By TARIQ ALI
Before the war they said Iraq had 'weapons of mass destruction' that threatened the West. Those of us who opposed the war said this was a lie. George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard thought that if they magnified the untruth people would believe it. They didn't. Now it's official. No WMD existed in Iraq.
Then we were told the people of Iraq would welcome the 'liberation'. Some of us warned there would be a resistance and were accused of living in the past. The resistance emerged and exposed the weaknesses of the occupation.US military leaders then said that the resistance was simply 'remnants of the old regime' and was being led by Saddam Hussein and once he was apprehended the problems would be manageable. We said that after the capture of Saddam, the resistance would grow even more. It is now obvious to all but the blind that with the partial exception of the Kurdish tribal leaders, the bulk of Iraq wants the West out of their country. The uprisings in southern Iraq last April showed how tenuous the grip of the occupation had become.
Will the citizens of the warmonger states now follow the Spanish example and punish their leaders, or are memories so short these days that lies are either considered insignificant or forgotten? An alert, intelligent and vigilant citizenry needs to make sure its leaders do not get away with murder.
The United States has already lost the war of images. Saddam's statue being torn down by US military equipment and a handful of mercenaries in a city of several million people did not exactly recall the Berlin Wall. It is the photographs of torture (now referred to casually in sections of the Western media as 'abuse') that have become the symbol of the war and the colonial occupation.An alert, intelligent and vigilant citizenry needs to make sure its leaders do not get away with murder.
Any people that has suffered colonial rule knows that torture has been part and parcel of imperial policy. When the news surfaced, Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader, described in a newspaper article how he had been stripped and humiliated by the British. Numerous Palestinians described what was still going on in the Israeli gulags. It was the citizens of the West who were surprised. They had forgotten what their leaders had done for most of the 20th century.
The 'transfer of sovereignty' to Iraqis is, of course, another whopper. The irony in this case is that, as all Iraqis remember, this is a farcical repeat of what the British did after World War I when they received a League of Nations mandate to run Iraq. When the lease expired they kept their military bases and dominated Iraqi politics. The British embassy in Baghdad made the key decisions.
After June 30 it will be the US embassy that will play this role and John Negroponte, a tried and tested colonial official, who watched benignly as the death squads created mayhem in Central America, will be the de facto ruler of Iraq. The former CIA agent, Ayad Allawi, who worked as a low-leval police spy for the Saddam regime and was responsible for handing over the names of numerous dissidents, will be the new 'Prime Minister'. How can even the most naive camp-follower of the American empire regard this operation as a transfer of sovereignty?
Allawi has declared that what is needed is a tough policy to restore order. And tame commentators are already beginning to parrot that Arabs prefer strongmen to democracy. If Allawi fails, as he will, then like the fallen fraudster Ahmed Chalabi, he, too, will be removed. Both men are time-servers who, at a single nod from the conqueror, will sink into primitive obscurity.
The wealth and military strength of the US may enable it to buy the services and support of poorer and weaker states, but that will not stop the resistance in Iraq.It was the Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most senior Shiite cleric in Iraq, who first raised the demand for an elected constituent assembly to determine the future constitution in the country. His supporters argued it was no big problem to prepare an electoral register since the citizens were already registered for receiving food subsidies from the old regime. But this demand was rejected. It was too early for democracy. The people were traumatised, etc.
US ideologues such as Samuel Huntington now speak of the 'democratic paradox'. The paradox is the fact that people might elect governments unfriendly to the US.And few doubt that the two key demands of any genuinely elected government in Iraq would be (a) the withdrawal of all foreign troops and (b) Iraqi control of Iraqi oil. It is this that unites a large bulk of the country, and I am convinced that the Kurdish leaders at present engaged in dangerous manoeuvres with Israel will be isolated in their own territory if they carry on in this fashion.
Nothing will change in Iraq after June 30. It is a make-believe world where things are made to mean what the occupiers want them to mean and not what they really are. It is the Iraqi resistance that will determine the future of the country. It is their actions targeting both foreign soldiers and corporate mercenaries that has made the occupation untenable. It is their presence that has prevented Iraq from being relegated to the inside pages of the print media and forgotten by TV. It is the courage of the poor of Baghdad, Basra and Fallujah that has exposed the political leaders of the West who supported this enterprise.
