old-reb
12-31-2004, 07:47 AM
Democracy is un-Islamic, militants tell Iraqis
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Three militant groups released a statement saying democracy is un-Islamic and warned Iraqis that if they vote in Jan. 30 elections they risk being attacked.
The warning Thursday by the radical Ansar al-Sunnah Army and two other groups came after insurgents in the volatile city of Mosul launched a coordinated assault on a U.S. military outpost. The United States said 25 insurgents were believed slain and one American soldier was killed in the battle.
In the statement, the insurgent groups said that democracy could lead to passing un-Islamic laws, such as permitting homosexual marriage, if the majority of people agreed to it, the statement said.
"Democracy is a Greek word meaning the rule of the people, which means that the people do what they see fit," said the statement. "This concept is considered apostasy and defies the belief in one God — Muslims' doctrine."
Ansar al-Sunnah earlier posted a manifesto on its Web site saying democracy amounts to idolizing human beings. Thursday's joint statement — also signed by the Islamic Army in Iraq and the Mujahedeen Army — reiterated the threat that "anyone who accepts to take part in this dirty farce will not be safe."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-12-31-iraq-elections_x.htm
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Three militant groups released a statement saying democracy is un-Islamic and warned Iraqis that if they vote in Jan. 30 elections they risk being attacked.
The warning Thursday by the radical Ansar al-Sunnah Army and two other groups came after insurgents in the volatile city of Mosul launched a coordinated assault on a U.S. military outpost. The United States said 25 insurgents were believed slain and one American soldier was killed in the battle.
In the statement, the insurgent groups said that democracy could lead to passing un-Islamic laws, such as permitting homosexual marriage, if the majority of people agreed to it, the statement said.
"Democracy is a Greek word meaning the rule of the people, which means that the people do what they see fit," said the statement. "This concept is considered apostasy and defies the belief in one God — Muslims' doctrine."
Ansar al-Sunnah earlier posted a manifesto on its Web site saying democracy amounts to idolizing human beings. Thursday's joint statement — also signed by the Islamic Army in Iraq and the Mujahedeen Army — reiterated the threat that "anyone who accepts to take part in this dirty farce will not be safe."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-12-31-iraq-elections_x.htm