RELIGIOUS LEADERS THREATENED TO DECLARE JIHAD

INFLUENTIAL CLERICS THREATEN TO DECLARE "JIHAD"
(HOLY WAR) IF FOREIGN TROOPS LAND ON YEMENI SOIL

SAN'A, Yemen (AP) - A group of prominent Muslim clerics warned Thursday they will call for jihad, or holy war, if foreign troops intervene to stem the spread of al-Qaeda in the country; in other words, if the U.S. sends troops to fight al-Qaida in Yemen, they will be ready to declare jihad. The edict is a clear warning to the United States as it plans to step up its military involvement in the country. The leaders said that a jihad would be called if foreign troops set up bases inside the country, or moved into its territorial waters. “If any party insists on aggression, or invades the country, then according to Islam, jihad becomes obligatory,” said a statement signed by 150 clerics and read out at a news conference in Sanaa, the capital. The stark threat came as Yemeni security officials declared that the country was openly now at war with the terrorists, who are trying to carve out a haven in a country riven by rebellion, secessionism, poverty and tribal loyalties. The warnings signalled growing tensions in the country, the statement by the Yemeni Clerics Association, which wields considerable influence in the conservative Muslim state, seemed to be a clear attempt to limit the role Western forces can play in combating the new menace of al-Qaeda.

The religious group includes Sheikh Abdul-Majid al-Zindani, who was once the spiritual adviser to Osama bin Laden, and who is wanted by the US and UN on terrorism charges. The Yemeni Government has refused to arrest him, saying that no proof has been given linking him to terrorism. It is also fearful of going after so influential a figure. Sheikh al-Zindani has proclaimed publicly that the US is planning an invasion similar to that in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yemeni officials have insisted that their troops can handle al-Qaeda, given Western materiel, and are wary of putting a foreign face on their operations, fearing that it could incite a population already furious at previous US invasions of Muslim countries.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Pure love, or prema-bhakti, is focused upon the indivisible Personality of the Supreme Lord, Who is One without a second, Bhagavān Sri Krishna. If an individual does not perceive that the totality and oneness of God is the very center of his existence, then it is inevitable that love for the body, family, society, province and country will clash with the body, family, society, province and country of others. … If one loves the Whole, then one simultaneously loves all the parts of that Whole. However, that love which is not directed toward God should be understood to be only lust. This is the underlying cause of jealousy and violence of all kinds, including war.

Śrīla Bhakti Dayita Mādhava Mahārāja :
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and International Peace”
Lecture at Balaji Bhavana in Hyderabad, India, 1961
Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library - www.bvml.org/SBDMM/.