Iraqi Expat

On a Break

2005-08-22T10:20:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I am very sorry for disappearing without notice. It wasn't planned. I had to take a break. I needed the break because I got sick and tired of many things, and because I was - and I am still - preoccupied with some issues, among other reasons.

So I think I will stay away for a while until I clear my mind.

Thank you for all your messages, I am fine.

Sick and Tired

2005-08-04T16:47:00.000+01:00

I am getting tired of this. Especially, from sick people who don't seem to have any self-respect or any sense of righteousness, people who praise and or defend animals like Saddam, and people who praise and or defend animals like the Baathists and Islamists who are fighting in Iraq and terrorising Iraqis to bring their fascist murderous regime back. Needless to say, that I am sick of the shameless lowlife Baathists and Islamists.

I am getting tired of all this; hence, I don't care anymore whether or not justice is served, I don't care anymore whether or not Saddam gets a fair trial and hanged; all I care about is that he dies, and with him dies all the shameless lowlife animals ("freedom fighters").

In my dictionary, there are no human rights for animals, there are only animal rights and these are for real animals; therefore, Saddam, his loyalist Baathists and terrorists, in Iraq and elsewhere, are entitled to one right only, the right to apologise and cry for forgiveness before being hanged. Apology will not be accepted and forgiveness will not be granted, of course.

Call me what you want, I don't care; but a human who does not treat other humans humanely, loses all his/her rights. That does not mean that all criminals have no rights, but wicked criminals who commit inhumane crimes have not rights.

During a tour in the Middle East, my favourite apologists for lowlife animals, Mr Galloway spoke!

Mr Galloway claimed the insurgents were ordinary Iraqis defending their country against "foreign invaders".

"It can be said, truly said, that the Iraqi resistance is not just defending Iraq. They are defending all the Arabs and they are defending all the people of the world against American hegemony."

It can be said, truly said, that your words are full of hate. Your contribution to Arab backwardness has been noted.

I have a serious concern, though; when did Galloway learn to speak like a Baathist? Was it Saddam or Tariq Aziz who taught him that? I mean, they really did a great job here.

In one speech, the MP said: "These poor Iraqis - ragged people, with their sandals, with their Kalashnikovs, with the lightest and most basic of weapons - are writing the names of their cities and towns in the stars, with 145 military operations every day, which has made the country ungovernable.

Ungovernable? Is that what you wish for, Mr Peace-loving-hateful-hypocrite? Or are you not a peace loving person and only participate in the stop the war protests because it serves your interests?

No to war, you said; but you are encouraging war and fighting now, you are praising the "fighters" and the killings of innocents or do you call them "collaborators"? Of course, that is the only way to bring your fascist friends back; but it will never happen!

"We don't know who they are, we don't know their names, we never saw their faces, they don't put up photographs of their martyrs, we don't know the names of their leaders."

Did he call them "martyrs"? Since when children murderers are "martyrs"? Man, this is making me sick. But, I believe peace-loving-hypocrites have their own logic, don't they?

He told Syrian Television: "Two of your beautiful daughters are in the hands of foreigners - Jerusalem and Baghdad.

"The foreigners are doing to your daughters as they will.

"The daughters are crying for help and the Arab world is silent. And some of them are collaborating with the rape of these two beautiful Arab daughters."

Inflammatory remarks, incitement of hatred and violence from an anti-war peace-loving-hypocrite, are you surprised?

Mr Galloway said Tony Blair's idea of a "war on terrorism" was absurd as terrorism was a tactic, not a strategy.

"It's not the Muslims who are sick. It's Bush and Blair and Berlusconi who are sick. It's not the Muslims who need to be cured. It's the imperialist countries that need to be cured."

I am sorry Mr Galloway, but you've got it exactly the other way around. You and your Muslim friends are sick and need to be cured. Look at the pictures here, and tell me it's not sick!

But then comes his disRespect party and says:

Mr Galloway's Respect party stresses that it and the Bethnal Green and Bow MP condemn suicide bombings, whether in London or the Middle East. Any loss of civilian life is profoundly wrong, says the party, but it blames the US-UK coalition for turning Iraq into a war zone by their invasion.

