Islam is not a religion of peace

The next time you hear someone claim that Islam is a religion of peace, remember this:

"sixty-six out of the city's [Fallujah's] 133 mosques were discovered with significant amounts of weapons. During the battle, mosques often became battle zones, as U. S. forces exchanged rounds with snipers taking cover in minarets and inside the grounds."
--Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, Tuesday, November 30, 2004

and this:

"The amount of weapons was in no way just to protect a city," said Maj. James West, a Marine intelligence officer. "There was enough to mount an insurgency across the country."

One of the biggest finds was in the Saad Bin Abi Waqas Mosque, where fugitive insurgent leader Abdullah al-Janabi often preached. Documents found in the worship hall detailed interrogations of kidnap victims believed to have been held in Fallujah.
--Tom Squitieri, USA TODAY, November 29, 2004

Let us listen for the Islamic world's condemnation of this misuse of mosques...

[silence...]
(If you know of any, e-mail me at ghosttownorange@gmail.com)

Go look at what Dr Muhamad Ayash al-Kubaisi says. Dr al-Kubaisi, a university professor in Islamic Sharia from Fallujah, Iraq, represents Iraq's Association of Muslim Scholars:

The widespread resistance operations in Iraq prove the issue can no longer be consigned to a "restive city" or "rebellious region" - it is obviously a popular uprising by people refusing military occupation of their homeland.

This gives us confidence that the blood of our brothers in Falluja has not been shed in vain. Rather, it is the price paid for a noble aim: The liberation of Iraq.

Or here are the Lessons from Fallujah:

Amongst the death and destruction in Fallujah a new breed of Islamic heroes have emerged to become the vanguard of Islam and the resistance in Iraq. Indeed these brave Mujahideen have rekindled memories of past Islamic battles such as Ahzab, Hitten and Anjaloot. The previous encounter between the Mujahideen of Falluhjah and the American crusaders in April resulted in America’s retreat from the city. Despite all of her military might, America had to resort to political tactics to secure the withdrawal of her troops from the city. Today the situation in Fallujah is very similar to the battle of Azhab fought by the messenger (saw) of Allah and his righteous companions. Fallujah’s 3000 Mujahideen and its inhabitants are surrounded by 15000 allied soldiers, heavy armoured tanks, helicopter gunship and numerous artillery pieces. A curfew has been declared and the crusaders have cordoned off all exit routes from the city. Out manned and out gunned the Mujahideen and the brave inhabitants of Fallujah are putting up a ferocious resistance against America’s armed forces the likes of which has never been seen before. Whatever the outcome, the valour and fearlessness of the Mujahideen and the people of Fallujah have become a source of inspiration for Muslims through out the world. Furthermore, Fallujah has shattered the myth of America’s invincibility and exposed grave weaknesses in her ability to wage war.

[snip]
This means that the ummah around the globe must work to sow seeds of distrust in three areas. Firstly, she should weaken the alliance between the Kafir states. Muslims in the west can play an invaluable role in using the growing anxiety between EU and the US to deter the EU countries from supporting America’s crusade in Iraq and the wider Muslim world. Secondly, the Muslims living in the Islamic world must put pressure on the rulers to desist from supporting America’s crusade against Islam. If the people in countries like Spain, Hungary, Poland, Thailand and other countries can pressurise their governments to withdraw troops from Iraq then what is preventing the Muslims from exerting similar pressure on the rulers to withdraw their support of America? Thirdly, and most importantly the ummah must work to sow seeds of doubt between the Generals of the Muslim armies and the evil rulers they support. This relationship must be severed at all costs and re-invested to re-establish the Khilafah Rashidda.

For only when the Khilafah Rashidda is established can the Muslim armies and the resources of the whole ummah be mobilised to not only win the battles in Fallujah, Gaza, Srinagar and Groznyy, but also liberate the occupied lands from the grip of the kuffar.--Khilafah.com [November 9, 2004]

I included this lengthy quote to illustrate that these people--the 'militant' Islamists--would never condemn the use of houses of [Islamic] worship as arsenals. Indeed, they welcome it. If this is not the common view on the 'Arab Street,' what is?

And do not forget this lovely detail about our enemies in Iraq:

An ice cream truck that had been converted into a mobile car-bomb factory, complete with all the parts and weaponry needed to turn any vehicle into a weapon on the spot.

"You got a ice cream truck, it's loaded with munitions, weapons, equipment to construct a car bomb," explained one senior U.S. military official, who declined to be identified. "It could potentially drive anywhere, stop, convert a car into a car bomb and drive away ... I don't think there was any ice cream."
--Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Father, let me dedicate All this year to you
In whatever earthly state You will have me be
Not from sorrow, pain, or care Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer: Glorify Your name.
--from New Year's Hymn by Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864 (alt.)