LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 14/08

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 17,10-13.  Then the disciples asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church Sermons on the Gospel of Saint John, no.4
«He will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah» (Lk 1,17)
«Why do the scribes (that is to say, the Doctors of the Law) say that Elijah has to come first?» The Lord answers them: «Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased, and if you wish to understand, he is John the Baptist.» In this way our Lord Jesus Christ expressly said: «Elijah has already come» and that this refers to John the Baptist. However, when John was questioned, he admitted that he was no more Elijah than he was the Messiah (Jn 1,20f.)... Now why did he admit: «I am not Elijah» whereas the Lord said to his disciples that he was Elijah? Our Lord wanted to speak in symbols of his future coming and say that John had come in the spirit of Elijah. What John was for the first coming, Elijah will be for the second. There are two comings for the Judge; there are also two precursors. The Judge is the same in both comings but there are two precursors... The Judge must come first of all to be judged. But he sent a first precursor before him and called him Elijah because Elijah will become for the second coming what John was for the first. Consider, beloved brethren, how well this explanation is founded on truth. When John was conceived... the Holy Spirit made this prophecy which would be fulfilled in him: «He will go before the Most High in the spirit and power of Elijah» (Lk 1,17)... Who can understand these things? The person who has imitated the precursor's humility and has known the majesty of the Judge. No one has been humbler than this holy precursor. This humility of John's constitutes his greatest merit. So great were his grace and virtue that he could have deceived people, passed himself off as the Messiah, been thought of as the Messiah. And yet he openly declared: "I am not the Messiah. - Are you Elijah?... - "I am not Elijah."

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Churches of the East: At the Service of Oppression-By: Tariq Alhomayed/Asharq Alawsat 13/12/08
The Middle East needs media freedoms even more than other parts of the world- The Daily Star 13/12/08
Israel's Choice.By Janet Levy and Paul E Vallely/American Thinker 13/12/08

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 13/08
Hezbollah ally sentenced in the USA for 10 years in prison/DetNews.com
Welch: Western Openness to Syria is 'Diplomatic Tourism,' Will Not Lead to Change-Naharnet
U.N. Official: No Deals will Be Allowed to Obstruct International-Naharnet
 Hizbullah: As Long As Resistance Pulse Still Beats, Palestine Shall Remain Palestinian-Naharnet
Jumblat Willing to Meet Nasrallah if Arslan Wants to and Meet Wiam Wahhab-Naharnet
Obama slammed in Iran over stand on Hezbollah-AFP
Hezbollah Snubs Jimmy Carter-CNSNews.com
Carter calls for bigger US role in peace process, expects Obama to try-Daily Star
Forum on free press gets off to censored start-Daily Star
Carter visits South, calls for end to ongoing occupation-Daily Star
Hariri pays tribute to Tueni on third anniversary of assassination-Daily Star
Takla to assume Najjar's duties-Daily Star
Syrian-Israeli talks must not undermine Lebanon - Lahoud-Daily Star
Italy helps launch environmental project in Chouf-Daily Star
Syria 'ignoring' UN chief's requests on Shebaa Farms-Daily Star
Lebanese banks get nod of approval from Moody's-Daily Star
Hariri elected to AUB board-Daily Star
USAID spruces up municipal website-Daily Star
Santa's Village - here in Beirut-Daily Star
'Beirut Open City' doesn't quite close the deal-Daily Star
Boukin: Russian-Syrian Relations Not at Lebanon Expense-Naharnet
Lebanese Ship to Sail to Gaza in Attempt to Break Siege-Naharnet
U.S.-Israeli Contacts to Settle Ghajar Issue-Naharnet
Israel Considers Purchasing New Smart Bombs to Hit Targets in Beirut, Damascus-Naharnet
Journalists, Activists Stopped from Attending Beirut Press Forum-Naharnet
Suleiman: No Real Reform Without Administrative Decentralization-Naharnet
Hariri: Lebanon is Approaching Challenges and Struggles That Will Determine its Course-Naharnet
In Iran Obama is Slammed Over Stand on Hizbullah-Naharnet
Defense Lawyers Call on President to Look into Bellemare's Recommendation-Naharnet

