American Red Cross Archives - Islamic Relief USA Islamic Relief USA Archive for tag: American Red Cross 30.082016 August 30, 2016 That was the rating the Islamic Relief USA team gave to his house. The man was probably in his late 60s, said Disaster… Continue reading... Raising The Red Crescent | New Humanist Raising The Red Crescent Thursday, 31st May 2007 Originally published in 2003 Islamic charities have gathered notoriety since 911, some of them accused, much to the embarrassment of those that are entirely respectable, of being vehicles for financing international terrorism. What are these charities, which barely existed thirty years ago? So far poorly documented, they form a meetingpoint for two independent movements that have marked this period: the Islamic resurgence, and the expansion of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). The rise of Islamic charities affects all countries with substantial Muslim populations.

They are also of intellectual interest in that they point up some sharp dilemmas in the world of humanitarianism, whose aspirations to universality seem increasingly threatened by the pressures of politics  and especially of religious politics, which thirty years ago seemed to most observers to be on the wane. A commitment to charitable giving in a general sense has been one of the hallmarks of Islam since its foundation in the seventh century. [i]Zakat[/i], the Islamic tithe, is one of the five 'pillars' of the religion, closely associated in the Koran with prayer, and bearing semantic overtones of productivity and purification. It is much stressed in all modern Islamic writings on social solidarity. Another institution called [i]waqf[/i] (plural [i]awqaf[/i]) was the muslim equivalent of charitable foundations, prominent in almost the whole of the muslim world until the twentieth century. Even today a soupkitchen in East Jerusalem or a drinkingfountain in Oman may turn out to be designated as historic [i]waqf[/i] property and hence protected for public benefit.

Modern humanitarianism may be said to have begun in the 1860s with the founding of the Red Cross movement in Geneva, on firmly nonconfessional principles. However, as early as 1876 the chosen emblem, with its unfortunate connotations of the Crusades, caused friction with Turkish soldiers during the Serbian war  to the extent that a local representative of the Red Cross committee was killed and his arm carrying the white 'brassard' mutilated. At the Ottoman government's request, an alternative emblem was allowed: the red crescent. Today, some thirty national societies in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, all with muslim majority populations, use the red crescent rather than the red cross emblem. Though these Red Crescent societies are supposed to be entirely secular, they tend to show a family resemblance with avowedly Islamic charities, for instance in emphasising the needs of orphans and refugees and in tying their fundraising to the holy month of Ramadan.

Their relations with the international movement's Geneva headquarters are as delicate as ever, both on account of the ongoing problem of the two emblems  neither of which is acceptable to Israel as an emblem for its national society  and because of the decision of the Red Crescents to build up a sectional power base as a counterbalance to what they see as domination of the movement by Western countries. Among the oldest muslim charities following a recognisably modern pattern is the Circassian Charitable Association in Jordan, founded in 1932 and still active with 3,000 volunteer members. Its policy is to try to educate new leaders for this influential muslim minority. Very different, and closer to traditional muslim piety, is a charity launched in Pakistan in 1951 by a young refugee from India: the Edhi Foundation. It is now a national and international agency specialising in medical services and relief, bearing the stamp of Abdul Sattar Edhi's personal austerity and forthrightness  qualities that attract wide support from a public mistrustful of Pakistan's statesponsored institutions.

Unique in another way is the prestigious Aga Khan Foundation, launched in 1967 in Switzerland, an expression of the Ismaili sect's celebrated tradition of solidarity and philanthropy. Though formally nondenominational, and in close liaison with the most sophisticated Western NGOs, it operates mainly in regions such as east Africa and central Asia, where there are Ismaili minorities. We may also identify a category of Islamic charities that are in effect organs of governments. The largest of these is the International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIRO), based in Jeddah since its founding in 1979 and prominent in all war zones and disaster areas with large numbers of muslim victims. It is one of the charities in Saudi Arabia that benefit from statesponsored [i]zakat[/i]: as a substitute for tax, individuals and businesses are annually invited, but in effect required, to contribute to [i]zakat[/i] funds. IIRO's fundraising videos have emphasised especially the sufferings of muslims in former Communist states, and the need to defend the religion as well as supply material aid. The good name of IIRO has been in question since 911.

