Khadafi's ironic last words broadcast to unforgiving world

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
10/21/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

'What you are doing is forbidden in Islamic law,' said dictator, never one to follow any law

Colonel Moammar Khadafi was never one to follow any moral or religious constraint wile he was alive, so it was highly ironic to learn that one of the final words he told his executioners "What you are doing is forbidden in Islamic law." Cell phone video footage of Khadafi's last moments are now circulating on the Internet, and typically show the graceless way an iron-fisted dictator leaves the mortal plain.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Do you know what's right or wrong?" was yet another classic line the bloodied Khadafi said before he met justice.

In the disarray following his death, there are conflicting reports over what Khadafi may have said before he died. Repeatedly telling the mob swarming around him, "What you are doing is forbidden in Islamic law," the bruised and bloodied leader is met with a rebel is responding, "Shut up you dog," as the armed fighters fired celebratory bullets in the air.

The most popular footage ends with Khadafi declaring "What you are doing is wrong ... Do you know right from wrong?"

During Khadafi's tyrannical 42-year regime, the international community laid a long list of atrocities at his door, most notably the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people, mainly Americans.

Khadafi was killed shortly after his capture amid the final assault by Transitional National Council (TNC) on his hometown of Sirte. New footage only added to the confusion about the exact circumstances of his death.

The official word from interim Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril announced later Thursday that Khadafi was fatally injured after being caught in crossfire between his own supporters and rebel fighters. Other reports have cast doubt on that claim - one account suggests that Khadafi was shot by his own bodyguards.

The details surrounding his death are of little consequence to the Libyans who celebrated through the night in preparation of a new dawn in the troubled North African country.

His death means the transitional government can avoid a long trial and proceed with declarations that the country is now "liberated" as soon as this week. The new government can begin without the threats of an insurgency led by the former dictator.

The TNC is relying on the support of its allies, including Britain and France which led the NATO mission to support the anti-Khadafi cause, and the U.S.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged ongoing commitment to start building a democracy in Libya at a news conference in Pakistan.

"The death of Colonel Khadafi has brought to a close a very unfortunate chapter in Libya's history, but it also marks the start of a new era for the Libyan people," Clinton said.

"I want to underscore the commitment of the United States to supporting the Libyan people as a friend and partner as they embark on this new democratic path," she added.

� 2011, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Moammar Khadafi, Libya, death, last words

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1 - 8 of 8 Comments

davepinoy
1 year ago
The videos, nauseating as they maybe, brings to forth, the ethical perspective of any muslim. The deeply rooted islamic ethics to kill, makes this video a testament to the evils of the islamic teaching. The hypocrisy as well is evident. Whereas we find muslims in the western world insisting on shariah law, and yet here and in the subsequent display of khadaffi's body, for five days, had been violated and taken for granted. Only shows, how utilatarian, deceptive and nefarious this particular muslims are, violating the laws of its shariah and the call of its quran. So what are we to think of muslims with such ethical conduct. Khadaffi, admitedly had been egregious in his reign and conducted himself and his action as the objective norm of morality just as muhammed had used the supposed revelation from allah, to satisfy his lust, insatiable want for power, exempting him for his own previous revelation for muslims to follow. Nevertheless, the disregard for human life and process of justice, is simply barbaric, knows of no ethical standard, and objectively evil. To deal with these men after the supposed liberation from a dictator, will ultimately mean, no distinction at all. How could any muslim who disregard the quran and the dictates of its allah (although i view allah as satan),. be different from the same dictator who had the very same perspective. And this is the funny part, in the subsequent declarations of the NTC, they say the new Libya will be founded on shariah law. What contradiction. They start by violating their own shariah law when they mercilessly murdered a captive in khaddafi, and then displayed his corpse, which are wanton violations of shariah law, and yet here they are saying, that shariah law which they disrespected would become their foundation. Indeed, Islam, and muhammed have taught deception, contradictions, and falsehood as their ethical foundation. This is the very testimony of the evil of islam.
Carlos
1 year ago
Hipocrisy just let me sick... NATO killed more people in 8 months than Kadaffi in 43 years... Guess who is the villain? Who did more wars and carnage last 10 years? Kadafi? Face the true, no one in this mass are less atroz than Kadafi, everyone are pretty barbaric and savage.
Kay
1 year ago
Catholic or not Catholic, we are all human as are our feelings about this. I'm glad the video was here because otherwise I wouldnt have seen it. Do I think it was barbaric...yes I do. Am I glad he is dead.... yes I am. Would I ever consider Kadaffi as my 'brother in Christ'.... no never

Always remember to look at yourself first before you cast the first stone and stop being so self-righteous.
josee
1 year ago
Ridiculous that a catholic site would post video of violence.......why would the video of khadafi being beaten be on this site......

What is the real purpose of showing that? Reading about it isn't enough?
Theresa
1 year ago
While Khadafi was justifiably "wanted for murder" multiple times over, I also find something unsavory about the gloating and taunting of those who manage to orchestrate his demise. I understand that the "death sentence" is sometimes justifiable, that we have a right to self defense, and that there is such a thing as a just war. But the taunting and gloating? Hopefully, a new nation will arise that will find it's way--before God and man.
Chappy
1 year ago
Odd statement from your first poster, I've never heard Catholics extend a familial relationship to people who were not Catholics, as Khadafi absolutely was not. Is this some new deal?

While I agree to some extent that you are commanded by scripture not to rejoice when others face judgment, in context such things are teaching moments.

I absolutely don't sit in judgement over people I know, but when someone's bad choice bore the inevitable fruit, I used it as a moment to instruct my kids on their choices. These moments have not exempted myself either.

And personal bad choices aside, when people's choices leave bad and enter evil, as the actions of dictators do, remember Christ driving the money changers out of the temple. He didn't say, my dear friends let's reason about this, he beat them out of the temple with a whip. The actions and words fit the crime. The author of this article does not seem to gloat to me. I really read into it that they were observing an immutable law and that is that all of us will experience the fruit of our own actions. Power made him feel he was immune. the bible says otherwise.

I would also state, given current events, there are people suffering now who think justice may
never come, and they can be reminded of the faithfulness of God. Like the story of the demise of Jezebel or other such people, it's just a history lesson and a reminder to keep the
principles of love and kindness because in the end, we will reap what we sow.
Ugochukwu
1 year ago
On peace for the wicked.
Jon
1 year ago
The most highly ironic statement in this article was "Cell phone video footage of Khadafi's last moments are now circulating on the Internet, and typically show the graceless way an iron-fisted dictator leaves the mortal plain," and that it was apparently written by a Christian.

I love my Church, am proud to be Catholic, and expect Her (us) to uphold Christ's ideals as much as possible. Is that gloating statement quoted above applicable to Christ's ideals? Kadaffi committed evil, horrible actions, but he is still our brother in Christ, whom we are called to love.

Schadenfreude over a human being's death is never appropriate for the Church, Her representatives, or anybody who attempts to write for something called "Catholic Online."

Also, the correct term is "mortal plane", not "mortal plain."

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