Why so violent....

Submitted by J.S. (Canada), Oct 30, 2006 at 13:14

I think to answer this question you should read "Islamic Imperialism: A History" by Efraim Karsh.

Thus, Karsh writes: "This violent record [Karsch recounts how Babak's revolt and the Zanj revolt -- the Zanj were black slaves of African descent -- how these revolts were dealt with -- JS] underscores yet another striking similarity between the Abbasids and their Umayyad predecessors: reliance on armed force as the primary means of dynastic survival. This was ominously foreshadowned by Abul Abbas's regnal title of Saffah ('blood shedder'), which he invoked as early as his inaugural speech" (p. 46).

When Iraq (Mespopotamia) was not being ravaged by internal Muslim strife, there were the external sweeps -- such as from the Mongols. In the thirteenth century, "Baghdad was thoroughly ravaged and plundered, with most of its inhabitants brutally slaughtered. So powerful was the stench of the unburied corpses that Hulagu was forced to withdraw temporarily from the city for fear of a plague" (p 86).

Remember from history lessons a fellow called Tamerlane (that's the one who was fond of piling up human skulls into pyramids)? In Iran the number 2 (second only to Tamerlane for piling up skulls) was a fellow named Nadir Nadir, according to Karsh, was virulently anti-Shite and known for his "phenomenal cruelty". Nadir was eventually assassinated.

Reading Karsh's book, you get a real sense of how "Islam means Peace!" is a total lie. It's as preposterous and as ridiculous as any flying carpet. (the bottom line, I suppose, is that Islam, as it is practiced, does not hold human life in high regard.)

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