Austria: Muslim Soldiers Refuse to Salute Flag

From the desk of Paul Belien on Tue, 2006-03-21 14:18

Last week three Muslim conscripts of the Austrian army refused to salute the Austrian flag because this was incompatible with their faith. The Austrian paper Die Presse (18 March) reported that three soldiers of the Maria Theresia barracks, where most of the 1,000 Muslim soldiers serve, refused to salute the flag at a parade and instead turned their backs on it. The soldiers were not disciplined. However, an imam was summoned to issue a fatwa stating that Muslims are allowed to salute the Austrian flag.

Austrian Army officers have complained that Muslim conscripts – about 3,5% of the Austrian armed forces – are unable to do most jobs because they have permission to pray 5 times a day, no matter what job they are performing at the time. Some who attend Friday Prayers stay away for the rest of the day.

Following the incident the Austrian defense minister Günther Platter announced that the army will engage imams as permanent chaplains in order to mediate future conflicts. Die Presse suggests that it would be better to follow the example of the Austrian police and appoint Muslim officers to command Muslim recruits.

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Muslim Bobby refuses to watch Israeli Embassy

Submitted by bernieg1 on Sat, 2006-10-07 21:48.

Let's face it, Islam is incompatible with Western Civilization, see my blog post if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out  

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Assimilation is the key

Submitted by microsux on Wed, 2006-03-22 00:11.

Why are most of the muslim soldiers in the same unit?  I humbly suggest the US model of integrating the military.  This follows along with "same rules for everybody." 

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From the history books

Submitted by Chris Gillibrand on Tue, 2006-03-21 23:10.

"The origin of the Austrian colors concerns the Battle of Ptolemais (Acre) in 1191. Duke Leopold V was supposedly granted these arms by King Henry VI, based on the battle-bloodied tunic of the duke, which had remained white only where covered by his wide belt. Losing his standard during the fray, Leopold supposedly raised his tunic as a rallying point, and the design was subsequently made official."

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Muslims in the Austrian army.

Submitted by westofthemoon on Tue, 2006-03-21 21:26.

Just another example which shows that Muslims should never be here in the first place.

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Insanity

Submitted by Tantor on Tue, 2006-03-21 18:54.

Why in the world would the Austrians support what is the equivalent of a Muslim militia that is hostile to the very idea of an Austria, or a Europe? It is tolerance to the point of suicide.

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Its an extreme stupidity to

Submitted by McMad on Tue, 2006-03-21 18:14.

Its an extreme stupidity to give military training to people like those. Those people lack all loyalty to their country of residence and in case of war will certainly turn their weapons against us.

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What's the point in having

Submitted by Kim Hartveld on Tue, 2006-03-21 16:00.

What's the point in having muslims serve in the Austrian army, since there's no loyalty to the country?

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no faith

Submitted by Cogito on Tue, 2006-03-21 15:46.

Beautiful illustration of the non-religious, political character of Islam.

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