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 For Syrians mired in civil war, now is not a time for celebration.
October 26th, 2012
10:02 AM ET
On holiday of sacrifice, many Syrians cannot celebrateBy Salma Abdelaziz, CNN "There is no Eid here. What are you even talking about? How can you have Eid amid shelling? May God watch over us. We have rockets falling over us. The situation is horrific. Eid has no meaning for us," Abu Fouz, a 48-year-old resident of Aleppo, told CNN. Eid al-Adha, literally meaning The Feast of Sacrifice, is one of two major holidays in Islam. It commemorates millions completing the holy pilgrimage called the Hajj to Saudi Arabia. It marks the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for God. "During Eid, Muslims traditionally slaughter animals and give the meat to poor people. This is the communal aspect of the holiday to give charity, food and meat to the poor and needy. Due to the civil war in Syria, Eid is essentially suspended because the constant killing and violence results in a breakdown of society," Akbar Ahmed, former Pakistani ambassador to the United Kingdom, said. About 19 months since anti-government demonstrations in the southern city of Daraa sparked a nationwide uprising and a military crackdown to quash dissent, the ancient country is still mired in a civil war that has claimed the lives of an estimated 30,000 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Markets across the Middle East are generally flooded with customers as families purchase new clothes and gifts for relatives and prepare large feasts for Eid al-Adha, but the Syrian civil war has destroyed the country's once-vibrant economy. "We feel like we are in a large prison. Yesterday, the markets were attacked and many business raided by Syrian security forces. Dozens of men were arrested. We cannot celebrate with so many dead and missing and the constant shelling," said Alaa, a resident of Idlib who refused to giver her full name for personal safety reasons. The World Food Programme says that up to 3 million people are expected to be in need of food over the coming year and in areas of ongoing armed conflict, civilians lack basic needs such as electricity, water and food supplies. "There will be no sweets this year. We don't even have bread. People stand in line from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. just to buy a bag of bread, which now costs almost double," Jelan, a college student in Idlib city, told CNN. The Syrian government announced it will suspend military operations from Friday morning to Monday as part of an Eid al-Adha cease-fire, but "reserves its right to respond" to attacks. "There are reports that the regime is planning to bomb Homs. Army defectors provided intelligence to the opposition that the Syrian government may use car bombs. So many civilians are very scared about Eid and what the cease-fire may bring," said Saleem Kabbani, a member of the Local Coordination Committees in Homs. The adha, or sacrifice, is the central tenant of Eid al-Adha, requiring all Muslims with the financial freedom to do so to sacrifice an animal. It's typically a goat or lamb, and they distribute its meat to the poor. The tradition stems from Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for God, who according to the Muslim holy book, the Quran, provided a lamb in the boy's place. 5 things to know about the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha "Eid is a time of happiness for Muslims, but we do not have this happiness. Many have lost relatives and loved ones. You cannot find happiness in any Syrian home. You hear everyone saying Eid will come when we have victory over this regime," Jelan said. In the days before Eid al-Adha, millions of Muslims from around the world flock to Saudi Arabia to complete a four-day pilgrimage called the Hajj, which according to Islam must be completed by each able-bodied believer at least once in a lifetime. "This is considered the big Eid, so it is a time of unity for the Muslim world. Muslims throughout the world are very conscious of Syrians being killed by other Syrians, and there will be many prayers for the victims that evoke a lot of sympathy and sorrow," Ahmed said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's relentless military campaign to silence rebellion pushed the opposition to militarize and eventually create the rebel Free Syrian Army, a fragmented group of fighters with few resources and little international support that has managed to make modest gains. "In the liberated areas, we will try to pass out toys to the kids to give them a sense of normalcy. Many of the children are in an awful mental state, and many are always scared and have constant nightmares. We hope we can get them out of this environment for