Does Arianna Huffington consider Glenn Beck more radical and dangerous than an advocate of Islamic Sharia law? She's let off a lot of hot air lately criticizing Fox News president Roger Ailes for employing Beck, but it turns out that on the Huffington Post's payroll is an envoy to the United States from the Somali Unity government, led by the Islamic Courts Union.
The ICU is a strong proponent of Sharia law, and an organization dubbed by some the Taliban of Africa for its radical interpretation of Islam and its support for some violent elements of the Islamic community (like Osama Bin Laden).
Abukar Arman, the Somali Unity government's envoy to the United States, is open about his advocacy of Sharia as long as it is "adapted to address contemporary political, social, economic, and spiritual challenges in a just way." He lays out a number conditions that would have to be satisfied for sharia to be effectively implemented in Somalia. These include respect for life, assembly, conscience, thought, rule of law, political freedom, and international peace. Considering the violent history of the Somali Unity government and he ICU, that is not likely.
Being a "progressive" Islamist in Somalia is all well and good, but considering the prior actions of the government for which Arman works, his claim that he only favors sharia law if it respects Somalis' life, liberty, and property is like saying he favors world peace. Yeah, it would be great. Will it happen? Doubtful.
As Rusty "Asadullah Alshishani" notes at Jawa Report,
This would be the same government that killed a 22 year old apostate for leaving Islam and embracing Christianity. That banned the watching of movies in theaters…The problem here is not necessarily that Arman is now working for what will clearly be an oppressive regime. Neither is the problem that Arman advocates reconciliation with that regime. Realpolitik may mean we have to learn to live with the bad in order to avoid the worse.
The problem is that the Huffington Post has given him a bullhorn to spread what are essentially lies. Lies about the nature of sharia. Lies about the nature of Sharif Ahmed's vision of political Islam. The actions of the former ICU government led by Ahmed speak for themselves.
Perhaps reconciliation is a worthy goal in Somalia. Stability also may be a worthy goal. And so, too, a government willing to oppose the al Shabaab. The suffering of the Somali people may be less under an oppressive sharia regime than under the present chaos.
But Arman is clearly a propagandist who wishes to whitewash what has happened in Somalia and disconnect all of the many atrocities done there from the ideology which inspired those very same atrocities -- political Islam.
So in addition to the litany of wild and crude accusations and epithets thrown around by scores of Huffington Post contributors already documented by NewsBusters, the blog also employs an advocate of Islamic sharia law. Huffington may want to pay more consideration to members of her own payroll before criticizing Ailes for individuals on his.
—Lachlan Markay is an associate with Dialog New Media. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
NewsBusters is turning 5. Enter our free t-shirt contest to help us celebrate!
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Now I'd pay to see this guy
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 20:21 ET by ThoreauNow I'd pay to see this guy on her show. He can demostrate the proper method of beheading people like herself, explain how women get no say in islamic court, and how removing the private's parts of a woman is just part what needs to be done. Followed up by a nice jazzy rendition of "ancient" islam, called "Howling at the Moon".
Oooo I can't wait.
It's like waiting for Ramadan morning Thoreau...
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 20:39 ET by acumenAhoy Mujahideens! This is your Imam approved Huffington Post correspondent reporting from the sexgregated beaches of Somalia with the latest pirated vessel update...
Hypocrisy, thy name is
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 20:33 ET by motherbeltHypocrisy, thy name is Liberal.
No doubt she will ask him
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 20:36 ET by celatorNo doubt she will ask him about the mandate for "honor killing" daughters, always a favorite pastime for supporters of Sharia who are high on khat, as they often are.
Seems like The Huff&Puff is slowly melting into a pile of something or other.
Have you actually read any
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:23 ET by JerHave you actually read any of Arman's articles? They are eloquent, well-reasoned, and comprehensive rejections of Sharia extremism and violence.
This is simply a feeble attempt at propping up Ailes and Beck by smearing HuffPo.
