AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPraying for a fight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lutayfiyah, Iraq — U.S. soldiers often hear Muslim prayers as they patrol outside the wire.
Local imams chant the prayers over loudspeakers from their mosques.
Hear the call to prayer in LutayfiyahTo new soldiers who don’t understand Arabic, the sometimes monotone prayers can sound eerie, even haunting.
They have good reason to be worried.
Most prayers are neutral. They encourage Muslims to be faithful.
But some imams announce anti-American rhetoric over their loudspeakers. They call the U.S. soldiers infidels and occupiers. And they urge fellow Muslims to fight them.
Insurgents have fired on U.S. soldiers from mosques. And Arabic interpreters working with the soldiers say insurgents use some mosques to meet, recruit members and store weapons.
Listen to what soldiers from Georgia’s 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment heard as they patrolled through downtown Lutayfiyah with Iraqi Army soldiers one recent evening.
The prayers were announced over a loudspeaker from a local mosque the soldiers deem friendly. An Arabic interpreter who is working for the soldiers and who listened to this recording said the imam was asking Muslims to “Trust in God. Believe in God.”
In the background, you can hear the soldiers’ boots crunching in the gravel near the mosque. Some children are playing nearby.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By concerned
October 28, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this
It is time for the soldiers to come home. Enough help for those who don’t want us there. Today’s indictment suggests there was more behind why we went over there in the first place. Enough have died. Bring them home.
By Desiree
October 28, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this
“Trust in God. Believe in God.â€? Did I miss something? That doesn’t sound like anti-American rhetoric to me….
There is no information in this that is cited and can be corroborated. Even when giving your opinion in a blog, you should have some hard facts to support your views. This entire piece is just a way to drum up more anti-Muslim sentiment. The headline appearing on the AJC website is completely inflammatory.
By GB
October 29, 2005 07:56 AM | Link to this
To quote our president: “Islam is a religion of peace.”
By Munzir Naqvi
October 29, 2005 07:46 PM | Link to this
Dear Respected Editor:
I did not see any specific comments that were Anti-American. “Trust in God, Believe in God” is not Anti-American. If the Imams truly called what the Article said, then even the Current Government in Iraq would be calling for withdrawal of troops and call US Infidels, but such is not the case, only a stereotype.
Plus, if the U.S. pulls out of Iraq now, there will be anarchy in Iraq and a major civil war. Why is it relevant to us? Because if that happens, Gas Prices will skyrocket to over $5.00 a Gallon.
By SeldomSeen
October 29, 2005 11:32 PM | Link to this
This is idiotic propoganda filled article. I am Muslim, and there is no such thing as an Anti-American prayer. The writer of this article needs to research the topic they are writting about before they write something as fact or obervation. This kind of hype is what causes problems on all sides of the fence. He should be fired or rethink his profession as well as all others in his business who promote this garbage.
By John Burningham
October 30, 2005 01:03 AM | Link to this
When are we going to learn that if we are going to get in a war we MUST be willing to do what ever is necessary to WIN it! We are just playing games in Iraq like we did in Vietnam; I say target the areas that are harboring the terrorists with tactical nukes and get the job done once and for all!
By Robert
October 30, 2005 05:09 AM | Link to this
The prayer quoted was not the prayer mentioned in the headlines, it is a known fact that “some” of the cleric call for war against the “infidels”. My Son and Son-in-law are both on their second deployment with the 3rd I.D. The majority of Iraq’s citizens are glad we’re there, freedom means less authority the Inman’s have and they use the poor, the ignorgant and outside trouble makers to wage war against us. Support our troops!
By Popeye
October 30, 2005 07:15 AM | Link to this
What is ajc trying to do, escalate this thing worst than what it is? Muslims against Christians? We all serve the same God in Heaven you know. Wise up saps.
By Eddie Haley
October 30, 2005 07:58 AM | Link to this
For the records, the word ‘islam’ per se does not mean ‘peace.’
The word means ‘submission.’ Although relatd to Semitic root of s-l-m as in ‘shalom/salaam,’) meaning ‘peace’,’ ‘wholeness,’ the fourth declension in which the word ‘islam’ occurs is a causative form.
Hence, ‘islam’ signifies causing peace to another, i.e., bringing about its surrender, or ‘submission.’
That is the fact, but the rest is commentary.
By Proud Mom of a Potato Factory Soldier
October 30, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this
“This is idiotic propoganda filled article. I am Muslim, and there is no such thing as an Anti-American prayer.”
Sorry bud, but there IS such a thing over there IN SOME AREA’S. But not most. Understand that the AJC reporters have been embedded with the 48th for six months and many of them are in FOB’s in areas(triangle of death) that are majority Sunni and anti-American. They are reporting on the experiences of the 48th only, and only in THAT area. Not the entire country. The article was not anti Muslim or anti Iraqi. It simply referred to a situation that the 48th has had to deal with. No disrespect intended, but it seems to me that the ones that are finding a reason to post “NEGATIVE” are the ones that are somewhat narrow-minded and anti something. Which by the way is your American given right. God Bless America and Our wonderful troops that are fighting to give Iraq the same rights.