The only response the US has got left is to increase the repression, but whether Negroponte will go in for the big kill before the US presidential election remains to be seen.
It might be a risky enterprise.
Thursday 18 October 2007
Tuesday 16 October 2007
Islam in 4 minutes
Islam is a way of life that fulfils mankind’s most essential needs so that they may reside with God’s creation in this universe in a state of peace and security. Such is the fruit of true submission to the Creator of this universe – Allah – the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.
This way of life shows us how to realise these essential needs that Allah, the Creator and Lord of the universe has intended for mankind to follow across the twin spectrums of time and space. It is to this end that Allah sent all of His Messengers, from the first, Adam (May peace be upon him), including Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary until the last Messenger, Muhammed, May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all.
Yet divine wisdom decreed the presence of a struggle between truth and falsehood; good and evil. This has led to the distancing of many people, since the middle Ages until this day, from this belief system and its aims and objectives. This has resulted in chaos and confusion, until Allah sent His Prophet Muhammed to guide people to the truth and repel evil, prior to Allah beginning the resurrection and the ending of life upon earth. The message of Prophet Muhammed was a continuation of original divine messages. At the same time it abrogated them as they had all been subject to distortion and did not remain the messages that Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, revealed.
It is not possible for one who desires to worship his Creator to follow these messages while they are in this distorted format and at the same time leave the message which will lead him to the realisation of the essential needs of man without distortion – such is the message of Islam which was bought by Muhammed, Peace Be Upon Him.
Pure submission to the Sustainer and cherisher of mankind may only come about through the embracing of the religion of Islam, that is by man testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is His servant and Messenger. This means that Allah, alone is the one deserving of worship, He is the only being endowed with wholly divine qualities, other divinities fall short of this description and do not deserve recognition as God. This brings one to the second half of this testification that Muhammed, the Arabian Prophet, who was a human being, servant of God and the last of the Prophets and Messengers. It is obligatory for all of mankind to adhere to His divinely inspired way of life – Shariah
Man’s Essential Needs
The first of these essential needs is Faith; this is what man believes regarding himself, his creator, the universe and the purpose of life. The answers to these key questions which all of mankind must address are answered through religion. If one’s religion is sound the answers would likewise be sound, this would be indicated through tranquillity and peace that settles in the soul. This is an aim common to all human souls. Therefore the faith of Islam is invaluable, the life of individuals and societies are based upon it. It deserves our utmost respect and attention. It is the most important essential need.
In order to preserve faith, the Creator, being fully cognizant with what is appropriate for His creation, ordained fundamental practises without which true surrender to Allah is not realised. He named these as pillars of Islam. It is not feasible that man could be a worshiper of his creator, realising the purpose of his life, without upholding these practises.
The second of these, after ones testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is His Messenger, is ones establishing five prayers throughout the day and night. These prayers, being a tradition practised by the Prophets and believers, have specified times and characteristics.
Thirdly, that a wealthy person gives a portion of their wealth to the needy from amongst the poor and destitute and others, such is called Zakat. This is in fact the first economic dynamic for building a community; rather it is the first societal dynamic as it creates ties between disparate members of the society. It removes the envy, which may be harboured by the poor man for the rich as it may be seen he gives from his wealth enough to sustain his basic needs of life. The spectre of poverty is removed from people and the wealthy are purified from their greed. It places a limit on one’s love of wealth.
The Fourth of these pillars is SAUM (fasting). One abstains from food, drink and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset during the lunar month known as Ramadan; by means of it one draws near to one’s Lord and endeavours to live a month of complete spirituality where one reduces human worldly desires so that ones spiritual vigour may flourish. There is an increase in the brotherly bond with those who do not find their daily food and drink and an increase in gratitude and indebtedness to ones Creator. So one becomes keener to eradicate the want and need of those who feel the pain and anguish of hunger. One thus draws closer to his or her Lord, increases in love for Him and distances oneself from that which he dislikes. It is in this manner that one implements the Islamic way of life (Shariah) on earth, with its emphasis on justice, security, peace and equanimity.
