Hamas and the Iranian life-line

[oberliner]

Has Iran begun to reap the fruits of its support for Hamas? Some observers believe that the recent conversion of several Gazans to Shiism represents one of these fruits. The Al-Arabiya website, citing a report published by the Arsiran website – which is affiliated to a number of conservative groups in Iran – published a story claiming that the Shiite doctrine is beginning to spread in Gaza and that the number reaches into the hundreds. Abdul Raheem Hamad, a Gazan convert, also expressed the same point .

Anybody familiar with Hamas literature and its intellectual roots cannot imagine that the group could be content with the spread of Shiism, let alone that it would accept “Shiite missionary activity” in the Gaza Strip, as a trade-off for Iranian support. If that is the case how is it possible that Hamas was not aware that the preaching of the Shiite doctrine in the Gaza Strip would most certainly have been one of the hidden agendas that the “ideologically-driven” Iranian government aims to fulfill?

Through simple arithmetic the hundreds of Palestinians who have become Shiite will come to represent thousands and then tens of thousands and they will demand a political and sectarian presence. This converted group will represent a thorn in the side of the sectarian harmony known by the Palestinian people. This was emphasized by the “convert” Abdel Raheem Hamad when he said that Palestinian Shiites will play a prominent role in running this region in the future!

It is within the rights of the regional states to be concerned about Hamas-Iranian rapprochement, which led to the strengthening of Iranian influence in an ultra-sensitive region and then to Shiite missionary work. However the pivotal question here is: did Hamas turn to Iran out of choice? It is well known that Hamas is not accepted by the key states of the Middle East even though it surpasses all other Palestinian organizations in terms of popularity, organization and military strength, including Fatah. However due to this lukewarm relationship with Hamas, the Middle Eastern states refrain from the organization with financial support. Consequently, Iran exploited the opportunity and filled the vacuum and so Hamas has been suckled by the Iranian breast until it is able to cover its obligations to its own members, and the Gaza Strip which it governs, and there is no solution to this except to wean Hamas from this Iranian support.

http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=2&id=24855

[Boojatta]

1. If an organization in Utah provided financial support to Hamas

in exchange for Hamas allowing Mormon missionary activity in the Gaza Strip, then the political problem wouldn't arise because Utah isn't a nation-state, but is merely one state in a nation.

There's obviously the potential for a serious legal problem for any organization in Utah that would like to do that. Perhaps Washington D.C. enacted a law for the states that is too inflexible. Weaning Hamas from Iranian support and replacing that support with Mormon support wouldn't increase the total amount of financial support that Hamas is receiving. This train of thought suggests a couple of questions ...

Q1. Is it better for the level of government that controls the military to also be involved in religion and potential disputes over religion?

Intro to Question 2:
Given, for example, the role of the theocratic government of Iran in the assassination, motivated by religion, of people who translated a work of fiction called The Satanic Verses...

Q2. Are the religious doctrines spread by the government of Iran nevertheless likely to be a better influence than the religious doctrines spread by Mormons from Utah?

[oberliner]

3. Any answers to those questions?

Interesting stuff.

[Boojatta]

4. If I provided answers, then it would be too much about me.

I don't see any reason for anybody to be interested in my answers, so I won't bother to formulate answers. I'm simply putting the questions themselves out there for people to ponder.

[Boojatta]

2. Kick

[Boojatta]

5. Kick

[Boojatta]

6. Kick