That Must Have Been One Heck of a Camel

This story is simply unbelievable (h/t Little Green Footballs):

An interview with Saudi cleric Sheik Muhsen Al-’Awaji, aired on Ein TV on February 26, 2006, courtesy of MEMRI TV.

Sheik Muhsen Al-’Awaji: Before Islam, the Arabs fought for 40 years to defend the honor of a female camel. This was in the Busous War. A female camel was humiliated, and a 40-year war ensued to defend its honor. So what about the honor of the Prophet?

Interviewer: Are you proud of this?!

Sheik Muhsen Al-’Awaji: I am proud that honor and nobility always characterized the Arabs, and then came Islam to reinforce these traits.

I’m not saying I’m proud of a war over a female camel’s honor, or that I would call to wage a war to defend the honor of a female camel... But since this was done for the honor of a female camel, do not rebuke someone who would do anything to defend our beloved Prophet Muhammad.

Read the whole thing - that's a very different world those folks live in.