Really? Well, if Mr Galloway condemns suicide bombings and consider any loss of civilian life is profoundly wrong, why did he say all the above? Why the inflammatory remarks? Why is encouraging Arabs to go and fight in Iraq? Isn't he aware of what his "resistance" doing and how they kill civilians? What a despicable anti-war hypocrite!

Mr Galloway, you make me sick.

Go Iraq Go

2005-08-03T10:43:00.000+01:00

Iraqi U16 Team won their first match against an British team from Oxfordshire, 3 - NIL, in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival.

Today they will play against another British team from Berkshire, wish them luck!

Update:
Iraqi U16 team lost the second match, 1 - 4, to Finchampstead. Tomorrow they will play a team from the States, and as long as they don't lose they will go to the quarterfinals.

Iraqi U16 Team Arrives in UK

2005-08-02T15:36:00.000+01:00

Fifteen Iraqi youngsters arrived in the UK on 1st of August 2005 to take part in the annual Arsenal International Soccer Festival at the Royal Holloway in Surrey, England.

This is a great first for the annual Arsenal festival to receive an Iraqi team and the organisers were very impressed with the team's skills, overall technical ability and discipline.

This young team will face two British sides on Tuesday (2/8) and Wednesday (3/8) before playing against a team from the USA on Friday (5/8) and hopefully make it to the semi finals and finals on Sunday (7/8).

This is great, I am gonna have to go and see them. By the way, there is an error on that story, it reported that the team arrived on 31st of August!

Fixures and Results (Arsenal International Soccer Festival)

President Hussain hailed by Iraqi fans in Patra!

2005-08-02T15:17:00.000+01:00

President? Hussain? hailed? Iraqi fans? Patra? WTF?

I couldn't resist not to laugh at this!

For those who don't know "President" Hussain Saeed; he was the captain of the Iraqi football team in the 80s, and he is currently the Iraqi Football Association President.

Fighting Terrorism

2005-07-29T12:53:00.000+01:00

A must read recommendations of Arab reformists:

Europe Must Change its Lenient Treatment of Muslim Extremists
Incitement on the Internet Must Be Stopped
Arab Intellectuals Must Stop Speaking in Two Voices
The Terrorists Must Be Separated from Their Sympathizers
Muslims Must Denounce the Terrorists; The West Must Stop Being Naive
Muslims Must Ban Suicide Bombings for Moral Reasons
The Religious Institutions Must Take Practical Measures Against the Terrorists
The Muslims Must Form a New Religious Culture
The Silent Majority Must Speak Out Against the Terrorists
The War on Terrorism Requires Extensive Intellectual, Political and Educational Activity

[Hat Tip: Stefania]

What a Nice Gathering

2005-07-28T18:06:00.000+01:00

Stop the War Coalition:

Public Meeting - New Time 6.30pm
Thursday 4th August, Friends Meeting House, Euston. Speakers include George Galloway (MP), Jeremy Corbyn (MP), Tariq Ali, Shami Chakrabati, Lindsey German, Anas Al Tikriti.

What a nice name you've got, Anas? Where from Tikrit are you, exactly? Didn't your father go to school with Saddam, and spent three years in the same classroom? And your grandfather was the head teacher of that school, right?

Ah, but Anas says that Saddam is not his relatives! Never mind, now I feel much better about this "Stop the War" Coalition; I was worried you might be a relative!

Well, that might be called prejudice; but wait, there is more! Anas is the spokesman, and former president, of the Muslim Association of Britain (the Muslim Brotherhood of Britain)!

While talking about MAB, another member of this Islamic "peaceful" organisation that resides in Britain and supports the anti-War movement, Azzam Tamimi talked to Tim Sebastian on BBC HARDTalk, in November 2004! According to "Dr" Tamimi, killing Israelis indiscriminately is not murder, it is "struggle" and it is legitimate! And if he gets the chance he would blow himself up! [Interview text]

I feel like I am going to miss this meeting! What a lovely gathering, don't you think? I mean think about it, a Tikriti, an apologist for Saddam (George Galloway) and a bunch of terrorist supporters meeting to say stop the war!