Though the Saudi government has announced that it is tightening control over the finances of charitable organisations within its jurisdiction, no report and accounts for IIRO have been published since 1976. The position it takes, that its operations are of concern only to its Saudi donors, is completely at odds with the mainstream NGOs, which lay increasing stress on issues of accountability. IIRO is thus weakly placed to defend itself against charges of impropriety. In conflict zones such as Afghanistan in the 1980s, Bosnia in the 1990s, or Kosovo today, Islamic relief agencies have competed for influence with Western agencies, but also with one another  on the basis of opposed interpretations of Islam and opposed national interests. In postSaddam Iraq today, it may be predicted that, when the American military decides to loosen its grip, there will be similar manoeuvring on the charitable front to advance the interests of regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. Whereas in Saudi Arabia the Wahhabite version of Islam is integrated with an ultraconservative monarchy, the regime has consistently supported Islamist tendencies elsewhere that are politically subversive.

No doubt the motive is to buy off trouble within SaudiArabia itself. The most influential organisation of this type is the Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928 with the aim of 'islamising' virtually all aspects of public life. Its philosophy  combining politics, religion and welfare in a wouldbe seamless whole  has helped to form violent movements such as Hamas in the Palestinian territories and the Groupe Islamiste Armé in Algeria; but the more moderate Jordanian Muslim Brothers have matured into providing a kind of 'loyal opposition' to the Hashemite monarchy. The political success of organisations such as Hamas or Hizbullah, the militant Shia group in Lebanon, is partly due to their extensive networks of schools, hospitals and other welfare services, which are able to compensate for deficiencies in government provision. Western and Israeli intelligence has estimated that international financial support for Hamas's social service programmes has recently exceeded $100 million per year, about 10 per cent of which goes to its military wing.

It remains to be seen how successful the US government, and now the European Union, will be in prohibiting these monetary flows, deeming the Palestinian resistance to be part and parcel of international terrorism of the AlQaida type. By contrast, the largest British muslim NGO has been hailed by the Labour politician Clare Short as a 'centre of goodness'. Islamic Relief was founded in 1984 in Birmingham by a group of medical students. It now has six branches and raises funds in the US, France and elsewhere. Its expenditure of about £15 million per year is focused on countries such as Afghanistan, Palestine and Ingushetia, where it helps Chechens displaced by the war. Whereas traditional interpretations of the Koranic rules governing the distribution of [i]zakat[/i] have confined it to Muslim beneficiaries, Islamic Relief has adopted a more liberal interpretation which affirms that [i]zakat[/i] should go those most in need, regardless of religious status. Hence, though its programmes are concentrated on services to muslim populations in crisis, of which there is no shortage, it devotes some of its effort to work that benefits nonmuslims.

Thus it is able to satisfy the requirements of British government and European Union funding authorities, which exclude religious discrimination. Islamic Relief enjoys collegial relations with the British overseas aid establishment, while also drawing on the loyalty of Britain's muslim population  an analogous strategy to that of Christian Aid, some thirty years its senior. Britain's other leading Islamic relief agency, Muslim Aid, has retained the more restrictive reading of the zakat rules and also plays more directly to its constituency, for instance in publicly criticising the war in Iraq. Both Islamic Relief and Muslim Aid have been charged by radical Muslim organisations with distracting attention from what they claim is the need to engage in a more militant jihad against the oppression of Palestinians or Chechens. If Islamic charities may seem to wear politics on their sleeve, we should recall that muslims have long perceived a hidden agenda in the Western aid system. The rise of these charities over the last thirty years may be seen as an exercise in emulation, but drawing on a hallowed vocabulary of religious ethics. This article was brought to you by New Humanist, a quarterly journal of ideas, science and culture. To support our journalism, please subscribe .

A simple way to support New Humanist, share this article with friends Red Cross and Red Crescent flags This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website Red Cross and Red Crescent flags Geneva Convention by Alvin Heims, 29 Nov 1999 by Željko Heimer, 11 Dec 1999 The precise appearance of these flags is not prescribed. The versions shown above are in use, the last three being exported from .eps files on the ICRC web site. Kindersley (1997) states (in the Tonga page) that the flag with the red cross coupee was adopted in 1863. António Martins, 12 March 1999 1949 Geneva Convention The following summarizes the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions that govern the use of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Lion and Sun flags. Geneva I governs land warfare, Geneva II governs warfare at sea. There are also Geneva III and IV, but they have no provisos concerning flags: Geneva I, Art.

