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Iowa: Muslim imam offers statehouse prayer for “victory over those who disbelieve”

posted at 11:10 am on January 24, 2008 by Bryan
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I just can’t imagine why anyone would find an Islamic prayer for victory offensive.

The Iowa Legislature started just over a week ago and some people were upset before the first issue was every addressed. When the session began, a Muslim Imam began the prayer in the Iowa Legislature. This is where the controversy begins. The prayer asked of “Victory over those who disbelieve,” and “Protection from the great Satan” among other things.

Pastor Steve Smith of the Evangelical Free Church in Albert City is among those concerned about the Muslim prayer. Rev. Smith admits that he doesn’t know about all the levels of Muslim but knows that the Jihadists believe those in the U.S. are the great Satan.

True. And it’s not the first time an imam has taken the opportunity of a convocation to turn the rhetoric up to 11.

Radio Iowa transcribed part of the prayer and their report does have the “victory over those who disbelieve” line. Suffice it to say that in a world awash in jihad, the imam should have expected both that and the “great Satan” lines to raise some hackles.


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And I just retired and moved to Iowa! trying to get away from all the stupid behavior! OK, where do I go now?

Jimmybob on January 24, 2008 at 11:14 AM

I guess that’s one more thing for me to keep an eye on when I move back. I’ve already got a plan to start keeping my eye on the mosque in Cedar Rapids.

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 11:15 AM

And I just retired and moved to Iowa! trying to get away from all the stupid behavior! OK, where do I go now?

Jimmybob on January 24, 2008 at 11:14 AM

ballistic!!

Dersu on January 24, 2008 at 11:16 AM

I am sure that the Imam has absolutely no idea why we would question his wording? It was just a prayer for Christ’s sake. Right?

tommylotto on January 24, 2008 at 11:18 AM

That capitol will look just spiffy with some minarets.

Blacklake on January 24, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Another shining example for why Islam can’t live alongside other religions peacefully. Until phrases like “Victory of those who disbelieve” are removed from their rhetoric, it will continue to incite violence among the religious zealots who will take this phrase as a battle cry and an excuse for violence.

Luckedout on January 24, 2008 at 11:21 AM

I’d also like to know what he said in Arabic. You know they seem to have a habit of saying one thing in Arabic and another in English. It would be interesting to see if the two match up.

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 11:21 AM

The capitol building would make a nice mosque.

infidel on January 24, 2008 at 11:23 AM

I find E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G offensive about Islam.

Geronimo on January 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM

You must be $hitting me?

I’m not proud of this story…. but it could have been funny:

I have a friend in the State House. Last session he had a turn coming up to give the morning convocation. I told him it would be interesting to gauge the reaction if during the prayer, he said “and may all the Muslims open their heart and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

Of course he didn’t say it. But ohhhhh what if he did….

Sometimes it’s fun to stir the pot.

natesnake on January 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM

I guess that’s one more thing for me to keep an eye on when I move back. I’ve already got a plan to start keeping my eye on the mosque in Cedar Rapids.

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 11:15 AM

The Cedar Rapids undrground crime scene has long been controlled by a Syrian clan. Very influential in the area.

a capella on January 24, 2008 at 11:26 AM

I am sure he knew exactly how we would take that - it’s how he intended everyone to take it. I really believe that Muslims see every gesture of integration as capitulation. This wasn’t a friendly invitation with courtesies and manners; it was a surrender, and he treated it like that.

And since nothing is going to happen to him and the chattering classes will forget about it in a couple of days, he’s right. Onward to victory.

elladeon on January 24, 2008 at 11:27 AM

It’s ok, we need to allow them to slake their thirst for conquering the white man.

benrand on January 24, 2008 at 11:28 AM

Any politician who is unaware of who the great and little satans are in current political and radical Islamic discourse should be immediately impeached for incompetence and stupidity.

Annar on January 24, 2008 at 11:30 AM

What do you expect from a state that chooses Obama and Huckabee by significant margins?

highhopes on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

Victory over those who disbelieve = victory over non-muslimes
Protection from the great Satan = protection from US citizens

So a prayer was offered in the halls of government praying for victory over and protection from all US non-muslims.

