An Sionnach

By Hesham Hassaballa, July 20, 2007

Suicide terrorism is a relatively new phenomenon. Although most commonly associated with Muslims, it has been well documented that many non-Muslim terrorist groups have utilized the tactic of the suicide attack. Still, it is hard for most people – including the author – to understand how someone could resolve to strap a bomb on his chest and detonate it among innocent people in order to commit mass murder. For the terrorists of the Muslim flavor, they justify such action by claiming that being a suicide bomber is an act of “holy war,” and in traditional Muslim theology, the one who dies in “holy war” will become a martyr that instantly goes to Heaven.

I have thought long and hard over their religious justifications. They make absolutely no sense. First of all, murder is strictly forbidden in Islam:

“And do not take a life that God has made sacred, except for just cause.” (17:33)

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Four traveling companions, one Persian, one Arab, one Greek and one Turk, became hungry. With just a coin between them, they began to argue.

“I want angur,” said the Persian.

“I want uzum,” said the Turk.

“I want inab,” said the Arab.

“But I want stafil,” said the Greek.

A Sufi, hearing their arguing, approached and asked what was wrong. After listening to their complaint, he promised them that if they gave him their coin, he would return with something that would satisfy them all. After much hesitation, the travels agreed, and gave him their coin. The Sufi returned from the marketplace with grapes—- “angur” in Persian, “uzum” in Turkish, “inab” in Arabic, and “stafil” in Greek.

-RUMI

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A graphic put together as a proposal for the Asheville Tourists. The site proposal would include a team forum, 3d stadium view, ticket sales, and a newsletter.

Graphic Design.

Needless to say the tourists did not take the proposal.

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach
A template driven site designed for a religious community.

Graphic Design, Layout, Template Design, HTML, PHP, Forums, Javascript, Search utility, Search Engine Optimization, Banner Exchange, Link Exchange (with voteable link directory).

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach

A website for a web design company.

Graphic Design, css, layout.

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach

This site was done for a friend of mine, who is also priest at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and has been a huge support to the clan here at Doxos.

Fr. Gregory wanted his theme base around some old maps, so I could pass up the opportunity to use a map that I found, that was based around sacred geography. Some editing to the image, and some color enhancement, crop, cut, slice and dice; and she was ready for import into pMachine which was installed a few months ago. The php and css was edited using Dreamweaver.

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach

A journal ad for St. Raphaels, for the Parish Life Conference.

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach

A template driven site designed for the New York Annual Conference Chrysalis Community.

Graphic Design, Layout, Template Design, HTML, PHP, Forums, Javascript, Search utility, PDF, Search Engine Optimization, E-mail Scripting. Education.

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach

Here is one of my current projects. Basically it will be an entry page, with a little bit of info, for ordering photographs from paintball tournaments, and scenario games.

Graphic Design, Flash, HTML, CSS, integration with photo printing studio and shopping cart.

Originally uploaded by An Sionnach

Design for a local Antiochian Orthodox Church using pMachine blogging software.

Graphic Design, Layout, CSS, HTML, PHP, pMachine Integration, Javascript.