Welch: Western Openness to Syria is 'Diplomatic Tourism,' Will Not Lead to Change
Naharnet/U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch on Saturday played down the issue of Western openness to Syria, describing it as "diplomatic tourism." "Europe's diplomatic openness to Syria …will not lead to a change," Welch said in an interview published in Arabic by the pan-Arab daily Al Hayat. "There is a difference between diplomatic tourism and real change," he stressed. Welch thought that Syria is seeking to "influence Lebanese internal affairs."
He said Washington, however, believes that Lebanon and Syria would always have close ties, but they (relations) should be normal."
Welch also assured Lebanon of continued U.S. backing, but insisted that the future of Lebanon "lies in the hands of the Lebanese more than anytime before."
"U.S.' support for a secure, sovereign and independent Lebanon is strong," he said, adding that there are "absolutely no signs" that the new U.S. administration would change its policy toward Lebanon. Welch stressed that the U.S. allows "no compromises" regarding the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 09:22

U.N. Official: No Deals will Be Allowed to Obstruct International Tribunal March
Naharnet/A senior official with the U.N. committee probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and related crimes warned Saturday that "no deals will be allowed to obstruct the march" of the international tribunal. "The train to the court has been launched from its main station and will soon arrive at its last station," the official said in an interview with the pan-Arab daily Al Hayat. His remarks were published Saturday. "No political or non-political barricades would stop it," warned the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "No deal, obstacles or surprises will be allowed to obstruct its march," he added. "All that talk about the number of persons who will appear before the court is mere guesswork created by sources from here and there and it will not put pressure on our thinking and our work; and consequently not on the outcome," he said. The official stressed that justice is the "basic element to achieve peace and stability in the region."
On the issue of the four detained generals in connection with the Hariri murder, the official said this was a Lebanese issue, adding, however, that "we expect this dossier to be referred to us once the international tribunal kicks off in The Hague in the next few months." Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 08:14

Hezbollah ally sentenced
Ex-Ford worker gets 10 years in prison for trying to smuggle GPS equipment to Lebanon.
Paul Egan / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- A former Ford Motor Co. engineer caught trying to smuggle global positioning satellite equipment and other materials to Hezbollah was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a federal judge Friday  Fawzi Mustapha Assi, who was charged with providing support to terrorists in 1998 and pleaded guilty last year, has been in custody since May 2004 and will receive credit for the time he has served, U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen said. "You allowed the depth of your feeling for what was happening in your homeland to overcome your judgment," Rosen told Assi, a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen. "These were serious misjudgments." Assi, 49, of Dearborn was stopped by federal agents at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, about to board a flight to Lebanon carrying GPS equipment, night vision goggles and a thermal imaging camera. Assi was the first person indicted under a 1996 law that made it illegal to knowingly provide money or material to terrorists. The U.S. State Department designated Hezbollah a terrorist group in 1997. "I took it upon myself to help people who were under occupation," said Assi, who continued to argue Friday the law under which he was convicted is unconstitutional. "The statute did not put (me) on notice that supporting a legitimate resistance was illegal." Assi asked Rosen to sentence him to the time he has already served. But Rosen imposed the maximum sentence permitted under Assi's plea deal with prosecutors. "The American government cannot simply allow its citizens to be freelance suppliers ... of these kinds of activities," Rosen said.
Assi was released on an electronic tether soon after his arrest and fled to Lebanon. But he voluntarily returned to the United States and surrendered in 2004.
Assi's family members packed Rosen's courtroom Friday. His brother, Sami Assi, said it will be painful to know Fawzi Assi will remain locked up.
"We will pray for him to (serve) his time and come back to his family," Sami Assi said after the sentencing hearing.
You can reach Paul Egan at (313) 222-2069 or pegan@detnews.com.