38, provides for use of the Swiss federal arms in reversed colors, the red cross on a white ground, as the emblem and distinctive sign of the Medical Service of armed forces. [This was originally provided for in article VII of the first Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Wounded in Armies in the Field, signed on August 22, 1864.] The red crescent or red lion and sun, in lieu of the red cross, will be recognized for use by countries that were already using those devices when the 1949 convention was adopted. Geneva I, Art. 39, requires the emblem (red cross, etc.) to be displayed on the flags, armlets and on all equipment employed in the Medical Service. The same provision is also contained in Geneva II, Art. 41. Geneva I, Art. 42, limits the display of "the distinctive flag of the Convention" to medical units and establishments entitled to be respected under the Convention and permits it to be displayed in conjunction with the national flag of the party to which the unit or establishment belongs.

[The 1864 convention required it to be displayed with the national flag.] When medical units fall into the hands of the enemy, they display only the flag of the Convention. Geneva I, Art. 43, requires medical units of neutral countries "which may have been authorized to lend their services to a belligerent" to fly the flag of the Convention and the national flag of the belligerent to which they have been lent, and permits them to fly their own national flag as well. Such neutral medical units may continue to fly their own national flags even if they are captured. Geneva I, Art. 44, bans all uses of the Red Cross or equivalent emblems (including flags) other than to indicate or protect medical units and establishments and related personnel and material under the Geneva Conventions, except that national Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies may use the emblems in peacetime for other activities in conformity with the principles of the Red Cross movement. In wartime, they may use the emblems for their other activities only if they are clearly not implying the protection of the convention. International Red Cross organizations (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross) may use the Red Cross emblem at all times.

Geneva II, Art 43 requires hospital ships to "make themselves known by hoisting their national flag and further, if they belong to a neutral state, the flag of the Party to the conflict whose direction they have accepted. A white flag with a red cross shall be flown at the mainmast as high as possible." Hospital ships that are provisionally detained by the enemy haul down their national colors. Coastal lifeboats operating from a base occupied by the enemy may continue to fly their own national colours along with the Red Cross flag. Geneva II, Art 44, limits the use of the distinguishing signs, including the flag, to indicating ships and vessels protected by the convention, whether in peace or war (except as otherwise agreed, e.g., by Geneva I). Joe McMillan, 2 May 2000 The main authority to use the red cross/red crescent symbol is not by any international red cross organization (ICRC or IFRC) or national red cross society but by the parties to the Geneva conventions (or any party to a conflict, since the protocol includes civil wars within its ambit) to designate military medical facilities and units.

In fact, in both wartime and peacetime the national red cross societies can use the symbol only with the approval of their governments. The same applies to the other symbols provided for under the conventions and the protocol: decisions on where to display them is the responsibility of the authorities of the governments who signed the convention or of the parties to a conflict. Joe McMillan, 6 May 2000 Shape and orientation of emblems on flags The rules for this are laid down in the "Regulations on the use of the Emblem of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent by the National Societies" (adopted by the 20th Red Cross and Red Crescent International Conference (Vienna, 1965) and revised by the Council of Delegates (Budapest, 1991)): CHAPTER I : GENERAL RULES Article 5: "Design of the emblem" ... The emblem used as a protective device shall always retain its original form, i.e. nothing shall be added either to the cross, the crescent or the white ground. A cross formed with two cross-pieces, one vertical and the other horizontal crossing in the middle, shall be used. The shape and direction of the crescent are not regulated.

Neither the cross nor the crescent shall touch the edges of the flag or the shield. The shade of the red is not specified. The ground shall always be white. ... Article 7: "Internal regulations of the National Society" ... The National Society shall lay down the conditions governing the use of the emblem in regulations or internal directives. The regulations or directives may consist, for example, of: ... B. Concerning the indicative use of the emblem: ... - the dimensions and proportions of the emblem; So, the direction of the crescent doesn't matter -- all versions are valid and "protective". But national societies can decide for one version for "indicative" use (i.e. for consistency of the "logo" within the national society). This has no effect on the protective use, and is optional. Ref.: Melchior Franz, 13 March 2005 The red cross and the red crescent flags are not formalized to the construction details - no ratio, no explanation how exactly the cross and the crescent should look like, how bold they should be, etc.