Jer
I agree with you
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:31 ET by CobraManI just read the link that was provided, Shariah in Lawless Somalia, and I agree with you that it is a well-stated, reasonable argument. I don't see that as an example of extremism.
As for "propping up Ailes and Beck" well, that's debatable.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Point taken, CobraMan, that
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:37 ET by JerPoint taken, CobraMan, that was a poor choice of words on my part. Ailes and Beck hardly need "propping up".
Jer
Finally, we're getting down to it
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:34 ET by BO STINKSCome on, Jer, I knew the chocolate covered crap-filled mask was gonna get too hot for you. Let's hear all about your core political beliefs.
"The moment you concede some small point to liberals, they go to work building an enormous elaborate edifice on top of the first lie." ~Ann Coulter
I have to say in all honesty
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:48 ET by celatorI have to say in all honesty that I have not read his articles. I snarked before I looked, and that was not fair. Good catch.
I am familiar with Somalians, and how they incorporate a level of Sharia here in my little home town. It's not a pretty sight.
In my little town of 40,000 people, we now have 4,000 Somalians. Ten percent of the population. While there are some exceptions, the way many of the women are treated is painful to know. I've seen women slapped in public when they walked too close to the husband, women carrying all the groceries while the men walked ahead carrying nothing, husbands screaming at their women in public, etc etc etc.
Three of my neighbors are cops and they have stories to tell about what we would have to call domestic abuse which would bring tears to anyone's eyes. They can't do a thing about getting the husband to change his habits of abuse except to get the local imam to intervene to get the husband to stop beating his wife with a bat, or a stick. Bad stuff. This state is a sanctuary state which makes law enforement of these matters a political nightmare.
But, as I say, good catch. I will read articles by Arman.
What town do you live in...
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 22:54 ET by IndyAdamwhere Sharia trumps state law. I mean, physical abuse is physical abuse and I thought cops were supposed to arrest the perps. Not notify their Imam. Are you, by chance from the UK? If so, that would explain the harping to Sharia law. If you are from the US, that would be a disgrace.
Thanks, celator... I read
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 22:58 ET by JerThanks, celator...
I read three of his HuffPo articles. This linked one and another analyzing the ramifications of political strife in Somalia were, in my view, insightful and very level-headed. The third, which dealt with Somalian piracy, was a bit troubling. Arman didn't endorse the practice by any means, but his rather tortured "explanation" for it came a little too close to justification for my taste, and his remedial recommendations also left much to be desired.
But dismissing this guy as some sort of radical Islamic crackpot is very unfair, imo.
Jer
I don't know who you think
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 10:58 ET by mattmI don't know who you think is dismissing this guy as some sort of radical Islamic crackpot, but that's not the point of this posting: which is to give an example of the Hypocrisy of the HuffPo, and the Left in general, who scream "intolerance" at Christians, yet will actually employ, and make excuses for someone who belongs to a religion that advocates the enslavement of women.
Eloquent and well-reasoned?
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 00:35 ET by toneyukiThe devil speaks with a silver tongue.
I left the Republican party because the Republic party went to the LEFT of me.
Exactly, toneyuki -
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 17:57 ET by BO STINKSArab apologists *spit* love to overlook the fact that the Koran, whether used by extremists or not, advocates women being treated as second class citizens. And that is putting it mildly. Interesting, though, that libs are so enamored with the "religion of peace." Not surprising, but interesting, because the general policies of the left benefit mostly men.
"The moment you concede some small point to liberals, they go to work building an enormous elaborate edifice on top of the first lie." ~Ann Coulter
Does she understand?
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 20:48 ET by cajun2Under Sharia Law, women like her would have to "shut up".
Oh wait, how would Maddow or Pelosi look in a burka? Liberals have a problem with the word "hypocrit".
Arianna is so ignorant
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 20:55 ET by Cho Yi FanUnder Sharia Law, women like Arianna would be executed,or at least beaten. If Maddow and Pelosi were in burka we wouldn't have to see their evil faces.Thats a good thing.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have".
