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Saddam Hussein has been murdered and I am very sad. You can disagree with me. That's ok. We all have our views.

I have lived in the Middle East and I loved it there and I feel a strong connection to the Muslim people and the Arab world. I can still smell the desert air and hear the prayers sung over the mosque loudspeakers. My mind's eye roams over the undulating sand that stretches for miles and miles. Arabic words echo in my ears. I can hear the music and the voices filling the marketplace. Ohhhh...it is paradise on earth!

I wept today when I heard on the news that Saddam Hussein was executed. I felt cold and horrified. I heard that he had spoken the shahādah (أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله وأشهد أن محمد الرسول الله) and that he had died holding a copy of the Qu'ran.

I hope that is true. I pray that he died at peace with God and with the hope and peace that belief in God brings.

Speaking of praying, I prayed for years that secular Saddam Hussein would find God and would repent of his sins and would make peace within himself for the things he had done. Hearing that he said the shahādah and was often seen holding the Qu'ran, and died holding the Qu'ran, brings me such joy. Secular men don't often tote a holy book about with them. Thank you God!

His death brings me severe sorrow. I don't believe in the death penalty.

I find myself asking is this how we cure violence in the world - by using violence? Is this how we end murder - by murdering?

Saddam Hussein could very well have spent his life in prison. Why wasn't that good enough? And what about rehabilitation? Now he will never have the chance. He's been snuffed out like so much trash and now he'll never have the chance to help bring healing to the people that he wounded.

And for goodness sake talk about bad timing killing the man during the first day of the holy Haj!!

And killing an Elder at that - a 69 year old man! An Elder - executed!! It gets worse the more I think about it. What a wretched situation.

And why wasn't President Bush awake holding a respectful vigil in honor of the man who was being executed?

Before anyone launches into me about all the awful things Saddam Hussein did let me assure you that I know. But who amongst us is perfect?

Like Jesus said as the adultress was about to be stoned to death:

"Cum autem perseverarent interrogantes eum erexit se et dixit eis qui sine peccato est vestrum primus in illam lapidem mittat." (Latin Vulgate)

"." (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Oh God, have mercy on his soul. And have mercy on us.

Eternal rest grant unto Saddam Hussein O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.