The intention is not to formalize it, so that any reasonable depiction would be enough to provide protection according to the agreements and international law - i.e., to prevent someone from saying maliciously that the proportions were not "as specified", so they did not have to respect the significance of the symbol. Therefore, the RC flags are made and used in different ratios, 1:1, 2:3, 1:2 all being quite usual. In practice the RC flag tends to be of equal ratio as the flag of the country where it is displayed, but there is no such requirement. Željko Heimer, 18 May 2005 While the ICRC and the protocols regarding the emblems of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal refrain from determining any specifics of the emblems, to prevent abuse of these determinations as excuses for possible misconduct in regard to protection of these symbols in time of armed conflict - the IFRC issued in June 2006 a booklet with guidelines for drawing of the symbols and flags. My understanding that these guidelines are for the indicative purpose of the symbols and that the undetermined sizes are still valid for the protective purpose (although from the booklet it is not clearly visible!).

Also, the booklet clearly defines the flag in ratio 3:5 (although it does not say that other sizes/ratios are improper - it surely implies so!) I would think that this is against the spirit of these symbols, but... Red Cross image by Alvin Heims, 29 Nov 1999 Kindersley (1997) states (in the Tonga page) that the flag with the red cross coupee was adopted in 1863. António Martins, 12 March 1999 The plain Red Cross or Red Crescent flag is primarily used to identify medical units of military forces as provided by the 1864 and subsequent Geneva conventions, although national governments may authorize Red Cross or Red Crescent societies to use the flags provided there is no possibility of confusion with the primary use of the flag. The convention also allows the various international Red Cross organizations (ICRC and IFRC) to use the symbols. Therefore, the plain Red Cross is not a unique identifier of the ICRC. The basic right to use the Red Cross and Red Crescent flags does not derive from either of these organizations.

It is an inherent right of all states that are parties to the Geneva Convention of 1949 and any other belligerent that might be engaged in combat in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. Joe McMillan, 1 April 2003 Vexillologist Léon Nyssen received a letter (in French) from ICRC quoting the Acts of Geneva Convention of 1949: "C'est de propos délibéré que l'on n'a pas voulu fixer la forme de la croix rouge, ce qui eut ouvert la porte � des abus dangereux...

Si la forme de la croix avait été fixée de façon immuable, n'aurait-on pas cherché � justifier des attaques contre les bâtiments protégés par la convention en prétextant que les signes n'avaient pas les proportions prescrites?..." A tentative translation: "On purpose it has been desired not to determine the shape of the red cross, which determination would have given way to dangerous abuses...If the shape of the cross had been determined in an immutable way, would not one try to justify attacks against buildings protected by the Convention, arguing that the symbols did not have not the settled proportions?... Armand du Payrat, 1 April 2003 Nowadays it is normal that the Red Cross symbol in ordered (i.e. peaceful) conditions is modeled after the Swiss flag , more or less. However, looking at old documentaries it seems to me that before, say 1950's, the shape of the cross was usually much thinner (even to one third of the width of the Swiss cross).

Željko Heimer, 1 April 2003 image by Alvin Heims, 29 Nov 1999 This version of the red cross matches the form of the Swiss national flag . Željko Heimer, 11 December 2005 image by Alvin Heims, 29 Nov 1999 The Red Crescent flag is used in Islamic nations. The Red Crescent, the Muslim version of the Red Cross, is depicted as having the upper and lower tips of the crescent to the viewers left. In French Naval Commander du Payrat's publication "Album des Pavillons Nationaux et des Marques Distinctives" the tips of the crescent are to the viewer's right. I observed news photos from Iraq on more than one occasion showing what appear the be field ambulances with the Red Crescent displayed on the side of the vehicle and the crescent's tips are to the viewer's right. Tru Pope, 22 July 2003 I believe that this is not strictly regulated by the ICRC, just as in the cross emblem version where width and length of the crossbars is irrelevant.

