" rel="tag">interior minister</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/israel/" rel="tag">Israel</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestinians/" rel="tag">palestinians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/self-castration/" rel="tag">self castration</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/syria/" rel="tag">Syria</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/war-on-iraq/" rel="tag">war on iraq</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <div style="text-align: left; unicode-bidi: bidi-override; direction: ltr"> <blockquote> <p>I shall choose for condemnation an opinion other than mine, so that I may not in turn become accused myself. I therefore rely on the brave words of Colonel Morris Davis, the former Chief Prosecutor in Guantanamo, who said that “[his manhood] fell off the President after Election Day”. The truth is that the expression he used speaks of self-castration, but I did not find it appropriate to quote him verbatim in an Arab newspaper.</p> </blockquote> <p>War, any war, is supposed to end with a victorious side and a defeated one, yet there are exceptions to such a rule throughout history, the most famous being perhaps one of the earliest recorded. The Greek King Pyrrhus of Epirus defeated the Romans in Heraclea in 280 BC, then in Asculum a year later, but his army suffered tremendous losses. He is claimed to have said “another such victory and I come back to Epirus alone”, and also “if we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined”.</p> <p>We are today one month away from the withdrawal of invasion forces from Iraq, and the war has not ended with the United States being destroyed like Pyrrhus’s kingdom. Yet it has certainly ended with two defeats. Indeed, Iraq as we know it has been destroyed, and from its inhabitants around a million people have been killed, along with five thousand Americans. Moreover, the US economy has collapsed for numerous reasons, the most significant being the war on Iraq where the Bush Administration squandered a trillion dollars, with the Obama Administration still paying its bills. And if there is a victor, then it is the side that did not fight, i.e. Iran, which has come to have the broadest influence in Iraq. That is if Iraq is still Iraq. Indeed, one hears everyday demands of secession or autonomy in the provinces, as if all Iraqis had become like Iraqi Kurdistan. As for the Neoconservatives, today they say that Iran has won, and then they blame Barack Obama, not themselves.</p> </p></div> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2011/11/20/dar-al-hayat-ayoon-wa-azan-regretting-bush-junior-and-his-administration/#more-13916" class="more-link">» أقرأ التفاصيل .. | Read the rest of this entry »</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-12671"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2011/03/07/you-only-need-a-few-fanatics-and-it-all-falls-to-pieces/#respond" title="Comment on You Only Need A Few Fanatics And It All Falls To Pieces">No Comments</a></span> Posted on March 7th, 2011 by Burhan Aydin</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2011/03/07/you-only-need-a-few-fanatics-and-it-all-falls-to-pieces/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to You Only Need A Few Fanatics And It All Falls To Pieces">You Only Need A Few Fanatics And It All Falls To Pieces</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/andrew-white/" rel="tag">andrew white</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/canon-andrew-white/" rel="tag">Canon Andrew White</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-minority/" rel="tag">christian minority</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christianity/" rel="tag">Christianity</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians/" rel="tag">Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians-persecution-of/" rel="tag">Christians - persecution of</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ethnic-cleansing-of-christians/" rel="tag">Ethnic cleansing of Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/gzg-failure-to-protect-christians/" rel="tag">GZG failure to protect Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/independent-the-uk/" rel="tag">Independent -The (UK)</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/invasion/" rel="tag">invasion</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/invasion-of-iraq/" rel="tag">invasion of iraq</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/iraqi-christians/" rel="tag">iraqi christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/islam/" rel="tag">Islam</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/kidnapping/" rel="tag">kidnapping</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/kidnappings/" rel="tag">Kidnappings</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/korea/" rel="tag">Korea</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/minority-communities/" rel="tag">minority communities</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/niger/" rel="tag">Niger</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/pakistan/" rel="tag">Pakistan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/peter-moore/" rel="tag">Peter Moore</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/photos/" rel="tag">Photos</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/press/" rel="tag">Press</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/reconciliation/" rel="tag">reconciliation</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/religion/" rel="tag">Religion</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/saddam-hussein/" rel="tag">Saddam Hussein</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/streets-of-baghdad/" rel="tag">streets of baghdad</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/terry-jones/" rel="tag">terry jones</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85%e2%80%8e/" rel="tag">الإسلام‎</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86/" rel="tag">بالمسيحيين</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <div style="border-right: black 1px solid; padding-right: 5px; border-top: black 1px solid; padding-left: 5px; float: right; padding-bottom: 5px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; border-left: black 1px solid; width: 300px; padding-top: 5px; border-bottom: black 1px solid"> <p><font size="3"><strong>The Monday Interview:</strong> With his 30 armed guards, Andrew White, ‘Vicar of Baghdad’, lives on Christianity’s front line. Jerome Taylor meets him:</font></p> <p> <a title="20100307_canon_andrew_white_in_baghdad by Gorillas Guides, on Flickr" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/5506077910/" class="external" target="_blank"><font size="3"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 5px" height="381" alt="20100307_canon_andrew_white_in_baghdad" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5506077910_55e027241d_o.jpg" width="280"/></font> </a> </div> <p>Canon Andrew White leans over his desk and – with a mischievous glint in his eye – prepares to deliver what I now suspect is a signature move when greeting new guests. Handing over a copy of one of his books, his face breaks into a wide grin as he asks: "Would you like me to sign that for you? I tell you what, I’ll use this pen. It was the same one used to sign Saddam Hussein’s death sentence." </p> <p>Such a macabre piece of historical memorabilia might appear an unusual keepsake for an Anglican priest but then Canon White – the so-called Vicar of Baghdad – is no ordinary clergyman. As pastor to St George’s, the only Anglican church in Iraq, Canon White has been on the front line of the most violent and barbaric persecution of a Christian minority in living memory. </p> <p>Cut off from the streets of Baghdad by blast-proof barriers, razor wire and round-the-clock security, St George’s is one of the few churches still able to operate weekly services for the Iraqi capital’s rapidly diminishing Christian congregation. Scores of his worshippers have been kidnapped or murdered, and militants have routinely tried to storm the complex which lies outside the comparative safety of the Green Zone. </p> <p>Canon White, 47, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has been shot at and kidnapped but still he returns, making sure to spend at least three weeks of every month with an embattled congregation that refer to him as their abouna (father). </p> <p>The 6ft 2in, bowtie-loving priest spoke on a brief visit back to his picturesque home in a quiet Hampshire village which he shares with his wife and two boys (for security reasons he asks us not to give their names or location). The stopover was part publicity tour for his new book Faith Under Fire, part a chance to catch up with the family. </p> <p>The Hampshire house is a pretty, single-storey family home in a quiet curving cul-de-sac, containing a theologian’s study filled with books and crucifixes from across the world. Work is a war zone 3,000 miles away, where Canon White is protected by 30 security guards. A place of sandbags and terror, particularly for Iraqi Christians, whose population has plummeted in the past 20 years from 1.4 million to just 300,000. </p> <p>The fountain pen, which Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki borrowed for a couple of days and used to sign Saddam’s death warrant, is a way of breaking the ice before talking about a subject that will inevitably be gruesome. We meet just days after Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s only Christian cabinet member, was gunned down in Islamabad and it is inevitable that the conversation quickly turns to violent persecution of Christians. "All over the world there are increasing threats against Christians," Canon White says. "Bhatti’s death is deeply disturbing. But when you’re living in the midst of the fire like in Baghdad, it’s really what happens there that concerns you. We have had 123 people killed in Baghdad since November." </p> <p>Last year in fact was a particularly brutal year for Iraq’s Christians and 2011 looked like it was going to be no different. But in the past few weeks the killings have stopped. </p> <p>As head of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, Canon White has built unparalleled relationships with Iraq’s senior Sunni and Shia clerics. In late January he gathered them in Copenhagen to issue a joint fatwa (religious edict) condemning any attacks on minority communities. "Until then Christians were being killed every day," he says. "After the fatwa the killings stopped. It’s crucial to remember that the vast majority of Muslims we work with, they are our friends. We can only do what we do with their help." </p> <p>When he is not administering to his flock, it is these kinds of delicate negotiations between Iraq’s religious power players that occupy much of Canon White’s time in Baghdad. He has been a key negotiator in kidnappings including that of the IT worker Peter Moore, who was released, and Ken Bigley, who was killed. He has himself been taken hostage, held in a room where freshly severed fingers and toes littered the floor, and has negotiated for the release of countless Iraqis. The violence he has seen is harrowing. Does he ever lose his faith? "Never," he says. "If anything, my faith has got stronger." It’s a reply you often hear from religious people in conflict zones – but how can religion be a force for good when it does so much harm in these situations? </p> <p>"I remind myself that if religion is a force for bad it is also a force for good," he says. "If religion is the cause of this horrific violence then it is also the cure. The only way you will be able to stop this violence is engage with Iraq’s religions in a religious way. The best thing we can do is work with the Islamic leaders as most of them are not terrorists." </p> <p>Canon White places the blame for the violence against his congregants squarely at the feet of al-Qa’ida in Iraq, the primarily foreign militant network inspired by Osama bin Laden. "Those who instigate violence are mainly from outside," he says. "There are certain people you simply can’t work with and the al-Qa’ida people fall into that category." </p> <p>But he is equally infuriated by Christian bigots and publicity seekers – such as the American pastor Terry Jones, who threatened to burn the Koran. "Pastor Terry Jones is directly responsible for the murder of some of our people," Canon White says. "They have no idea how terrible it was. Throughout the time he threatened to burn the holy Koran, they were warning us that our people would be attacked. Four of my guards were killed throughout that time. He can try and say from the safety of Florida he was trying to make an important point. But it was an important point that killed our people." </p> <p>Canon White was himself a supporter of the American-led invasion of Iraq, but after all the killing, the mutilations, the kidnappings and the mass exodus of Iraq’s Christians – does he still think it was worth it? </p> <p>It’s the first time he seems unsure of himself. "I had one day in the whole of my life when I thought to myself, why did we do this," he says. "But I remember what it was like in Iraq before the war, the fear people lived under." Yet he adds: "But at least you could walk down the street." </p> <p>I press again, was it really worth it, so much violence, so many deaths? </p> <p>"I had seen the terror of the Saddam regime and I knew there was absolutely nothing the Iraqis could do to remove that terror," he replies. "It’s been hell. So many people killed. I still say the regime had to be removed but we should have done things differently afterwards." </p> <p>Regrets are a luxury Canon White cannot afford. He has a flock in Iraq to attend to. While a semblance of peace has returned for Baghdad’s Christians thanks to the joint fatwa, Canon White knows it is temporary. "From my years and years in Palestine, Israel and Baghdad I know that the majority of people can live together," he says. "But you only need a few fanatics and it all falls to pieces." </p> <p><b>Christianity under fire</b></p> <p>IRAQ In the past 20 years, the flight of Christians has reduced the community’s population from 1.4 million to 300,000. </p> <p>EGYPT On New Year’s Day, 21 Copts were killed in a bomb in