just one day," Kabbani said. The Free Syrian Army, which controls a portion of Homs, hosts nearly 200,000 displaced people packed in schools, orphanages and family apartments. Activists, including Kabbani, organized a fundraiser to purchase enough animals to slaughter for Eid and feed hundreds of families in need. "When we told them they would receive a portion of the adha (sacrifice) for Eid, many were overjoyed, but we could see tears in their eyes. It is difficult to think they are homeless and cannot celebrate because their own government did this to them," Kabbani said. About 1 million children inside Syria are affected by the conflict and an additional 100,000 children have been displaced to neighboring countries, according to UNICEF. "This could have a devastating psychological effect on children. The most joyous occasions for children are these particular holidays when you're being given gifts and extra attention from relatives. For Eid to be disrupted, this means normal life has ceased to exist," Ahmed said. Eid is a joyous occasion meant to celebrate the sacrifices already made during the adha and holy pilgrimage, but for many Syrians, sacrifice is a daily obligation imposed by a bloody war with no immediate resolution. "The children do not even ask for presents, and even when they get something new, they are not very excited. My little brother is always watching the massacres on television and understands what is happening. You feel here even the children's hearts have died, and they do not have happiness," Jelan said. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Prayer changes things
Proven
"Ronald Regonzo" who degenerates to:
"Salvatore" degenerates to:
"Douglas" degenerates to:
"truth be told" degenerates to:
"Thinker23" degenerates to:
"Atheism is not healthy ..." degenerates to:
"another repentant sinner" degenerates to:
"Dodney Rangerfield" degenerates to:
"tina" degenerates to:
"captain america" degenerates to:
"Atheist Hunter" degenerates to:
"Anybody know how to read? " degenerates to:
"just sayin" degenerates to:
"ImLook'nUp" degenerates to:
"Kindness" degenerates to:
"Chad" degenerates to
"Bob" degenerates to
"nope" degenerates to:
"2357" degenerates to:
"WOW" degenerates to:
"fred" degenerates to:
"!" degenerates to:
"pervert alert"
This troll is not a christian.
You're a proven liar. Prayer does not; you are such a liar. You have NO proof it changes anything! A great example of prayer proven not to work is the Christians in jail because prayer didn't work and their children died. For example: Susan Grady, who relied on prayer to heal her son. Nine-year-old Aaron Grady died and Susan Grady was arrested.
An article in the Journal of Pediatrics examined the deaths of 172 children from families who relied upon faith healing from 1975 to 1995. They concluded that four out of five ill children, who died under the care of faith healers or being left to prayer only, would most likely have survived if they had received medical care.
The statistical studies from the nineteenth century and the three CCU studies on prayer are quite consistent with the fact that humanity is wasting a huge amount of time on a procedure that simply doesn’t work. Nonetheless, faith in prayer is so pervasive and deeply rooted, you can be sure believers will continue to devise future studies in a desperate effort to confirm their beliefs.
I'm sorry, "Atheism is not healthy for children and other living things", but your assertions regarding atheism and prayer are unfounded. Using my Idiomatic Expression Equivalency module (IEE), the expression that best matches the degree to which your assertions may represent truths is: "TOTAL FAIL".
I see that you repeat these unfounded statements with high frequency. Perhaps the following book can help you:
I'm Told I Have Dementia: What You Can Do... Who You Can Turn to...
by the Alzheimer's Disease Society
FROM ORIGINAL MOHAMMAD A DAR
Expect nothing better but mayhem among humanity by following of hinduism, denial of truth absolute, Allah, and following of hindu pagan Mithra ism, savior ism, neither commanded, nor allowed in Islam as a religion, but Theen Allah, consti tution of truth absolute. Foundation of American consti tution.
Shiaism
hindu Mithra ism, savior ism invented little over 100 years after Sydana Mohammad pbh by tribes of Kujar of north Africa and imposition as Fatmid Khalaphit by force by denial of Hidth and Quran, justified by hindu Judaism, pagan secularism to impose hinduism, racism by hindu, fabricated relationship with Family of Syadana Mohammad pbh to justify existence of hindu criminal Kings, a violation of fundamental commandment, human equality under the LA. truth absolute Allah. Cause of conflict among Muslim's and cause of down fall of Muslim's and Islam in Spain.
