Mohsen Makhmalbaf Quotes
The Buddhas had to be destroyed by the Taliban to get the world thinking about Afghanistan.
Makhmalbaf, Mohsen. The Buddha Was Not Demolished in Afghanistan, It Collapsed Out of Shame. Makhmalbaf Film House, 2001.
He was terminated for this and other criticisms of the Islamic fundamentalists. This statement, although very subtle by Western standards, was considered inappropriate since it could be interpreted to criticize some of the clergy.
This quotation illustrates that the Muslim conquest and attempt to destroy and desecrate the symbols of other religions was not limited to Christianity—it was ALL other religions. In that sense, Christianity and Islam of the period were very similar at the time—intolerance to the point of murder and destruction of any “heathen” religion.
He was retired when he appeared. It was shortly after the September 11 attack and the Taliban Government of Afghanistan was giving sanctuary to Al Qaida and bin Laden. The President had given them an ultimatum to turn them over.
The Security Counsel was meeting it the Situation room at the White House
This clause has been the cause of immense problems in the Mid-East. Hamas castigates any Palestinian who even suggests that there should be negotiations with Israel that are sincere as nothing less than the end of Israel is consistent with their charter. Anyone who uses the peace process for anything else but tactical advantage and buying time to strike again is a traitor. Meanwhile, the clause is taken be Israel to demonstrate that there is no point to any negotiations so long as the Palestinian Authority allows such an organization with this charter clause to be legal and operate in the open. The Palestinian Authority leadership are not willing to risk a civil war, and thus little or no progress is made.
This verse is one of those most often cited by Muslim militants justifying terrorism and war against non-Muslims. However, other more modern Muslim theologians cite the unique historical circumstances when the Muslims in Arabia were opposed by all else there. They also cite the end of the verse which tends to be ignored by the militants: “But know that God is with those who restrain themselves.”
Mohsen Makhmalbaf is an Iranian film director, writer, film editor, and producer. He has made more than 20 feature films, won some 50 awards and been a juror in more than 15 major film festivals. His award-winning films include Kandahar; his latest documentary is The Gardener and latest feature The President.