Jumblat Willing to Meet Nasrallah if Arslan Wants to … and Meet Wiam Wahhab
Naharnet/Druze leader Walid Jumblat on Saturday announced his willingness to meet Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah if Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan wanted that and said he has no problem about meeting his staunch rival Wiam Wahhab. "I took my time and I have delayed my meeting with Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, but now I'm willing if Arslan wants to," Jumblat told a news conference at his mansion in the Chouf mountain town of Moukhtara. "I have no problem communicating with Wiam Wahhab in the framework of protecting each other's political lines," Jumblat said. On his opinion of Syria, Jumblat reiterated that he has a "fixed stance from the Syrian regime; and I will not relinquish this position." He accused the Syrian regime of using Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon as bases for terrorism. "Syria must stop promoting terrorism and must stop the flow of arms," Jumblat insisted. He attacked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for not allowing Lebanese people to live in peace and quiet. "Assad has the right to live in stability while his territory is occupied," Jumblat said. "But he (Assad) is not allowed to use my land. As a Lebanese citizen I have the right to rest." Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 12:55

Hizbullah: As Long As Resistance Pulse Still Beats, Palestine Shall Remain Palestinian
Naharnet/Hizbullah on Saturday hit back at Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, saying that "as long as the Resistance pulse still beats, entire Palestine shall remain Palestinian."On Thursday, Livni drew criticism for saying Israeli-Arabs who had national aspirations should move to a Palestinian state when it is established.
"My solution for maintaining a Jewish and democratic state of Israel is to have two distinct national entities," she told a group of secondary school students in Tel Aviv.
"And among other things I will also be able to approach the Palestinian residents of Israel, those whom we call Arab Israelis, and tell them: 'your national aspirations lie elsewhere.'" Hizbullah, in a statement issued Saturday, said it did not find it strange that an Israeli official is launching such stances. "The Zionist strategy is known to be based on expelling an entire people from their land and usurping their territory," said the statement. "As such there is no moderation between the Israeli (political) parties," the statement added. "They are all partners in the hostile, criminal Zionist policy," Hizbullah said. Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 12:30

Boukin: Russian-Syrian Relations Not at Lebanon Expense
Naharnet/Russian ambassador to Lebanon Sergie Boukin said Saturday that Russian-Syrian relations will "never be at the expense of Lebanon's sovereignty, independence or national interests." In remarks published by the daily Al Mustaqbal, Poukin stressed that he stands at an equal distance from all Lebanese parties.
Boukin expressed Moscow's interest in Lebanese parliamentary elections as well as the debate over the defense strategy "away from political pressure."
He also voiced clear support for the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.
Boukin said Moscow also supports the Lebanese army as well as implementation of U.N. resolutions, including 1701, which requires that only the regular Lebanese army can bear arms. Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 08:51

Lebanese Ship to Sail to Gaza in Attempt to Break Siege
Naharnet/A Lebanese ship is likely to sail to Gaza Strip in the coming few days in a "symbolic" attempt to break the siege, the daily As Safir reported Saturday.
It said the ship, which is the fourth attempt by an Arab country to break the Gaza siege, will sail from the Cypriot port of Larnaka to Gaza coast. Israeli authorities have prevented Libyan, Qatari and Palestinian ships from reaching Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies. Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 10:07

U.S.-Israeli Contacts to Settle Ghajar Issue
Naharnet/Efforts for reaching a solution to the occupied Ghajar village in southern Lebanon continue between the U.S. and Israel missions to the United Nations, the daily Al Akhbar reported Saturday. It said a high-ranking Israeli military delegation was holding discussions with the U.N. Peacekeeping Department about the border issue and the various options suggested by UNIFIL to settle the Ghajar problem. Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 10:19