Thomas Jefferson
Personally, I like the part
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 23:04 ET by IndyAdamPersonally, I like the part about burying them up to their necks and stoning them... maybe not to death, but enough to get them to open their freaking eyes. Did you know that, according to Sharia law, that if a woman accuses someone of rape, she is required to have "3" witnesses, to the accused male's "one" (even then, they might not escape the whip)? That, in Islamic states, if you are Christian or Jew, you are considered a "Dhimmi", subject to paying outrageous taxes, just to live in your own country? On top of that, a "Dhimmi" has NO rights under Sharia Law. If a Muslim decides he wants to burn down your church, their is NO legal recourse? If a Muslim decides he does not like you, he can trump up any charge he wants to and have you "dealt" with, without any way of defending yourself?
"Religion of Peace", my A$$!
are you kidding
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 23:10 ET by Chattychitothose women will be put to death right off the bat so all others will fall in line.
Liberals Willingly Consent
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:15 ET by countmein5050There is a reason liberals are considered stupid. They support their own demise. They rally behind movements that target them first, if successful. The first to go, under Sharia law, will be the liberals; feminists, gays, and athiests/agnostics...then they will come after conservatives. Liberals have no idea because they BELIEVE them when they say they are peaceful and loving in all ways. In fact liberals will believe ANY ONE over a conservative or Republican. Liberals are stupid. They can't even appreciate the very simple truth that in our resistance of Sharia, we are fighting to keep them alive so they can continue to hate and trash us.
Wow, count- you put that so well
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:24 ET by BO STINKSThat was perfect. Was it Churchill who said, "socialists appease the crocodile, hoping that it eats them last?" Or some such. Sorta stupid and self-defeating, itsn't it?
"The moment you concede some small point to liberals, they go to work building an enormous elaborate edifice on top of the first lie." ~Ann Coulter
Come to think of it...
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:24 ET by OxyCon...It wouldn't be quite so bad if Zsa Zsa Huffington, Joyless Behar and Rosie O'Donnell had to wear a burka and stay in their house all day.
"...for its [radical] interpretation of Islam...
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 21:44 ET by R D HelmI'm not exactly sure there is such a thing as a "radical" interpretation of Islam. After all, this so-called "religion" calls for the conversion, taxing, or killing of every human being on Earth.
That is pretty radical all by itself.
Sharia law is nothing more than 7th Century tyrannical barbarism that has been brought forward 14 centuries to terrorize and oppress Muslims and those living among them.
Why the repeated barbarism of these illiterate primitives continues to be tolerated by a "civilized" world is beyond me.
As for Arianna Huff&Blow, she is nothing but a subversive communist b*tch.
LOL - No, I don't like her even a little bit.
-Dave
Thanks, Obama.
I'd Like to Add One Thing, OxyCon...
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 22:35 ET by Fuzzlenutter"...It wouldn't be quite so bad if Zsa Zsa Huffington, Joyless Behar and
Rosie O'Donnell had to wear a burka and stay in their house all day."
"And keep their yaps shut tight!"
uh wa?!
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 23:10 ET by Chattychito"adapted to address contemporary political, social, economic, and spiritual challenges in a just way."
Boy isn't that just the way is happened in Somalia? NOT!
Arianna Huffington and her weblot still don't get it do they. Sharia law is an end to all personal freedoms of speech, religion and movement, except those allowed by Islamic Sharia law. Oppression of women, death to all who don't convert, 600ad clothes styles, screaming prayer towers every 300feet which start their drivel at 4am. oh yeah and a calendar that will drive you nuts to figure out any exact day it is.
Clearly an agent of the Stealth jihad...
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 23:42 ET by Army BratAn enemy within employs a fellow enemy.
islam is slavery, tyranny, sexism in it's most extreme form, Blood, Death.
It is the anti-freedom. Totalitarian government in the guise of a religion, created by a desert bandit for his own enrichment and sexual appetites.
Don't get me started...
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Imagine these Leftist Under Sharia Law
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 08:39 ET by PharmerWould our leftists have the behavioral self discipline to keep their heads or other body parts intact for a full year under that Islamic legal system?