AIPAC 1 - US Security and National Interest 0!

A few days back, an appointment of the Obama administration for a top intelligence post 'quitely' stepped down. This was not due to any moral scandals or mistakes in past tax statements nor was it due to any policy difference. It was basically due to the objections of the rightwing supporters of the Israeli Administration in USA and their cohorts in AIPAC and elsewhere in Washington!
The appointee was a higly qualified beauracrat, Charles Freeman Jr., and the position was chairman of the National Intelligence Council.
Charles Freeman Jr., or Chas Freeman as he is popularly known, is a long standing bureaucrat who has considerable experience in the foreign affairs dealings in the middle-east. He was the US ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1989 to 1992 and is currently the president of the Middle East Policy Council.

Qualifications
After studying at Yale University under a scholarship, he studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and entered Harvard Law School. After law school, he left to join the United States Foreign Service in 1965, working first in India and Taiwan before being assigned to the State Department's China desk. There he was assigned as the principal interpreter during United States PresidentRichard Nixon's 1972 first visit to the People's Republic of China. He later became the State Department Deputy Director for Republic of China (Taiwan) affairs.
After various positions within the State Department he was given overseas assignments as deputy chief of mission in Beijing, China and then Bangkok, Thailand, before being selected as principal deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs in 1986. During these assignments he attained a working knowledge of several languages. He became United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in November 1989, serving during Operation Desert Storm, until 1992.

Thus, in a world where the turmoil in the Middle-east and the rising perception of the higly biased policy of US towards the Israel (vis.a vis. Palestine) and the sky-rocketing influence of China over the US, and the fact that a biased intelligence report and an uncritical leadership at the top is sighted as the reason for the disastrous foray of US into Iraq, Chas Freeman's appointment at this position would have proved to be a big asset to the Obama administration's effort to reface the image of US in the world and to finally make a strong effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Unfortunately, this objectivity is abhorred by the right-wing pro-Israeli government lobby (or pro-Likud lobby as described by Chas Freeman himself) as represented by AIPAC and the Senetors and Congressmen on their payrol.

As per some reports, Senetor Chuck Schumer, from the state of New York, approached Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's Cheif of Staff, with AIPAC's objection, supported by flimsy and unsubstantiated statements that Chas Freeman apparently made and of-course promoting the idea that Freeman's appointment would threaten the very existene of Israel itself! This was of-course initiated by the right wing bloggers who started a movement to overturn Freeman's impending appointment. What happened after that is unclear but within a few days, Freeman announced that he was withdrawing his name from consideration. This is a big loss from improving the image and efficiency of the Intelligence Department that has suffered a big blow after misreporting on the threats that Iraq posed and a big hit on the credibility (and impartiality of the Obama administration) in the eyes of the world. It makes one wonder if this is indeed the 'new begining' that Obama promised us at the start of his administration.

Chas Freeman appeared today on Fareed Zakaria's GPS show on CNN. The interview should be available in the shows

Please spread the word around to write to the white house archieve pretty soon.(http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/ ) expressing your concern on this development and asking him to shun the pro-Israeli government lobby in the US while making policy decision that will prove critical to US safety in the future. Demand that US foreign policy should be driven by issues and positions critical to the saftey of the Homeland and not by the policy positions of a foreign country!

Positive steps by the US state department...but is it too late?

I saw a recent post In Prof. Juan Cole’s blog (Informed Comment) saying that the overall Israeli population in the illegal settlements in Palestine has gone over 600,000 and they continue to demolish Palestinian homes and build new settlements over them (watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq9oo72KDWc, read this: http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE5211SB20090302?sp=true ).

Meanwhile Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who although avoided visiting Gaza for obvious reasons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2QNupJ01Gw ), has spoken out against the latest Israeli plans to demolish 88 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/clinton-rebukes-israel-over-demolition-plan-1637734.html ).

This is probably the first time the state department has actually come out condemned an act of the Israeli government before they actually carry it out. Although we do not know how much teeth will be given to this condemnation, we need to send her and the state department a message of our support (http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=wn4K8_rj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0xMTEsMTExJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ** ) and ask them come out more strongly in support of peace, equality and justice. Ask them to shift the US foreign policy towards a more just and balanced approach.