Alexandria. </p> <p>PAKISTAN Shahbaz Bhatti, the country’s only Christian cabinet member, was assassinated last week. </p> <p>NORTH KOREA Christianity is vehemently prosecuted in North Korea, where any expression of religion in the totalitarian state is viewed as open insurrection against the Communist regime. </p> <p>NIGERIA Sectarian conflict between Muslims and Christians in central Nigeria has broken out with horrendous violence over the past two years in and around the city of Jos. </p> <p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/andrew-white-the-vast-majority-of-muslims-are-our-friends-2234252.html" class="external" target="_blank">Andrew White: ‘The vast majority of muslims are our friends’ – Profiles, People – The Independent</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-11700"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/10/26/exodus/#respond" title="Comment on Exodus">No Comments</a></span> Posted on October 26th, 2010 by Ali</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/10/26/exodus/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Exodus">Exodus</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/human-rights/" title="View all posts in Human Rights" rel="category tag">Human Rights</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/religion/" title="View all posts in Religion" rel="category tag">Religion</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/al-amin/" rel="tag">al-Amin</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/america/" rel="tag">America</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/arabs/" rel="tag">Arabs</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/arbil/" rel="tag">Arbil</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/archbishop-paul-faraj-kidnapping-and-murder-of/" rel="tag">Archbishop Paul Faraj - kidnapping and murder of</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/beirut/" rel="tag">Beirut</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/cairo/" rel="tag">Cairo</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/catholics/" rel="tag">Catholics</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-churches/" rel="tag">christian churches</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-faith/" rel="tag">christian faith</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-minorities/" rel="tag">christian minorities</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-population/" rel="tag">christian population</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christianity/" rel="tag">Christianity</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians/" rel="tag">Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians-persecution-of/" rel="tag">Christians - persecution of</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/churches/" rel="tag">churches</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/constitution/" rel="tag">Constitution</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/coptic-christians/" rel="tag">Coptic Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/crusaders/" rel="tag">crusaders</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/easter/" rel="tag">Easter</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/egypt/" rel="tag">Egypt</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ethnic-cleansing-of-christians/" rel="tag">Ethnic cleansing of Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/filipinos/" rel="tag">Filipinos</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/first-gulf-war/" rel="tag">first gulf war</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/fundamentalists/" rel="tag">fundamentalists</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/gulf-war/" rel="tag">Gulf War</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/independent-the-uk/" rel="tag">Independent -The (UK)</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/iran/" rel="tag">Iran</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/islam/" rel="tag">Islam</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/israel/" rel="tag">Israel</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/jordan/" rel="tag">Jordan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/kidnapping/" rel="tag">kidnapping</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/lorient-le-jour/" rel="tag">L'Orient-Le Jour</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/lebanon/" rel="tag">Lebanon</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/maronite-catholics/" rel="tag">maronite catholics</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/maronites/" rel="tag">maronites</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/mecca/" rel="tag">Mecca</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/medina/" rel="tag">Medina</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/monsignor-fouad-twal/" rel="tag">Monsignor Fouad Twal</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/mosul/" rel="tag">Mosul</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/northern-iraq/" rel="tag">northern iraq</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/occupation/" rel="tag">occupation</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestinians/" rel="tag">palestinians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/pilgrimages/" rel="tag">Pilgrimages</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/pope/" rel="tag">Pope</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/rabia/" rel="tag">Rabia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/religion/" rel="tag">Religion</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/religious-freedom/" rel="tag">religious freedom</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/robert-fisk/" rel="tag">Robert Fisk</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/sadat-anwar/" rel="tag">Sadat - Anwar</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/saudi-arabia/" rel="tag">Saudi Arabia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/vatican/" rel="tag">Vatican</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/violence/" rel="tag">violence</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/west-bank/" rel="tag">West Bank</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85%e2%80%8e/" rel="tag">الإسلام‎</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86/" rel="tag">بالمسيحيين</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <div style="padding-right: 5px; padding-left: 5px; float: right; padding-bottom: 5px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px; width: 360px; padding-top: 0px"> <div class="container"> <div class="shadow"> <div class="frame"> <strong>From Israel to Iraq, a Christian flight of Biblical proportions has begun.</strong> <p><a title="20100913_cross_with_lights_Arbil by Gorillas Guides, on Flickr" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/27086036@N02/5117481728/" class="external" target="_blank"><img height="238" alt="20100913_cross_with_lights_Arbil" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/5117481728_113dc0d2e6_o.jpg" width="350"/></a></p> </p></div> </p></div> </p></div> </p></div> <p>In the centre of the rebuilt Beirut, the massive old Maronite Cathedral of St George stands beside the even larger mass of the new Mohammad al-Amin mosque. The mosque’s minarets tower over the cathedral, but the Maronites were built a spanking new archbishop’s house between the two buildings as compensation. Yet every day, the two calls to prayer – the clanging of church bells and the wailing of the muezzin – beat an infernal percussion across the city. Both bells and wails are tape recordings, but they have been turned up to the highest decibel pitch to outdo each other, louder than an aircraft’s roar, almost as crazed as the nightclub music from Gemmayzeh across the square. But the Christians are leaving.</p> <p>Across the Middle East, it is the same story of despairing – sometimes frightened – Christian minorities, and of an exodus that reaches almost Biblical proportions. Almost half of Iraq’s Christians have fled their country since the first Gulf War in 1991, most of them after the 2004 invasion – a weird tribute to the self-proclaimed Christian faith of the two Bush presidents who went to war with Iraq – and stand now at 550,000, scarcely 3 per cent of the population. More than half of Lebanon’s Christians now live outside their country. Once a majority, the nation’s one and a half million Christians, most of them Maronite Catholics, comprise perhaps 35 per cent of the Lebanese. Egypt’s Coptic Christians – there are at most around eight million – now represent less than 10 per cent of the population.</p> <p>This is, however, not so much a flight of fear, more a chronicle of a death foretold. Christians are being outbred by the majority Muslim populations in their countries and they are almost hopelessly divided. In Jerusalem, there are 13 different Christian churches and three patriarchs. A Muslim holds the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to prevent Armenian and Orthodox priests fighting each other at Easter. </p> <p>When more than 200 members of 14 different churches – some of them divided – gathered in Rome last week for a papal synod on the loss of Christian populations in the lands where Christianity began, it was greeted with boredom or ignored altogether by most of the West’s press.</p> <p>Yet nowhere is the Christian fate sadder than in the territories around Jerusalem. As Monsignor Fouad Twal, the ninth Latin patriarch of Jerusalem and the second to be an Arab, put it bleakly, "the Israelis regard us as 100 per cent Palestinian Arabs and we are oppressed in the same way as the Muslims. But Muslim fundamentalists identify us with the Christian West – which is not always true – and want us to pay the price." With Christian Palestinians in Bethlehem cut off from Jerusalem by the same Israeli wall which imprisons their Muslim brothers, there is now, Twal says, "a young generation of Christians who do not know or visit the Holy Sepulchre".</p> <p>The Jordanian royal family have always protected their Christian population – at 350,000, it is around 6 per cent of the population – but this is perhaps the only flame of hope in the region. The divisions within Christianity proved even more dangerous to their community than the great Sunni-Shia divide did to the Muslims of the Middle East. Even the Crusaders were divided in their 100-year occupation of Palestine, or "Outremer", as they called it. The Lebanese journalist Fady Noun, a Christian, wrote a profound article from Rome last week in which he spoke of the Christian loss as "a great wound haemorrhaging blood", and bemoaned both Christian division and "egoism" for what he saw as a spiritual as well as a physical emigration. "There are those Christians who reach a kind of indifference… in Western countries who, swayed by the culture of these countries and the media, persuade eastern Christians to forget their identity," he wrote.</p> <p>Pope Benedict, whose mournful visit to the Holy Land last year prompted him to call the special synod which ended in the Vatican at the weekend, has adopted his usual perspective – that, despite their difficulties, Christians of the "Holy Land" must reinvigorate their feelings as "living stones" of the Middle Eastern Church. "To live in dignity in your own nation is before everything a fundamental human right," he said. "That is why you must support conditions of peace and justice, which are indispensable for the harmonious development of all the inhabitants of the region." But the Pope’s words sometimes suggested that real peace and justice lay in salvation rather than historical renewal.</p> <p>Patriarch Twal believes that the Pope understood during his trip to Israel and the West Bank last year "the disastrous consequences of the conflict between Jews and Palestinian Arabs" and has stated openly that one of the principal causes of Christian emigration is "the Israeli occupation, the Christians’ lack of freedom of movement, and the economic circumstances in which they live". But he does not see the total disappearance of the Christian faith in the Middle East. "We must have the courage to accept that we are Arabs and Christians and be faithful to this identity. Our wonderful mission is to be a bridge between East and West."</p> <p>One anonymous prelate at the Rome synod, quoted in one of the synod’s working papers, took a more pragmatic view. "Let’s stop saying there is no problem with Muslims; this isn’t true," he said. "The problem doesn’t only come from fundamentalists, but from constitutions. In all the countries of the region except Lebanon, Christians are second-class citizens." If religious freedom is guaranteed in these countries, "it is limited by specific laws and practices". In Egypt, this has certainly been the case since President Sadat referred to himself as "the Muslim president of a Muslim country".</p> <p>The Lebanese Maronite Church – its priests, by the way, can marry – understands all too well how Christians can become aligned with political groups. The Lebanese writer Sami Khalife wrote last week in the French-language newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour – the francophone voice of Lebanon’s Christians – that a loss of moral authority had turned churches in his country into "political actors" which were beginning to sound like political parties. An open letter to the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, warning him to try to turn Lebanon into a "front line" against Israel, was signed by 250 Lebanese. Most of them were from the minority Christian community.</p> <p>Nor can the church ignore Saudi Arabia, where Christianity is banned as a religion just as much as the building of churches. Christians cannot visit the Islamic holy cities of Mecca or Medina – the doors of the Vatican and Canterbury Cathedral are at least open to Muslims – and 12 Filipinos and a priest were arrested in Saudi Arabia only this month for "proselytism" for holding a secret mass. There is, perhaps, a certain irony in the fact that the only balance to Christian emigration has been the arrival in the Middle East of perhaps a quarter of a million Christian Filipino guest workers – especially in the Gulf region – while Patriarch Twal reckons that around 40,000 of them now work and live in Israel and "Palestine".