Give me a break; at least have some decent people in there, otherwise you will not be taken seriously! I mean how do you expect to get respect? Ah, I forgot about Galloway's RESPECT party! They got that, so they don't need more respect!

Harry's Place has more on this.

By the way, I know few decent Tikritis; they are rare, but they do exist!

In Case of Emergency

2005-07-28T10:52:00.000+01:00

This is a very good idea and can be adopted internationally.

East Anglian Ambulance Service have launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign with the support of Falklands war hero Simon Weston and in association with Vodafone's annual life savers award. The idea is that you store the word " I C E " in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".

In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do. Please will you also forward this to everybody in your address book, it won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life.

For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc

ICE Website
East Anglian Ambulance Website

Glorification of Islam

2005-07-26T16:07:00.000+01:00

Somehow when I read this, I remembered when Bill Gates and the Pope converted to Islam!

These things really makes me laugh, because they show not only stupidity, but also the need and desperation for proof and endorsement. It's like Muslims are trying to convince themselves and the world of something they have doubts about. Pathetic!

This is no better than the pitiful Sheikh who said Monkeys practice Islam!

Sharm Relief

2005-07-26T15:32:00.000+01:00

Karim, Sandmonkey and Twosret have set up donations fund for the victims of Sharm al-Sheikh terrorist attacks through Pray4Peace.org. Go to SharmRelief.com to donate.

Saddam's Friends and Family Sell Him Out

2005-07-25T16:57:00.000+01:00

I bet he thought they were loyal to him because he was the "great hero"! I am sure there are lowlife stupid shameless people who love Saddam and are loyal to him because they think he is the "great hero"; however, I am also sure that members of the rotten Baath regime only loved him and were loyal to him because of their shameless selfishness, greed for power and money, and fear of the devil.

So, after realising that Saddam is history and that they are history too; they are now trying to save themselves, wishful thinking! But never mind let them burn each other, I don't mind that at all.

The judge Raed Jouhi said that Tariq Aziz, Barzan al-Tikriti (Saddam’s half brother) and Ali Hassan al-Majid (Chemical Ali) have made statements that incriminate Saddam during preparations for the trial against him and former aides. Al-Majid said during a hearing that "he had done nothing without an order from Saddam Hussein himself”. [English source, Arabic source]

Jouhi also confirmed that the arrest warrant that he issued for Muqtada al-Sadr is still effective, and that al-Sadr is still wanted by the court for his involvement in the assassination of Abdul Majid al-Khoei in April 2003. [From the Arabic source]

Will they ever arrest al-Sadr? I doubt it!

Muslims, Terrorism and Conspiracy Theories

2005-07-25T15:37:00.000+01:00

I am sure that UK Muslims feel under suspicion, I feel under suspicion; however, that article forgot to mention that Brits, including Muslims such as myself, feel unsafe around other Muslims.

I have met many Iraqi Muslim friends this weekend, and most of them expressed how uncomfortable they feel when they see a Muslim or an Asian in a bus or in a train. A friend of mine was in the tube last week when a bearded Muslim boarded that tube, and everyone, including my friend, felt unsafe. The bearded Muslim, suddenly, started yelling "Allah o Akbar" for no reason, and everyone in that carriage, including my friend, ran away from him.

Another friend got off a bus two stations before the destination and walked because there was a bearded Muslim on the bus and felt unsafe. There is a reason why Muslims feel under suspicion, you know?!

How would I know that the Muslim standing next to me in the bus is not a suicide bomber? How would the English person standing next to me in the bus know that I am not a suicide bomber? How would the police know that we are not suicide bombers? I wish there is an easy way to tell, but there isn't.

Recently I have been noticing a shift in blame! The "it's Americas fault" line is no longer being used, or at least it is not being used as much. But of course, the new line doesn't say it is our fault! As usual, it is someone else's fault and we are just a bunch of powerless, unfortunate victims, targeted by some conspiracy or another.