The last of these pillars is Hajj (pilgrimage). One in a position to carry out the pilgrimage travels to the noble sanctuary of Mecca, during the Hajj period, and endeavours to carry out the spiritually significant ceremonies, which trace back to the patriarch and father of the prophets, Abraham, peace be upon him.
Thus there occurs a gathering on a truly monumental level, as millions come together from all over the world. Man feels that he has brothers all over the earth. Their differences are removed as they change their regular clothes for the modest and similar dress of Ihram (as characterized by two white sheets worn by men as wraps).
Through the fulfilment of these pillars in an excellent manner, they come together to form the fulfilment of a single aim – the realisation of the purpose of mans life – implementing the Shariah of Allah on this earth, thus the whole of the creation can live as their Creator wants.
Those who commit to the above deserve to be among the successful after their death, since Allah, the Almighty, has promised them an immense reward: eternal life in Gardens of pleasure where they shall receive that which their hearts desire, and they will have no wish to go out of it. Thus man would live in that state for eternity, neither would he be subject to toil nor sickness, or sadness. He would be surrounded by joy upon joy.
In contrast, those who rebelled against the Shariah of Allah and devoted themselves to other than Allah, basing his way of life upon legislation that Allah did not authorise. Such would deserve a burning fire after their death and an unbearable punishment. This is because his actions bring chaos and calamities upon the creation. Indeed life becomes chaotic when other than Allah’s Shariah is implemented. It is thus obligatory upon us to prevent men from such corruption. Thus we must make every effort against the wrongdoers until only the Shariah of Allah is established with concurrent peace and security. Thus the forces of evil and the devil, who desire mankind to be bound to a life of misery and constraint in this world and the next, are overcome.
The second of the essential needs is Protection of Life. According to Islam, in principle mans blood is inviolable; it is through the implementation of Islam that lives are secured and none may disregard the rights of others. Islam prohibits killing and all means that lead to it. It placed tough punishments for those who disrespect the human race, some of which extends to taking the life of the perpetrator.
The THIRD of the essential needs is the Protection of intellect. The Creator has made the intellect the most significant human attribute. Allah has encouraged us to use our faculty of reason in all matters that benefit mankind. Indeed, it is through the intellect that Allah has distinguished man from others of the creation; with the reduction of this faculty his pre-eminence is reduced to the extent that man can be reduced to the level of cattle or even below that. Thus a chaotic vacuum takes hold and man’s life loses its balance. The means to the human existence that Allah, the Creator, requires of us are destroyed. In order to protect the intellect Allah has prohibited – not only in Islam, but in all divinely based religions – anything that destroys or reduces the faculty of reason or otherwise interferes with it. To this end alcohol and intoxicating drugs are prohibited.
The FOURTH matter is the PROTECTION OF DIGNITY. Islam protects the dignity of man. Man’s reputation is a priceless commodity. Assaults upon the dignity of a person lead only to a cycle of abuse and distorting others character. Fragmented and insincere relations thus stain the fabric of civilization. To this end Islam has prohibited insulting, swearing, the use of foul language and despising others. On the contrary Islam has ordained the highest morals and legislated against some of the aforementioned transgressions.
The FINAL essential need is the protection of wealth. The need and desire to own capital is one of mans greatest distinguishing traits. The Shareah of Islam, as revealed by the Lord of Mankind and all creation, is in accordance with human nature and confirmed this right. The Socialist system is contrary to this. Rather, Islam regulated and refined this matter - contrary to the Capitalist system. Mans sole concern in this life should not be merely satiating his material or bodily desires. To this end Islam has prohibited theft and instituted a severe exemplary punishment for those who criminally take the wealth of others. Usury (interest) is also prohibited in Islam as it based upon the exploitation of the needy. Thus the rich increase their wealth ands the poor fall deeper into poverty. Likewise Islam has prohibited all forms of deception and trading in prohibited items. Zakat has been instituted so that a portion of the wealth of the nation may be unconditionally shared by all members of the society. Charity in general and extending material and moral benefit has been greatly encouraged.
This is the way of life known as Islam. Mankind’s life will never be sound without it. Therefore it is imperative that the whole of mankind follow it order to succeed with the reward of Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Fire of Hell.
