Family believes Hassan murdered

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

What excuses or justifications can we come up for this crime now? Did she die because a marine killed a wounded prisoner or because a US bomb killed a innocent civilian? All these justifications may make perfect sense to us in this world, but I wonder how Allah will see them on the day of judgment?

Family believes Hassan murdered

Mrs Hassan had lived in Iraq for 30 years and married an Iraqi
The family of Dublin-born Iraqi aid worker Margaret Hassan believes she has been killed by hostage-takers.
Mrs Hassan’s brothers and sisters, Michael, Deirdre, Kathryn and Geraldine Fitzsimons, said they accepted she was dead, adding: “Our hearts are broken.”

And her Iraqi husband, Tahseen Ali Hassan, has said he believes there is a video showing her murder.

Mrs Hassan, who has Irish, British and Iraqi nationality, was seized by an unknown group in Baghdad on 19 October.

“We have kept hoping for as long as we could, but we now have to accept that Margaret has probably gone and at last her suffering has ended,” her brothers and sisters said in a statement.

They described her as a “friend of the Arab world, to people of all religions”.

They added that she had only goodwill towards everyone.

If she’s dead I want to know where she is so I can bury her in peace

Tahseen Ali Hassan

“She had no prejudice against any creed. She dedicated her whole life to working for the poor and vulnerable, helping those who had no-one else,” the statement read.

They described her murder as “unforgivable”, adding: “The gap she leaves will never be filled.”

Several news agencies have reported a tape showing her murder has surfaced in Iraq.

Mr Hassan appealed to the kidnappers to return his wife’s body.

“I want to know if she is alive or dead. If she’s dead I want to know where she is so I can bury her in peace,” he told Reuters news agency.

Mrs Hassan was driving to work as director of aid agency Care’s Iraq operations when she was seized. The agency has since halted work in the country.

The 59-year-old, who has lived in Iraq for 30 years, appeared in several videos during her captivity calling for Britain to withdraw from Iraq, and for women prisoners to be freed.

2

Re: Family believes Hassan murdered

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Sadiqaan: *
What excuses or justifications can we come up for this crime now? Did she die because a marine killed a wounded prisoner or because a US bomb killed a innocent civilian? All these justifications may make perfect sense to us in this world, but I wonder how Allah will see them on the day of judgment?
[/QUOTE]

First off, it is a tragedy that she died, an atrocity committed by evil-doers. I think she died not because of a Iraqi insurgent being killed by a U.S Marine But because of a political statement whatever that statement maybe that the insurgents are /were trying to make. I cant really speculate on how Allah Mian will see them on judgement day, I have better chances on speculating Yen and dollar with Euros than on speculating Allahs mians decision on judgement day.

3

Excellent reply Verizon… Now tell it to Matoos to stop judging the brave men and women of US Marines, and let them do their job that Allah wants them to do.

:jhanda:

4

Re: Family believes Hassan murdered

whats US bombing or marines got to do with this? Its not even relevant. you assume too much.

Also, theres no evidence to say she’s been killed yet, although the family believe that is the case. Hopefully it isnt. These insurgents are soo going the wrong way about it. They shooting themselves in the foot. Dont they know, the coalition could give a crap about her? They’re as ignorant as those dumbmarines.

5

too bad, stuff happens.

She is not special. 100,000 in that country got the same fate by her fellow white rednecks.

6

I don’t know what’s a big deal about it. 100s of Iraqis getting killed every day, yet thousands just in last few days in Falluja. Is there something special about her or just because she is white? Murderers of innocent people are criminals doesn’t matter if it’s a US marine or an insurgent. What’s the purpose of posting such threads? Crocodile tears?

7

^ Great, then post that view in the thread dedicated to just one dead insurgent.

8

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Agent Smith: *
I don’t know what’s a big deal about it. 100s of Iraqis getting killed every day, yet thousands just in last few days in Falluja. Is there something special about her or just because she is white? Murderers of innocent people are criminals doesn’t matter if it’s a US marine or an insurgent. What’s the purpose of posting such threads? Crocodile tears?
[/QUOTE]

What was "special" about her is that she dedicated 30 years of her life, not only living in Iraq but building a solid foundation which helped many Iraqis (providing them with clothes, food, etc.). She campaigned relentlessly against the sanctions and never left, even during the first Gulf war. She stood by her people ... and yes, Iraqis were her people. Then again, she's white, so who cares.

9

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by MehnazQ: *
What was "special" about her is that she dedicated 30 years of her life, not only living in Iraq but building a solid foundation which helped many Iraqis (providing them with clothes, food, etc.).........
[/QUOTE]

I respectfully disagree. See Baath regime was a socialist regime and under Saddam Hussein prior to U.S sanctions Iraq's standard of living were higher than her neighbors. Iraq's situation began deteriorating after the sanctions. So if you take her first 20 years and apply it to some other cause, I'd gladly agree, but to state that she did all this in 30 years (dates won't jive).

10

^^ Regardless, she was living in Iraq for 30 years cause she loved it there and considered it her ‘home’.

Mrs Hassan, who had lived in Iraq for 30 years … .

