What happened: On August 7th, two car bombs exploded in Nairobi, Kenya, and Darus-salam, Tanzania destroying US embassies and adjacent buildings and killing about two hundred people and injuring five thousands more.
On August 20th, in apparent retaliation, US government launched a fierce missile attack on paramilitary training sites in Afghanistan and on a Pharmaceutical plant in the suburbs of Khartoum, Sudan. The Tomahawk missile attack was launched from the US naval ships in the Arabian and Red Seas respectively. These attacks were to assassinate Usama Bin-Laden and to destroy so-called infrastructure for his alleged involvement in car-bomb attacks on US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Darus-salam, Tanzania. Usama has escaped the attack but about 50 people have died in Afghanistan and about a hundred got injured in these attacks in the two countries.
US Government claims to have gathered conclusive evidence that points towards his involvement in the recent embassy bombings. However, the Government has neither claimed success in finding any proof of his involvement nor has any such thing been brought in front of US or World Courts. Both Usama and his host in Afghanistan, the Taliban, have categorically denied any such involvement. It was due to the lack of proof regarding his involvement in the recent bombings that President Clinton added the allegations of his involvement in a few previous terrorist attacks and the intelligence about his plans for future terrorist attacks as justification for 'Get-Usama' operations. There is skepticism whether the retaliation was an easy escape goat to divert attention from LewenskyGate or to cover intelligence failures in tracking the real culprits.
Islam and Humanity: Islam is the blessing of God as the teaching of earlier prophets Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. It has brought peace, civility, and development to a better part of the world for centuries. It still hold the potential to lead the World into a new era of peace - A peace which is inclusive of Justice.
Islam do not permit any kind of harm to civilians even at times of war, let alone encouraging followers to kill any innocent. It teaches the highest standards of humanity and expects its followers to abide by them. All major groupings of Muslims in USA, Canada and around the Muslim World, including Islamic Circle of North America, have deplored bombings in Kenya and Tanzania as well as retaliatory bombings in Afghanistan and Sudan. Terrorism is wrong either committed by individuals, groups or Governments. Human dignity looses when terrorism wins over peaceful struggle and rule of law.
Sovereignty of Nations: The current US Government violated the UN Charter and the international law by killing and wounding hundreds of people in two sovereign UN Member countries, Afghanistan and Sudan. Furthermore, the sovereignty of Pakistan is undermined by interfering with her air defence systems (Pakistan's radar system was electronically jammed by US resources) and intruding into her airspace with missiles aimed at killing the people in the neighboring country.
Honor is Violated: Now the real questions are not whether Usama and his associates were involved in the US embassies bombings or how they may be brought to justice if they have committed any crimes. The basic institute of cooperation in the world -The Organization of United Nations, and the primary instrument of world peace and security - UN Security Council is at stake. The sovereignty of UN member states is challenged. Sovereignty is the honor of a nation. A challenge has been rendered to their honor.
This attack also raises the serious questions about the civility of the US Government and her citizens as such attacks were totally out of the way of the norms of Nation-to-Nation dealings.
Greed for Control: In the pretext of tracking dawn a few frustrated dissidents, US is establishing its muscular control of the whole World. US attained practically full security control of the Middle East in the 1990's Gulf War by first giving Saddam 'green light' for the annexation of Kuwait and then using this pretext to launch a massive War in the region which reduced the real military potential of the region to minuscule. The Gulf War has practically turned the Gulf region into a huge US Colony managed by corrupt and autocratic client regimes. Now the current context is being used to effectuate the exact control of the rest of the Muslim world.
Extremism: Extremism in not a new phenomenon, neither it is limited to any one nation or the followers of any one religion. Currently practically all countries of the world including USA and Canada have seen the toll of it. Ireland, Israel, India, and Sri Lanka are the hot regions of the religious extremism. Islam is the only one unfairly and exuberantly portrayed as an extremism impregnating religion because of its affection for Justice that scars who abuse human rights and rob nations of their wealth.
Muslims all over the World have felt violated and humiliated by such US attacks. They are furious and frustrated at the same time. In fact such conditions are fertile grounds for all extremist groups to attract new recruits and to rejuvenate the existing rank and files. They must be busy in profiting from the opportunity.
Cure the Disease not the Symptoms: In general, extremist tendencies are merely symptoms of some contentious disease. The recent uprising of the extremism in the Muslim World must also be viewed in this respect. Repeated humiliation of their brethren in Palestine by the hands of occupying European Jews in Israel, the near absolute control of US forces on the natural resources of the region, and constant oppression of corrupt autocratic brutal regimes have strained the psychology of the people in the region beyond human tolerance. The toll of such depressing elements is extremely high on the youth. A few of such youth have resorted to the Do-or-Die philosophy.
The mainstream Muslim organizations have shown steadfastness in finding peaceful means for challenging the aggravated situation in spite of the harsh and at times vile behavior of the ruling elites and their foreign masters. If the deprivations continue like present, the frustration will win over patience. Then humanity will undergo the fate of chauvinism and terrorism. May God let the wisdom prevail! Wisdom leads to Justice and Fleshliness leads to greed!
