Friday, December 29, 2006
Shadow of the rope
The US Media report that Saddam Hussein is about to be handed over to the Iraqi authorities and could hang as early as Sunday 31st December.
Various issues arise, such as the implications for Britain being associated with an execution.
However the Iraqi authorities may be more sensitive to the rhythm of the Islamic calendar, Sunday being the date of the festival eid al-Adha – the Festival of Sacrifice.
This commemorates the story of Abraham (Ibrahim) being willing to sacrifice his son. Same story as in the Jewish and Christian Bibles basically.
Saddam has been describing his projected death as a ‘sacrifice’ for the Iraqi people. .
Saddam has been cynically effective in exploiting Islamic themes, despite his own record as a secularist and oppressor of religion. It was Saddam after all who placed the words ‘alahu akhbar’ on the Iraqi flag.
Could be just a little too explosive to hang him at this time – the legend makers are proficient.
Myself I think it would be a criminal mistake to hang him anyway.
Various issues arise, such as the implications for Britain being associated with an execution.
However the Iraqi authorities may be more sensitive to the rhythm of the Islamic calendar, Sunday being the date of the festival eid al-Adha – the Festival of Sacrifice.
This commemorates the story of Abraham (Ibrahim) being willing to sacrifice his son. Same story as in the Jewish and Christian Bibles basically.
Saddam has been describing his projected death as a ‘sacrifice’ for the Iraqi people. .
"I sacrifice myself. If God wills it, he will place me among the true men and martyrs"
Saddam has been cynically effective in exploiting Islamic themes, despite his own record as a secularist and oppressor of religion. It was Saddam after all who placed the words ‘alahu akhbar’ on the Iraqi flag.
Could be just a little too explosive to hang him at this time – the legend makers are proficient.
Myself I think it would be a criminal mistake to hang him anyway.
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