Yesterday, I was at a party with friends, and when the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt were mentioned, someone said "it's Israel". I was astonished, though I heard this line before. I heard that all terrorism is the creation of Israel! But unfortunately, I didn't hear the logical explanation behind it, yet.

Anyway, I asked why? And the answer was even more astonishing: Tourism! Israel wants to get the tourism revenue that Egypt is getting! Interesting. Apparently, the day before the attack, it was reported that Egypt have made $6 billions from tourism; and therefore, Israel attacked Sharm al-Sheikh the very next day.

That explains a lot, don't you think? I mean think about 9/11, Bali, Spain and London! I can see people falling for this. But to tell you the truth, I was speechless at the moment! I mean, what would you say to this? Well, I didn't have to say much; because the smile I saw on the faces reassured me that Israel will not cut off our oxygen because we are consuming too much of it!

But then someone else said what I've heard before, "it's all Israel"! Terrorism in Iraq is being orchestrated by Israel! And here is why: Because Israel does not want to see Iraq stable. But why? They just don't; it's part of their Zionist plan. Yeah, but how does that help them? It doesn't matter, they just hate Iraq; remember Babylon? Please, you've got to give me something solid, something more logical; but nope, there is none. Mind you, this person is pro-US!

So, while all our miseries are always the result of America's actions and inactions, terrorism is being orchestrated by Israel, and we are nothing but innocent, unfortunate victims who feel under suspicion for no justified reason and have no power to change the situation.

Oh God, please help us!

Short Update

2005-07-25T12:37:00.000+01:00

I'm OK, thanks for asking. I'm sorry haven't posted the last few days. I didn't post or reply to emails because I was busy, not because I became famous I stopped posting :)

Anyway, I'm trying to catch up with what's been happening. I see that Karim, Sandmonkey, Big Pharaoh and others have been busy standing up to terrorists. Kudos to you my friends, I wish I was there with you, even though I am not Egyptian.

Karim launched the Pray4Peace web site last week, but this is still in its early stages.

Am sure you are well aware of the situation in London and the failed attacks, and the would-be suicide bombers who are still at large.

That's all for now, but will try to post more soon.

Quoted on the BBC

2005-07-19T14:36:00.000+01:00

Mustapha's No to Terrorism banner and my post, Your Silence is Killing Me, made it to the BBC Website.

United Against Terror

2005-07-15T21:11:00.000+01:00

Everyone should sign and link to the United Against Terror statement.

Terrorist attacks against Londoners on July 7th killed at least 54 people. The suicide bombers who struck in Netanya, Israel, on July 12 ended five lives, including two 16 year old girls. And on July 13, in Iraq, suicide bombers slaughtered 24 children. We stand in solidarity with all these strangers, hand holding hand, from London to Netanya to Baghdad: communities united against terror.

Muslim blogger,
Why the Muslims Againsts Terrorism sign is not on your blog, yet?

Your Silence is Killing Me

2005-07-13T17:56:00.000+01:00

In the aftermath of the Terrorist attacks in London, there were mixed reactions in the Arab/Muslim blogosphere. Some were condemning and apologising, others were explaining how these terrorists are not Muslims, and their actions are un-Islamic; hence, there is no need to condemn and or apologise.

While I do believe that these terrorists are only Muslims by name and that their conduct is un-Islamic, there is a considerable number of Muslims who sympathise with these terrorists, are happy to see western countries suffer, and try to explain why these terrorists commit such crimes, in other words, try to justify terrorism.

We can not deny the fact that when the twin towers were hit, many Muslims celebrated in the streets. We can no deny that fact that many Muslims to this day consider suicide bombers in Israel and Iraq “freedom fighters”, even after all their barbaric and inhuman killings of innocent civilians and kidnappings. They killed and maimed children, for God’s sake; which is appalling and outrageous, and I offer my most sincere condolences to their families.

Many Muslims to this day believe that the elected Iraqi government – which is probably the most legitimate and democratic government in the region - is illegitimate, and instead consider the “resistance”, legitimate and noble. We can not deny that there are such Muslims and Imams who support these views, and even worse; but I don’t want to go there.

