Because after all, what would they do with their time then? Take up needlepoint?
"My wife, she gets mad when I caress my machine gun, but she understands." Now close your eyes and repeat: It's a Religion of Peace!
"Philippine Muslim fighters see uncertain future if peace prevails," from AFP (thanks to Michael): CAMP DARAPANAN - After a protracted 30-year insurgency which has seen up to 150,000 people killed, Muslim rebels are facing an uncertain future as peace finally looks near in the southern Philippines.
With talks due to resume this month between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) many young Muslims in this sprawling rebel camp in Mindanao are trying to come to terms with the prospect of peace.
Government negotiators and the MILF leadership are optimistic the final hurdles to peace can be overcome by granting limited autonomy to the Muslim minority in this predominant Roman Catholic Southeast Asian nation.
For many of the 12,000 MILF rebels, especially the young, peace is likely to bring an uncertain future.
MILF chief Murad Ibrahim, in a rare interview with AFP, said he was worried for their future, especially for those born into war and the many whose parents and older relatives have died as "martyrs". [...]
Moro fighter Abdullah, who uses one name, says he is concerned about the future.
A young man in his early 20s clutching a rusty M-60 machine gun, he is a veteran of many jungle battles and is ready, he says, to die for the cause.
"I have not been to a battle since last year," Abdullah says, perspiration trickling down his brow. He is wearing mismatched fatigues that bears a striking resemblance to those used by Sri Lakan Tamil insurgents.
"I have had many adventures with this gun, I sleep with it and never go anywhere without it," he says. "I cannot part with my weapon."
Abdullah says he is not prepared to lay down his weapon even if a final peace deal is signed.
"It's not in my blood to be a farmer," he said.
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