While the barbaric tyranny of Iraq's former dictator must be utterly condemned, the rushed judicial killing of Saddam Hussain on Idd al-Adha (the holiest day in the Islamic calendar) is a grave and revolting provocation. The bitter consequences of this vindictive act will resonate long throughout the Muslim world and beyond.

With this hastily sectarian-driven and US-sanctioned execution (which took place at the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage to Makkah when God's redemptive compassion is glorified most), the pro-American rulers in occupied Iraq have not only highlighted their foreign servitude, but more importantly, they have also violated the explicit injunctions of the Holy Qur'an. During the sacred month of the hajj, all elective fighting and the shedding of blood is expressly forbidden (2:217; 5:2; 9:36). The al-Maliki regime's un-Islamic conduct and implementation of 'Iraqi justice' has been tarnished further by making Saddam endure in his final moments, schismatic taunts from his vengeful killers, who also saw fit to hang him in mid-sentence while reciting the sacred Muslim testimony of faith.

Since Saddam was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and executed on the most holy day in Islam, can we now expect the crusading Bush and Blair to be found guilty of war crimes for waging an illegal pre-emptive conflict which has so far cost the lives of over 600,000 and the displacement of at least two million innocent Iraqis? Will these two Christian warmongers also be subjected to capital punishment and will they too be scheduled to meet their Maker on Christmas Day and Good Friday respectively? Surely, what is good for the goose should be good for the gander.