</p> <p>Needless to say, it is violence against Christians that occupies the West, a phenomenon nowhere better, or more bloodily, illustrated than by al-Qa’ida’s kidnapping of Archbishop Faraj Rahho in Mosul – an incident recorded in the US military archives revealed on Saturday – and his subsequent murder. When the Iraqi authorities later passed death sentences on two men for the killing, the church asked for them to be reprieved. In Egypt, there has been a gloomy increase in Christian-Muslim violence, especially in ancient villages in the far south of the country; in Cairo, Christian churches are now cordoned off by day-and-night police checkpoints.</p> <p>And while Western Christians routinely deplore the falling Christian populations of the Middle East, their visits to the region tend to concentrate on pilgrimages to Biblical sites rather than meetings with their Christian opposite numbers. </p> <p>Americans, so obsessed by the myths of East-West "clashes of civilisation" since 11 September 2001, often seem to regard Christianity as a "Western" rather than an Eastern religion, neatly separating the Middle East roots of their own religion from the lands of Islam. That in itself is a loss of faith.</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-exodus-the-changing-map-of-the-middle-east-2116463.html" class="external" target="_blank">Robert Fisk: Exodus. The changing map of the Middle East – Robert Fisk, Commentators – The Independent</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-11153"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/06/26/this-is-the-place-i-get-my-salt-from/#respond" title="Comment on This is the place I get my salt from">No Comments</a></span> Posted on June 26th, 2010 by Mohammed Ibn Laith</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/06/26/this-is-the-place-i-get-my-salt-from/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to This is the place I get my salt from">This is the place I get my salt from</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/photos/" title="View all posts in Photos" rel="category tag">Photos</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/postcards-from-iraq/" title="View all posts in Postcards from Iraq" rel="category tag">Postcards from Iraq</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/birds/" rel="tag">birds</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/evaporation/" rel="tag">evaporation</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/galilee/" rel="tag">Galilee</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/happy-memories/" rel="tag">happy memories</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/history/" rel="tag">History</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/lake-sawa/" rel="tag">Lake Sawa</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/muthanna/" rel="tag">Muthanna</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/photo/" rel="tag">Photo</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/prophet-isa-ibn-mary/" rel="tag">Prophet Isa Ibn Mary</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/prophet-jesus/" rel="tag">prophet jesus</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/prophet-jesus-son-of-mary/" rel="tag">Prophet Jesus Son of Mary</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/salt/" rel="tag">salt</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/salt-content-of-the-water/" rel="tag">salt content of the water</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/samawa/" rel="tag">samawa</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/samawah/" rel="tag">Samawah</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ur/" rel="tag">Ur</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/walking-on-the-water/" rel="tag">walking on the water</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/zionism/" rel="tag">Zionism</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <p>Did you know that there are two dead seas in the Middle East? The photograph below was taken on the shores of Lake Sawa which is about 25 kilometres north of Samawah the capital of Al Muthanna Governorate. </p> <p>If you look at the photo you can see that the shore is ringed with a crust of salt from evaporation. It’s a dead lake because evaporation makes the water so salty that fish can’t live in it. There is a local industry of salt collection and this is where my mother bought our salt from when I was a child. (I buy the salt my wife uses in our kitchen from the same family my mother did.). </p> <p><a title="2010062 6_lake_sawa by Gorillas Guides, on Flickr" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/27086036@N02/4735490039/" class="external" target="_blank"><img height="450" alt="2010062 6_lake_sawa" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4735490039_d9f8cd4488_b.jpg" width="600"/></a></p> <p>I remember my parents took us here a few times for holidays. And I remember learning in school that there is no clear source for the water in the lake. It does not seem to be linked to any river and it is not some surviving part of a sea from before recorded history. In those geography lessons the teacher told us that this lake is very unusual because all the water is <em>above</em> ground level. The water is so salty that if the banks of the lake get broken in some place the flow of water and fast evaporation means that the banks repair themselves.</p> <p>But what I remember best about this lake is my mother telling us to watch the birds very carefully and we would see a very strange thing. I remember watching them and seeing the birds land and they did not sink! They birds were walking on the surface of the lake as if it was ground! I remember mother laughing, I suppose at the expression on our faces. And telling us the story about Prophet Jesus the son of Mary (PBUH) walking on the water in Galilee and how the people in Palestine were oppressed by invaders from the west then, and how they are oppressed by invaders from the West now.</p> <p>Mohammed Ibn Laith.</p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-9656"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/04/08/jerusalem-patriarch-hamas-protecting-christians/#respond" title="Comment on Jerusalem patriarch: Hamas protecting Christians">No Comments</a></span> Posted on April 8th, 2010 by Suheila Jamil</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/04/08/jerusalem-patriarch-hamas-protecting-christians/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Jerusalem patriarch: Hamas protecting Christians">Jerusalem patriarch: Hamas protecting Christians</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/catholic-church/" rel="tag">Catholic Church</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-persecution/" rel="tag">christian persecution</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians/" rel="tag">Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/clash-of-civilizations/" rel="tag">clash of civilizations</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/colonialism/" rel="tag">colonialism</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/gaza/" rel="tag">Gaza</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/hamas/" rel="tag">Hamas</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/history/" rel="tag">History</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/islam/" rel="tag">Islam</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/israel/" rel="tag">Israel</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/michel-sabbah/" rel="tag">Michel Sabbah</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east-online/" rel="tag">Middle East Online</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestinians/" rel="tag">palestinians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/situation-in-iraq/" rel="tag">situation in iraq</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/solidarity/" rel="tag">Solidarity</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85%e2%80%8e/" rel="tag">الإسلام‎</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86/" rel="tag">بالمسيحيين</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <blockquote><p>Even in Gaza, Christians are protected by Hamas, so often presented as a terrorist organization. </p> </blockquote> <p><i>What is the situation for Christians in Palestine? </i></p> <p>It is the same as for all Arabs in Palestine. Christians or Muslims, we are the same people, with the same culture and the same history. A nation that is in conflict with another nation. A nation that is living under military occupation has no need of compassion but of justice. In a very tense political context we are trying to cope with the same challenge. What does it mean to be a Christian? It is to be in a society, in a world that we have not chosen but has been given to us. Our vocation therefore is to be Christian in an Arab society which has a Muslim majority. This is a familiar experience to us, we have several centuries of history behind us. </p> <p><i><a title="Michel_Sabbah_quote" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/27086036@N02/4502822541/" class="external" target="_blank"><img style="display: inline; margin: 5px 15px 25px 0px" alt="Michel_Sabbah_quote" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://static.flickr.com/4037/4502822541_9efb170ee2.jpg" align="left" border="0"/></a>However, today one speaks of anti-Christian persecution</i></p> <p>Individual incidents between Muslims and Christians can take on a community dimension. In these cases there are mediators, families known for their wisdom and their authority, capable of resolving conflicts. I can bear witness to the fact that in Palestine, it never goes further than this. There have never been massacres or terrorist attacks against churches, never have I known an openly antichristian persecution. Even in Gaza, Christians are protected by Hamas, so often presented as a terrorist organization. </p> <p><i>Is it the same situation in Iraq? </i></p> <p>No, over there Christians are victims of violence and are killed because they are Christians. But it is a question of political not religious movements. Extremists hope to destabilize the country. Many Sunnis and Shiites have been killed for the same reasons. It does not help to accuse Muslims of all the evils. Working for peace and for justice in Iraq as elsewhere is the best way to avoid a mass exodus of Christians from the East. A political problem needs to find a political solution. </p> <p><i>What do you say to those who defend the idea of a clash of civilizations? </i></p> <p>There is a clash but it is not religious or cultural. It is political. The West treats the East and those who live there, whether they are Christians or Muslims, as lesser beings. As long as there is this relationship between the dominant and the dominated, we will never escape the spiral of violence. The roots of global terrorism are rooted here. The East is not free to choose its destiny; it is subjected to Western dominance. The problem is not Islam, but the confrontation between East and West. The history of colonialisation has given way to another kind of colonialisation, more latent, but no less real. </p> <p><i>Are you not afraid of the expansion of Islam? </i></p> <p>It is a fantasy fed by those who do not understand the East, in general, and Islam in particular. As long as the Palestinians feel oppressed, all Muslims globally will feel solidarity with them and are capable of creating disruption from within the societies in which they live. We need to put an end to the relationship of strength against weakness between the West and the Muslim world and instead focus on affirmative education in citizenship and respect for one’s neighbour. We need to develop a culture of engaged coexistence, learn to know one another and live and act together in unity. </p> <p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=38316" class="external" target="_blank">Middle East Online</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-9019"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/03/09/lack-of-security-hampering-work-say-aid-agencies/#respond" title="Comment on Lack of security hampering work, say aid agencies">No Comments</a></span> Posted on March 9th, 2010 by Fatima Jameel</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/03/09/lack-of-security-hampering-work-say-aid-agencies/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Lack of security hampering work, say aid agencies">Lack of security hampering work, say aid agencies</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/afghanistan/" rel="tag">Afghanistan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/comoros-islands/" rel="tag">Comoros Islands</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/humanitarian-crisis/" rel="tag">humanitarian crisis</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/humanitarian-relief/" rel="tag">Humanitarian Relief</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/humanitarian-workers-targeting-of/" rel="tag">humanitarian workers - targeting of</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/iraq/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/niger/" rel="tag">Niger</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/oic/" rel="tag">OIC</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/orphans/" rel="tag">Orphans</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/pakistan/" rel="tag">Pakistan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/poverty-alleviation/" rel="tag">poverty alleviation</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/somalia/" rel="tag">Somalia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/sudan/" rel="tag">Sudan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/unemployment-levels/" rel="tag">unemployment levels</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/widows/" rel="tag">Widows</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/yemen/" rel="tag">Yemen</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%85/" rel="tag">الأيتام</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%85/" rel="tag">الايتام</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <p>Increased co-ordination among humanitarian organisations should be blended with a more realistic view of what is possibly achievable in the context of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in