After this, would a person with reason and after some thought; one seeking happiness, peace and tranquillity for themselves and their society, reject the call of Islam for themselves and their society. This is a call to people of reason.
From Haytham Al-Hadad
This way of life shows us how to realise these essential needs that Allah, the Creator and Lord of the universe has intended for mankind to follow across the twin spectrums of time and space. It is to this end that Allah sent all of His Messengers, from the first, Adam (May peace be upon him), including Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary until the last Messenger, Muhammed, May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all.
Yet divine wisdom decreed the presence of a struggle between truth and falsehood; good and evil. This has led to the distancing of many people, since the middle Ages until this day, from this belief system and its aims and objectives. This has resulted in chaos and confusion, until Allah sent His Prophet Muhammed to guide people to the truth and repel evil, prior to Allah beginning the resurrection and the ending of life upon earth. The message of Prophet Muhammed was a continuation of original divine messages. At the same time it abrogated them as they had all been subject to distortion and did not remain the messages that Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, revealed.
It is not possible for one who desires to worship his Creator to follow these messages while they are in this distorted format and at the same time leave the message which will lead him to the realisation of the essential needs of man without distortion – such is the message of Islam which was bought by Muhammed, Peace Be Upon Him.
Pure submission to the Sustainer and cherisher of mankind may only come about through the embracing of the religion of Islam, that is by man testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is His servant and Messenger. This means that Allah, alone is the one deserving of worship, He is the only being endowed with wholly divine qualities, other divinities fall short of this description and do not deserve recognition as God. This brings one to the second half of this testification that Muhammed, the Arabian Prophet, who was a human being, servant of God and the last of the Prophets and Messengers. It is obligatory for all of mankind to adhere to His divinely inspired way of life – Shariah
Man’s Essential Needs
The first of these essential needs is Faith; this is what man believes regarding himself, his creator, the universe and the purpose of life. The answers to these key questions which all of mankind must address are answered through religion. If one’s religion is sound the answers would likewise be sound, this would be indicated through tranquillity and peace that settles in the soul. This is an aim common to all human souls. Therefore the faith of Islam is invaluable, the life of individuals and societies are based upon it. It deserves our utmost respect and attention. It is the most important essential need.
In order to preserve faith, the Creator, being fully cognizant with what is appropriate for His creation, ordained fundamental practises without which true surrender to Allah is not realised. He named these as pillars of Islam. It is not feasible that man could be a worshiper of his creator, realising the purpose of his life, without upholding these practises.
The second of these, after ones testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammed is His Messenger, is ones establishing five prayers throughout the day and night. These prayers, being a tradition practised by the Prophets and believers, have specified times and characteristics.
Thirdly, that a wealthy person gives a portion of their wealth to the needy from amongst the poor and destitute and others, such is called Zakat. This is in fact the first economic dynamic for building a community; rather it is the first societal dynamic as it creates ties between disparate members of the society. It removes the envy, which may be harboured by the poor man for the rich as it may be seen he gives from his wealth enough to sustain his basic needs of life. The spectre of poverty is removed from people and the wealthy are purified from their greed. It places a limit on one’s love of wealth.
The Fourth of these pillars is SAUM (fasting). One abstains from food, drink and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset during the lunar month known as Ramadan; by means of it one draws near to one’s Lord and endeavours to live a month of complete spirituality where one reduces human worldly desires so that ones spiritual vigour may flourish. There is an increase in the brotherly bond with those who do not find their daily food and drink and an increase in gratitude and indebtedness to ones Creator. So one becomes keener to eradicate the want and need of those who feel the pain and anguish of hunger. One thus draws closer to his or her Lord, increases in love for Him and distances oneself from that which he dislikes. It is in this manner that one implements the Islamic way of life (Shariah) on earth, with its emphasis on justice, security, peace and equanimity.
The last of these pillars is Hajj (pilgrimage). One in a position to carry out the pilgrimage travels to the noble sanctuary of Mecca, during the Hajj period, and endeavours to carry out the spiritually significant ceremonies, which trace back to the patriarch and father of the prophets, Abraham, peace be upon him.
