those posts which seek to brand all religions equally with fanatical Islam are being disingenuous or ignorant. I do not see problems with any other religions which approach the current sickness afflicting Muslims. The extent of violent confrontations around the world which involve Muslims is incredibly high. Needless to say it is not all Muslims involved in this violence but the absence of the moderate Muslim voices in Muslim states should be an alarming sign to anyone. Only those aspiring to Islam can do the housecleaning necessary to change the reality and perception of Muslim violence. The rest of the world can only decide on what measures it will use to protect itself from this insane outburst of global fanaticism. A cancer growing, not dealt with early, is fatal. Not facing the truth about the obvious nature of the problem will only guarantee a disastrous outcome for ALL involved.

Bernard Ross, St. Anns Bay, Jamaica

Any religion, any race, any faith, is to blame and persecute in the moment that a human being, in its name, dare to stole a child mind and life to its (whatever) interest.

We prosecute pedophils for their horrible crimes.
I expect people with a good faith in God to do the same with those individuals.
Everybody who tolorates and protects individuals daring to destroy the right of a child to be a child are considered guilty to the human law and God judgment.

Gino, Milano, Italy

This is simply the shape of things to come in the U.S., where our taxpayers' money goes to "faith-based" organizations whom the Supreme Court has ruled can discriminate in hiring based on religion. It's already happening here, folks. Islamic and Christian extremists are brainwashing people in the U.S. at an alarming rate and are the fasting growing "religions" in the U.S. It's just a matter of time before our president isn't just an anti-science myth-sucking dolt, but a pure theocrat, without apology.

Jennifer W., Davidsonville, Maryland

This truth will probably be censored. In conversation recenty with a friend, she said that her 7yr old daughters classmate,a british asian said "our god is better than your god".The indoctrination is happening here too.

nonbeliever, peterborough, england

This shows that the innocents are always the first ones to die.
I bet the holy book of koran never preached this brain washing of babies!

raj, delhi, india

Yes
Isn't interesting how Bush and Blair both trump out this rediculous notion that Islam is a religion of love and peace.
Tell me where the logic is of a love equating to a 10year old martyr

John, Earls Court, GB

Reza, If I understand you correctly, because the US invaded Iraq, the Islamists decided to (further) purify the country of Pakistan by (firstly) removing Musharraf and "eliminating" immodest women. This is all right because said purification of pakistan may hurt the USA which you feel is trying to take over (or something) the Muslim world.

Please let me know if I have interpreted what you have said correctly.

Thanks

Inna, Sacramento, CA/USA

Where do the comments about Christianity come from? Did I miss the last suicide bombing by a Christian fanatic? The naming of children after this imaginary figure? Or the arming of Christian children to attack citizens of a major city? Or the attempted imposition of medieval theocracy on an entire country? Was there a rejection of democracy by the pope or any major protestant Christian figure? Did I miss it?

I must learn to read the papers more carefully.

Our priest tells us to love everyone, turn the other cheek, choose the option for the poor and be friendly to the earth.

Hmm.

Peter Legge, London, Ontario, Canada

We are reaping the consequences of global societies that have removed the 'child' from Childhood. In Cape Town, a 10 year old throws themselves of a building, high on 'Tik'. In Dallas a 10 year old is expelled from school for supplying Cocaine to other 10 year olds. In Denmark, and now other European countries, the latest PC Game is removed from stores because it is considered to have excessive violence, while hundreds of similar games stay on the shelves. Western TV news stations increasingly bring the violent obscenities of the real world onto screens watched by 10 year olds.

Please don't single out Pakistan. I am 'lucky' enough to live in Dallas, Leeds and Cape Town and the visible dengeneration of the society that our 10 year olds populate, is heart wrenching. We are breeding a generation of Pathologically disturbed children. Lets sort out our own societies.

Ian James, Cape Town, South Africa

this is seriously worrying - its happening everywhere
when are we going to wake up and face this

hopefully before its too late - but i fear most of us are sleeping - ignorant of what this type of enemy can do to our western freedom

worried, london, uk

The Problem with all of us is we believe in what we see or what is printed in the media.