countries like Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Niger, Sudan, Pakistan and Yemen, the third conference for humanitarian organisations in OIC member-states was told yesterday. </p> <p>Delegates highlighted the situations in their respective countries, noting that the lack of security has been causing numerous challenges to their humanitarian work. </p> <p>The Afghanistan delegation pointed out that three decades of conflict, which have killed over a million people, orphaned and disabled another million of them, has caused poverty, food insecurity, drought, as well as environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled war violations. </p> <p>The Afghani delegation said that many humanitarian actors have been working in Afghanistan, even as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) faced many challenges. </p> <p>Aid agency staff have been increasingly targeted by the Taliban and other insurgents for their perceived support of alien political agendas at odds with those of the militia. </p> <p>The Palestinian delegation explained that the level of co-ordination between the numerous humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza was very low. </p> <p>“Co-operation is limited to a low co-ordination through few irregular meetings, to co-operate on seasonable projects such as in Ramadan,” a Gaza delegate said, adding: “No meeting has yet included any information sharing about the needs of affected people.” </p> <p>The Palestinian delegation explained that the Israeli blockade of Gaza has been affecting the work of the humanitarian organisations. </p> <p>The Iraqi delegation said that the increasing number of orphans, widows and captives, as well as unemployment, poverty and refugees, were examples of the deteriorating situation there. </p> <p>“The humanitarian situation in Iraq is very complex as it includes both urgent needs and those of the long-term,” said a delegate. </p> <p>The delegation explained that the differences in the views of the humanitarian organisations’ priorities in Iraq, were a challenge for the situation there. </p> <p>The Somali delegation pointed out to the absolute absence of co-operation among the humanitarian organisations of the member-states in the OIC, noting that the armed conflicts have been also affecting their work. </p> <p>The delegates agreed that the starting point for any co-ordinated efforts would be, besides a functional co-ordination structure, knowledge of available resources, of the assistance needs of the population and an overview of ongoing activities. </p> <p>They agreed on the urgent need to establish a joint and commonly shared data system, and on an overview how resources presently are allocated. </p> <p>Assistant Foreign Minister HE Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi said at the conclusion of the conference that Qatar would be supporting all humanitarian efforts for aid to reach people in the Islamic countries and other regions of the world. </p> <p>He announced that the conference to support and develop the Comoros Islands is to start tomorrow, which is an effort oriented in the same humanitarian direction. </p> <p>OIC secretary-general Ekmeleddine Ihasan Oglu said that NGOs as well as governmental and private sectors should join hands in their humanitarian work in the Islamic counties.</p> <blockquote></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=347539&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16" class="external" target="_blank">Lack of security hampering work, say aid agencies</a> | By Ourouba Hussein | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.gulf-times.com/" class="external" target="_blank">Gulf Times –  – Qatar</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-8312"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/01/15/louis-sako-synod-of-middle-east-churches-mission-and-a-return-to-dialogue/#respond" title="Comment on Louis Sako: Synod of Middle East Churches: mission and a return to dialogue">No Comments</a></span> Posted on January 15th, 2010 by Fatima Jameel</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/01/15/louis-sako-synod-of-middle-east-churches-mission-and-a-return-to-dialogue/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Louis Sako: Synod of Middle East Churches: mission and a return to dialogue">Louis Sako: Synod of Middle East Churches: mission and a return to dialogue</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/religion/" title="View all posts in Religion" rel="category tag">Religion</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/archbishop-louis-sako/" rel="tag">Archbishop Louis Sako</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/asia-news/" rel="tag">Asia News</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/catholic-archbishop/" rel="tag">catholic archbishop</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/catholic-church/" rel="tag">Catholic Church</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/chaldean-catholic/" rel="tag">chaldean catholic</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/chaldean-church/" rel="tag">chaldean church</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-arab-contribution-to-region/" rel="tag">Christian Arab contribution to region</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-ecumenism-need-for/" rel="tag">Christian ecumenism - need for</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-institutions/" rel="tag">christian institutions</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-minority/" rel="tag">christian minority</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-political-parties/" rel="tag">Christian political parties</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christian-population-decline-of/" rel="tag">Christian population - decline of</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christianity/" rel="tag">Christianity</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians/" rel="tag">Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians-persecution-of/" rel="tag">Christians - persecution of</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/crusaders/" rel="tag">crusaders</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/egypt/" rel="tag">Egypt</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ethnic-cleansing-of-christians/" rel="tag">Ethnic cleansing of Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/islam/" rel="tag">Islam</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/jordan/" rel="tag">Jordan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/kirkuk/" rel="tag">Kirkuk</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/law-equality-before-the/" rel="tag">law - equality before the</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/lebanon/" rel="tag">Lebanon</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/migration/" rel="tag">migration</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/occupation/" rel="tag">occupation</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/religion/" rel="tag">Religion</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/religious-education/" rel="tag">religious education</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/syria/" rel="tag">Syria</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/vatican/" rel="tag">Vatican</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85%e2%80%8e/" rel="tag">الإسلام‎</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86/" rel="tag">بالمسيحيين</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <div style="border-right: lightgrey 1px solid; padding-right: 5px; border-top: lightgrey 1px solid; padding-left: 5px; float: right; padding-bottom: 5px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1em 2em; border-left: lightgrey 1px solid; width: 360px; padding-top: 5px; border-bottom: lightgrey 1px solid"> <p>According to the Archbishop of Kirkuk (Iraq), one of the main driving forces behind the Synod, to save the Christian presence in the Muslim Middle East, a renewal of the identity of the original Church is needed: not as a cultural and "ethnic" group, but a mature adhesion to the faith. We need more unity among Christians, divided into countless groups and traditions. And a mature dialogue with Islamic communities, showing them the important contribution of Christians in the past and present history of Arab culture. </p> <p><strong>Editor’s Note:</strong> Louis Sako is the Archbishop of Kirkuk</p> </p></div> <p>Kirkuk (<a title="AsiaNews" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Synod-of-Middle-East-Churches:-mission-and-a-return-to-dialogue-17345.html" class="external" target="_blank">AsiaNews</a>) – Christians in the East are decreasing in numbers due to wars, migration, low birth rates, the expansion of Islam and divisions within the community itself. The threats and pressures to sell land and houses, bought by Muslims and with the support – including economic – of fundamentalists, suggests that the Christian presence in the Middle East is destined disappear.    </p> <p>The Synod of the Churches of the Middle East can help us avoid this fate if we go to the roots of the crisis.  </p> <p>The early Church (which was Middle Eastern) was close to people and presented the Gospel message conforming to the culture of the people, proclaiming the faith in their own language, so that the message was attractive and effective. The prophetic role of the Church was manifest and worked in the truth and from it, people were able to derive meaning for their lives and a sign of great freedom and dignity. For this reason, many converted and decided to embrace Christianity.    <br/>Today, the Christian presence is a cultural one, a historical and tradition-bound presence, an ethnic identity according to the millet system, which is a perfected form of the Institute of Islamic dhimma [the pact of "protection" for non-Muslims, which made Christians and Jews second class citizens - ed.] The Apostolic Churches, however, have lost the enthusiasm of their origins in the work of witness: the role of prophecy, love and zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel to others.    </p> <p>The future of the community depends on several factors, two of which are of fundamental importance: the relationship between Christians, i.e relations between the different Churches and the relationship with Muslims.  </p> <h3>The relations between Christians    </h3> <p>Christians today need to promote, in a continuous and influential manner, a culture of love and dialogue, openness and diversity. Current divisions leave a strong and negative mark on their presence and their testimony. The relationship between the various churches is going through difficult times and seems to move backward.    </p> <p>The Church is the community of believers who look to Christ and testify to the announcement of Good News, which is continuously renewed. The Church can not merely limit itself to being a sociological, ethnic or cultural entity… Preaching the Gospel means welcoming the Good News with the commitment to live it and correcting erred behaviour. Baptism becomes the culmination of the journey of faith. This should be done not only with the elite, but also with simple people.      </p> <p>Most churches in the Middle East are small churches and live with an identity crisis because of their dual membership (i.e.: ethnic identity of a political, social and cultural nature and the one linked to the universality of their mission). And groups of evangelical churches: do we call them churches in the nominal sense or are they rooted or tradition?      We need a serious self-criticism and to reconsider our reality and our mission. The future depends on our cooperation, our service and our witness. We are one family, we must overcome the barriers that divide us. We are united in the Word of God, we have the same profession of faith, despite the differences in form, and generally, the same sacraments. We must strive for mutual enrichment and deepen all the peculiarities of our faith in God’s love, forgiveness, the joy that comes from welcoming.    </p> <p>We all need to be patient and learn to read history, to assess the facts impartially without emotion. The real strategy is to work together Christians of Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Palestine. Even the Christian political parties are divided and in conflict, they must unite to support the Christian presence, otherwise our fate will be of wailing and lamentation in front of our land.    </p> <h3>Dialogue with Islam    </h3> <p>Today the affirmation of political Islam is clear. It has made this religious identity the central one in the Middle East. This identity has overshadowed the Arab nationalist ideology (the umma) and political participation derives from the principles of Islam.    </p> <p>Together Christian churches and not isolated, must talk to face this reality and establish rules of civil coexistence.    </p> <p>Dialogue with Islam is the only civilian rule, effective for interacting with everyone, taking into account all that has been achieved over the course of history especially during the periods known as the Ommiad (7th – 8th century) and Abbasids (8th – 13th  century).    </p> <p>Christians have an obligation today to offer theological approaches to the faith in a new and understandable language, the line of biblical theology rather than in a classic, philosophical language.  </p> <p>In this dialogue, they must be allowed to demonstrate the contribution they have given to the Arab and Islamic civilization, the history of these regions is not entirely Muslim, but pluralistic, and make sure it is recognised that the Christian Arab factor is a source of enrichment rather than depletion . They must clearly state that they had no relation with the Crusaders when they invaded the East; nor with the colonial powers that invaded the Arab countries without taking the national charter into account; nor with the occupation forces in Iraq and Afghanistan; they have always supported the cause of the Palestinians. These points are very important at the level of Muslim public awareness.    <br/>Dialogue is the only way to resolve differences and restore security and stability. The opening up of Christians, their qualifications and skills may be useful for Muslims. For this we must encourage:    </p> <p>a) adoption of new programs of religious education, based on tolerance and acceptance of others, refraining from all forms of violence.    </p> <p>b) ensure that all are equal before law with equal rights – without any discrimination of race, religion or sex – which creates trust and improves coexistence, strengthening the sense of responsibility of each individual.    </p> <p>c) a commitment to promoting and encouraging solidarity with the poor and marginalized, whatever their race, colour or religion, overcoming injustices and wrongs.   </p> <p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Synod-of-Middle-East-Churches:-mission-and-a-return-to-dialogue-17345.html" class="external" target="_blank">VATICAN – MIDDLE EAST Synod of Middle East Churches: mission and a return to dialogue</a> by Archbishop Louis Sako – <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.asianews.it/en.html" class="external" target="_blank">Asia News</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-6463"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/06/07/obamas-speech-great-oratory-wrong-message/#respond" title="Comment on Obama’s Speech: Great Oratory, Wrong Message">No Comments</a></span> Posted on June 7th, 2009 by Editors</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/06/07/obamas-speech-great-oratory-wrong-message/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Obama’s Speech: Great Oratory, Wrong Message">Obama’s Speech: Great Oratory, Wrong Message</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/english-articles/" title="View all posts in English Language Articles" rel="category tag">English Language Articles</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/afghanistan/" rel="tag">Afghanistan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/america/" rel="tag">America</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/barack-obama/" rel="tag">Barack Obama</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/barack-obama-cairo-speech/" rel="tag">Barack Obama - Cairo speech</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians/" rel="tag">Christians</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/collective-punishment/" rel="tag">Collective punishment</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/colonialism/" rel="tag">colonialism</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/crimes-against-humanity/" rel="tag">Crimes against humanity</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/features/" rel="tag">Features</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/gaza/" rel="tag">Gaza</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/guantanamo/" rel="tag">Guantanamo</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/hamas/" rel="tag">Hamas</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/islam-onlinenet/" rel="tag">Islam Online.net</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/israel/" rel="tag">Israel</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/oppression/" rel="tag">Oppression</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/orphans/" rel="tag">Orphans</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/pakistan/" rel="tag">Pakistan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ramzy-baroud/" rel="tag">Ramzy Baroud</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/resistance/" rel="tag">Resistance</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/saddam-hussein/" rel="tag">Saddam Hussein</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/taliban/" rel="tag">Taliban</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/war-crimes/" rel="tag">War Crimes</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%85/" rel="tag">الأيتام</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%8a%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%85/" rel="tag">الايتام</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86/" rel="tag">بالمسيحيين</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <p>If great oratory is a prerequisite to peace, justice, and human rights, then President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo, on June 4, shall be enough to cure every ill afflicting every Muslim nation. But since rhetoric never solved any real problem, one is left to question the wisdom behind Obama’s touted speech, clear or vague language, and all other indicators. </p> <p>It was clear that Obama’s speech was not aimed at delineating a clear US foreign policy towards Muslim nations. In fact, it was merely an image booster, not only to help the United States regain some of its tattered standing among Muslim nations, but also worldwide, for the US image is certainly tainted beyond the parameters of the "Muslim world". </p> <h3>Misreading the Conflict </h3> <p>Obama’s words in Cairo were meant to reveal a clear divergence from the past. They did so, ever hesitantly. </p> <p>"We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world, tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate," he said. </p> <p>Untrue. The roots of the tension are crystal clear: imperial arrogance, occupation of Arab and Muslim land, violent policies against those who fail to comply with US interests, the unconditional support of Israel, and the backing of corrupt, undemocratic Arab regimes; the demonization of Islam and Muslim culture are but a few of the reasons behind the hatred of US foreign policy. </p> <p>Although Obama tried to address the relationship between "Islam and the West" in somewhat positive terms — those of "centuries of co-existence and co-operation, but also conflict and religious wars" — he deliberately failed to take responsibility for his country’s detrimental colonial designs in Arab and Muslim regions. He recycled the "clash of civilizations" discredited discourse, which gained credence under his predecessor. When millions of people are killed, wounded, and displaced by an unambiguous US agenda to achieve political and economic gains using violence, the issue then is much bigger than a simple perceptional problem that may have led "many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam." </p> <p>In fact, as unpopular as this may sound, violent extremists did not exploit "these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims." The roots of extremism in the Arab world are largely related to the utter despair and anger caused by mass oppression, lack of democracy and economic and political equality, courtesy of the United States and its "friends and allies" in the region. </p> <p>To confront extremism, even if symbolically, Obama should perhaps start with a few goodwill gestures: clearly apologize to and compensate the unfortunate prisoners of Guantanamo, cease bombing of civilian areas in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and call on Gaza’s border guards to allow some food and medicine in to the devastated population. </p> <h3>Afghanistan </h3> <p>"The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued Al-Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity," Obama stated, adding, "Al-Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day [9/11]. The victims were innocent men, women, and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody." </p> <p>Only a pitiless person would question the innocence of those who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. But should that in any way justify the killing of many thousands of equally "innocent men, women, and children" from Afghanistan and Pakistan, who also had done nothing to harm anybody? Unfortunately, one cannot provide a specific figure regarding the victims of US violence in these countries, as that of 9/11 victims. The many thousands who perished there remain nameless and their victimization is effortlessly justified as "necessity". Is this not the same logic used by extremists who argue that it was the US violent policies in the Middle East that forced them to respond in kind? </p> <h3>Iraq </h3> <p>"Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible…" </p> <p>No apology for the murder and displacement of millions of Iraqis, for a whole generation of orphans and widows, for the destruction of what was once one of world’s greatest civilizations. The Iraq war was a mere lesson in diplomacy, not modern history’s embodiment of brutality and torture. Clever oratory obviously has its uses: it conveniently minimizes grave war crimes and crimes against humanity of oneself, and augments the crimes of others. </p> <h3>Palestine </h3> <p>"The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians, and the Arab world." Even if speaking from a Muslim capital in a message whose target audience was the "Muslim world", Obama hardly failed to deviate from infusing his disclaimer, that of "America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied." </p> <p>Obama went on to elucidate the entire Zionist historical context that helped create a Jewish state on the ruins of Palestinian towns and villages. He provided a fair account of the persecution of the Jewish people — by the West, not Arabs or Muslims, of course. His exposition was all true, of course, but the context in which such history was placed, was most unfair; for it is irrational to justify the establishing of a "Jewish homeland" on the land of another nation that had nothing whatsoever to do with plight of those who were "enslaved, tortured, shot, and gassed to death by the Third Reich." </p> <p>Then, Obama gets to his point, and vagueness, once more, revisited. "On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people, Muslims and Christians, have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations large and small that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own." </p> <p>Correction: initially, Palestinian suffering was not an outcome of their pursuit of a homeland, but their ethnic cleansing — from their own land — at the hands of the West-backed, politically supported, financed and armed Jewish militants, who used — and still use — the Holocaust as a justification for their action. </p> <h3>Violence</h3> <p>Obama however, reached the heights of arrogance when he began lecturing the victims in Palestine on the morality of non-violence. "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the centre of America’s founding." </p> <p>What a selective reading of reality and history. In fact, for generations Palestinians have used all sorts of non-violent means of resistance. Their violent responses are often desperate attempts at quelling the brutally violent policies of the state of Israel, again, violence that is largely financed by Obama’s government and passed administrations. </p> <p>It would have been more appropriate for the United States to examine its policy of military funding to Israel, of weapons that are often used against unarmed civilians, illegal weapons of all sorts that are readily experimented against a vulnerable and besieged population, with Gaza being the stark example. </p> <p>Last, Mr. Obama should consult with his speech writers over the palpable omission of relevant history, for afterall, US history books teach that the Civil War was largely fought to free the slaves, and that the Revolutionary War was fought by patriotic Americans to gain their freedom from the British crown; both were extreme acts of violence that cannot possibly be compared by Hamas’ Gaza rockets. Why the historical revisionism when it comes to oppressed people? Why the enthusiastic justification for violence in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, and the condemnation of violence when used by the oppressed? </p> <p>Obama also touched on Hamas’s political rise to power. The terminology was most selective. "Hamas does have support among some Palestinians," he said. Note the use of the word "some". </p> <p>Correction: Hamas was elected by a majority of Palestinians in a popular democratic election, whose outcome displeased the United States and Israel, resulting in the collective punishment of 1.5 million people for daring make a choice inconsistent with US foreign policy and Israeli interests. </p> <h3>Imposing Peace? </h3> <p>"America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace," Obama said. True, but neither Palestinian, nor Arab or Muslim grievances and expectations from the United States ever including a call on Obama or any of his predecessors to "impose peace", not in Afghanistan, not in Iraq, and certainly not in Palestine. </p> <p>What Muslim peoples and nations want from the United States — as articulated in their chants, since they are denied democratic platforms to express such demands — is to bring its colonial drive to an end; to cease its imperial hubris; to quit standing on the wrong side of history by funding and justifying the Zionist colonial program in Palestine; by no longer identifying and backing corrupt rulers and self-serving elites — "our friends and allies" — by abandoning the persisting relationship that sees Muslim lands as strategic and economic assets ready to be plucked, exploited; by not suppressing genuine democracy projects, and foolishly imposing its own; in short, by leaving Muslims alone, so that they may heal their own wounds, resolve their own problems, and shape their own future. </p> <p>It’s that simple.</p> <p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1243825090406&pagename=Zone-English-Muslim_Affairs%2FMAELayout" class="external" target="_blank">Obama’s Speech: Great Oratory, Wrong Message – IslamOnline.net – Politics in Depth</a></p> <p><a name="**1"><strong>Ramzy Baroud</strong> (</a><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.ramzybaroud.net/" class="external" target="_blank">www.ramzybaroud.net</a>) is an author and editor of <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.palestinechronicle.com/" target="_blank" class="external">PalestineChronicle.com</a>. His work has been published in many newspapers, journals, and anthologies around the world. His latest book is, "The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People’s Struggle" (Pluto Press, London), and his forthcoming book is, "My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza’s Untold Story" (Pluto Press, London). </p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-5811"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/07/iraq-whither-the-palestinian-minority/#respond" title="Comment on IRAQ: Whither the Palestinian minority?">No Comments</a></span> Posted on April 7th, 2009 by Editors</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/07/iraq-whither-the-palestinian-minority/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to IRAQ: Whither the Palestinian minority?">IRAQ: Whither the Palestinian minority?