DAR AL ISLAM - IRAQ: NO INTERNET FOR YOU ! ! !

Extremists threaten new government Internet project in universities

BBSNews 2007-05-28 - BAGHDAD, (IRIN) -- Islamic extremists who believe that the Internet can spread immoral and un-Islamic behaviour say that they will sabotage plans by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to link the country's science centres electronically and offer free Internet access to students.

"On the Internet, the youth can find different kinds of information, many of which is unhealthy. Couples strike up friendships through the Internet and spread vice," said Abu Muhammad, who said he is a spokesman for the Islamic Army, an armed insurgent group in Iraq.

"We don't agree that such services should be offered and will do whatever is needed to prevent this system from working properly in Iraq. Pornographic sites are easily accessible and the youth adopt bad habits which cannot be accepted in an Islamic country," Abu Muhammad added.

Nearly 200 Internet centres are to be set up in universities across the country with the aim of helping students do their research work.

"The use of the Internet was banned under [former President] Saddam Hussein's regime. The ban led the country to lag behind in information technology. The current proposal is to improve the culture of our students and help them to acquire more knowledge about what is happening in the rest of the world," said Hisham Abdul-Azim, a senior official in the education ministry and one of the project designers.

"The threats received from Islamic extremists are unacceptable and we should be strong enough to prevent our country from being backward just because some groups believe that it [the use of the Internet] might hurt their ideology," Abdul-Azim added.

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Hat Tip:

The Religion of Peace


Pertinent Links:

1) Extremists threaten new government Internet project in universities