Can we try reading between the lines?
I would like to look this whole issue as a political gimmick set by Parvez Musharaff... To retain his power ....These politicians and mullahs are all involved....they risk the life of innocents for there personal gain....

Mohammed Khizar, Bangalore, India

It sounds as if "night of the Living Dead" has come to life again in Pakistan.

ejhickey, Chicago, Illinois USA

oxymorons "military intelligence", "moderate muslims" etc. etc.

mike mines, london,

Religion? Ban them all!

Les, Edinburgh,

Reza Toronto
I would say you have a point ,that we all are "brainwashed" to some extent,if you mean by brainwashed that we are all influenced to a greater or lesser degree by where and how we are raised.
But indoctrinating children into a belief in the supernatural to such an extent that they will die for it, is a crime against humanity.

colin, Vernon BC, Canada

Susan in CO....you sure seem to hate America, why don't you leave the McUSA? No one is stopping you. Furthermore, when Waco happened, I think that is what you are refering to, people did say the cultists were brainwashed. I don't know what hole you have been living in if you didn;t hear that constantly on the news back then. Anyway, I know you are just upset because this article tells the truth about you protected favorite leftist cause du jour; Islam. You hope the radicals win, so as to give the USA a black eye? No matter how many atrocities committed, no matter how mant women abused and oppressed, no matter how many religious minorities locked up, attacked and abused in Islamic dominated countries, no matter how many homosexuals murdered....just so you can satisfy your hatred on the USA. You are sick, lady.

Stephanie , Raleigh, NC, USA

More of this, please! More of such shameful examples of cowardly imams fleeing their indoctrinated flocks. More pictures of parents agonizing in front of radical madrassas. More kicks in the shins of apologists and appeasers. This is anti-fanatic education at its best.

Eva, Vancouver, Canada

Remember WACO, Texas...

No real difference. Most Pakistanis are moderate, spiritual Muslims. They do not belong to this Deobandi-Wahhabi Cult (DWC). Neither do the overwheming majority of UK Muslims subscribe to the DWC dominated 'Muslim Council of Britain'.

These cult members are pure and simple criminals. Treat them as such.

A. Muslim, London, England

These people show all the typical signs of a Death Cult, like we in the "West" also had a few in the past. I understand the anger of ordinary Muslims over being constantly associated with these lunatics, and over those people calling themselves Muslims.

Matt, Wuerzburg, Germany

I posit that Christopher Hitchens' latest book, "god is not Great," is exceedingly apropos, and should be purchased by all third world countries in the throes of theocracy or attempts to impose such, together with secular histories of the Arabian moon god. When these deluded teenage boys, with their hormones running amok, discover that the key to their holy book is not Arabic but Syriac-Aramaic instead, and that those supposed attractive and animating virgins in a martyr's heaven are actually "sweet white grapes" but not virginal, nubile females, perhaps their interest in death will cease. Religions' repression of man's natural urges, its willful and practiced ignorance, and attacks on modernity are at the center of this sort of conflict. These religious leaders are cowards, at least. What does it tell you when a firebrand attempts escape in a woman's burka and high-heels? Is such a cross-dresser or laughable but dangerous coward an exemplar of your region's heroes?

Gordon, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA

I think that British Tade Unions and British Academic Unions should boycott Pakistan

Michael, Haifa, Israel

Reza....your statements are insane....any group that is willing to convince a 10 year old girl that it is better to die than to live is not an organization that needs to be championed! The people of Iraq will benefit when all is said and done if of course the corrupt Shia regime of Iran allows it to happen. Everyone is so eager to color the USA as criminal and ignore the wrongs of other nations or groups. The USA may not be perfect but at least it has a system in place that allows for free speech and of course would never stand for the martyring of 10 year old children no matter what you fool yourself to believe. Hmmm are you also angry at Canada for fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan? Maybe you prefer the Taliban achieve victory? Off that you live in Canada where your voice can be heard and not the hills that lie along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting for the Taliban? I would much rather be a brainwashed solider fighting for Freedom and Liberty !