</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/features/" title="View all posts in Features" rel="category tag">Features</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/irin/" rel="tag">IRIN</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/jordan/" rel="tag">Jordan</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestinian-refugees-in-irak/" rel="tag">Palestinian refugees in Irak</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/refugees/" rel="tag">Refugees</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/syrian-border/" rel="tag">Syrian border</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <p><strong>BAGHDAD, 7 April 2009 (</strong><a title="IRIN" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=83819" class="external" target="_blank">IRIN</a><strong>) – The remaining estimated 14,000 Palestinians in Iraq or holed up in camps on the Iraqi-Syrian border still face a precarious existence, despite a slowly improving security situation, say observers.</strong> </p> <p>During a recent visit to Iraq in a bid to improve their plight, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked the Iraqi government to issue Palestinian refugees with internationally recognised passports rather than Iraqi travel documents, a Palestinian diplomat told IRIN on 5 April. </p> <p>Iraq has been issuing travel documents to Palestinians since 1948 “when they were exiled from Palestine”, said the Palestinian chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, Dalil al-Qasous. </p> <p>According to al-Qasous, the options proposed were: an Iraqi passport; an Iraqi passport with a specific mark or number to indicate Palestinian origin; a Palestinian passport issued by the Palestinian Authority. </p> <p>During his visit, Abbas also called for the release of 49 Palestinian refugees in Iraqi custody who had been arrested for various reasons since 2003, al-Qasous said. </p> <p>“Our Iraqi brothers have promised they will mull these demands and offer all necessary help to all Palestinian refugees in Iraq,” al-Qasous said. </p> <p>The Palestinians in question he said, comprised some 3,000 stranded in two makeshift camps on the Iraqi-Syrian border, and about 11,000 living in Baghdad and the provinces of Mosul and Basra. </p> <h3>Sceptical </h3> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/07/iraq-whither-the-palestinian-minority/#more-5811" class="more-link">» أقرأ التفاصيل .. | Read the rest of this entry »</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="post clearfix" id="post-5799"> <div class="postmetadata"><span class="comments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/06/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d8%a6%d9%8a%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b7%d9%8a%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b5%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89-%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b3%d9%83%d9%88-%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%85%d8%a7-%d9%85/#respond" title="Comment on الرئيس الفلسطيني يصل الى موسكو قادما من بغداد">No Comments</a></span> Posted on April 6th, 2009 by Editors</div> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/06/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d8%a6%d9%8a%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b7%d9%8a%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b5%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89-%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b3%d9%83%d9%88-%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%85%d8%a7-%d9%85/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to الرئيس الفلسطيني يصل الى موسكو قادما من بغداد">الرئيس الفلسطيني يصل الى موسكو قادما من بغداد</a></h3> <p class="postmetadata">Category: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/category/iraq/" title="View all posts in News" rel="category tag">News</a>, Tags: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/" rel="tag">Palestine</a></p> <div class="entry" dir="rtl" align="right"> <div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float:right; margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 4px 8px;"><script type="text/javascript">digg_url = "https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/06/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d8%a6%d9%8a%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b7%d9%8a%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b5%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89-%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b3%d9%83%d9%88-%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%85%d8%a7-%d9%85/";digg_title = "الرئيس الفلسطيني يصل الى موسكو قادما من بغداد";digg_bgcolor = "#FFFFFF";digg_skin = "normal";</script><script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110js_/http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">digg_url = undefined;digg_title = undefined;digg_bgcolor = undefined;digg_skin = undefined;</script></div> <div dir="rtl" align="right"> <p>وصل الرئيس الفلسطيني محمود عباس الليلة الماضية الى موسكو قادما من بغداد في زيارة رسمية لروسيا تستمر عدة ايام يلتقي خلالها عددا من كبار المسؤولين الروس . <br/>وذكرت مصادر صحفية ان الرئيس الفلسطينى سيجتمع اليوم الاثنين مع الرئيس الروسي ديميتري مدفيدف ويجري معه مباحثات تتناول مسيرة عملية السلام في الشرق الاوسط والحوار الفلسطيني الفلسطيني الجاري بالقاهرة ومسألة اعادة اعمار غزة بالاضافة الى علاقات التعاون الفلسطيني الروسي . <br/>وكان عباس قد اجتمع في بغداد مع رئيس الجمهورية جلال طالبانى ونائبى الرئيس عادل عبد المهدى وطارق الهاشمى ورئيس الوزراء نوري المالكى.</p> </p></div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="navigation"> <div class="alignleft"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/palestine/page/2/">« Previous Entries</a></div> <div class="alignright"></div> </div> </div> <div id="sidebar" class="span-10 last"> <div class="span-10" id="tabs"> <ul> <li class="ui-tabs-nav-item"><a href="#featured-articles">Featured Articles</a></li> <li class="ui-tabs-nav-item"><a href="#latest-articles">Latest Articles</a></li> </ul> <div id="featured-articles" class="widget"> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/04/19/hezbollah-says-latest-bombings-in-iraq-thwart-mission-to-build-state/">Hezbollah says latest bombings in Iraq “thwart mission to build state”</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/03/22/malaysia-prepares-to-send-peacekeepers-on-humanitarian-mission-to-iraq/">Malaysia Prepares To Send Peacekeepers On Humanitarian Mission To Iraq</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/03/19/sadrists-flood-basra-in-million-strong-demo/">Sadrists flood Basra in million-strong demo</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/03/11/iraqi-refugees-return-home-from-syria-middle-east-al-jazeera-english/">Iraqi refugees return home from Syria – Middle East – Al Jazeera English</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/03/06/iraq-women-in-iraq-fact-sheet-reliefweb/">Iraq: Women in Iraq Fact Sheet | ReliefWeb</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/03/01/the-battle-in-homs-will-breed-more-battles/">The battle in Homs will breed more battles</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/02/29/iraq-protests-fail-to-make-impression-iwpr-institute-for-war-peace-reporting-p215/">Iraq Protests Fail to Make Impression – IWPR Institute for War & Peace Reporting – P215</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/02/27/iraq-film-festival-raising-human-rights-cawareness/">Iraq film festival: raising human rights cawareness:.</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/02/24/niqash-three-million-drink-from-mosuls-poisoned-river/">Niqash: Three million drink from mosul’s poisoned river</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/02/22/iraq-call-to-adopt-modern-irrigation-techniques/">IRAQ: Call to adopt modern irrigation techniques</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="latest-articles" class="widget"> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/09/%d9%81%d8%aa%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d9%8a%d9%84-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a8%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%b1%d9%87%d9%8a%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81%d9%82%d8%b1-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85/">فتيات الليل في بغداد رهينات الفقر والميليشيات</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/08/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%af%d8%a9-%d8%a3%d9%83%d8%ab%d8%b1-%d9%85%d9%86-63-%d8%a3%d9%84%d9%81-%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%a6-%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%8a-%d9%81%d9%8a/">الأمم المتحدة: أكثر من 63 ألف لاجئ سوري في العراق</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/07/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%a4%d9%83%d8%af-%d8%b6%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%a5%d8%a8%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9/">الكربلائي يؤكد ضرورة إبعاد الشارع العراقي عن أجواء التشنج ويحذر من إراقة الدماء</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/05/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%b3%d9%84-%d8%ae%d8%b7%d8%a9-%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%a8%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%ae%d9%84/">البيشمركة ترسل خطة سلام الى بغداد من خلال مكتب التعاون الأمني للجيش الامريكي</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/03/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%81%d9%82-%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%aa%d8%ab%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%82%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%b9/">المالكي يوافق على تثبيت المتعاقدين مع مفوضية الانتخابات</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/02/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%ae%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%aa%d9%82%d9%84-%d8%b4%d8%a8%d9%83%d8%aa%d9%8a%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%b5/">استخبارات الداخلية تعتقل شبكتين متخصصتين بالاغتيالات ضمن قاطع الكرخ من بغداد</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/29/%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%b0%d9%8a%d8%a8-%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%ba%d8%aa%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%a8-%d9%88%d9%85%d9%86%d8%b8%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d9%86%d8%b3%d9%88%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a8/">حالات تعذيب واغتصاب ومنظمات نسوية في بغداد تطالب بزيارة سجون النساء</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/23/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d9%86%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a3%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%b4%d9%8a%d8%af-%d9%84%d9%82%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%a7-%d9%88%d8%aa%d8%a4%d9%83%d8%af/">البيشمركة تنفي أي تحشيد لقواتها وتؤكد التزامها بالتهدئة وحل المشاكل بالحوار</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/23/%d8%b9%d8%a8%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%87%d8%af%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b7%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%aa%d9%83%d8%a7%d9%85/">عبد المهدي الكربلائي يطالب بالاحتكام للدستور لحل ازمة عمليات دجلة ويدعو الى التهدئة</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/22/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b2%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%86-%d9%82%d8%a8%d9%88%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%af%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9/">بارزاني يعلن قبول التهدئة والبيشمركة تنفي أي تحشيد لقواتها وتؤكد التزامها بالحوار</a></li> </ul> </div> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> $("#tabs > ul").tabs(); </script> </div> <div class="column span-5 append-1"> <div class="widget"> <h4>Recent Comments</h4> <ul id="recentcomments"><li class="recentcomments">Hazim on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/08/31/maliki-throws-all-or-nothing-hat-into-election/comment-page-1/#comment-11526">Maliki throws all-or-nothing hat into election</a></li><li class="recentcomments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://iraqsolidaridad.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/los-ninos-de-iraq-merecio-la-pena/" rel="external nofollow" class="url external" target="_blank">Los niños de Iraq: ¿mereció la pena? « Iraqsolidaridad</a> on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2008/01/16/medact-wmd-conflict-the-iraq-health-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-11521">Medact – WMD & Conflict – THE IRAQ HEALTH CRISIS</a></li><li class="recentcomments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/" rel="external nofollow" class="url">admin</a> on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/27/%d9%85%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%83%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%86%d8%af%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%8a%d9%83%d9%8a-%d9%85%d8%ba%d8%aa%d8%b5%d8%a8-%d9%88%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84/comment-page-1/#comment-11520">محاكمة الجندي الأمريكي مغتصب وقاتل العراقية عبير الجنابي</a></li><li class="recentcomments">Susanne on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2010/05/13/i-am-in-love-with-massoud-barzanis-daughter-a-poem-that-kills-by-sardasht-osman/comment-page-1/#comment-11517">I am in love with Massoud Barzani’s daughter, a poem that kills. By Sardasht Osman</a></li><li class="recentcomments"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://atruthsoldier.