Disagreeing with these people and or explaining how they do not represent us is not going to change the fact that they do exist, and that their views and existence allowing the terrorists, who hijacked our religion, to spread their poison.

One of the things that you would notice once you walk the streets of London is that if you accidentally hit someone with your shoulder that person will instantly apologizes to you, even though it could’ve been your fault, and you will learn to do it too; whereas if the same happens in any Arab country you would end up in a fight, because neither will apologize. Do you think those Westerns don’t have pride and we do? No, it is our fake-pride, our unwillingness to apologize or admit mistakes and our unwillingness to accept responsibility. And when we make mistake, instead of apologizing, we try to explain why it happened; which makes matters worse.

Some long time ago I watched a program about entrepreneurs, who became millionaires, then lost almost everything, and then bounced back and became multimillionaires. It was very interesting to watch, and there were a team of experts analysing the entrepreneurs’ personality and skills. The last part of the program was the most interesting. Richard Block and David Quayle are the founders of the DIY retail chain B&Q. After leaving the business and collected a considerable amount of money, each of them started a new business. Both failed and lost, but one of them bounced back and became millionaire again; and the experts were asked to identify which one bounced back. After a serious of psychological and physical tests, they answered correctly. Quayle bounced back, but not Block who ended up working in a super market. They both started up different businesses and failed more than once; but the difference is that Quayle always knows when to leave the failing business and learn from his mistakes, while Block waits for the failing business to die and blames the economy, or the government, or the market.

Does this ring a bell? I say it is very much like the Arab Parallel Universe. Blaming others will not solve the problem, but instead it will make the problem worse. Arabs always have someone to blame, but never try to learn from the mistakes nor try to solve the problem.

Acknowledging one’s mistake or problem is half the solution. I have said before, like others including Friedman, that Terrorism is our problem and we have to solve it. We have to fix it. We have to stand up to those who hijacked our religion. Why are we unwilling to acknowledge that it is our problem? Why some think that we don’t have to show our opposition to the terrorists? Is it the fake-pride? What is it, because I don’t understand?

We don’t have to do it for the West, but for ourselves. We don’t have to do it to show Westerners that we are against terrorists, but to show the terrorists and their supporters that we are against them. We don’t have to do it to save the world, but to save ourselves.

Blair said today the "moderate and true voice of Islam" had to be mobilised. He told Muslim MPs "In the end, this can only be taken on and defeated by the community itself," while discussing how to tackle "this evil within the Muslim community".

Shahid Malik, Labour MP for Dewsbury, told the House of Commons the events represented "the most profound challenge yet faced by the British Muslim community". He said "condemnation is not enough and British Muslims must, and I believe are prepared to, confront the voices of evil head on".

This does not only concern Muslims in Britain; but everywhere in the world. This is the war of the 21st century and we have to fight it, we have to get our religion and identity back, we have to stand up to the terrorists and show them that we are against them. Iraqis are fighting these terrorists everyday, at least do it for the Iraqis and for Iraq, and show the terrorists that you are against them. Don’t pretend that it is not your problem, because if you do and the terrorists knock on your door, and they have done before, we will tell you it’s not our problem.

Show the terrorists and their supporters, that Muslims are against terrorism. Do you say that the majority of Muslims are against terrorism, against Bin Laden, against al-Qaeda, against Zarqawi, against killing innocents, against violence? Prove it. Prove it to the terrorists, show them that you are against them and against what they do.

Update:
Alykhan Velshi, a Muslim, said in an article in the National Review, "Choosing sides - the challenge for Muslims": [Hat Tip: Mark]

Sadly — dangerously — it is not uncommon for U.S. and British Muslim groups to be evasive when discussing the war on terror. Of course they’ll condemn individual terrorist attacks, though more out of sympathy for the victims and their families than out of a sense of solidarity with the West.

Sad and dangerous, indeed.