It was intentionally left unspecified so that in combat no side might "make mistakes" supported by slight (or big) deviations from a "perfect" pattern. Željko Heimer, 23 July 2003 image by Željko Heimer, 11 December 2005 This is the form of the crescent as provided by ICRC. Some national societies prefer a left-pointing crescent: image by Željko Heimer, 11 December 2005 Red Lion image by Alvin Heims, 29 Nov 1999 In 1980 the Islamic Republic of Iran decided to give up the red lion and sun and use the red crescent in its place. This flag is therefore obsolete. Red Chevron Looking at Victor Lomantsov's Vexillographia site (issue on the CD that he courteously provided to me in Stockholm) I read about the Kazakh Red Cross and Red Crescent society flag. That seems to employ the new symbol consisting of a "red chevron" with the red cross and the red crescent in base of it.

As my Russian is not that good (and I have no patience reading it really carefully) I am not sure if that is still a proposal, or if this new symbols is already being used. Some years ago I have been reading about this new symbol being discussed by the ICRC, but as far as I was aware, the proposal was not yet formally adopted. Are there any changes about that? From memory, the red chevron symbol was proposed to replace the religious symbols and would therefore remove the unwanted connotations and problems that other religions see in the two internationally adopted symbols (three actually, the third is the red lion-and-sun symbol not used any more). This would enable inclusion of the Red Magen David society too, and would enable the other religions to find their place in the scheme. The world-wide symbol is to be the chevron only consisting of a 45 degrees rotated square that is "missing" the lower quarter. In this quarter the local symbol may be added at will (or after certain regulations) just as the Kazakh flag shows. Željko Heimer, 13 September 2003 The ICRC website is still citing the proposed status of the emblem.

As they note, the emblem must first be recognized by the signatories to the Geneva Convention as a symbol of the ICRC. World events appear to have delayed this from becoming an official symbol to date. Phil Nelson, 13 September 2003 As Phil pointed out, this still seems to be a proposal. The Singapore Red Cross has an English language web page with illustrations of apparently two designs. See Thorsten, 13 September 2003 [Editor's note: this proposal appears to have been abandoned with the introduction of the red crystal symbol in 2005.] Red Cross Line image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 11 February 2008 Postcard collection shows shipping flag entitled "Red Cross Line" and a 2:3 flag otherwise identical the regular Red Cross. António Martins-Tuválkin, 11 February 2008 Red Cross of Southern Sudan image by Eugene Ipavec, 01 April 2012 You can see the flag of the new national society of the Red Cross of Southern Sudan on < >.

Jose Antonio Jiménez Ruiz, 04 February, 2012 In the website of the Afghan Red Crescent Society , you can see the emblem of the Society, the explanation of the symbol , and you can see the flag of this Society in several images of the " Image Gallery ". Jose Antonio Jiménez Ruiz, 04 February, 2012 Read more Press releases International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement deplores the death of Nigerian Red Cross Society aid workers in Rann, Nigeria The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is deeply saddened by the death of a numb... IFRC Secretary General available for interviews at World Economic Forum on new `localised` vision for channelling humanitarian aid Focus Issue at Davos: The state of humanitarian need in the world is unprecedented, with over 13... Geneva/Panama – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)... Donate Support our vital disaster response work IFRC in partnership with ammado Latest appeals Syria: Red Crescent Aid? Syria: Red Crescent Aid? Written by Red Crescent Aid Published: 02 June 2016 1st Aid For Syria in 5 Years Red Crescent, U.N.

& Red Cross ISLAM NEWSROOM - Dateline: June 2016 - "Little Aid Comes Late - 4 Years Late!" Red Crescent, United Nations & International Red Cross Get Through Bringing Help to Families of Damascus Suburb Just weeks ago, the same international workers were turned away once again - finally allowed to enter with much needed baby milk, medicine and desperately needed health supplies. Damascus, Syria's capitol has a badly besieged suburb called Daraya, where recently combined efforts of Red Crescent (equivalent of American Red Cross), the United Nations and the International Red Cross finally were allowed to bring in meager supplies such as baby milk, medicines and emergency supplies for elderly, women and children. . After being turned away by government forces, just less than a month ago, the same group of International workers showed up again today, in Daraya a badly besieged suburb of Syria’s capitol, Damascus, carrying much needed baby milk, medicine and health related supplies. Combined efforts of the Red Crescent (the Islamic equivalent of the Red Cross), U.N. and International Red Cross worked hard together bringing meager supplies to this embattled suburb of Syria’s most populated areas.