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/arrest-george-bush-and-obama/" rel="external nofollow" class="url external" target="_blank">Arrest George Bush and Obama « A Truth Soldier</a> on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2008/01/16/medact-wmd-conflict-the-iraq-health-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-11516">Medact – WMD & Conflict – THE IRAQ HEALTH CRISIS</a></li></ul> </div><div class="widget"><h4>Gorilla's Guides On Flickr</h4><p class="flickrrss"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/8231176221/" title="icc-logo" class="external" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8064/8231176221_17028ace7c_t.jpg" alt="icc-logo"/></a> </p><br clear="all"/><p class="flickrrss"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/6531857933/" title="talabani sadr hakim" class="external" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6531857933_2d2ce91e9a_t.jpg" alt="talabani sadr hakim"/></a> </p><br clear="all"/><p class="flickrrss"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/6326224088/" title="20111108_screenshot_seale" class="external" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6019/6326224088_ace54d0721_t.jpg" alt="20111108_screenshot_seale"/></a> </p><br clear="all"/><p class="flickrrss"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/6240548481/" title="Davutoglu_zebari" class="external" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6240548481_0e21ae61db_t.jpg" alt="Davutoglu_zebari"/></a> </p><br clear="all"/><p class="flickrrss"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/6137215134/" title="sadr_ceasefire" class="external" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6183/6137215134_4ff6756e22_t.jpg" alt="sadr_ceasefire"/></a> </p><br clear="all"/><p class="flickrrss"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorillasguides/6130245209/" title="baha_moussa" class="external" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110im_/http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6181/6130245209_4c08ac7e03_t.jpg" alt="baha_moussa"/></a> </p><br clear="all"/></div><div class="widget"><h4> </h4><div id="calendar_wrap"><table id="wp-calendar" summary="Calendar"> <caption>January 2013</caption> <thead> <tr> <th abbr="Monday" scope="col" title="Monday">M</th> <th abbr="Tuesday" scope="col" title="Tuesday">T</th> <th abbr="Wednesday" scope="col" title="Wednesday">W</th> <th abbr="Thursday" scope="col" title="Thursday">T</th> <th abbr="Friday" scope="col" title="Friday">F</th> <th abbr="Saturday" scope="col" title="Saturday">S</th> <th abbr="Sunday" scope="col" title="Sunday">S</th> </tr> </thead> <tfoot> <tr> <td abbr="December" colspan="3" id="prev"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/" title="View posts for December 2012">« Dec</a></td> <td class="pad"> </td> <td colspan="3" id="next" class="pad"> </td> </tr> </tfoot> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="1" class="pad"> </td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td><td>8</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>13</td> </tr> <tr> <td>14</td><td>15</td><td>16</td><td>17</td><td>18</td><td>19</td><td>20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>21</td><td>22</td><td>23</td><td>24</td><td>25</td><td id="today">26</td><td>27</td> </tr> <tr> <td>28</td><td>29</td><td>30</td><td>31</td> <td class="pad" colspan="3"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div></div><div class="widget"><h4>Archives</h4> <select name="archive-dropdown" onchange="document.location.href=this.options[this.selectedIndex].value;"> <option value="">Select Month</option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/"> December 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/"> November 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/10/"> October 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/09/"> September 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/08/"> August 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/07/"> July 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/06/"> June 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/05/"> May 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/04/"> April 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/03/"> March 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/02/"> February 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2012/01/"> January 2012 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/12/"> December 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/11/"> November 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/10/"> October 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/09/"> September 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/07/"> July 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/06/"> June 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/05/"> May 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/04/"> April 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/03/"> March 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/02/"> February 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2011/01/"> January 2011 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/12/"> December 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/11/"> November 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/10/"> October 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/09/"> September 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/08/"> August 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/07/"> July 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/06/"> June 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/05/"> May 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/04/"> April 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/03/"> March 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/02/"> February 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2010/01/"> January 2010 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/12/"> December 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/11/"> November 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/10/"> October 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/09/"> September 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/08/"> August 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/07/"> July 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/06/"> June 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/05/"> May 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/04/"> April 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/03/"> March 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/02/"> February 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2009/01/"> January 2009 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/12/"> December 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/11/"> November 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/10/"> October 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/09/"> September 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/08/"> August 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/07/"> July 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/06/"> June 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/05/"> May 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/04/"> April 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/03/"> March 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/02/"> February 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2008/01/"> January 2008 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/12/"> December 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/11/"> November 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/10/"> October 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/09/"> September 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/08/"> August 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/07/"> July 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/06/"> June 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/05/"> May 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/04/"> April 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/03/"> March 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/02/"> February 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/01/"> January 2007 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/12/"> December 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/11/"> November 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/10/"> October 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/09/"> September 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/08/"> August 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/07/"> July 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/06/"> June 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/05/"> May 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/04/"> April 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/03/"> March 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/02/"> February 2006 </option> <option value="http://gorillasguides.com/2006/01/"> January 2006 </option> </select> </div><div class="widget">  <form id="asl_form" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/" method="get"><h2>Search this site</h2><p><input type="hidden" name="s" value="as_perform_advancedsearch"/><input type="hidden" name="as_perform_advancedsearch" value="true"/><label for="asl_searchquery">Search query:</label> <a onclick="as_openhint(this.href); return false" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/?as_hintpopup=show">(Help)</a><br/><input type="text" class="as_styled" size="35" name="as_searchquery" id="asl_searchquery" value=""/></p>as <input type="radio" class="radio" onchange="as_stringsearch("asl_")" name="as_querytype" id="asl_querytype_words" value="words" checked="checked"/> <label for="asl_querytype_words">words</label> <input type="radio" class="radio" onchange="as_stringsearch("asl_")" name="as_querytype" id="asl_querytype_string" value="string"/> <label for="asl_querytype_string">string</label><fieldset><legend>include results from</legend><ul><li><input type="radio" name="as_posts_pages" value="both" id="asl_posts_pages_both" checked="checked"/> <label for="asl_posts_pages_both">posts and pages</label></li><li><input type="radio" name="as_posts_pages" value="posts" id="asl_posts_pages_posts"/> <label for="asl_posts_pages_posts">posts only</label></li><li><input type="radio" name="as_posts_pages" value="pages" id="asl_posts_pages_pages"/> <label for="asl_posts_pages_pages">pages only</label></li></ul><ul><li><input type="checkbox" class="checkbox" name="as_comments" id="asl_comments"/> <label for="asl_comments">incl. comments</label></li></ul><input type="hidden" name="as_includefrom_available" value="true"/></fieldset><fieldset class="as_sortandorder"><legend>sort by</legend><ul class="as_sort"><li><input type="radio" class="radio" name="as_sortby" id="asl_sortby_rel" value="relevance" checked="checked"/> <label for="asl_sortby_rel">relevance</label></li><li><input type="radio" class="radio" name="as_sortby" id="asl_sortby_date" value="date"/> <label for="asl_sortby_date">date</label></li></ul><ul class="as_order"><li><input type="radio" class="radio" name="as_order" id="asl_order_desc" value="desc" checked="checked"/> <label for="asl_order_desc">descending</label></li><li><input type="radio" class="radio" name="as_order" id="asl_order_asc" value="asc"/> <label for="asl_order_asc">ascending</label></li></ul></fieldset><p><input type="submit" class="as_styled" value="Search"/></p><p id="asl_credits"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://www.zirona.com/software/wordpress-advanced-search/" class="external" target="_blank">AdvancedSearch Lite</a></p></form>  </div> </div> <div class="column span-4 last"> <div class="widget"> <h4>Last 15 Posts</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/09/%d9%81%d8%aa%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d9%8a%d9%84-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a8%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%b1%d9%87%d9%8a%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81%d9%82%d8%b1-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85/" title="فتيات الليل في بغداد رهينات الفقر والميليشيات">فتيات الليل في بغداد رهينات الفقر والميليشيات </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/08/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%af%d8%a9-%d8%a3%d9%83%d8%ab%d8%b1-%d9%85%d9%86-63-%d8%a3%d9%84%d9%81-%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%a6-%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%8a-%d9%81%d9%8a/" title="الأمم المتحدة: أكثر من 63 ألف لاجئ سوري في العراق">الأمم المتحدة: أكثر من 63 ألف لاجئ سوري في العراق </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/07/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%a4%d9%83%d8%af-%d8%b6%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%a5%d8%a8%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b4%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9/" title="الكربلائي يؤكد ضرورة إبعاد الشارع العراقي عن أجواء التشنج ويحذر من إراقة الدماء">الكربلائي يؤكد ضرورة إبعاد الشارع العراقي عن أجواء التشنج ويحذر من إراقة الدماء </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/05/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%b3%d9%84-%d8%ae%d8%b7%d8%a9-%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%a8%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%ae%d9%84/" title="البيشمركة ترسل خطة سلام الى بغداد من خلال مكتب التعاون الأمني للجيش الامريكي">البيشمركة ترسل خطة سلام الى بغداد من خلال مكتب التعاون الأمني للجيش الامريكي </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/03/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%81%d9%82-%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%aa%d8%ab%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%82%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%b9/" title="المالكي يوافق على تثبيت المتعاقدين مع مفوضية الانتخابات">المالكي يوافق على تثبيت المتعاقدين مع مفوضية الانتخابات </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/12/02/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%ae%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%aa%d9%82%d9%84-%d8%b4%d8%a8%d9%83%d8%aa%d9%8a%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%b5/" title="استخبارات الداخلية تعتقل شبكتين متخصصتين بالاغتيالات ضمن قاطع الكرخ من بغداد">استخبارات الداخلية تعتقل شبكتين متخصصتين بالاغتيالات ضمن قاطع الكرخ من بغداد </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/29/%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%aa%d8%b9%d8%b0%d9%8a%d8%a8-%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%ba%d8%aa%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%a8-%d9%88%d9%85%d9%86%d8%b8%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d9%86%d8%b3%d9%88%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a8/" title="حالات تعذيب واغتصاب ومنظمات نسوية في بغداد تطالب بزيارة سجون النساء">حالات تعذيب واغتصاب ومنظمات نسوية في بغداد تطالب بزيارة سجون النساء </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/23/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d9%86%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a3%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%b4%d9%8a%d8%af-%d9%84%d9%82%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%a7-%d9%88%d8%aa%d8%a4%d9%83%d8%af/" title="البيشمركة تنفي أي تحشيد لقواتها وتؤكد التزامها بالتهدئة وحل المشاكل بالحوار">البيشمركة تنفي أي تحشيد لقواتها وتؤكد التزامها بالتهدئة وحل المشاكل بالحوار </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/23/%d8%b9%d8%a8%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%87%d8%af%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b7%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%aa%d9%83%d8%a7%d9%85/" title="عبد المهدي الكربلائي يطالب بالاحتكام للدستور لحل ازمة عمليات دجلة ويدعو الى التهدئة">عبد المهدي الكربلائي يطالب بالاحتكام للدستور لحل ازمة عمليات دجلة ويدعو الى التهدئة </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/22/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b2%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%86-%d9%82%d8%a8%d9%88%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%af%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9/" title="بارزاني يعلن قبول التهدئة والبيشمركة تنفي أي تحشيد لقواتها وتؤكد التزامها بالحوار">بارزاني يعلن قبول التهدئة والبيشمركة تنفي أي تحشيد لقواتها وتؤكد التزامها بالحوار </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/21/%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%af%d9%88%d8%ba%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%8a%d8%aa%d9%87%d9%85-%d8%ad%d9%83%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d9%8a-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b9%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89/" title="اردوغان يتهم حكومة المالكي بالسعي الى اثارة حرب اهلية في العراق">اردوغان يتهم حكومة المالكي بالسعي الى اثارة حرب اهلية في العراق </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/20/pkk-%d8%b3%d9%86%d8%b1%d8%b3%d9%84-%d9%85%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%84%d9%8a%d9%86%d8%a7-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%af%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%b9-%d8%b9%d9%86-%d9%83%d8%b1%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a5%d8%b0%d8%a7/" title="Pkk: سنرسل مقاتلينا للدفاع عن كردستان إذا تعرضت لهجوم من قبل الجيش العراقي">Pkk: سنرسل مقاتلينا للدفاع عن كردستان إذا تعرضت لهجوم من قبل الجيش العراقي </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/18/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a3%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%8a%d9%83%d9%8a-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d8%b7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%82-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%82-%d8%b3%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%ad-%d8%b9%d8%b6%d9%88/" title="استياء أمريكي من اطلاق العراق سراح عضو حزب الله علي موسى دقدوق">استياء أمريكي من اطلاق العراق سراح عضو حزب الله علي موسى دقدوق </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/18/%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%88%d9%86-%d8%b9%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%82%d9%8a%d9%88%d9%86-%d9%82%d9%84%d9%82%d9%88%d9%86-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%b7%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%aa%d8%b7%d8%b1/" title="مسيحيون عراقيون قلقون من سيطرة المتطرفين على سوريا">مسيحيون عراقيون قلقون من سيطرة المتطرفين على سوريا </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/2012/11/17/%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%b4%d9%87%d8%a7%d8%af-%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%b2%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%ba%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%aa%d9%87%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a%d9%88/" title="استشهاد واصابة زوار غالبيتهم ايرانيون وباكستانيون اثر انفجار سيارة ملغومة جنوب تكريت">استشهاد واصابة زوار غالبيتهم ايرانيون وباكستانيون اثر انفجار سيارة ملغومة جنوب تكريت </a></li> </ul> </div><div class="widget"><h4>Tags</h4><div><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%86%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%e2%80%8e/" class="tag-link-3033" title="245 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.13114754098pt;">الأنبار‎</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%b5%d8%b1%d8%a9%e2%80%8e/" class="tag-link-2945" title="371 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.95737704918pt;">البصرة‎</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b5%d9%84/" class="tag-link-2939" title="638 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 10.7081967213pt;">الموصل</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b5%d9%84%e2%80%8e/" class="tag-link-1885" title="356 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.85901639344pt;">الموصل‎</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%8a%d9%8a%d9%86/" class="tag-link-6475" title="367 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.93114754098pt;">بالمسيحيين</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%a8%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af/" class="tag-link-2942" title="833 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 11.9868852459pt;">بغداد</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%ad%d8%b1%d9%83%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b5%d8%af%d8%b1/" class="tag-link-6346" title="266 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.26885245902pt;">حركة الصدر</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d8%af%d9%8a%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%89/" class="tag-link-2941" title="469 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 9.6pt;">ديالى</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d9%83%d8%b1%d9%83%d9%88%d9%83/" class="tag-link-2943" title="447 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 9.45573770492pt;">كركوك</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/%d9%85%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%86%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b5%d8%af%d8%b1%e2%80%8e/" class="tag-link-2955" title="298 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.47868852459pt;">مدينة الصدر‎</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/al-anbar-governorate/" class="tag-link-219" title="373 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.97049180328pt;">Al Anbar (Governorate)</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/anbar/" class="tag-link-4328" title="331 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.69508196721pt;">Anbar</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/baghdad/" class="tag-link-5" title="1,004 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 13.1081967213pt;">Baghdad</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/basrah/" class="tag-link-377" title="426 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 9.31803278689pt;">Basrah</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/bombings/" class="tag-link-52" title="695 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 11.0819672131pt;">Bombings</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/child-poverty/" class="tag-link-112" title="244 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.12459016393pt;">Child Poverty</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/children/" class="tag-link-20" title="568 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 10.2491803279pt;">Children</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/christians/" class="tag-link-282" title="372 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.96393442623pt;">Christians</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/death-squads/" class="tag-link-114" title="301 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.49836065574pt;">Death Squads</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/diyala/" class="tag-link-1006" title="556 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 10.1704918033pt;">Diyala</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ethnic-cleansing-of-christians/" class="tag-link-728" title="275 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.32786885246pt;">Ethnic cleansing of Christians</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/fallujah/" class="tag-link-26" title="225 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8pt;">Fallujah</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/features/" class="tag-link-14" title="263 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.24918032787pt;">Features</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/follow-up/" class="tag-link-21" title="243 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.11803278689pt;">Follow Up</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/human-rights/" class="tag-link-18" title="372 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.96393442623pt;">Human Rights</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/iran/" class="tag-link-100" title="227 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.0131147541pt;">Iran</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/irin/" class="tag-link-311" title="266 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.26885245902pt;">IRIN</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/karbala/" class="tag-link-806" title="256 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.20327868852pt;">Karbala</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/kirkuk/" class="tag-link-2991" title="599 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 10.4524590164pt;">Kirkuk</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/middle-east/" class="tag-link-208" title="372 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.96393442623pt;">Middle East</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/mosul/" class="tag-link-78" title="768 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 11.5606557377pt;">Mosul</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/ninawa-governorate/" class="tag-link-73" title="652 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 10.8pt;">Ninawa (Governorate)</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/politics-and-security/" class="tag-link-1614" title="2,360 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 22pt;">Politics and Security</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/poverty/" class="tag-link-113" title="308 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.54426229508pt;">Poverty</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/previous-site/" class="tag-link-11" title="268 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.28196721311pt;">Previous Site</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/refugees/" class="tag-link-32" title="482 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 9.68524590164pt;">Refugees</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/religion/" class="tag-link-143" title="291 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.43278688525pt;">Religion</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/sadr-city/" class="tag-link-106" title="256 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.20327868852pt;">Sadr City</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/sadrist-bloc/" class="tag-link-324" title="282 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.3737704918pt;">Sadrist Bloc</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/sermon-reports/" class="tag-link-238" title="234 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.05901639344pt;">Sermon Reports</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/society-and-economy/" class="tag-link-771" title="460 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 9.54098360656pt;">Society And Economy</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/summaries/" class="tag-link-1540" title="671 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 10.9245901639pt;">Summaries</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/syria/" class="tag-link-48" title="274 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.32131147541pt;">Syria</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/water-crisis-iraq/" class="tag-link-123" title="244 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 8.12459016393pt;">Water Crisis (Iraq)</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/tag/women-and-children/" class="tag-link-336" title="526 topics" rel="tag" style="font-size: 9.9737704918pt;">Women and Children</a></div> </div><div class="widget"><h4>Meta</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/wp-login.php">Log in</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/feed/" title="Syndicate this site using RSS 2.0">Entries <abbr title="Really Simple Syndication">RSS</abbr></a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://gorillasguides.com/comments/feed/" title="The latest comments to all posts in RSS">Comments <abbr title="Really Simple Syndication">RSS</abbr></a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://wordpress.org/" title="Powered by WordPress, state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform." class="external" target="_blank">WordPress.org</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div id="footer"> <strong>Gorilla’s Guides</strong> is proudly powered by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://wordpress.org/" class="external" target="_blank">WordPress</a> on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://neewee.com/" class="external" target="_blank">NeeWee Wordpress Theme</a> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130126120110/http://frontendbook.com/" class="external" target="_blank">Front End Book</a> </div> </div> </body> </html>