Israel Considers Purchasing New Smart Bombs to Hit Targets in Beirut, Damascus
Naharnet/Israel is considering purchasing new and advanced smart bombs with an extended range that would allow jetfighters to strike targets in Damascus and Beirut without leaving Israeli airspace, The Jerusalem Post said. It said the smart bomb is called JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munitions-Extended Range) which is under development by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force. The JDAM-ER, the Israeli daily added, is a low-cost guidance kit produced by Boeing that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into precision guided "smart" weapons. The JDAM kit consists of a tail section that contains a Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System and body improvements for additional stability and lift. The ER version of the JDAM consists of an additional set of wings that are installed on the bomb and extend its range from just 15 nautical miles to 55, explained the daily.
"This would provide Israel with unprecedented stand-off capabilities," an industry source told Jerusalem Post. "Planes would not even have to leave Israeli airspace to be able to hit targets in Syria and Lebanon." The ER version would also be helpful in a long-range strike against Iranian nuclear facilities since it would assist IAF jets in avoiding anti-aircraft defense missiles by allowing pilots to fire bombs from an extended standoff position, it said. Israel became the first foreign customer to purchase the standard JDAM system in 2000, according to the daily. The kits were then added on to Mk-84, 2,000-pound bombs, turning simple iron bombs into precision, satellite guided weapons. It said Israel has also recently received new shipments of JDAMs that are capable of using a laser for guidance as well as the standard GPS. It has also purchased a JDAM that is protected against electronic jamming. In addition, Israel recently completed an upgrade of its F-15 fleet to enable all models of the aircraft to carry JDAM bombs. Until now, only the F-15I was capable of carrying the smart bomb.
During Israel's 2006 war on Lebanon, Israeli forces exhausted their stockpile of JDAM bombs and received emergency shipments of thousands of kits from the United States, the newspaper said, adding that the aerial shipments caused an international uproar after one of the planes carrying the kits was routed through Glasgow's Prestwick Airport and reportedly did not fly according to safety and security procedures established by the British Civil Aviation Authority.
JDAM-equipped bombs receive data on the kit's target while still attached to the warplane's computer, the daily clarified. After the jet releases it, it added, a satellite takes over and guides it to its target. This relieves the aircraft and crew from the need to remain in enemy territory to "ride the bomb down" to its target. The system's greatest benefit is its accuracy regardless of weather conditions, day or night. The JDAM-ER was successfully tested by the Australian air force.
The Jerusalem Post quoted Kevin Holt, JDAM-ER program manager for Boeing, as saying after the test that the JDAM-ER would enter initial production in 2010. Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 09:37

Journalists, Activists Stopped from Attending Beirut Press Forum
Naharnet/Four journalists and rights activists from Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Syria have been prevented from travelling to Lebanon to attend a press forum, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) said on Friday. It said in a statement that authorities in all three countries prevented the four from taking part in the two-day event that begins on Friday "to keep them from testifying about press freedom restrictions in their countries." In Tunisia, journalist Litfi Hidouri and human rights lawyer and writer Mohamed Abbou were prevented by police from boarding a plane to Beirut on Wednesday, WAN said. Saudi blogger Fouad al-Farhan, who was due to take part in a panel discussion on blogging in the Arab world, was also stopped from boarding a flight on Wednesday, it added. For the second consecutive year Syria prevented Mazen Darwish, head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, from attending the meeting, WAN said. The Arab Free Press Forum is an annual event organized by WAN and the Lebanese daily An-Nahar. It draws journalists from across the Arab world to discuss challenges and opportunities facing Arab media.(AFP) Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 07:25

Suleiman: No Real Reform Without Administrative Decentralization
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman said he asked Interior Minister Ziad Baroud to concentrate working on the law of administrative decentralization, as the Taef accords clearly call for adopting it. Suleiman went on to express his belief that reform would have no meaning without administrative decentralization.
During his meeting on Friday with a delegation from Beirut's municipality, the president said:" What reflects Lebanon's distinctness is the main role played by elected local authorities that represent all elements of society at cities and in the countryside." "Real security begins with the municipal policeman in towns, villages and cities," he said. He received a student delegation and called for expanding the circle of dialogue with young people, to listen to them and help them in establishing an equilibrium between the heart and mind through communicating and accepting the opinion of others, calling this an important process of democracy.
Suleiman later received Speaker Berri at Baabda palace and headed a meeting with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, Energy and Water Minister Alain Taborian, Environment Minister Antoine Karam in preparation for his upcoming visit to Jordan next Sunday. First Lady Wafaa Suleiman joined the president in lighting the Christmas tree at Baabda palace surrounded by palace employees. The president used the occasion to wish:" peace for Lebanon and the world and good tidings to all." Beirut, 12 Dec 08, 19:39