People are Deceived: Only a handful of the World oil tycoons are reaping the benefits of the fortunes that belong to the people of the Gulf region. The covertly imposed role of 'World Sheriff' on the generally peace-loving US nation satisfies only the greed of a few politicians, intelligence mafia, and military generals. The whole nation is paying the price in terms of unwarranted blood of her nascent youth, the diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars to inflated military and intelligence spending that is much needed for schools and communities at home, reduced opportunities for US businesses due to mistrust, and the increased level of tension on people with already strained nerves due to check points and curtailment of freedom. Middle East Wars, Gulf War, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, all these miseries; For the profit of a few; For the greed of a few more. US people deserve better! Speak up; Be rationale and be heard! Let your expectations be known to politicians and the Media people.
Justice, Freedom, and Democracy for All: The right time has come that the Government reassess US Middle East and World policies in the light of the values of the people of this country: Justice, Freedom, and Democracy. It has been too long for the deception, greed, and profiteering.
Half a century has elapsed since the Colonial era. People in the region must see the light of Freedom, Justice, and Democracy, the same as the rest of the world is enjoying. Then extremism will fade away and the responsibility will follow the suit.
Actions Requests: Deplore killings by all sides, show a sympathy for the loss of human life and materials and protest over violation of sovereignty of UN member countries. Promote this Newsletter by distributing photocopies at mosques, schools, etc. or forwarding emails to related BBs and friends (electronic version available at http://www.icna.com). Renew your pledge for strong peaceful struggle till the Muslim World will see: Freedom, Justice, and Democracy. Discuss the current situation with local media personnel, politicians, your neighbors, and friends and educate them about Islamic Perspective. Also Contact the following: US Government, Lawmakers, National and Local Media Government of Canada, Lawmakers, National and Local Media (Canadian fallows) International Organizations: UN/ OIC/ Human Watch/ Amnesty International Condole to the people of US, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan for loss of human life and other damages.
Let us know how you feel about this newsletter and current situation at email or 166-26, 89th Ave, Jamaica, NY-11432, USA.
Islamic Circle of North America (Media Relations)
The pharmaceutical complex in Khartoum North represented an investment of 20 million dollars and is privately owned, by a Sudanese businessman Salah Idrees who also hold Saudi citizenship. This plant was satisfying the 50% of Sudan's medicine needs including antibiotics besides exporting outside. United Nations has confirmed that this plant had a contract to deliver humanitarian supplies to Iraq under the UN-approved oil-for-food program.
A British engineer who worked at this factory told Sunday's Observer newspaper:
"I have intimate knowledge of that factory and it just does not lend itself to the manufacture of chemical weapons," Tom Carnaffin, who worked as technical manager for the plant's owners between 1992 and 1996.
Sudanese Government has asked UN Security Council to send an investigation team besides inviting Ex. President Carter to conduct his own investigation along with other US lawmakers.[insert a photograph of the ruble from a website]
Why Sudan and Afghanistan: Sudan and Afghanistan are the only countries besides Iran who implement Islamic Law into their legal system. In addition to asserting their right to select a form of government based on their heritage, both countries were exercising freedom in their internal matters and affairs of foreign relations. Many perceive recent bombings to be a punishment for such crimes of independence. Most Muslims do not agree with certain aspects of Taliban's interpretation of Islam, however, no external power must interfere in their struggle for rebuilding a war-torn country.
Who is Usama Bin-Laden: The son of a Saudi construction magnate, believed to be in his late 40s, he went into the Afghan mountains to fight, gaining a reputation for bravery and determination. He used his millions to buy bulldozers to dig guerrilla trails in the heart of Afghanistan, and to bring in, by his count, thousands of Egyptians, Lebanese, Turks and others to join their Afghan brothers in the struggle against Russian aggression. Later he turned against US military presence in Saudi Arabia. Recently, he has called for armed attacks against American forces and civilians though most Islamic scholars have opposed his violent undertaking.
Democracy and the Middle East: A region extending from Morocco in North Africa to Middle East to Central Asia, Iran is the only Democracy with an opponent as elected President in the office. The rest have to live with the fate of Kings, Emirs, Lifelong Presidents, Generals or the Occupation. Israel, a race based Zionist country, often portrayed as model for democracy, only exercises it in a very selective form. A large number of Palestinian people have to live without any rights either under-occupation in West Bank or in exile somewhere else. A Golden Jubilee question of 21st century is when the people of this region will see the rays of democracy?
Submitting to the teachings of God, the sole Creator, as revealed to all of his prophets including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed (May God's blessing be on them). Last and final of such revelation is Qura'n. And to believe that life on this earth is a test destined by God, and to believe in the life afterdeath and reward in the Heaven or punishment in the Hell according to one's actions in this world. The essence of Islam is to establish the Justice in the society based on revelations. Islam integrates all believers in one 'Ummah'.
Islam do not permit any kind of harm to civilians even at times of war, let alone encouraging followers to kill any innocent. It teaches the highest standards of humanity and expects its followers to abide by them.
"Whose slays a soul not to retaliate for a soul slain, nor for corruption done in the land, should be as if he had slain mankind altogether." (Qura'n)
Islam considers oppression as a rebellion to God. It obligates its followers to exhaust themselves in a struggle to bring the Justice in the society. This struggle must be carried in a way to benefit the community and not to harm the innocents.
Islam guarantees for the following rights: The security of life and property Protection of honor Sanctity and Security of Private Life The Security of Personal Freedom The Right to Protest against Tyranny Freedom of Expression Freedom of Association Freedom of Conscience and Conviction Protection of Religious Sentiments Protection from Arbitrary Imprisonment The Right to Basic Necessities of Life Equality Before the Law Rulers Are Not Above the Law The Right to Participate in the Affairs of State