Also be sure to write President Obama’s white house (http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/ ) and encourage them in adopting a more balanced approach towards the Palestinian issue as peace can only be fostered thru justice for all. Threats and subjugation will only foster more unrest and violence.

I recently came across this effort by a British organization involved in trying to provide relief to the long suffering and under siege population of Palestine and particularly Gaza:

British AID Convoy Arrives In Gaza
George Galloway Speaks To The People Gaza

The Viva Palestina convoy drove slowly along the Salah Eddine road leading to Gaza City taking in the atmosphere around them and savoring the moment of history they had just created.

Along the way, thousands of Palestinians, the other heroes of this beautiful story of resistance, defiance and hope approached every vehicle kissing, touching, hugging the bravest of Britain. They handed their babies, their young children, to the convoy members so that they could be embraced, as if the angels were in town. Drenched in flowers, tears were flowing on both sides.

Further up the road, they could see people coming out of their tents and the ruins of their destroyed homes running towards them, rubbing their eyes in disbelief that the siege has been broken and they were not alone.

According to the Palestinian Information Centre, George Galloway in his historic speech from Al Katiba Square, confirmed that Ismael Hania is the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and a prime minister for all the free of the world

He also said that the members of the convoy are not from the upper class of the UK, but from all walks of life, all religions, all colours. The donations came from ordinary people, from mosques and churches. He also said that millions could not make this journey, but they are all praying today for you, the people of Palestine.

In Gaza City, it was jubilations and celebrations tonight where the guests of honour did not want to be considered as guests - but as part of the ever-growing Gaza family. The Gaza authorities have organised a rally in honour of Viva Palestina and a program of activities that includes a tour of the damaged areas including schools, hospitals and other amenities.

Some support members of Viva Palestina who managed to cross on foot after a ten-hour wait at the border are staying at Rafah tonight as guests of the Gaza governing authorities. Unfortunately, some other members are still awaiting permission to cross. They are hoping that the Egyptians will allow them to join their friends tomorrow.

An eventful day, with a roller-coaster of emotions, is drawing to an close. Tomorrow Viva Palestina will tour Gaza to see, at first hand, the plight of one and half million people in the densest concentration of people per square kilometre on the globe.

It is a shame that leaders from Muslim and Arab countries just sit on their hinds doing nothing other than promoting their own personal image, while the people from the west risk their life and limb to provide help to their brethren.
Please be sure to extend you support to this organization by visting:
http://www.vivapalestina.org/donations.htm.

Is the peace process in Palestine dead?

There we go again....Israeli elections ended with the elections results heavily tilted in favour of the right wing extremist parties. The right wing, led by Netanyahu's Likud party and supported by Yisrael Beiteinu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman, a former night club 'bouncer' from Moldova, who openly advocates ethnic cleansing of Israeli Arabs and vehemently opposes a two state solution is most likely to form the government. The slightly moderate Kadima party, led by Tzipi Livni, even though ahead of the Likud party by a solitary parlimentary seat, is left without any coalition partners. Looks like the military excursion into Gaza has had its desired effect! Moreover, the current Israeli government has started taking control of large swaths of land in the west bank to build more illegal settlements, a major point of contentions in the progress of the peace talks. As per an AP report more than 2,500 new illegal settlements will be build on the new lands grabbed from the Palestinian areas.
Looks like the peace process is dead even before President Obama starts mulling his options on how to proceed!