Hariri: Lebanon is Approaching Challenges and Struggles That Will Determine its Course
Naharnet/Head of the Future Movement MP Saad Hariri said:" Lebanon is approaching great challenges and open struggles that will determine its course for coming decades." On the third anniversary for the assassination of outspoken MP-journalist Gebran Tueni, Hariri reiterated his position that March 14 Forces would continue to pursue their course and face the challenges. "Gebran's voice still rings in the conscience of all Lebanese to shorten the distance of the dream of freedom, independence and unity," he said. He went to add:" this anniversary is a motive to face up to the challenge, an expression of will to hold on to what Gebran fought and died for. Our pledge to Gebran today is to remain up to par with the challenge, to commit to the accords of March 14, those of sovereignty, freedom and independence."Hariri was adamant in vowing to take up the fight of the 2009 parliamentary elections saying:" this is the battle for avenging Gebran Tueni from the enemies of democracy and freedom. This is a battle for recognizing the Lebanese state and its constitutional institutions." Beirut, 12 Dec 08, 17:30

In Iran Obama is Slammed Over Stand on Hizbullah
Naharnet/A top Iranian cleric on Friday slammed U.S. president-elect Barack Obama's criticism of Hizbullah and defended the Islamic republic's support of the Lebanese Shiite group. "We are announcing it frankly, that we will defend the Lebanese Hizbullah resistance and its brave leader Hassan Nasrallah with pride," the Friday prayers leader at Tehran University, Ahmad Khatami, told worshippers. "They are not terrorists since they are defending their honor and independence," he said.
"If Obama wants to decrease hatred, he has to stop making worthless comments. Most probably the Zionists have put down a banana skin for him," Khatami said.
In an interview broadcast on Sunday, Obama said he would make clear to Tehran that its nuclear program was "unacceptable," along with support of Hizbullah and the Palestinian group Hamas, and its "threats against Israel." Shiite majority Iran is a staunch supporter of Hizbullah and maintains that it provides them with moral support and not arms as alleged by two of its arch-foes, Washington and Israel. After the summer 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah, Iran sent money and technical expertise for reconstruction and to compensate victims. Israel says the Shiite group is now three times stronger than during the war. (AFP)
Beirut, 12 Dec 08, 16:40