Isn’t that sedition?

JustTruth101 on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

I just can’t imagine why anyone would find an Islamic prayer for victory offensive.

Only a dog or a pig I am sure.

The prayer asked of “Victory over those who disbelieve,”

That would be everyone who is not Muslim and even some who are Muslim. And victory over them would, of course, mean their deaths.

and “Protection from the great Satan” among other things.

That would be protection from the United States of America, like maybe retaliating for another 9/11.

For diversities sake how about giving a Christian prayer in the Iowa statehouse next time. I have a suggestion, a personal favorite of mine.

I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ’s heralds to publish this everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends. I say this to those who are present, it is meant also for those who are absent.
Moreover, Christ commands it.
- Pope Urban II

MB4 on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

This is interesting:
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/764

Former Imam of terror linked Islamic Center of Boca Raton hosts Open House at the Islamic Center of Des Moines

New Jihadi on the block Ibrahim Dremali has wasted no time in setting up a new Islamic school and welcoming the neighborhood infidels to an open house in order to recruit new converts. Given the fact that one of the congregants of his former mosque Dr. Rafiq Sabir, was just arrested for swearing alligiance to Al Qaeda, one wonders how many people will show up, and if the religion affairs editor of the Des Moines Register,a supporter of Dremali, will cover the event. One of the speakers was the former Vice President of the Islamic Center Ako Abdul -Samad, who is a member of the Iowa school board. Ako crowed about how after 9/11when people started hearing that Islam was a religion of peace, they liked what they heard “and started converting right and left”.

and this:
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/658
Islamic Center of Boca Raton Al Qaeda plotter was tracked for years - Former Imam Dremali ‘left’ FL for Des Moines in Feb 2005

Muneer Arafat, the present Imam of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton, has been conspicuously absent from the media. Which begs the question as to why he has not seen fit to comment or issue a statement on the arrest of one of his congregants . Former ICBR Imam Ibrahim Dremali, left Boca Raton in February of 2005 and is now the Imam of the Islamic Center of Des Moines, Iowa. Dremali ran the mosque from 1998 until his departure which took place one month after it became public knowledge that Sabir could be under surveillance by law enforcement. It is interesting to note that Dremali left behind a thriving mosque, newly opened school, professor’s position at Broward Community College, and job at a Coastal planning office in Boca Raton, to run a small reportedly cash strapped mosque in Des Moines.

A month before Sabir’s arrest former ICBR Imam Dremali was the subject of an article in the Des Moines Register in which he implied that he had ‘fled’ to Iowa from Boca Raton. The article was entitled:

“Imam his family find refuge in Des Moines Mosque - He denies terror allegations follow him from Florida” recounted that :

“…he (Dremali) was also dogged in Florida by groups that accused him and his mosque of having links to terrorist organizations, an activity and intent that he has repeatedly denied…” http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050418/LIFE05/504180354/1039/LIFE

Dremali’s claims to the Register were debunked in an article by the director of MIM and editor of Pipeline News entitled

“Deconstructing Dremali” which proved that Dremalis claims of neither him nor his mosque having links to terrorist organisations ‘ was untrue. Saturday’s arrest of Dr. Rafiq Sabir on charges of ‘providing material support for terrorists is furlther proof of Dremali’s dissembling.

and this:
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/581
Deconstructing Imam Ibrahim Dremali : Former Jihadi leader of Islamic Center of Boca Raton portrayed as ‘peacenik’ in Iowa

Last month Ibrahim Dremali was welcomed by the Des Moines Register as the new Imam of the Islamic Center of Des Moines who was ‘taking time from his busy schedule’ to post flyers announcing the anti Iraq war demonstration. Dremali was quoted as saying that, “my mission as a Muslim is to bring peace”. Which is a far cry from Imam Dremali’s statements at a Florida Jihad rally in 2000 at which he exhorted the crowd, “not to be sad for the martyrs, or be afraid to die for what they believed in”. In a recent Des Moines Register article, Dremali was portrayed as having found ‘refuge’ in Des Moines, and he told the journalist that the statements had the Jihad rally had been ‘words which were put in my mouth’.What Dremali failed to reveal was that the article had been written by an associate (who was said to be his co wife) Um Ahmad, aka Lamyaa Hashim.

