American Minute - Feb. 16 - Muslim Barbary Pirates of Tripoli

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

"From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli"-the Marine anthem recalls when Muslim Barbary Pirates of North Africa committed terrorist acts on American ships, selling crews into slavery.

Tripoli demanded tribute and a treaty was attempted, but it was not honored as the Koran prohibited friendship with infidels:

"Infidels are those who declare 'God is Christ, the son of Mary'"-Surah 5:17;

"Infidels are those that say 'God is one of three in a Trinity'"-Surah 5:73;

"Infidels are your sworn enemies"-Sura 4:101.

The Koran continued:

"Make war on the infidels"-Sura 9:123;

"When you meet the infidel in the battlefield strike off their heads"-Surah 47:4;

"Muhammad is Allah's apostle, those who follow him are ruthless to the infidels"-Surah 48:29;

"Take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends"-Surah 5:51.

President Jefferson finally sent in the Marines, and in what Admiral Horatio Nelson described as the "most bold and daring act of the age," Lieut. Stephen Decatur sailed his ship, the Intrepid, on the night of FEBRUARY 16, 1804, into the pirate harbor, burned a ship and escaped unharmed amidst fierce enemy fire.

The Marines captured Tripoli and forced the Pasha to make peace on U.S. terms.