A beautiful Hadith (saying) of the prophet of Islam (peace and blessing be upon him)

I came across this beautiful saying on the Islamicity.com web site:
Companion of Prophet Muhammad , Khalid ibn El Waleed narrated the following:
A Bedouin came one day to the Prophet and said to him, "O, Messenger of God! I've come to ask you a few questions about the affairs of this life and the Hereafter. "
The Prophet responded "Ask what you wish".
Q: I'd like to be the most learned of men.
A: Fear God, and you will be the most learned of men.
Q: I wish to be the richest man in the world.
A: Be contented, and you will be the richest man in the world.
Q: I'd like to be the most just man.
A: Desire for others what you desire for yourself, and you will be the most just of men.
Q: I want to be the best of men.
A: Do good to others and you will be the best of men.
Q: I wish to be the most favored by God.
A: Engage much in God's praise, and you will be most favored by Him.
Q: I'd like to complete my faith.
A: If you have good manners you will complete your faith.
Q: I wish to be among those who do good.
A: Adore God as if you see Him. If you don't see Him, Know that He sees you. In this way you will be among those who do good.
Q: I wish to be obedient to God.
A: If you observe God's commands you will be obedient.
Q: I'd like to be free from all sins.
A: Bathe yourself from impurity and you will be free from all sins.
Q: I'd like to be raised on the Day of Judgment in the light.
A: Don't wrong yourself or any other creature, and you will be raised on the Day of Judgment in the light.
Q: I'd like God to bestow His mercy on me.
A: If you have mercy on yourself and on others, God will grant you mercy on the Day of Judgment.
Q: I'd like my sins to be very few.
A: If you seek the forgiveness of God as much as you can, your sins will be very few.
Q: I'd like to be the most honorable man.
A: If you do not complain to any fellow creature, you will be the most honorable of men.
Q: I'd like to be the strongest of men.
A: If you put your trust in God, you will be the strongest of men.
Q: I'd like to enlarge my provision.
A: If you keep yourself pure, God will enlarge your provision.
Q: I'd like to be loved by God and His messenger.
A: If you love what God and His messenger love, you will be among their beloved ones.
Q: I wish to be safe from God's wrath on the Day of Judgment.
A: If you do not lose your temper with any of your fellow creatures, you will be safe from the wrath of God on the Day of Judgment.
Q: I'd like my prayers to be responded.
A: If you avoid forbidden actions your prayers will be responded.
Q: I'd like God not to disgrace me on the Day of Judgment.
A: If you guard your chastity, God will not disgrace you on the Day of Judgment.
Q: I'd like God to provide me with a protective covering on the Day of Judgment.
A: Do not uncover your fellow peoples faults, and God will provide you with a covering protection on the Day of Judgment.
Q: What will save me from sins?
A: Tears, humility and illness.
Q: What are the best deeds in the eyes of God?
A: Gentle manners, modesty and patience.
Q: What are the worst evils in the eyes of God?
A: Hot temper and miserliness.
Q: What alleviates the wrath of God in this life and in the Hereafter?
A: Concealed charity and kindness to relatives.
Q: What extinguishes hell's fires on the Day of Judgment?
A: Patience in adversity and misfortunes.
Imam El Mustaghfiri said: "I have never heard a tradition more comprehensive of the beauties of religion, and more beneficial than this hadith. It collects all the good things of Islam but not put to use."
(Related by Imam Ibn Hambal)
I pray to God, the Almighty, to help us follow the above instructions.

Time to stand up and take ownership of our condition

O you who have attained to faith! If you ever abandon your faith," God will in time bring forth [in your stead] people whom He loves and who love Him - humble towards the believers, proud towards all who deny the truth: [people] who strive hard in God's cause, and do not fear to be censured by anyone who might censure them: such is God's favour, which He grants unto whom He wills. And God is infinite, all-knowing.
[Al-Qur’an Chapter 5, verse 54]