Israel's Choice
December 12, 2008
By Janet Levy and Paul E Vallely/American Thinker
On 9-11, Americans were confronted with the spectacle of jumpers leaping to their deaths from the burning World Trade Centers in New York -- a demise of their own choosing momentarily preferable to succumbing as victims of smoke, flames and falling debris. It was a horrific unthinkable act that arose from the spontaneity of a desperate uncontrollable situation. At this point in history, Israel is facing such a dilemma as it seriously contemplates the consequences of a threatened nuclear attack from Iran. Does Israel act preemptively to potentially protect its territory and six million citizens and potentially precipitate a full-on regional conflict or anxiously wait while Iran inches closer to nuclear capabilities and follows through with its threats of "Death to Israel?"
The media has been fraught with reports about Israel's reaction to the Iranian nuclear threat. Recent reports have indicated that Israel has received a green light from the U.S. and will strike before the end of the Bush administration rather than during an Obama presidency that purports to value dialogue without precondition with Ahmadinejad. Other reports indicate that Israel lacks the political will to attack Iran, especially with Ehud Olmert in office. With the recent successful medium-range ballistic missile test and claims of 5,000 uranium-enrichment centrifuges, Ahmadinejad may have brought the situation to a critical tipping point, as the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is an unacceptable scenario for the State of Israel.
Although Iran has indicated that it is not open to negotiation or compromise and the risk appears to have elevated since Iran's recent missile test, many pundits believe that Israel will not attack Iran's nuclear facilities under the leadership of the Prime Minister Olmert. They cite his failed efforts during Hezbollah's war against Israel in 2006, his capitulation to Egypt with regard to the Gaza situation, his lack of military leadership and combat experience, the fact that Hezbollah now has three times the number of missiles it possessed during the 2006 war, and the infeasibility of bombing underground nuclear facilities. Although Israel bombed the Syrian nuclear reactor in September and destroyed Iraq's Osarik nuclear facility in 1981, underground facilities involve difficult challenges. Also, previous attacks occurred discreetly and clandestine action may not be an option against Iran at this point in time.
How should Israel deter a nuclear Iran, both from launching direct missile attacks, and from dispersing nuclear assets among terrorist proxies? And for Deterrence Against Nuclear Terrorism (DANT), how should the Jewish state compensate for the absence of "fingerprints," and for the limits of satellites and radars? This is especially significant because Ahmadinejad states that soon there will be a world without the United States and Israel. Coupled with his regular pronouncements to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, this sends serious nuclear alarm signals that cannot be ignored.
A nuclear-armed Iran, whose president regularly calls for the annihilation of Israel, is an intolerable threat to the existence of the Jewish state. There is no quarter for acceptance of an Iranian bomb, which could set in motion regional proliferation to come as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Syria could potentially acquire nuclear capabilities. The geopolitical and economic consequences of an attack, although necessary for self-preservation, would be dire. Iran could retaliate by escalating attacks on U.S. military forces in Iraq and blocking the Strait of Hormuz and thus the flow of 25% of the world's oil. It could also decrease oil production and raise prices ultimately leading to a global recession and unleash its proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, in Lebanon and Gaza. The result could be a large-scale regional conflict. However, a well thought out strategy articulated and executed by the US and Israel would serve a strong deterrence. To be sure, it is not a simple or reassuring world. Strategic doctrine is always a complex matter, and any improved U.S. plan will have to be creative as well as comprehensive. If, for any reason, Iran is permitted to "go nuclear," our re-fashioned doctrine will certainly have to identify viable options for coexistence with that unpredictable country. In turn, these options will require enemy perceptions of persuasive American power and of a corresponding American willingness to actually use this power.
According to some reports, the Israeli Air Force has conducted secret training missions to prepare for a future attack which will be aided by the X-band radar system, capable of intercepting Iran's newly tested medium-range ballistic missiles, recently installed by U.S. military personnel. If Israel perceives that time is running out on Iran, it may be forced to muster the political will to defend itself from a nuclear nightmare that Ahmadinejad has repeatedly promised. We believe Iran is now nuclear capable to some degree.
America's new president will have to deal with recent arguments that Washington should lead the way to a world without nuclear weapons. Perhaps, in the best of all possible worlds, all countries could actually turn back the clock, and impose effective limits on the always-evolving technologies of destruction. But we do not yet live in such a world, and the obvious incapacity to implement any real denuclearization means that (however reluctantly) we shall still have to reconcile our own national security with expanding nuclear proliferation. What option will Israel choose and what will its strategy be?
**Janet Levy is a frequent contributor to American Thinker. Paul E Vallely (MG, US Army Ret), is Chairman of Stand Up America USA
18 Comments on "Israel's Choice"

Christmas is the pathway to hell
Friday, December 12, 2008
From: "Mark Harding" <fromthedeskofmarkharding@hotmail.com
A Christmas Card and an invitation to all Muslims living in Canada to please enjoy this season with us and do not listen to your Islamic teachers who teach you that Christmas is the pathway to hell. Rejoice with us in the true God the God of Israel.
This is a season when we glorify God. It is a time for peace, a time for reflection of the past year, and the one ahead. But more importantly Christmas is a time to worship the greatest event of all time. This is the time in which Canada celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
The reason this letter is an invitation specifically to Muslims is because with all the different voices of hatred coming from your Islamic scholars and teachers, we Christians can only imagine how hard it must be to live in a great nation like Canada, and as we celebrate the one and only true God of Israel, and for you not to be able to celebrate the birth of Gods begotten Son, truly, is very sad.
We Christians in Canada would like all Muslims to at least enjoy the season and the love that God has given us all in our great nation of freedom. We want you to forget those Mosques that preach hatred against our nation for celebrating the birth of God’s Son. We ask you to not listen to those teachers of deception that would tell you that Christmas is the pathway to hell.
Take Anjem Choudary for example. Anjem is not only an Islamic preacher but is also chairman of the Society of Muslim Lawyers. He has branded Christmas as ‘evil’ and the ‘pathway to hell’ urging his fellow Muslims to boycott it. Here is what he says: ‘In the world today many Muslims, especially those residing in Western countries, are exposed to the evil celebrations of Christmas. Decorating the house, purchasing Christmas trees or having Christmas turkey meals are completely prohibited by Allah. Many still practice this corrupt celebration as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus. How can a Muslim possibly approve or participate in such a practice that bases itself on the notion that Allah has an offspring? The very concept of Christmas contradicts and conflicts with the foundation of Islam.
Christmas is such a beautiful time for everyone. We did not want you Muslims left out in the cold dark edges of despair and spiritual emptiness that Islamic teachers and Imams can leave you with. Of course as you know it’s against the laws in most Islamic societies around the world for Christians to celebrate Christmas, yet here in Canada we understand that you have your pagan rituals of Ramadan and Eid and we are happy that you can celebrate these cultural rituals to your Arabic Moon god Allah in Canada.
So we hope you will take the time to say Merry Christmas here in Canada or what ever democratic free nation you may live in, if someone says it first to you. Or perhaps you can really get into the spirit of the season and wish someone a Merry Christmas first. We only want you to enjoy the season with love for your fellow man as our God intended.
Please remember what the angel of the Lord said to the Sheppard’s keeping watch over their flock by night: ‘For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!
So Merry Christmas. And a Happy New Year.
Mark Harding
General UCC
United Canadians Committee.
www.unitedcanadiancommittee.com
 

