As IS spokesman call on supporters to kill all unbelievers, Pax Christi stands with Iraqi Christians
Baghdad (AsiaNews) - "If you can kill a disbelieving American or European - especially the spiteful and filthy French - or an Australian, or a Canadian or any other disbeliever [. . .] including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him," said Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, an Islamic State spokesman.
In its latest media posting yesterday, a 42-minute audio speech mixing international politics and religion, the Islamist group called on supporters to continue the jihad and kill infidels and unbelievers "in any way" and to attack as "civilians."
Meanwhile, Iraqi Christians as well as others, Shias, Kurds, Turkmens and even Sunnis received expressions of solidarity and closeness from Europe in the face of Islamist madness. Pax Christi, a Catholic peace movement, urged the international community not to forget Iraq and help the local church in dealing with refugees and displaced persons.
Al-Adnani, a spokesman for the terrorist group that seized large portions of Iraq and Syria, and founded a caliphate where Sharia is enforce, has warned the soldiers of the Islamic State will lead the attack.
"We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women, by the permission of Allah, the Exalted," he said.
Calling US President Barack Obama a coward, "a mule of the Jews and cowardly", he urged Sunnis not to join the coalition and provide neither men nor means. Instead, "Kill the disbeliever whether he is civilian or military," he told supporters and fighters.
Responding to condemnations by Muslim religious authorities, he said, "there is no sin for [a Muslim] in spilling it." Using terms dear to al Qaeda propaganda, Adnani gave instructions on how to kill without military equipment.
"Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car, or throw him down from a high place, or choke him, or poison him," the IS spokesman said. This way, anyone can be a tool of jihad, not only activists but also simple sympathisers.
Islamic extremists have said that they will target France and its citizens, following the decision of the French president to join the coalition and the air campaign. In fact, French planes have hit one of the first objectives, an Islamic State logistical centre in north-eastern Iraq.
In France, the Church has expresses one of the latest show of solidarity for Iraq's Christian minority. "We have no right to forget Iraq," said a statement signed by Mgr Marc Stenger, bishop of Troyes and president of Pax Christi.
The prelate noted that thanks to extensive media coverage of events, the French public was made aware of the plight of Christian refugees and other minorities. However, "we must continue to remain vigilant to support persecuted minorities who stayed [. . .] and welcome" the exiles.
The president of Pax Christi, an international Catholic organisation founded in France in 1945, reiterated the message of "Christian hope" issued on several occasions by Chaldean Patriarch Mar Raphael I Louis Sako, this despite his country's tragic reality.
Such a message contains no "empty words", the prelate said. But it must be translated into "concrete actions", including the creation of "capable Christian organisations" that can "analyse situations and consequences" as well as propose "plans for the future."
"It is the duty of Pax Christi and other groups to provide support to these organisations," Mgr Stenger explained.
Thus, the prelate wants to see an inventory of displaced families and their losses so that they can benefit from adequate compensation. They must also be given a chance to meet the challenge of education and avoid the danger of a generation without an education.
Lastly, the prelate warns that military action is not enough to defeat the Islamists. "We must build" and to do this it is even more necessary to "support Iraq" and its future. "The peace and future of the whole world are at stake."
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09/12/2010