It was none other than Dremali’s own mosque spokesman, Hassan Shareef, who told the Boca News that, Dremali had made the statements, “in the heat of the moment”.

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

There is going to come a point where the general populace will wake up to what’s going on and start fighting back. Unfortunately it’s going to take a long time for this to happen and when it does it’s going to be very, very, violent.

That will be the legacy of Political Correctness.

crazy_legs on January 24, 2008 at 11:36 AM

Hey, isn’t that a hate crime? If we’re going to prosecute thought crimes, let’s prosecute this. That way the imam who called for the overturning of our government will be penalized regardless of the outcome, the punishment is having to go through the process.

JustTruth101 on January 24, 2008 at 11:36 AM

So, how many muslims live in Iowa that they have to have a muslim convocation? This all inclusive crap has gotten old. What’s next? A wiccan convocation? Bleh.

Blake on January 24, 2008 at 11:38 AM

So, how many muslims live in Iowa that they have to have a muslim convocation? This all inclusive crap has gotten old. What’s next? A wiccan convocation? Bleh.

Blake on January 24, 2008 at 11:38 AM

According to this article there’s roughly 15,000 in Des Moines area alone.
http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?s=3305110

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 11:42 AM

I was born in Iowa to a Quad-citian and a native Pittsburger.
Those I’ve been trapped most of the time since in Ill-annoyz-I’ve still considered myself to be an Iowan.
My husband’s a Hoosier by birth-maybe they’ll adopt me.

annoyinglittletwerp on January 24, 2008 at 11:44 AM

Bible Belt

Koran Sash

fogw on January 24, 2008 at 11:44 AM

And I just retired and moved to Iowa! trying to get away from all the stupid behavior! OK, where do I go now?

Jimmybob on January 24, 2008 at 11:14 AM

SECOND LOOK AT COLONIZING MARS!

MB4 on January 24, 2008 at 11:45 AM

Most Americans are too stupid and caught up in their own lives to worry about this or even care and when the Muslims take over and are running the country they’ll wonder what happened.

flytier on January 24, 2008 at 11:46 AM

Get used to it people. As long as we are stupid enough to let these killers and thugs do it - invade our society - they are stupid enough to continue the invasion. Look at England if you don’t believe it. Their invasion by muslim hoards and their s**theads is an ongoing event.

countywolf on January 24, 2008 at 11:49 AM

There are Muslims in Iowa? Really?

robblefarian on January 24, 2008 at 11:50 AM

Check out the Abodeely clan in Cedar Rapids. High dollar and multidimensional. But, I can’t see them in favor of Sharia law. They would be a tribe of amputees.

a capella on January 24, 2008 at 11:52 AM

The Cedar Rapids undrground crime scene has long been controlled by a Syrian clan. Very influential in the area.

a capella - are you serious? What Cedar Rapids crime scene?

Victory over those who disbelieve = victory over non-muslimes
Protection from the great Satan = protection from US citizens

So a prayer was offered in the halls of government praying for victory over and protection from all US non-muslims.

Isn’t that sedition?

JustTruth101 on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

It’s not sedition; it’s Taqiyya.

I didn’t realize there were so many (or any) Iowans that comment on Hot Air.

joe shmoe on January 24, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Can Iowa voters recall the #%$!head who invited the jihad imam? Or take a page from that public school kid in WaPo yesterday and call a few lawmakers at their homes and give them a few choice words on how they feel. A few thousand phone calls later maybe these cretins will get the message.

Vote Sauron 08 on January 24, 2008 at 11:58 AM

“To Serve Man”
The cookbook.

There are Muslims in Iowa? Really?

robblefarian on January 24, 2008 at 11:50 AM

There are Muslims all over the planet. When you have them gathering in Iceland, that’s not a good sign.