J, USA, CA

i notice that the head honcho of the place was so keen to become a martyr that he dressed in a woman's burka and tried to sneak out of any danger. a bit like the kamikaze pilot that survived they named a chinese meal after him Chicken Chow Mein. perhaps they could call this bloke Chicken Madrasas?

Ron, Edinburgh, Scotland

Never mind Pervez Musharraf, what about Benazir Bhutto. What did she do to stop the radicals in Pakistan? For example, she did little or nothing for the treatment of women in her country - which can be seen as a direct appeasement to the radical elements - as one the first places radicalization begins is in the home against women and girls.

They have all played into the hands of the extremist elements and now it has come back to bite them, in an embarrassing display of radicalized teenage girls.

Rebecca, London, England

"Life is transient, she told her father in a telephone call last week, and the real glory is to sacrifice it for Allah."

I think this speaks volumes about Allah. Aren't there any minimum requirements a religion must live up to in order to be permitted to exist in a civilized society?

Some may think the Red Mosque people are hijacking a peaceful religion. They are not. These are fundamentalists living up to the pledge given by the first Muslims to Muhammad at al-Aqabah, and the examples set at the battles of Badr, Khaybar, Mutah etc.

If anyone has doubt about what Muhammad taught the Muslims, reading the original Islamic scriptures of Ibn Ishaq and al-Tabari (Vol. VI-IX) should set matters straight. Reading the extensive analysis Prophet of Doom by Craig Winn is a somewhat easier way to get the connections and implications straight.

It's a nightmare we are dealing with. Tough.

Henrik R Clausen, Brabrand, Denmark

"Right and cows can fly."

Ooh, that's a new one.

So, when is Britain going to stick an oar in? After all, it's responsible for creating the muslim state of Pakistan in the first place.

starling, Lancaster,

Actually, without any doubt, the religion Islam teaches peace and harmony with everyone but the thing to consider here is the INDIVIDUAL who is using this religion to misguide people and misinterpreting its teachings. Nowhere in any religious literature the use of women and children is allowed in wars and conflicts nor is it allowed to use them as a shield. The poor villagers and lower middle class parents sent their children to these schools to get a free education catering both the academic and religious systems but they have been deceived by whatever is happening there. Pakistan as a state is very difficult to control because of the tendency of the people to follow anyone leading with the flag of religion without thinking if its right or wrong. The politicians are corrupt and not capable. The best way to control such a society is to let it controlled by its army. Everything is safe and secure as long as its in control of army. Democratic governments cannot guarantee this thing.

Shiraz Mehmud, Karlskrona,

Please take a moment to hear me out, I will make my statement fast.
The title is "Brainwashed children plead to die as martyrs in Red Mosque siege".
Please tell me, who is brainwashed?
Is it the soldiers who fight for the government? Is it those that drop napalm bombs from the air planes?
Are soldiers/a army doing it for their country (i.e. the people as whole) or for its leader (i.e. a small group of high ranking officials who will MOSTLY benefit just as the employees of Haliburton and Blackwater)?
Because really if USA wins in Iraq, who will benefit? The middle class of America? The working class? or the Bourgeoisie?
So why is it always the "martyrs" that are brainwashed? Why can it not ever be "Brainwashed Soldier pleads to drop napalm bombs on Mosque to make peace".

Do I have a point

Reza, Toronto,

Fantastic, for the first time in years the real madness of Extreme Islam is revealing itself....to itself on our screens. The real puppet masters of the action thriller now showing on our screens from Pakistan will be nowhere near the scene of their lastest crime, they'll be miles away. What they are hoping for is Martydom from those inside the compound. They expect to see troops pile in and bodies by the pile carted away. But if Pakistan doesn't send the troops in and just lets the cameras role for a week more, they'll not only deny Extreme Islam the spectical it has worked so hard to achieve, it will show the to rest of the Islamic world the folly of some of their insane Imams.

PS I hope the nutters who lead Tehran are watching the shear devilment of what they are doing. I'm not a Christian and I think all religions are just another extension of mans insanity and should be licensed like brothels! They are centers pure brainwashing of the young and madness in themselves.

