Friday, September 14, 2012

"I hope I don't die tonight."

"I hope I don't die tonight."

This is what an American Ambassador supposedly said earlier that day while being online. (http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/464291-U-S-ambassador-to-Libya-and-three-other-embassy-staff-killed-in-Benghazi/page3) See comment #33.

Apparently this attack was provoked by an american film written about muslims, which was recently translated and posted on YouTube. (“Innocence of Muslims” or “Mohammed, Prophet of the Muslims”).

According to the NewYork Daily News, this movie might have been translated inappropriately to include references about muhammad in a very rude way. (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/u-s-ambassador-libya-chris-stevens-killed-americans-attack-consulate-benghazi-libyan-officials-officials-ambassador-chris-stevens-killed-tuesday-night-a-group-embassy-employees-consulate-evacuate-staff-article-1.1157387).

As a result, a group of muslims seem to have taken offense and created a group to send a message to America by attacking the American Embassy. Unfortunately, J. Christopher Stevens, and 3 others were in the way of the muslim rage.

Americans (and many countries) are in shock. We live in a world where people are constantly being rude to each other; religion and personal beliefs are regularly being attacked; we yell back, swear, sometimes punch someone, but I imagine a lot of us just brush it off and ignore it. What's taboo in America is killing someone over a difference in opinion. But is that so in Libya? 

From the little I know about Muslim culture, I imagine that perhaps insulting their religion and their prophet, Muhammad, would be a worse crime than committing murder. There are hundreds of incidences in history of people being put to death over violations in religious procedure and beliefs. This is perhaps a difficult concept to imagine happening in reality for those living in America.

But what I'm wondering is, if you knew there was a chance you'd be murdered this evening, what would you do? Without any background knowledge of the situation, I think most people would say, "Run", "Get on a plane and leave", or "Hide." But I imagine these men were just 'at work.' They were fulfilling their responsibility to 'financially provide for their family', and to 'provide services for Americans currently staying in Libya.' If you thought you 'might' be attacked that day, would you, leave work asap? Would you close the business early (assuming you had the power to)? Or would you just continue working, hoping that nothing would happen? 

J. Christopher Stevens was a good, intelligent, charismatic, and wonderful friend. He stayed and fulfilled his duty as ambassador. He hoped for the best (http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Libyan-ambassador-kept-human-touch-3859504.php#page-1). I don't know that Stevens necessarily made a mistake, though leaving work early may likely have saved his life. I think, in a way, that he was exceptionally honorable in continuing to fulfill his duties, despite the threat on his life. Stevens was a brave and honorable man. A loyal employee and friend to Libya. I imagine that he loved and enjoyed his job at least most of the time. 

Lastly, I can't but help wonder, that if all Americans were striving to be as good a person as J. Christopher Stevens has been depicted, how vastly different America might be. I imagine it would be a much better place.

1 comment:

Richard Brian said...

Today's Muslims are the type that tell children to write the words of Muhammad on their hand held chalk boards, then to drink the water that they use to clean them with saying the words of Muhammad are still within the chalk and will heal their spirit so they will be able to recite the phrase that they wrote next time... (it’s a form of punitive action much like telling a child to write something 100 times so they get it: Muslim style)
They wouldn't comprehend free speech if it bit them in the ass... Us weirdo Brainiacks who spend all our time at study do comprehend them, and although Islam is suppose to be about the declaration of the Basmala, (a small section from my upcoming book) in that they are supposed to be compassionate.
The Three Virtues of Islam can best be expressed in their description of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) in the declaration of The Basmala- "In the name of God, the most Gracious, and Merciful". The Jewish tradition speaks of Virtue as the 13 attributes of God's Compassion; in that God is "The Compassionate" and is invoked as "The Father of Compassion" in His works; hence Rah'mana or "Compassionate" becomes the designation for His revealed word and the reason behind all of His actions.
They are currently treating their faith like we treated Christianity during the Crusades... Kill the infidels…