Hening on January 24, 2008 at 11:59 AM

This is the kind of thing that makes me nervous and it doesn’t help when people like my brother tell me that Sharia law will never happen in this country.
I wonder if the biologists who believe that we evolved from lower species also believe in de-evolution? It’s alive and well in much of the ME where women are treated as animals (their fellow mammals!) and inbreeding is the norm.
The self-hatred and death wishes of the left will make it come true as they declare that the jihadis can’t take over. Fools! In their muscular ignorance they haven’t noticed that S. Cal is now Mexifornia.

Christine on January 24, 2008 at 12:05 PM

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM

THANKS. Good (scary) stuff.

shooter on January 24, 2008 at 12:09 PM

According to this article there’s roughly 15,000 in Des Moines area alone.

That’s approx. 0.02%. Call me unimpressed.

Blake on January 24, 2008 at 12:10 PM

There are Muslims in Iowa? Really?
robblefarian on January 24, 2008 at 11:50 AM

.
they’re frickin everywhere, like mosquitoes.

shooter on January 24, 2008 at 12:11 PM

That’s approx. 0.02%. Call me unimpressed.

Blake on January 24, 2008 at 12:10 PM

Might want to go check your math. It comes out to around 2.8% of the Des Moines population.

Afterimage on January 24, 2008 at 12:17 PM

Maybe it wasn’t Christian Evangelicals who voted for Huckabee?

Just A Grunt on January 24, 2008 at 12:20 PM

natesnake on January 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Apparently you and others have forgotten the incident a few years ago when a Pastor in the mid-west opened a legislative session with a prayer calling for repentance in the name of Jesus Christ. He was booted, told not to come back, and then ripped in the media.

When does this happen to the Mooslim?

oldleprechaun on January 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM

What a coincidence! I am scheduled to pray in the Iowa statehouse next week. Here’s my prayer:

Dear Lord,

Please protect us from Muslim murderers, bless the arms of our defenders with success, shame all the dhimmis among us, and convert Muslim children to Christ. In the name of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Akzed on January 24, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Bible Belt

Koran Sash Slash

fogw on January 24, 2008 at 11:44 AM

Much better! ;-)

SouthernGent on January 24, 2008 at 12:29 PM

This dude will get a free pass from the media for praying for victory over the “Great Satan” while the media will clutch their pearls over the nutcases from the church picketing Heath Ledger’s funeral. Shouldn’t both get the same reaction? Or am I asking for too much equality between religions?

mjk on January 24, 2008 at 12:30 PM

and convert Muslim children to Christ

AMEN!
That would sure solve a few problems.

shooter on January 24, 2008 at 12:31 PM

so the hole seperation of church and states is only for christans and jews but not muslims…thats the world we live in I guess they already took away the three little pigs!

sko17 on January 24, 2008 at 12:32 PM

It’s not that there are huge numbers of Muslims in Iowa. As the caucuses demonstrated with painful clarity, there are huge numbers of non-Muslim idiots who have access to voter registration cards and public office.

The time is rapidly approaching when wwe will have to deal with this menace in the only effective, history-proven manner: Prior to the start of the Third Punic War in 149 B.C. A Roman Senator named Cato ended every speech he ever gave with the words “Ceterum, censeo Carthaginem esse delendam!” (Furthermore, it is my opinion that Carthage must be destroyed.”)

At the end of the war three years later the Romans enslaved the Carthaginians, burned Carthage to the ground, plowed the ruins under and salted the earth above so that nothing would ever grow there again. The Carthaginian empire, religion, language and culture vanished from history.

THAT, my friends, is how to defeat a mortal enemy.

Spare me the “but what about moderate, peace-loving Muslims?” crap. Islam is the real world equivalent of the Star Trek Borg. Destroy them now or be destroyed by them later. There is no other alternative.

If this planet is to enjoy any modicum of peace and prosperity, Islam must be destroyed.

