OT: Pakistan earthquake and the Muslim community.

Jim, The U.S. is doing the right thing and I've seen no comment on what the Muslim community thinks.

Here's an article from The New York Times:

Actually, I heard on the news this morning that the U.S. did send many helicopters to the scene to aid in the recovery of victims. I didn't catch the exact number.

Dianne

F.James Cripwell wrote:

You worked hard to come up with that I am sure. I was waiting expecting something would be said because I am sure it irks you that aid was requested by a Muslim country and is going to be sent to them.

Did we see the USA stop fighting in Iraq after Katrina ? I didn't see you suggest they should either. Shame on you Jim as we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada and have so very much to be thankful for.

They said that on the news here too. Helicopters were one of the items that they particularly wanted as it is the only way to help people in remote villages. It's not just the people in Islamabad that need help, the people nearer the epicentre, some 60 km from there suffered even more badly.

It's putrid to start assessing what people should do in order that one would give them help. I kind of think Jim is the only one who feels that way. Clearly the US, Britain, Canada etc. do not.

Thanks Sheena, exactly what I should have said earlier.

Lucille

It can do nothing but good to help them. Of course we must.

Pat P

Trust Jim to try to make both the U.S. and the Muslim communities in the area devastated look bad tho.

There have been so many disasters lately, in many countries and continents. The world at large is pouring out love and help to those hurt by them. I am trying to focus on the good people are doing and not let the ravings of one man distract me from it.

Caryn

Talk about misrepresentation of what I wrote. Yes the USA sent 8 hedlicopters from *Afghanistan*. I am sure the USA would have loved to stop the fighting for Katrina; Louisiana National Guard units were out there. My point is that if *Muslim* leaders tried to stop the fighting in Iraq, the USA would be able to send massive relief from Iraq to Parkistan, and help millions of *Muslims* who desperately need help. Muslims helping MUalims. But Muslims are so eaten up with hatred, that they are too hypocritical to even attempt to help fellow Muslims.

-- Jim Cripwell. A volante tribe of bards on earth are found,/ who, while the flattering zephyrs round them play,/ on "coignes of vantage" build their nests of clay;/ how quickly from that aery hold unbound,/ dust for oblivion!/ To the solid ground/ of nature trusts the mind that builds for aye. Wordsworth.

Following up on my own post, it appears that Parkistan refused substantial aid offered by India. Apparently it is better for Muslims to suffer and die than, horror of horrors, accept help from a country dominated by Hindus and Sikhs. The mind boggles.

-- Jim Cripwell. A volante tribe of bards on earth are found,/ who, while the flattering zephyrs round them play,/ on "coignes of vantage" build their nests of clay;/ how quickly from that aery hold unbound,/ dust for oblivion!/ To the solid ground/ of nature trusts the mind that builds for aye. Wordsworth.

That is not true! One of the most boggling things is that they HAVE accepted aid from India, it is already there!

Then why didn't we? It takes two sides to fight a war. Why do you assume that one side has to stop but the other doesn't?

Do you expect all Catholics to help other Catholics as well? The only thing Iraq and Pakistan have in common is Islam. One group is Arab, the other is a mixture of various non-Arab Central Asian Muslims. They're not even all the same sect of Muslim. Why do you keep insisting that Islam is or should be a monolith? What makes you think that Muslim leaders world-wide have any effect on insurgents in Iraq? And why do you assume that the insurgents in Iraq have no possible valid reason to continue fighting?

Elizabeth

Ahhh, but why let facts get in the way of a personal opinion?

Caryn

"Lucretia Borgia"

India quickly offered aid, and it was accepted. And to ward off posts that suggest other Muslim states have not helped, the United Arab Emirates are one of those that has proferred assistance through the Red Cross/Crescent organizations. Dawne

What about Israel and Palestine, I wonder? Perhaps Mirjam knows.

Pat P

Actually, I heard earlier this afternoon that Pakistan relented and is allowing aid from India.

Dianne

F.James Cripwell wrote:

Mrs PP ... you might know that Israel is mostly in the front line of offering help. We offered help to Pakistan , but they haven`t agreed to accept it as for now, but our help to Uruguai is supposed to fly out today And did you know that we collected 18 Ton of help for the Usa Huricans` victims , but i don`t know if that was already accepted.

Yes and no. The artificial barrier across Kashmir is very firmly closed. As I understand things, this would be the easiest way for India to truck in aid. Why Parkistan does not take a gamble and open this border is quite beyond me. It seems to me it would be a perfect opportunity to test India's intentions, and may lead to a permanent peace bewteen these two belligerents. Oh well!!!

-- Jim Cripwell. A volante tribe of bards on earth are found,/ who, while the flattering zephyrs round them play,/ on "coignes of vantage" build their nests of clay;/ how quickly from that aery hold unbound,/ dust for oblivion!/ To the solid ground/ of nature trusts the mind that builds for aye. Wordsworth.

Considering that Kasmir has been tops on India's wish list of areas to take from Pakistan for ages now, it's not really that surprising.

Pakistan probably regards allowing India into that region at all on a par with an individual allowing a burglar into the room where he/she keeps the silver just because he promises he'll help with something else.

Caryn