Sunisim, invented by Turk's by corruption of Quran and hidth to justify existence of hindu King's as Khalipha, after death of Ruler Mohammad, but later renamed, Mehmmat, wisdom of spirit of truth by siblings from his Armenian wife, follower of hindu pagan Mithra ism, savior ism in 13th century.
Christianity, invented by hinduism,. corruption of truth absolute by hindu Pharisees, pagan self centered, follower of hindu filthy pig ism by corrupted Torah, known as Greek Torah, translated and commented by Ben Asheer in 250 AD in Yiddish, secularist, self centered language, also known as Old Testament, part of book of Mithra ism labeled as Bible. A way to justify hindu criminal Kings and self proclaimed Prophets, fortune tellers as god's to rule over humanity.
JUDAISM, Self center ism, pig ism, or Atheism, invented by hindu's pagan's of Egypt by corruption of truth absolute in Torah to Justify hindu pagan Pharaoh's and their hindu pagan Santans, goons as god's to rule over humanity with impunity.
HAVE hINDUISM, CORRUPTION OF TRUTH ABSOLUTE, RELIGIONS AND LIVE WITH MAYHEM, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE FROM hIND, DARK AGES TILL TODAY. FOLLOW THEEN ALLAH, CONSTI TUTION OF TRUTH ABSOLUTE, ALLAH , GOD AND THE LORD, FOUNDATION OF CONSTI TUTION OF AMERICA TO HAVE PEACE AMONG HUMANITY. To learn more please visit truthisthelimit.com
The summation of your post is very well articulated and eloquently expounds the foundational princilples of the const.itution.You article deserves main stream media coverage especially in the CNN belief blog and should not be relegated to merely a response in this section that would be a shame to this blog. You have the attention of the theen mullahs and we Muslims will always prevail over everyone one else in the end.
salam alaikum brother, are you just being sarcastic or you mean it?
Only for the new members of this blog:
Putting the kibosh on Abraham and therefore an end to Eid al-Adha once and for all along with Islam, Christianity and Judaism.:
origin: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20E1EFE35540C7A8CDDAA0894DA404482 NY Times review and important enough to reiterate.
New Torah For Modern Minds
“Abraham, the Jewish patriarch, probably never existed. Nor did Moses. (prob•a•bly
Adverb: Almost certainly; as far as one knows or can tell).
The entire Exodus story as recounted in the Bible probably never occurred. The same is true of the tumbling of the walls of Jericho. And David, far from being the fearless king who built Jerusalem into a mighty capital, was more likely a provincial leader whose reputation was later magnified to provide a rallying point for a fledgling nation.
Such startling propositions – the product of findings by archaeologists digging in Israel and its environs over the last 25 years – have gained wide acceptance among non-Orthodox rabbis. But there has been no attempt to disseminate these ideas or to discuss them with the laity – until now.
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which represents the 1.5 million Conservative Jews in the United States, has just issued a new Torah and commentary, the first for Conservatives in more than 60 years. Called "Etz Hayim" ("Tree of Life" in Hebrew), it offers an interpretation that incorporates the latest findings from archaeology, philology, anthropology and the study of ancient cultures. To the editors who worked on the book, it represents one of the boldest efforts ever to introduce into the religious mainstream a view of the Bible as a human rather than divine doc-ument.
The notion that the Bible is not literally true "is more or less settled and understood among most Conservative rabbis," observed David Wolpe, a rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and a contributor to "Etz Hayim." But some congregants, he said, "may not like the stark airing of it." Last Passover, in a sermon to 2,200 congregants at his synagogue, Rabbi Wolpe frankly said that "virtually every modern archaeologist" agrees "that the way the Bible describes the Exodus is not the way that it happened, if it happened at all." The rabbi offered what he called a "LITANY OF DISILLUSION”' about the narrative, including contradictions, improbabilities, chronological lapses and the absence of corroborating evidence. In fact, he said, archaeologists digging in the Sinai have "found no trace of the tribes of Israel – not one shard of pottery."