It is probably for the first time that a president of USA has acknowledged the presence and indeed the relevance of the Muslim community in the USA (and in the world). President Barack Obama, in his inaugural speech said “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace”.
Further he was the first one to offer the Muslim world a hand of friendship, as equals “To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
This is indeed a moment of introspection for the Muslim community. We have, in a short span of less than about four hundred years, managed to fall from being the most powerful and richest community in the world, to the poorest, helpless and pathetic community in the world. Our people are dying of hunger, poverty and helplessness all over the world. More Muslims die at the hand of other Muslims than by any other community. Our women and children are helpless and at the mercy of the elements out of our control. When an earthquake devastates our areas, we look to others with begging eyes, hopeful that they will throw a few pieces our way. Our community lacks in education, knowledge and understanding (hikmah) of how the world works. Our leaders are the most corrupt and most self serving in the world. When a person musters enough courage to call our leaders to their duties as per Islam, they are brutally tortured and killed and rests of us are silent onlookers.
And yet when any misfortune befalls us, we are quick to point fingers at others. The Palestinian issue was a problem due to Israel and USA and Europe, even though right from 1946, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and even Saudi Arabia have only used this issue to flash their credentials as ‘leaders of the Islamic World’, failing miserably even at that.The ‘misfortunes’ of Pakistan is due to India, even though, right from the day it was formed, Pakistan failed to unite as a country. The Punjabis were always at loggerheads with the Sindhis. When a Bengali, sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman won the elections in 1970, the ‘western Pakistanis’ (mainly Sindhis and Punjabis) preferred to let the country break than to hand over power to an ‘outsider’. Similarly the people of the frontier areas were always too ‘backward’ for their taste rather than being considered as brothers and providing them an equal share in the resources. And to this day there is a fierce debate whether to consider the shariah as the basis of the constitution. Meanwhile, the Kashmiri movements, as the Al Qaeda related movements elsewhere, have readily adopted the practice of specifically targeting and killing unarmed civilians even though this was specifically prohibited. Bangladesh and Pakistan feature among the most corrupt nations in the world, but when asked, they blame that India is conspiring with the west to make them corrupt and poor. When India was trying to develop its own industries and military, Pakistan and Bangladesh, along with almost all other Muslim nations, were heavily dependent on the west for funds (hand downs) and almost all of its good.Saudi Arabia was the most blessed nation in the world; being blessed with the most amazing natural resources in the world. And what did they do with that? They proceeded to invite the west to drill for oils in their lands and ship crude to all over the world while they relaxed to enjoy their commissions out of the work done by others. They were rolling around in wealth yet they continued to be among the most uneducated societies in the world. They had a chance to lead the Muslim world back into prominence and all they did was lead them into darkness. One citizen of KSA famously told a friend of mine from India “even though we have all this wealth, you are luckier than any of us, since if we even have to fix a screw we have to call guys from outside and keep them on hefty salaries just for that; whereas India, with all its poverty, at least has the ability to fix its own problems”.
It is time we Muslims start taking ownership of our problems. We need to stop thinking in terms of Arabs, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, etc and start tackling our problems as Muslims. And we need to remember that we are the cause of our problems, and the solutions too have to come from within us.
Moreover we need to remember, USA is not going to change its foreign policy just because some irrelevant Muslim country feels bad about it. USA will not turn into an enemy of the Zionist government of Israel, just because it feels bad about a few thousand Palestinians were massacred in their homes. But we Muslims, united as one Ummah, hold sufficient sway as to be able to force USA to be an equitable friend of Israel, which can not only help protect its people, but also force its government towards a path of justice and righteousness.
In his recent interview with Al-Arabiya, President Obama said” "What we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations -- whether Muslim or any other faith in the past -- that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.”
"And so you will I think see our administration be very clear in distinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda -- that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it -- and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop," he said. "We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down."
This is indeed an opening that we Muslims can take advantage and help him shepherd US towards a more equitable foreign policy. Muslim countries should learn to involve the US government in helping us resolve our problem and not blame the US for the mistakes we have committed in the past.
And always remember – God has never changed the condition of a community unless they themselves make an active effort to change their own condition.

But are WE (as Muslims) proactive??

I received an extremely thought provoking email from one of our contributors, Major, that I wanted to share with everyone:

I received an email from one of our brothers regarding our President Barack Hussain Obama where he said “How can one Taghut be better than the other” triggered me to narrate something important which I feel to convey to all as this matter is important and needs a serious thinking. We all, at some stage or the other, get frustrated but do not look into ourselves, our community, our brothers and sisters, our politicians and our rulers.