David Downes, Chester, UK

Dear Atheists, Not all religions are bad. Atheism can also be very bad. Mao Tze Tung, Adolph Hiltler, Joseph Stalin, and Benitio Mussulini were all avowed atheists. Benito, especially was very proud of his atheism. These four evil atheists were reponsible for one-hundred-twenty-million deaths. So, you see. Some atheists can also be very evil. On the other hand, a person like Mother Teresa, who followed a loving religion, the Catholic Faith, proves that some religions are good. May God bless you even if you don't believe in a Creator.

Philip Saenz, Mathis, USA-Texas

I have a lot of respect for the people who follow the muslim faith.. but these people who use women and children to hide behind.. are COWARDS.. nothing more... and to allow them the honor of dying for their faith is nonsense. Any one who uses a child to do their dirty work is nothing more than a cowardly murderer.

AJ Janes, California, USA

I sincerely hope that President Musharaf will take a jihadi like stand to save Islam for all the moderate muslims.

kachro, London,

excellent article

joe, london, uk

I was deeply touched by this story. A father's love saved the lost children from certain death. If only the rest of mankind, in all nations, cultures, races, tribes were as open to our Father's Love......................

Grover-Lazarus, Singapore,

Well...could the false prophet have something to do with it...

Hugh, London, Albion

Anybody notice the sex discrimination when letting out the students?

"We are worried about the women and children" As if a grown woman with an AK-47 assault rifle is innocent.

Even without the rifles, they are dangerous and they are 'responsible' adults!

lefty, houston, USA

How much of this nonsense does it take to make people realise that ALL religion is toxic and irrational mumbo jumbo - this is merely a particularly nasty example? NOBODY needs religion, NOBODY needs an invisible friend, so let's put an end to religion and confine it to the history books where it belongs.

A Clark, Liverpool, England

But But the plea was to Save the innocent Childrens....

Welcome to Modern Nazism... or should i say, welcome back in 1944... the ignored part of history is hunting us again.... What "Kim Philby" had done for fulfilling his royalty with Deobandis, the whole world has to fascism due to it again...

Puneet Madaan, Germanistan, Eurabia

This is further evidence as to what may be happening in this country too.
We must urgently regulate Imans, especially those that have access to children.
It is chilling to hear that most imans in this country were not born here and a significant number don't even speak english.
The fact that the leader of the rebels in Pakistan was caught fleeing dressed in a Burkha and high heel shoes gives more reason to ban these in places where there are security concerns.
Finally,I was horrfied to read that only ONE British Muslim leader came out condemning the recent failed bomb attacks.The deafening silence from the rest of the Muslim community is staggering and suggests complicity.
The God that I know is about Love,the brotherhood of man and treating your neighbour as you would treat yourself.

James Blyth Currie, London,

Tirmizi's comment above is the most intelligent idea I've heard in a while. It's a shame it would have to deal with two major obstacles: the military mindset of the Pakistani oligarchy, who apparently lacks the imagination to try such a creative move, and the reactionary forces within these populist Islamic movements.

If Musharaff's officers at the site and at the top were smart enough to try this, they would have to realize a few things. This is political theatre. What happens at the Red Mosque derives its significance from how many people see if happen. The military will have to make sure that the mothers, and fathers as well, are seen on TV so that the people of Pakistan can see for themselves exactly who is doing and saying what. They need to be ready for unscripted moments, trusting that the religiously-induced insanity will destroy its own credibility on camera, even if some anti-government sentiments make their way on camera as well occasionally.

Rick, Chicago, USA

That is absolute poop.
Why do we denigrate someone for holding strong beliefs, when the sum total of our passion lies with Coronation Street et al?
Just once in a while someone ELSE is right.

Ken Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

I agree with Bert from Bryson City. Why doesn't the one 'true god' put his foot down, perhaps literally Monty Python style or at least write his name on the moon in big bright letters ('Jesus is Lord', 'Allah is Great', 'Zeus is the best', etc) or something similar that would settle this hugely divisive issue once and for all? Until then lets not brainwash our kids with all these completely unsubstantiated god stories that turn normal minds into those of mindless followers.