After Syrian government military turned away the convoy of Red Crescent, United Nations and International Red Cross last month, the workers immediately issued a combined notice stating they had been forced back at the government checkpoint, even though they already had all necessary documents, official clearance and permissions to enter the war torn area of Daraya. That refusal of entry, even though all procedures had been in place, prompted international demands to start dropping emergency supplies by air for the children, women and elderly who are in hopeless conditions there. Twitter notices popped up from the combined efforts of Red Crescent, Red Cross and U.N. saying: ⁃ "Government troops last month halted the same convoy, despite it being pre-approved with help from Russia. The diplomatic fiasco prompted a U.S.- and Russia-backed task force to approve airdrops. ⁃ "The Assad regime averts a new intrusion into its airspace by allowing the convoy by land." AP [Associated Press] reported: ⁃ "International Syria Support Group last month called on the U.N. to 'immediately carry out a program for air bridges and air drops for all areas in need' starting June 1 if it was denied access to designated areas. The U.N.

envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has called air drops, which cost more than land delivery, a 'last resort.' " Alison reported: ⁃ ”local activists say regime forces were shelling Daraya's crop fields hours before the convoy arrived." BBC reported: ⁃ 48-hour cease-fire came into effect for Daraya on Wednesday… another convoy arrived in Moadamiyeh, a rebel-held town and recipient of an international aid delivery last month. ⁃ Military forces of Bashar Assad were forced out of Daraya back during the beginning of the Syrian protests against Assad’s “security forces”. ⁃ Three years ago the government shut down all electricity, and hospitals, schools, shops and residents have been stranded without lights, power or hope in Daraya. ⁃ Assad’s government also set up blockades eliminating possibilities of outside assistance, even for medical emergencies. AP reports the United Nations Stated: ⁃ Between 4,000 to 8,000 residents in Daraya are currently subjected to this blockade and without basic needs.

-- Believers everywhere are requested to pray for relief for these helpless people, whether Muslims, Christians, Jews or other - These are human beings, desperate for food, clean water, medicine and basic needs of elders, women, children and babies. May Allah help them and give them strength and patience to endure at life none of us can even imagine, Ameen. International Committee of the Red Cross International Committee of the Red Cross In Yemen, a journey to the unknown Latest Tweets RT @ RMardiniICRC : Catastrophic humanitarian situation & massive needs in #Yemen . We're doing all we can to do more this year. We owe… twitter.com/i/web/status/8… The work of the ICRC Helping people affected by war The ICRC helps those affected by armed conflict and promotes compliance with international humanitarian law. Read more about what we do and who we are .

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: The power of humanity Everyone wounded or sick during armed conflict has the right to health care Requests for information about people held during the Spanish Civil War or the Second World War Art competition illustrates safer access ICRC Archives From Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City Drawing on archives recently opened to the public, this study provides a broad chronological and geographic overview of the ICRC's activities from 1966 to 1975 and traces the development of its policy on visits to political prisoners. Support our work Save and change lives As the pressure on our resources continues to grow, we need more funds to help the increasing number of men, women and children around the world who find themselves caught in the crossfire of conflict. From our eShop Teaching, Debating, Researching International Humanitarian Law, Action and Policy in Universities. How can professors, lecturers, researchers and students foster respect for and implementation of international humanitarian law? How can they promote and enhance neutral, independent and impartial humanitarian action? What Does the Red Cross Mean? What Does the Red Cross Mean?

