Over at care2dotcom there is a rather depressing little story that I feel in some way complements Esme's story that she posted here on Tuesday. It highlights why Islam is probably the nastiest belief system ever invented and points up that that so-called religion-of-peace lacks not just some sort of New Testament redeeming reworking of the brutality of its founder's teachings, but also lacks any sort of Saint Francis of Assisi figure as well. Further, together with Esme's story it points up exactly why Turkey must not, and cannot, claim to be civilised enough to warrant entry into the European Union. The ethical standards in Turkey are those of glorifying cruelty, condoning barbarism, revelling in intolerance, institutionalising corruption, removing freedom and free expression, and denying human rights, and it is all done in the name of Islam.

The story, which you can find here, is a simple and heart-warming one, but, nonetheless, it illustrates Islamic modes of thought and the associated mindless cruelty of Muslims, and Islam as it is, perfectly:

[...]

German-born Manuela Wroblewski is cursed, threatened and even assaulted as she tries to discretely make her rounds feeding street cats and dogs in the seaside community of Avsallar, Turkey. It’s a bittersweet duty that brings such fulfillment as the animals emerge from the shadows and run eagerly to her feet for their meal. But the daily walk is not without the sting of unwelcome surprises.

[...]

“While we were on the move, we bumped into a skinny street dog who had a nasty cut on his neck as well as blood running out of his right ear and several cuts,” Manuela explains of a recent day on her beat. “Only 15 minutes later, we bumped into a dead cat that I had been caring for. He was a very friendly one, and what this poor cat looked like now, was shocking. Sara (visiting veterinary technician from Canada) lifted up his dead body and saw that one eye was missing too. She believes, and my vet confirmed, that this cat was abused and poisoned and — while still alive — was put into the open cardboard box where we found it.”

“Down the road there is one apartment complex here where eight cats were peacefully living until a woman chased them out by throwing stones at them. Now all of them look really confused as they dwell under a pile of trash directly next to a road. When we fed them, they climbed up onto our laps as they were so devastated. Still in shock about this, we bumped into another street dog who was limping badly. We informed my vet this morning and he will come here tomorrow morning to check both dogs out before we will hold the second spaying/neutering day tomorrow. And early this morning the pretty calico cat that was being used as a football by the local kids, was spitting a bit of blood. My vet will examine her too later today.”

[...]

In Turkey, as in many parts of the world, the animal welfare movement has not yet made its mark. It is not unusual for animals to be poisoned or beaten or killed in ways I dare not describe. It’s truly a difficult situation.

We’ve talked about community education programs, but both Manuela and the veterinarian she works with fear that any posters to inform residents about our efforts to spay/neuter the cats or to attempt to address issues of cruelty would most likely inspire additional acts of violence toward the street animals. We’ve not yet penetrated the schools to introduce humane education to children who may be our only hope for a humane future here. There truly is a long road ahead of us here and no one is more aware of that than Manuela.

Amidst this monumental struggle, there are golden moments that buoy our spirits. For example, just the other day a puppy followed Manuela and visiting volunteer Sara Ahmadi for several miles.

“We fed her but she wanted more, she wanted love,” explains Manuela.

So when a rare opportunity arose to rescue the dog and fly him out with a Belgian rescuer, Manuela immediately set out to find the puppy.

“I left at 9 am this morning with my big food bag and with a cat crate and spent seven hours walking and feeding, constantly searching for the skinny puppy. I felt like a robot walking back and forth but after exactly seven hours I spotted the puppy nearly two miles away on the beach. I had a leash with me but she refused to walk on it. So I carried her in my arms all the way while trying to hold onto the bag of cat food and the empty crate. I had to stop a few times as it was incredibly exhausting, but I got her back to my apartment safely and she will now begin a new life with the love she’s been so desperately seeking.”

It's just one woman doing what she can, but St. Francis must be proud of her.