G Clifford, Florence, Italy

An extract of this article should be printed in every newspaper and broadcast over every t.v. and radio station in the world to demonstrate the unimaginable effects radical brainwashing DOES HAVE on impressionable youth. The more rationale people must do more to stop this before we have more sad displays like this.

howard abroms, palm beach gardens, FL

The existence of counterfeit religion does not prove the non-existence of true religion. This is not the work of any true followers of the One who created the world, the One who loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for us, and to pay for our sin, and to free us from slavery to sin.

True followers of God display love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faith. They don't shoot at their president's plane. They don't vow to exterminate millions of people. They don't take in hundreds of impressionable children under the pretence of educating them, and then brainwash them to fight to the death, pretending that they are dying for God, instead of actually dying for Satan.

Ian Green, Geelong, Australia

Watch the trailer for 'Jesus Camp'. Here one sees little children in spasms on the floor 'speaking in tongues', being asked "who wants to give up their lives for jesus?", being told that there are "two types of people in the world - people who love jesus and people who don't", etc.
Let's stop brainwashing ALL our children with fantastic stories of powerful sky-beings who read our thoughts, of places of eternal torture, the us-them mentality, etc. If as adults they want to enter such la-la lands then fine.

Maria Brown, London, UK

Why don't the army do what the Russians would do and
throw in some knock out gas cannisters?

John, LONDON,

Thought the specific circumstances/outcomes of their "brainwashing" has the kids wanting to do something particularly shortsighted . . . when good little American Christian kids choose to pray rather than run/scream/fight for help/survival . . . you don't hear the press talking about "brainwashed" Christian kids.

80% of America may be Christian, but 2/3rds of humanity are NOT. Personally I think all carrot & stick theology is harmful and idiotic, but the selective use of "brainwashing" here shows how TV lobotomized the McUSA has become!

Susan, Pagosa Springs, CO

Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple group anyone ? That sort of fanatiscm exists everywhere.

margriet, amsterdam, Neth

"Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability." - Schopenhauer

Let this be a lesson to those who consider religion to be a benign force on the minds of youth. Islam glorifies martyrdom, so does Christianity, but when people actually take their religion seriously - and are ready to die for it - suddenly that SHOCKS you. It shouldn't shock you, this is the natural result of religious teaching about "heaven."

James, Red Deer, Canada

May the true God put his foot down on these fools that think that by being a maytyr will get one into heaven and for the men there things there that they can do that is against the Islamic beliefs here on earth, virgins and wine. Weak Fools follow and there seems to be no shortage of fools in the Islamic world.

Bert, Bryson City, North Carolina, USA

This is a defining event for Musharaff. If he manages to salvage the young maidens without bloodshed and widely publicize what religious indoctrination can do to human brains, he might win popular support and retain his seat. I agree with the reader Tirmizi that mothers should be mobilized to rescue these young women. The entire event should be broadcast live for people to see the tragic events unedited. This might really provoke the average Pakistani to think of the horrific effects of supporting religious fundamentalism.

NS Murali, Orangeburg, SC , USA, SC

Did anyone else note the irony of Maulana being "captured last week as he tried to flee disguised in a burka"? Can the children not be shown the hypocrisy of their elders? Surely some of the older children at least would wonder about the validity of the "great achievement" of martyrdom if the teachers who extolled it are trying to escape it by crossdressing?

Alyssa, Edinburgh, Scotland

I hope the standoff and heinous perversion of young minds for martyrdom raises the awareness within the majority of good Muslim families about their own responsibility to protect and and to offer prosperity to their own children with a balanced and healthy education. Without this basic survival instinct I hate to think what the future holds.

Martin Dungay, Tallinn, Estonia

Abe Chohan, what are you talking about? You ask "What is wrong with Pakistani Muslims?" When will people like you understand that not all Muslims are like this? The soldiers who are outside the mosque trying to prevent those inside from committing acts of terrorism are also Pakistani Muslims!!