Churches of the East: At the Service of Oppression
13/12/2008
By Tariq Alhomayed/ the Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat,
Carlos Edde, head of the Lebanese National Bloc party made some important comments regarding Michel Aoun’s recent visit to Syria. He said, “It seems that General Aoun gained experience from this visit, as well as his previous visit to Iran, in how to exploit the church to serve the interests of totalitarian regimes.”
This means that Aoun’s alliance with Syria and Iran has compelled Lebanese Christians to ally with fundamentalist and oppressive regimes. This will have serious consequences, the most important of which will affect the Christians of the East as a whole.
Since the establishment of the Arab states in their modern form, the Christians of the East, as a whole, have played an important, active role. They have fulfilled a constructive role as political, cultural and economic symbols in most of the Arab world. The pan-Arab Christian role was an important one even as part of the armed resistance in Lebanon and elsewhere.
Today, through his alliance with Syria and Iran, Aoun has turned things around and placed the Christians of Lebanon, and the East, in the line of fire, especially as we are witnessing the Arab countries fighting an ideological and physical war against extremists and confronting them in a continuous manner. So how can Aoun throw himself into the arms of Syrian political extremism and religious fundamentalism in Iran?
Baathist Syria is a model of political extremism and the people of Lebanon are fully aware of that. Moreover, Syria is the only country (after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq) to have occupied a fellow Arab country, namely Lebanon, and it continues to make every effort to control Lebanon through the Lebanese themselves.
Aoun is moving away from his violent hostility towards Damascus at a time when even Syria is changing. However, Syria is heading in a different direction as it is now negotiating with Israel, albeit indirectly, and no longer raises slogans of resistance except to incite others. At the same time, Syria is flirting with Washington and US President-elect Barack Obama.
Moreover, Aoun is forming an alliance with Tehran and its Lebanese party, namely Hassan Nasrallah’s Hezbollah, while Tehran’s role in the region today has a serious impact on the security and unity of the Arab states. Aoun is standing in a row that does not even attract the curious lenses of the cameras.
Just picture the scene: Aoun standing with Hassan Nasrallah, Khaled Meshal, Muqtada al Sadr and the Quds Force. Furthermore, the timing of the alliance with Iran was eye-catching just like the alliance with Syria. We only need to look at what happened to the Christians of Iraq and those who failed to protect them.
For proof of the danger in Aoun’s actions, we only need to look at two recent events that took place on the same day in Iran and we will see two contradictory images. The first event was the demonstration that took place outside the Saudi embassy where people protested against inter-faith dialogue. The second event was the demonstration at an Iranian university calling for democracy and denouncing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s regime.
Aoun is allied with the first image; the image of Mullahs protesting against inter-faith dialogue and peaceful coexistence with others. He is not forming an alliance with the second image; the image of those calling for democracy and a dignified life. If the Iranians themselves are demonstrating against Ahmadinejad’s regime, then how can Michel Aoun ally himself with one who harms his own country and nation?
This is where the importance of Carlos Edde’s comments lies; he highlighted the threat and warned against the danger of churches in the East becoming a tool to serve oppressive regimes