It's been a few months since I've been to the stumping ground of the atheistic movement but I see that you are still here with the same script. I hope you are getting some help with your questions.....I've certainly answered them all quite a few times this year so the answers aren't the problem but finding the love in yourself that will allow to believe in the hope that's offered to you freely. This hope is based on love, respect, faith, knowledge, and even logic so go meet the Man even if you need to leave the religion behind for you to do it. Good luck.
When a few of the cities in the USA looks like the picture, pictured, then and only then you people will stop being so MEAN! May God help hard hearted folk, just wait until your turn comes!
If (not when) a few cities look like this, it will because of religion. Religion = Poverty and Despair.
The United States already had a city look like that on 9/11. Remember what happened to cities around the world which supported that attack. Radical Islam is the aggressor but will not be the winner.
.... who cares? Why is this our problem?
The cricket who plays his song long into the night and without audience is no less a cricket.
Crickets keep me up all damn night. I need chloroform to sleep ya'll.
Meatwad, I sympathize. I have found that a "white noise" machine is most effective. They're cheap-around 20 bucks or so at Bloodbath and Beyond.
@Tom Tom
I appreciate the advice, but ain't got no damn money. I relax by swimming in Carl's pool.
Where is Carl's pool located? I could definitely use some relaxation in it. Is it open to atheists or only to believers and religious zealots? Is it a sterile environment or do I need to wear full body armor and bio-hazard gear?
Everyone can swim in Carl's pool Tom Tom. It is right next to my house. I don't discriminate against anyone, but Carl does have a lot of body hair so I would not open my mouth under water.
If you are going to go swimming in Carl's pool, don't forget to bring a towel!
GAH! Thanks for the offer. I believe I shall pass for now. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycyKW-L1U5Q&feature=player_detailpage
Ok Tom Tom, but if you change your mind I will show you how I can be a Meat Buoy.
Thanks, Meat. I will be in touch. Do you take out contracts on drowning dumbazz posters for a fee? I have a few candidates in mind.
I can drown anyone LS.
Later,
CS
You KNOW who you can start with, honey. 🙂
LOL! 😉
Luv ya Tom Tom.
@Mohammad A Dar
If it is meditation, why refer to it as praying? Religion = Nonsense. Mohammad A Dar = Dense.
Learn difference between mediation and praying, before spewing your hinduism, absurdity, hindu, ID thief.
Thank you insane Eliminate hinduism troll.
@eLIMINATE – SHUT UP YOU MOTHER FVKING MULLAH, YOU BEING A TALIBAN MUSLIM, WHAT DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
some thing strange from a hindu, ignorant mouth,
No Religion
Your hindu ignorant rant is of a insane frog, but how come you claim to be a IN SAAN. hindu ignorant frog.
Prayer can be of a single word, any word you like, say Muhammad in your mind, keep saying with eyes closed, breathing slowly, control all your thoughts, not hearing outside noises, when you feel HIM, then you're in a state of meditation. It only comes with practice, long term practice.
@Mohammad A Dar
Again, you are describing meditation, not prayer. You are not very intelligent.
have tried meditation ever in your life?
his way of prayer is the way of hindu's, ignorant s, to be Atheist, self centered and locked in a circle as a hindu ignorant dog chasing his tail, standing in front of a statue mad of clay.
@Eliminate,
Did anyone ask you dog?
Prayer takes people away from actually working on real solutions to their problems.
Prayer has been shown to have no discernible effect towards what was prayed for.
Prayer makes you frothy like Rick Santorum. Just go to http://santorum.com to find out more.
Prayer prevents you from getting badly needed exercise.
Prayer makes you fat, pale, weak, and sedentary.
Prayer wears out your clothes prematurely.
Prayer contributes to global warming through excess CO2 emissions.
Prayer fucks up your knees and your neck and your back.
Prayer can cause heart attacks, especially among the elderly.
Prayer reveals how stupid you are to the world.
Prayer exposes your backside to pervert priests.
Prayer makes you think doilies are exciting.