Sheikh al-Azhar sides with the Iraqis

2005-07-12T17:40:00.000+01:00

Grand Mufti of al-Azhar, Dr. Muhammad Sayid Tantawy, called for the Arab and International cooperative efforts to work for the stability of Iraq and to end the bloodshed before it results in a sectarian war. He asked the Iraqi government to attack, with an iron fist, those who participate in explosions against civilians, and he described these activites as "the worse form of mischief on earth".

Sheikh al-Azhar confirmed during his meeting with the Iraqi representative Abbas Fadhil al-Hassan that "anyone, who participates in the killing, explosion and sabotage activities that are happening on Iraq's land, is impossible to be Muslim, he is a saboteur; and stopping those mischievous is a must, and standing up to them is a legitimate duty." [Arabic report]

I think this is a very positive statement, especially coming from the highest Sunni authority in Egypt. My hope is that this will be followed by similar statements from Imams in other Arab and Muslim countries; and then maybe, Arabs and Muslims wake up and realise that the so called resistance is just a figment of their imagination. Or am I asking too much?

When I read it, I thought I thought this is big and it must've been reported somewhere; but I was wrong, I didn't find it in the MSM. However, someone did report it, guess who? Juan Cole! Yes, Mr Cole reported it; but read what he wrote, and tell me if it has the same meaning as to what I've translated above!

The Grand Imam of al-Azhar Seminary, Shaikh Muhammad Sayyid al-Tantawi --a preeminent Sunni religious and legal authority-- called the bombings in Iraq "the worst form of corruption in the land." The latter phrase is from the Quran. He called for Arab intervention to stop the country sliding into civil war.

Mr Cole, why did you translate only parts of it? What were your intentions by reporting it the way you did? You are not trying to twist the information, are you? Or is that how "informed" you are? Tsk!

Not In My Name

2005-07-11T22:39:00.000+01:00

A candlelight vigil was held in front of the British Embassy in Bahrain to show solidarity with the British people, and to express rejection of the terror attacks in London. It was attended by over hundred people and there are some great pictures. [Hat Tip: Fayrouz]

Another vigil was held by 60 Jordanians outside the British Embassy in Jordan's capital, Amman, to protest at the London terror attacks and express solidarity with the British people. [Hat Tip: Natasha]

"We are here to say loudly 'no' to terrorism and to tell the world that Arabs and Jordanians are not terrorists and they condemn such acts," said Nidal Mansoor, head of local non-governmental organisation The Center to Protect Journalists.

This is great, and it says a lot. I am really glad I found this; however, I am a bit upset that these people and others didn't do something like this for the innocent Iraqis, nor did they show solidarity with them in any form, or did they? Especially the Jordanians, why didn't they? Or do they not think that what happens in Iraq is terrorism? Let's hope that they will realise that terrorism is terrorism, and it is barbaric and wrong no matter where it happens.

Muslims Against Terrorism

2005-07-11T11:45:00.000+01:00

In the wake of the barbaric attacks on London, a couple of interesting ideas have been presented by fellow bloggers and commenters, and I see no reason why these ideas do not become one combined project.

Mustapha has designed the "No To Terrorism" side-bar banner that I placed under my profile. Some commenters, including myself, prefer to see no reference to Arabs on this banner; i.e. it should read "Moslems Against Terrorism".

Karim Elsahy has an interesting idea that would require some hard work and sponsorship to materialize:

Well here is an idea. It is actually something I've been working on for a while. It's called Pray 4 Peace (www.pray4peace.org, still under construction)

I want to specify a date and time (probably two years in the future) were everyone in the world would pray together (gama3ah) via real time video feeds. It would be a Muslim thing but anyone would be welcome and encouraged to join in. It would be held in front of every countries most recognizable monument.

Imagine millions, if not billions, of people praying in unity in front of the Eiffel Tower, The Mall, The Pyramids, the Great Wall, Pisa, and the Petronas Towers.

All from one voice in Mecca, all in harmony despite time zones, war zones or any other type of barrier. Carried out on every major network, joining billions.

World Solidarity as we pray for peace.

I would like to see both Mustapha and Karim working together, and working with the Free Muslims Coalition.