Elisa Gottlieb, London, United Kingodm

What sort of religious institution is packed with AK47s? What sort of students carry guns? What sort of religious leaders send young children to their deaths? This is sick.

Phil, Hong Kong,

This is the result of a closed society completely obsessed with religion. Religion and nationalism represent generally the most destructive forces on earth. The chances of any religion being correct must be around zero given the vast array of present and past options. Perhaps a touch of religious humility and a switch to the virtues of kindness and tolerance might help. If these guys in Pakistan had been born in the US no doubt they would be fervent evangelicals. It is a tragedy that most governments fail to inculcate a sense of wonder at the beauty of the natural world and a reverence for international understanding and cooperation that transcends local boundaries.

Phil, Hong Kong,

Why is anyone shocked??? Islam and all religion is for the simple and insane.

Keith, Rochester, New York, USA

However tragic, this is normal human behaviour. Anyone can be programmed, and children are more susceptible to it than most. And from Pakistan to Congo to the most affluent societies of the West, there's no shortage of people ready to do the programming.

The real test is whether the Pakistani authorities can avoid the disaster the US authorities managed in Waco in the 90's. Then the people inside were obligingly given exactly what they wanted. If the ISI continues with a softly softly approach, then at least they have a fighting chance to demonstrating to those inside that there's no glory to be had here.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

Proof positive that religion is manipulative and devicive! All religions use emotional blackmail to keep their stupid followers under control and I mean All religions. When will these wicked old men actually do some real work and stop perpetrating lies - put down the gun pick up a spade and if they believe so much in being a martyr then do it but stop hiding behind women and children. All mullahs who incite others to commit suicide should be imprisoned and offered the opportunity to do it themselves.

Frank Kydd, Wilmington , De

A perfect example of children having to be taught to hate. It happens in every society in the world, usually to a lesser extent.
Islam is 500 years out of date.
Cut off the Hydra's heads and the body will shrivel

David, Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM

What's the difference between a 'cult' of martyrdom and a religious belief?

Chris Jackson, London,

Scary for Pakistan, but even scarier to think this same brainwashing is going on in London - right under the nose of our beloved Mayor Ken.

Patrick Henry, Bristol, UK

The religion of the Koran has some remarkable insights and genuine contributions to the global philisophical and theological community. Its downright disgusting these facets of the Muslim faith are constantly overshadowed by people who claim to be doing what their god wants when they're really just using people to get what THEY want.

The only bitter hope I see in this is that their bloody and intolerant ways will be their eventual downfall...but only after far too much loss and strife.

T.J.H, San Diego, California

Craziness begets craziness. I AGREE with the last comment- They are cowards. Let THEM blow themselves up for Allah- and let the innocent children go.

caramellabutterscotch, washington dc, USA

These are some naive Pakistanis who are astonished - ASTONISHED! - that there are fundamentalists in their midst. Are you kidding me? Musharraf's policies of appeasing the fundamentalists are coming back to bite him in the hindquarters, and people are surprised?

Ha. What goes around comes around, Pakistan. Serves you right.

Pete G., Lawrence, KS , USA

Richard Dawkins among others has said it all and no one is listening or learning.

Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain

Khan should be prepared to put his 'own life' before those of others if he truly fears the God he worships!

Perhaps he should be taught by example, so come on Bush and Blair, go to Iraq, Afghanistan and fight the wars yourselves!

seth taylor, cambs, Uk

When I was ten, I played baseball, studied my favorite books, watched cartoons, and did not worry about anything. How could a society create a ten-year old baby that wants MARTYRDOM!?!?!

What's wrong with Pakistani Muslims? Why are they spreading this hatred?

Terrible.

Abe Chohan, San Diego, California

I find it it funny that these people are now saying,
Why is this happening to our children
Let sick people control your childrens education, what else would you expect?