Agnosticism & Atheism Expert By Austin Cline Some people seem to think that the red cross which is used as a symbol by the American Red Cross and International Red Cross is a Christian symbol - and therefore that these organizations are Christian in character. I don't know why, but these people don't seem to realize that cross are and have been used as symbols outside of Christianity. Media Matters reports: [A]ccording to the American Red Cross website, it was [i]n honor of the Swiss ... [that] the symbol of a red cross on a white background (the reverse of the Swiss flag) was identified as a protective emblem in conflict areas. While the cross on the Swiss flag originated in the 1200s from a symbol of the Christian faith, according to the Swiss Embassy in the United States, the Red Cross makes no mention of Christianity as a reason for adopting the symbol. ...

In addition to stating that its symbol was chosen as the reverse of the Swiss flag, the American Red Cross website adds that [t]he Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, and that the emblem was adopted at this first International Conference as a symbol of neutrality at the first-ever Geneva Convention at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1864. Media Matters put up this information to explain how Bill OReilly was incorrect to use this as an example for why its wrong to remove the large Christian cross from Mt. Soledad in San Diego. OReilly isnt the only person who thinks that the red cross is a Christian cross, though  that appears to be a belief held by many Muslims and why Muslim organizations use a red crescent. Vehicles with a red cross on them might be targeted as a Christian vehicle in wrong place. Thus, Christians like Bill OReilly who are trying to defend Christianity are making the same mistakes as non-Christian terrorists who would like to attack Christianity. The irony of this is truly astounding.

What We Do | Emergency Management | Red Cross Disaster Relief The Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year, ranging from home fires that affect a single family to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands, to earthquakes that impact millions. In these events, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. Although the Red Cross is not a government agency, it is an essential part of the response when disaster strikes. We work in partnership with other agencies and organizations that provide services to disaster victims. Supporting America’s Military Families The Red Cross helps military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Emergency communications, training, support to wounded warriors and veterans, and access to community resources help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually. Lifesaving Blood Your donations of blood are what make the American Red Cross the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S. Each year, nearly 4 million people donate blood through the Red Cross, helping to provide more than 40% of America’s blood supply.

Health and Safety Services The Red Cross is the nation’s leading provider of health and safety courses, such as CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard training. Each year, more than 9 million Americans participate in our training programs, including first responders, educators, babysitters, and people who want to be prepared to help others in an emergency. International Services The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 13 million volunteers in 187 countries. Working together, we help respond to disasters, build safer communities, and teach the rules of war . Each year, we reach an average of more than 100 million people across the globe.

Terror victim: Red Crescent ambulance saw us, drove away [Muslim Equivalent of Red Cross Hates Jews] Terror victim: Red Crescent ambulance saw us, drove away [Muslim Equivalent of Red Cross Hates Jews] Times of Israel ^ | 11/13/15 Posted on 11/14/2015 3:14:31 PM PST by SoFloFreeper [An] sraeli teenager wounded in Friday afternoonâs deadly terror attack in the West Bank told the emergency services hotline that a Red Crescent ambulance drove on past him and his dead and injured relatives, despite having seen them. The recording of the call made by the 16-year-old after his 40-year-old father and 18-year-old were shot dead near the settlement of Otniel was played on Israeli television on Friday night. The boy, his mother and three sisters were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. The boy suffered shrapnel wounds to his lower body and his mother and sisters were treated for shock. The father, hit by gunfire, swerved into the opposite lane, where he crashed into rocks by the side of the road.

His older son called rescue services but was then also shot dead. The younger brother called Magen David Adomâs hotline to report the attack. (Excerpt) Read more at timesofisrael.com ... He’s lucky they didn’t drive over him. These Muslims disgust me. [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ] To: SoFloFreeper Effing savages. Wipe them off the face of the earth. All of them. Make it so the only place the koran is read is in Hell. L 3 posted on 11/14/2015 3:24:13 PM PST by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.) This reminded me of the Debbie Schlussel piece about a Muslim doctor in Chicago delaying/denying care to a Jewish man. In the article, she also lists Muslim physicians who have been involved in terror groups. 5 posted on 11/14/2015 3:31:43 PM PST by Kipp 'Radicals' stands out like a sore thumb. And the illusion gives them cover for their atrocities and advancement.