11

Agent Smith and Pak Brave Heart. Thank you for making my point. Her death is connected to the deaths of Iraqis in the eyes of many people. It's a war they say and people die in war, so it doesn't matter right?

This is the level of discourse we now have among Muslims.

12

I am curious. Al Jazeera said they would not air the video that shows a woman who might be Margaret Hassan being shot: "We will not air the tape because we respect the audience's feelings."

Are the audience's feelings less offended by the tape that shows the US soldier killing the fighter lying on the floor? I don't think so. So why is it sufficient to describe the tape showing MH being killed, but not sufficient to just describe the tape showing the fighter being killed?

Maybe they just didn't air it because MH was a woman?

Or is it that the feelings provoked by the two videos are different? I think the MH video will provoke horror (and rage against the militant group that took her) among AJ viewers. The soldier video will provoke horror (and rage against the US army) among AJ viewers.

So is this why AJ chose not to show this video? Because one sort of rage is ok to them, but the other sort of rage isn't? If so, is this an ok distinction to make? Or is it manipulation?

Please don't respond angrily, because Im not trying to start a fight, Im just curious about whether others have made sense of this or if they also think its strange.

(PS But I would not watch either video)

13

^^
This video may very well be the killing of the person whose body was found in the streets of Fallujah that has variously been described as being dismembered and disemboweled. If even Al Jazeera wont show it, it must be pretty damn gruesome.

If it were nothing more than the woman being shot in the same way as the Iraqi insurgent was shot, I've got to believe they'd air it. How can shooting someone be more gruesome than cutting off their head. Has AJ showed the beheadings?

14

Ashamed of some you today on this board. An innocent woman might have been killed and you people are debating... I don't even know if some of you have hearts or feelings... Well today, this Muslim is ashamed of what happened to Margaret. I am also in pain for all those innocent people dying in Iraq.

I blame the U.S. (actually Bush) for starting this useless war, but I blame the so called insurgents even more. What kind of coward people are these, hiding behind women and children and old people. If they want to die, if they truly believe in their cause (whatever that is), then fight the U.S. army face to face in open battlefield so they can be killed and their wishes fulfilled. Why do they have to kill innocent civilians along with them. They are animals, truly they are...

15

"Or is it that the feelings provoked by the two videos are different? I think the MH video will provoke horror (and rage against the militant group that took her) among AJ viewers. The soldier video will provoke horror (and rage against the US army) among AJ viewers.

So is this why AJ chose not to show this video? Because one sort of rage is ok to them, but the other sort of rage isn't? If so, is this an ok distinction to make? Or is it manipulation?"

Precisely. Revealing the true nature of the insurgents would not be politically correct. Better to keep the masses lathered up against the US.

16

[quote]
What kind of coward people are these, hiding behind women and children and old people. If they want to die, if they truly believe in their cause (whatever that is), then fight the U.S. army face to face in open battlefield so they can be killed and their wishes fulfilled. Why do they have to kill innocent civilians along with them. They are animals, truly they are...
[/quote]

I am in total agreement, I'm sorry if my asking that question seemed insensitive. :(

17

Totally agree!! The insurgents suck!! They’re going to lose the fight and be killed whether they fight behind civilians or out in the open. By fighting behind civilians they are only increasing the number of innocent Muslim deaths.

To all you insurgent fans: what type of mujahideen are these?? They fight to increase the overall Muslim death toll. And you guys cheer them on? :rolleyes:

18

"To all you insurgent fans: what type of mujahideen are these?? They fight to increase the overall Muslim death toll. And you guys cheer them on?"

Well, there is a breath of fresh air!

19

The following is from "The Independent" newspaper. Cannot post the link as the article is only available on payment. The article is by Robert Fisk about Margaret's murder.

**"There was one mysterious video that floated to the surface this year, a group of armed men promising to seize Zarqawi claiming he was anti-Iraq, politely referring to the occupation armies as "the coalition forces". This was quickly nicknamed the "Allawi tape" after the US appointed, ex CIA agent and ex-Baathist who holds the title of interim prime minister in Iraq, the same Allawi who fatuously claimed there were no civilian deaths in Falujjah.

So, if anyone doubted the murderous nature of the insurgents, what better way to prove their viciousness than to produce Margaret's murder? What more ruthless way could there be of demonstrating to the world that American and Allawi's tinpot army were fighting evil in Fallujah and the other Iraqi cities that are now controlled by Washington's enemies.

Even in the topsy turvy world of Iraq, nobody is suggesting that people associated with the government of Allawi had a hand in Margaret's death. Iraq, after all, is awash with up to 20 insurgent groups but also with rival gangs of criminals seeking to extort money from hostage taking.

But still the question has to eb answered: Who killed Margaret hassan?"**

20

We were discussing this incident at our offices today and one of our employees actually made an interesting point, similar to the Independant Newspapers article, stating that he finds it hard to grasp any Iraqi would be dumb enough to kill a high profile female such as Hassan aqnd jeopardise their position. Even Zarqawi said that she should be spared!

The bottom line is that if she is dead, then it's got to be someone who is to gain the most.

Any guesses?