Analysis of the Muslim Ummah in USA
Are we doing anything to participate actively to enforce our values?
Most of the Non-Muslim citizens in USA do not know about Islam
What is your answer?
They still feel Islam is the religion of Terrorists and they call us Pharaohs (The word Taghut, which you used, is not a suitable word, as it depicts Deities and I do not thing that you praise or denounce any one because you consider him a Deity-Nawoozu Billah)

Let us come to brass tacks.
Our women feel shy to wear scarf and do Hijab so that they are not branded as orthodox Muslims (they are afraid of being labeled as Terrorists)
We never put in our efforts and explain to other community that Hijab is existing even in Bible and see their “Nuns”, no one objects but all respect them.
We literally never put in our efforts to educate them on Islam and explain the values of our religion.
We did nothing except calling them with bad names.
We only believed in unity on divergent and Islamic conflicting issues but not unity on truth and Sharia.

Look at Somalia, Iraq and even Pakistan; what is happening over there-Muslims killing Muslims
We never gave them bad names because they are Muslim countries?
See the Saudi law protecting authorities, who protected their princes even after they raped our Indian/Pakistani Muslim girls after abducting them from schools- have we blamed them?????
Did we blame their kingdom??
We find an easy escape goat and it has become a fashion of the day to have a table talk just to blame someone without even putting in any efforts to correct it.A friend of mine once said that “true Islam implies a constructive spiritual stability that is non-antagonistic and consoling to all people of all faiths.” How about Islam within our homes? Is our Islam within our families representative of “constructive spiritual stability that is non-antagonistic and consoling?” Better yet, in our relationships with our family members, do we act from a constructive spiritual stability, that is, a living state of Islam, a state of being at peace with the will and command of Allah in all matters and in harmony and cooperation with loved ones? Or do we use Islam as a tool for dominance and power? In the latter case, Islam becomes something outside of us rather than part of who we are, an objectified “thing” used to push a “me”-based power agenda.Living Islam means living, modeling, guiding, teaching, and counseling with loving care and concern. It is a life of trust, struggle, and noble effort. It often shows its ugly side through allegations that others are not “Islamic” or “Tyrant” enough without looking into our own selves.

See we have more than 1.6 Billion Muslims in the word and Jews are not even 1.5% of our population and where we stand.
USA has produced 309 Nobel Laureates so far and none of them are Muslims, Egypt produced 5, Pakistan 1 and Saudi Arabia and all the rest of the Muslim Countries –Zero. Whereas India got at least 8. Jewish community have 522 Nobel Laureates where as entire Muslim world has 7 (5 in Egypt, 1 in Pakistan and 1 in Bangladesh)- Don’t you think, it is a matter of shame for us. We run after money and no dedication for our Islamic principles and regard for the community. We leave our Country of origin and go abroad only to earn money not for Dawa and hesitate to spend the money we earn to help the community.
Let us assess ourselves, what we have in our control in USA or in the world, Finance? Banks running on Sharia principles?, Economy?, Industries? Shopping Chains? Hospitals? Universities and Colleges? Communication? News Media? TV Media? News Agencies? I am sorry to say that all fields we are slaves. Let us see our ancestors, let us go back see what we were and what we are today. Do we have any will, determination or motivation to compete. We are here for the past 100 years in USA in active form but could not even establish a Media of our own. We are known to arrange meetings, work shops and conferences in 5 star hotels but failed get a foothold in any of the Media forums, failed to bring the Ummah on a single network, failed to handle even a single issue afflicting our community today!

Brother, we need to be more proactive and positive in our approach and bring our values forefront where ever we are.
See for example, in our Salam School, all children are eating Non-Zabiha meat which is considered by most of the Ulema in the world, as Haram. Did we make any effort to strive for a change and get our children a real Halal and Zabiha meat. Did we really try for it any time. This is a small thing which I quoted just to show our lack of proclivity and vision for the better.
Let us pray Allah SWT to give us wisdom and will to change, make us better Muslims and make us more proactive-Ameen!

Raising Yousuf and Noor: diary of a Palestinian mother: In Zeitun, a massacre and its perpetrators desire for genocide

Raising Yousuf and Noor: diary of a Palestinian mother: In Zeitun, a massacre and its perpetrators desire for genocide