Kringe, QLD, Aus

COWARDS
They have to hide behind women & children
If they are so eager to die for Allah let the children go.
Then stand up like the real men of Islam you claim to be & die for Allah

Kringe, QLD, Aust

Maybe the ignorant, peasant masses in Pakistan are shocked by what has been done to their children, but there should be no such surprise in the 'civilized' world. We've seen it all before, in the not too distant past. Moonie-style cult indoctrination was all too common less than 20 years ago, and still continues under various guises, even in some 'respectable' religions.

The big differences in the present 'crisis' are
1) that religious fanatics now have access to effectively infinite sources of Saudi and Iranian oil funds to finance their madrassas, terror campaigns etc.,
2) that the religious maniacs have what amounts to a fifth column of brainwashed/-less,Third Worldist liberals, only too willing to justify or excuse their barbarity. Soviets called them 'useful idiots'.
3) that what should be the forces of civilization opposed to them are, in fact, led by religious fanatics of the same mind-set and only slightly less virulence - Bush, ex-Blair and their Middle-Eastern puppets

L.W., Montevideo, URUGUAY

This fanaticism is the danger the West faces and must unreservedly fight against. To falter in this fight means destruction of our institutions and ultimate death for many of us and cultural slavery for the survivors. We must insist that our politicians take every action necessary for our survival. Those who refuse must be replaced by those who will.

Jon Elkin, Prescott, Arizona, USA

Amazing - it's considered horrifying when brainwashed children are sent by their parents to become "martyrs" in Pakistan - clearly they myst be downtrodden and oppressed. That's what excuse is given when similar children are brainwashed into the same sorts of activities against Israel. Or perhaps it's something else - perhaps a problem with a strict interpretation of Islam, which demands this sort of activity?

Victor Williams, Framingham, MA/USA

Long live the religion of peace... what a shame to brainwash such young children! For adults to herd children into basements to be used as 'a bargaining chip' is absolutely demonic. When will 'moderate' Muslims wake up to see what the Qur'an teaches??
Ashamed.

Roger Malstead, Wenatchee, WA, USA

Abdul Rashid Ghazi is about the best argument one cold construe regarding separation of church and reason--also bringing new meaning to the ever-popular American adage of "No Child Left Behind."

The article states that Abdul Rashid Ghazi is willing to fight to the death, rather the deaths of hundreds of children. Very brave indeed.

I would very much like to read the passages in the Koran that justifies any of this folly.

One must also question why any parent would trust their child to such a lot--I remember some crazy nuns in my primary school days, and while we were asked to drink ritual blood every morning, we rarely shed our own.

sim, Atlanta, USA GA

It is not difficult to understand how leaders in radical Islam insidiously exploit the notions of life and death for their political agenda. Misinterpretation of such philosophical issues is their best powerful weapon. Understandably, General Musharraf has enormous difficulties in confronting brainwashed people and especially children who have no idea of what is going on with them. Think now if those fanatics win hearts and minds of slumbering masses, and get access to nuclear weapons when the regime in Pakistan changes! This puts considerable doubt on whether this country should possess such weapons.

Alex Spak, Aberystwyth, UK

just the way the news was made nowdays. sensational and commercialised but the real story pushed under neath. It does so to serve the "bigger " purposes. Pity that nowdays journalism becoming more obsecure with tthe advent of competitve and subject to who with power thart wield the hand that feed yourself. Pity.

ans, hamburg, germany

That is soo sad! Really... ten yr olds shouldnt think like that.

BeBopAndBeyond, Happy Valley Goose Bay, Newfoundland

And they try to tell us this is a PEACEFUL KIND LOVING RELIGION.
Right and cows can fly.

Bill, Cedar Rapids, IA USA

That is soo sad! Really... ten yr olds shouldnt think like that.

BeBopAndBeyond, Happy Valley Goose Bay, Newfoundland

I am glad the ruse worked for Khan. I think mothers of these
kids should be brought to the compund, and allowed to go in
to persuade them to come out. In Pakistan, children learn to
worship the ground their mothers walk on from the day they are born. Waling mothers outside the mosque can be a
powerful antidote against any kind of indoctrination by the
Mullahs of Red Mosque!

Tirmizi, Mart, Texas