6 posted on 11/14/2015 3:37:13 PM PST by deadrock (I is someone else.) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ] To: SoFloFreeper And don't forget, the International Red Cross refuses to recognize Israel's Magen David 'Adom (Red Star of David). 7 posted on 11/14/2015 3:43:49 PM PST by Zionist Conspirator (The "end of history" will be Worldwide Judaic Theocracy.) Help keep FR independent, with no ads, no pop-ups, no ad tracking cookies!! Please Donate! 8 posted on 11/14/2015 3:48:54 PM PST by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all) To: SoFloFreeper bet that ambulance can’t outrun an RPG. 9 posted on 11/14/2015 3:50:29 PM PST by bravo whiskey (we shouldn't fear the government.

the government should fear us.) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ] To: Zionist Conspirator “And don’t forget, the International Red Cross refuses to recognize Israel’s Magen David ‘Adom (Red Star of David).” I heard it was recognized in 2006. . "Terror victim: Red Crescent ambulance saw us, drove away [Muslim Equivalent of Red Cross Hates Jews]..." ..... You can't change their spots ..... it's what they do .... Jeremiah 13:23 .... 11 posted on 11/14/2015 3:56:35 PM PST by R_Kangel ( "A Nation of Sheep ..... Will Beget ..... a Nation Ruled by Wolves.") I heard it was recognized in 2006. That is news to me. It's the first I've ever heard of it. If I have been wrong, I regret the error.

(Took them long enough, though.) 12 posted on 11/14/2015 3:59:46 PM PST by Zionist Conspirator (The "end of history" will be Worldwide Judaic Theocracy.) To: Pearls Before Swine These Muslims disgust me. All muslims disgust me. I don't care what anyone says about that. Anyone who follows the koran and mohammer hate life and civilization, and need to be converted or exterminated. After all, that's what they demand of non-muslims - convert or die. 13 posted on 11/14/2015 4:05:09 PM PST by roadcat “Heâs lucky they didnât drive over him. These Muslims disgust me.” I agree. They are lucky they did not get into the ambulance. They would have never made it alive.

14 posted on 11/14/2015 4:06:40 PM PST by Parley Baer To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; .. Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If youâd like to be on or off, please FR mail me. .................. Allow me to note, this is not an equivalent of the Red Cross, it's part of the international network the American Red Cross brags about spawninging. Related threads The Global Red Cross Network The American Red Cross is part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network which strives to relieve human suffering throughout the world. Here in the United States, the American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need across the country, and in association with other Red Cross societies, throughout the world.

Founded by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross provides compassionate care in five critical areas â people affected by disasters; support for members of the military and their families; health and safety education and training; blood collection, processing and distribution to as many as 3,000 medical facilities across the United States; and international relief and development. The American Red Cross is part of the global Red Cross/Red Crescent network. Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Network . The international Red Cross and Red Crescent network is the largest humanitarian network in the world with a presence and activities in almost every country. The network is made up of all the national and international organizations around the world which are allowed to use the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem. It also represents all the activities they undertake to relieve human suffering throughout the world. The global network is unified and guided by seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. All Red Cross and Red Crescent activities have one central purpose: to help those who suffer, without discrimination, whether during conflict, in response to natural or man-made disasters, or due to conditions of chronic poverty.

The three parts of the global Red Cross network are the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the more than 185 national societies. The International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the national societies are independent bodies. Each has its own individual status and exercises no authority over the others. The highest decision-making body of the global network is the International Conference which meets every four years to ensure unity in the work of the international network and to discuss and act upon humanitarian issues of common interest. Delegates to the International Conference are members of the ICRC the IFRC, national societies and representatives from signatories to the Geneva Convention. The good news, the Red Cross recognizes Magen David Adom exists. Member, of course not. A Star of David in red as their emblem. Not acceptable alongside a cross, or a crescent. Oh well, at least they treat everyone. Funny, as a kid I remember clearly my parents, both WWII vets, preferring the Salvation Army to the Red Cross. Based mostly on siblings in WWI. The donut thing, which from what I've read is probably not fair.

But if I'm injured and their members, Magen David Adom not being one, will pass me by based on my faith, pretty ugly organization. The good news, I'm not in a position to donate millions anyway, I can die by the side of the road. 16 posted on 11/14/2015 4:27:56 PM PST by SJackson (Everybody has a plan until they get hit. Mike Tyson)

Question: What is the Islamic equivalent to the Red Cross?
Answer: Red Crescent