NemoParticularis on January 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM

I was in the day care system at Iowa State in the 70s, and my best friend’s name was Mohammad. Iowa has long been Muslim friendly. Most people who grow up in Iowa move away as soon as they can, so Iowa will take anyone to keep their population up. Google Bosnian and Iowa. Or Muslim Camp Iowa.

ASimpleDad on January 24, 2008 at 12:39 PM

Iowa has long been Muslim friendly.

A handy, politically correct euphemism for “dhimmitude.”

NemoParticularis on January 24, 2008 at 12:52 PM

According to this article there’s roughly 15,000 in Des Moines area alone.

That’s approx. 0.02%. Call me unimpressed.

Blake on January 24, 2008 at 12:10 PM

So the population of Des Moines is 75 million?

Wow!

I didn’t know that.

MB4 on January 24, 2008 at 12:53 PM

Iowa has long had unfriendly Muslims.

How bout that?

benrand on January 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

I’m thinking it should be a crime for a U.S. legislator to publicly pray for the conquest of our people. And ignorance is no excuse.

NellE on January 24, 2008 at 1:19 PM

During World War II we broke the codes of both Germany and Japan. Recognizing the importance of how our enemy communicated was instrumental in how we defeated them thus saving the world from Nazi/Imperial tyranny. As long as we continue to ignore, rationalize, or equivocate who or what is responsible for the past 35 years of revolving door terrorism we can not begin to defeat them. Identifying Islam for what it is rather than what we wish it was would be the first step de-coding their communication.

Does anyone else think he was speaking code for what is spewed throughout the mosques?

bcre8v on January 24, 2008 at 1:26 PM

for the VICTORY of those who don’t believe in
“victory over those who disbelieve”
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=Islam:%20what%20the%20west%20needs%20to%20know&search=Search
w/ a little Lester Young for good measure
because Laughter & MUSIC are illegal under shar’ia…
or is that sha’ria….who gives’a FK!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmXxpCTpK3E

lobosan5 on January 24, 2008 at 1:32 PM

We need to have the primary process changed. Back in the horse and buggy days it made sence; but now? Also, I call for run off elections again.

SECOND LOOK AT COLONIZING MARS!

MB4 on January 24, 2008 at 11:45 AM

Ares Go Bragh!

- The Cat

MirCat on January 24, 2008 at 1:36 PM

NemoParticularis on January 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM

You’re welcome at my campfire any day.

shooter on January 24, 2008 at 2:07 PM

Just remember, “There are many religions, but there is only one religion of peace” AMEN

pueblo1032 on January 24, 2008 at 2:13 PM

Khan was the guest of State Representative Ako Abdul Samad of Des Moines, …

Ako Abdul -Samad = Sedition indeed. (also a member of the Iowa school board)

(JustTruth101 on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM)

bcre8v on January 24, 2008 at 3:56 PM

Having fun now? Just wait till Muslims judge themselves strong enough to make a broader move. (2%-5% population)

BL@KBIRD on January 24, 2008 at 6:09 PM

Why are there muslims in Iceland?

Because they are out breeding us.

arafat the murderer said they would take over Israel from the womb.

Tolerance means we can support muslim immigrants with our money.

Unfair taxation is helping this disparity, its unfortunate that the ignorant are allowed to breed without any concern with providing for their offspring, but why should the autonomous be strapped and restricted.

Humans have turned the ” Laws of Nature ” upside down.

Sonosam on January 24, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Apparently you and others have forgotten the incident a few years ago when a Pastor in the mid-west opened a legislative session with a prayer calling for repentance in the name of Jesus Christ. He was booted, told not to come back, and then ripped in the media.

When does this happen to the Mooslim?

oldleprechaun on January 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM

Excellent point. This guy should be raked over the coals and shown the door ASAP.

To me, it’s just another shining example of why religion has no place in the statehouse in an official capacity. Sorry. The middle east used to be a fairly moderate region many moons ago but their insistence on allowing religion to co-mingle with the state has given us what we see today. You beg for trouble.

MannyT-vA on January 25, 2008 at 5:13 AM


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