by Raymond Ibrahim • Apr 19, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Cross-posted from Jihad Watch

According to the Arabic website Al Shorfa, an al-Qaeda affiliated group in Yemen, called Ansar al-Sharia (or the "Supporters of Sharia Law") beheaded a woman on April 11 for "practicing magic and sorcery." Members of the group broke into the home of Sharifa Amr—a local healer who used natural herbs to treat sick people—"beheaded her, and then hung her severed head in front of the home of another popular healer in the region, as a warning that he might share her fate."

The remainder of the report notes how several Yemeni officials condemned the attack—not because it is absurd to murder herbalists-deemed-sorcerers, but because the "Supporters of Sharia" ironically contradicted Sharia, at least somewhat.

According to Sheik Jabri Ibrahim, general director of Yemen's Ministry of Endowments and Guidance, punishing "sorcerers and magicians" can only be performed after "first summoning the magicians to a council with the ulema [Sharia scholars], who are obligated to advise and persuade him, showing him evidence from Sharia that Islam forbids the practice of sorcery and magic."

But then, if the witchdoctor still refuses to cease and desist practicing the black arts (also known in the West as "homeopathy"), other legal (i.e., Sharia-endorsed) actions will be taken against him—including, evidently, the maximum penalty, execution. In short, al-Qaeda acted hastily by killing the woman; she should have been given more time and opportunities to repent before being beheaded.

by Raymond Ibrahim • Apr 19, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Cross-posted from Jihad Watch

Muslim claims that eminent Western figures—whether William Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln, or Leonardo Da Vinci—were Muslim believers are as frequent as they are unfounded.

Here is yet another attempt to Islamize Western history: During an interview on Arabic TV, a Shia Muslim cleric, apparently in the context of discussing how Islam (supposedly) came to America before Christopher Columbus, tried to prove his claim by pointing to California. After presenting the U.S. state as "the most important in America," he referred to "its most important city," which according to him is San Jose. He then proceeded to offer the etymology of the city's name. He correctly explained that "San" means "saint"; but then the fantasies began: according to the cleric, "Jose" (pronounced ho-zay) is the Latin word and pronunciation for one of Shia Islam's most important figures, "Hussein."

He triumphantly concluded, "You see, San Jose is really Saint Hussein!"—all while the host interviewing him mused in wonder, sighing "Oh Allah!" The cleric then asked, "Now how did Imam Hussein get to California? See, these are the matters that need investigating."

Of course, as millions known, "Jose" is Spanish for Joseph, as in "Saint Joseph." But such blatant facts are irrelevant for those in need of constant validation.