Prayer makes you secretively flatulent and embarrassed about it.
Prayer makes your kids avoid spending time with you.
Prayer gives you knobbly knees.
Prayer dulls your senses.
Prayer makes you hoard cats.
Prayer wastes time.
Prayer is a mental exercise, helps reduce stresses.
Mohammad A Dar is a mental midget that enjoys being a slave to religion. Remove your shackles stupid one, and be free as a bird.
well I am a mental midget, but you sound more like a physical midget, with a baby face, baby hair like Putin! umm let me think, forget it., you're not worth spending a second. Mental stress is the silent killer, I said use prayer, or anything, that helps to reduce it. You missed the whole thing.
Prayer changes things.
My mother, entertainer, changes things too.
Hi Prayerbot.
I'm sorry, "Atheism is not healthy for children and other living things", but your assertions regarding atheism and prayer are unfounded. Using my Idiomatic Expression Equivalency module, the expression that best matches the degree to which your assertions may represent truths is: "TOTAL FAIL".
I see that you repeat these unfounded statements with high frequency. Perhaps the following book can help you:
I'm Told I Have Dementia: What You Can Do... Who You Can Turn to...
by the Alzheimer's Disease Society
"Ronald Regonzo" who degenerates to:
"Salvatore" degenerates to:
"Douglas" degenerates to:
"truth be told" degenerates to:
"Thinker23" degenerates to:
"Atheism is not healthy ..." degenerates to:
"another repentant sinner" degenerates to:
"Dodney Rangerfield" degenerates to:
"tina" degenerates to:
"captain america" degenerates to:
"Atheist Hunter" degenerates to:
"Anybody know how to read? " degenerates to:
"just sayin" degenerates to:
"ImLook'nUp" degenerates to:
"Kindness" degenerates to:
"Chad" degenerates to
"Bob" degenerates to
"nope" degenerates to:
"2357" degenerates to:
"WOW" degenerates to:
"fred" degenerates to:
"!" degenerates to:
"pervert alert"
This troll is not a christian
Four responses one poster.
Human, I come from a noble family, my mother, hook'er, entertainer, father, Taliban goon Sheikh Mohammad, king of Kabrastan (Arabic for burial ground), are inviting all Hindus, Jews, Christians, Pagans, Atheists to come and join Eid celebration (goes without saying, at your own risk), my mother will perform a belly dance, see her video.
http://youtu.be/LFTA_jvNRGg
Mind set of a hindu, filthy.
have you look into a mirror lately, do you remember seeing a bin laden looking guy? Mind set of a muslim terrorist, filthy goon.
Stupid mud people.
hinduism, racism is the way of hindu's, criminals, and Hitler was none but a hindu, ignorant, just like hindu Jew's, criminal self centered, secular s.
Sorry, stupid tent people.
@Eliminate hinduism
Your god does not and cannot exist. You are a slave to irrational beliefs. Wake up from your sleep and be free like me.
Spoken of hinduism, ignorance, from hindu soul ignorant desire of a hindu, ignorant. Nothing can exist without constant, truth absolute, and truth absolute is Allah, LORD AND GOD OF THE WORLD. Learn some knowledge of Quantum Physics to enlighten yourself to be free from hinduism, denial of truth absolute, Allah. Visit limitisthetruth.com to be educated, knowledgeable.
@Eliminate hinduism
You are ignorant. Religion = False. You have a small turnip brain.
watch my mother doing belly dance, goon, and see my religion, keep your hands tied, many atheist goons start playing with private parts, when they see my mother,
hinduism, absurdity of a hindu, stupid.
Abraham did not offer to sacrifice Ismael.
Abraham offered as a sacrifice his son Isaac.
Fact = Religion denies freedom.
hindism, lies of hindu Jew's, self centered, secular s, Issac was not even borne yet, how could he be offered to be sacrificed, Do you have brain in your head? hindu, ignorant gentile christian, hinduism racism has no place in domain of truth absolute, Allah, LORD AND GOD of the world.
Hi Hindubot..