Thus there occurs a gathering on a truly monumental level, as millions come together from all over the world. Man feels that he has brothers all over the earth. Their differences are removed as they change their regular clothes for the modest and similar dress of Ihram (as characterized by two white sheets worn by men as wraps).
Through the fulfilment of these pillars in an excellent manner, they come together to form the fulfilment of a single aim – the realisation of the purpose of mans life – implementing the Shariah of Allah on this earth, thus the whole of the creation can live as their Creator wants.
Those who commit to the above deserve to be among the successful after their death, since Allah, the Almighty, has promised them an immense reward: eternal life in Gardens of pleasure where they shall receive that which their hearts desire, and they will have no wish to go out of it. Thus man would live in that state for eternity, neither would he be subject to toil nor sickness, or sadness. He would be surrounded by joy upon joy.
In contrast, those who rebelled against the Shariah of Allah and devoted themselves to other than Allah, basing his way of life upon legislation that Allah did not authorise. Such would deserve a burning fire after their death and an unbearable punishment. This is because his actions bring chaos and calamities upon the creation. Indeed life becomes chaotic when other than Allah’s Shariah is implemented. It is thus obligatory upon us to prevent men from such corruption. Thus we must make every effort against the wrongdoers until only the Shariah of Allah is established with concurrent peace and security. Thus the forces of evil and the devil, who desire mankind to be bound to a life of misery and constraint in this world and the next, are overcome.
The second of the essential needs is Protection of Life. According to Islam, in principle mans blood is inviolable; it is through the implementation of Islam that lives are secured and none may disregard the rights of others. Islam prohibits killing and all means that lead to it. It placed tough punishments for those who disrespect the human race, some of which extends to taking the life of the perpetrator.
The THIRD of the essential needs is the Protection of intellect. The Creator has made the intellect the most significant human attribute. Allah has encouraged us to use our faculty of reason in all matters that benefit mankind. Indeed, it is through the intellect that Allah has distinguished man from others of the creation; with the reduction of this faculty his pre-eminence is reduced to the extent that man can be reduced to the level of cattle or even below that. Thus a chaotic vacuum takes hold and man’s life loses its balance. The means to the human existence that Allah, the Creator, requires of us are destroyed. In order to protect the intellect Allah has prohibited – not only in Islam, but in all divinely based religions – anything that destroys or reduces the faculty of reason or otherwise interferes with it. To this end alcohol and intoxicating drugs are prohibited.
The FOURTH matter is the PROTECTION OF DIGNITY. Islam protects the dignity of man. Man’s reputation is a priceless commodity. Assaults upon the dignity of a person lead only to a cycle of abuse and distorting others character. Fragmented and insincere relations thus stain the fabric of civilization. To this end Islam has prohibited insulting, swearing, the use of foul language and despising others. On the contrary Islam has ordained the highest morals and legislated against some of the aforementioned transgressions.
The FINAL essential need is the protection of wealth. The need and desire to own capital is one of mans greatest distinguishing traits. The Shareah of Islam, as revealed by the Lord of Mankind and all creation, is in accordance with human nature and confirmed this right. The Socialist system is contrary to this. Rather, Islam regulated and refined this matter - contrary to the Capitalist system. Mans sole concern in this life should not be merely satiating his material or bodily desires. To this end Islam has prohibited theft and instituted a severe exemplary punishment for those who criminally take the wealth of others. Usury (interest) is also prohibited in Islam as it based upon the exploitation of the needy. Thus the rich increase their wealth ands the poor fall deeper into poverty. Likewise Islam has prohibited all forms of deception and trading in prohibited items. Zakat has been instituted so that a portion of the wealth of the nation may be unconditionally shared by all members of the society. Charity in general and extending material and moral benefit has been greatly encouraged.
This is the way of life known as Islam. Mankind’s life will never be sound without it. Therefore it is imperative that the whole of mankind follow it order to succeed with the reward of Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Fire of Hell.
After this, would a person with reason and after some thought; one seeking happiness, peace and tranquillity for themselves and their society, reject the call of Islam for themselves and their society. This is a call to people of reason.
From Haytham Al-Hadad
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