My idea is that while working towards Karim's goal, Mustapha's design can be used to produce pins, buttons, medals, posters, key holders, etc. to promote the project, show solidarity, raise public awareness and raise money to fund the project. I would also suggest wristbands, probably green, which are becoming quite popular.

The Free Muslims Coalition can become the main sponsor, organizer and promoter of the project working with Mustapha and Karim. The FMC can also attract sponsors for the project; but it has to extend its international activities to reach more Muslims around the world.

Any success in a project like that would be remarkable, even if it was only to show solidarity through pins, buttons and wristbands. What do you think?

Update:
Mustapha has created more banners, and these new banners don't say "Arabs and Moslems Against ..." but "Moslems Against...". He is also in process of producing PDFs for posters, but he needs help with hosting the PDFs.

Shame, Embarrassment, Time to Wake-Up

2005-07-08T16:06:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I said "My family and I are ashamed of being Muslims". Many of you asked me not to be ashamed for obvious and logical reasons; however, I can't help it but feel ashamed.

I was more angry than ashamed when Arabs and Iraqis killed - and still kill - innocents in Iraq and sabotage Iraq's resources. I feel more anger because I expect the criminals to be ashamed even though they are shameless, and because they are attacking their own people which clearly show what kind of people they are.

I was ashamed when Muslims and Arabs committed the evil 9/11 attacks; I was even more ashamed when Muslims and Arabs celebrated these attacks in the streets. I despise them all.

I was ashamed because those murderers have stained our faith and heritage with dishonour. For similar reasons I was ashamed when Saddam was in power, he damaged the image of Iraq and Iraqis when he destroyed our country and committed mankind's most evil atrocities against his own people and against others.

Yesterday I was ashamed, because Muslims have attacked innocents in the country that has given to Muslims more than any other Muslim or non-Muslim country. I was ashamed because of the wickedness and ungratefulness of those who call themselves Muslims.

Jeff Pudewell described part of my problem very well in a private email, he said:

I was fascinated by the account of your feelings. I tried to imagine myself in your place. For example, if the terrorists claimed to be Christians, all Christendom would condemn them and do their best to find them and either kill them or prosecute them and send them to prison or execution. In that case, I would be proud to be a member of a faith which disciplined itself so sternly.

You would probably be proud of Islam as well, if Muslim politicians and community leaders were condemning them, Muslim police were hunting them down, and Muslim Imams were preaching against them every Friday.

So I guess that you are angry and disgusted with the Muslim faith not because a few fanatics bomb innocents in the name of Allah, but because the great mass of Muslims from Imams on down actually sympathize with the bombers and will neither condemn nor discipline them. Do I guess correctly? What is to be done about this?

Yes Jeff you are right, if Muslims were doing what you have said, I wouldn't be ashamed, or at least I would be less ashamed.

Today on my way to work I was listening to BBC radio five. A Muslim caller named Abdul said he was "sorry" for the victims, and then quickly jumped into attacking the security forces and called their methods and arrest of terrorism suspects as bullshit and not based on enough evidence. He was angry and he strongly condemned the police actions, yet he refused to condemn yesterday's attacks; he refused to say that those who died yesterday, died unjustly. He was "worried" that the Muslim community was being alienated! He thinks that the evidence, under which 2 or 3 Muslims from his area, who were held under the terrorism act, are flimsy.

I was so angry I didn't know what to do, I wanted to call radio five, but didn't have the number. People like Abdul shouldn't live in this country, they should be denaturalized and sent back to the shit-hole the came from.

I calmed down however, when I heard the Imam of Birmingham central mosque advices Muslim to full corporate with the authorities and to be proactive and inform the authorities of any suspicious activities. He asked Muslims to stand united with the rest of the country against terrorism.

And then Lyla, a Muslim female, said that she was embarrassed to leave her home, embarrassed to go shopping, because she wears hijab. She is embarrassed to be seen in a hijab after what "Muslims" did yesterday. I feel and understand exactly what she means, I felt the same thing because of my Middle Eastern look.

Muslims should be embarrassed and ashamed, not ungrateful, disgraceful and shameless like the criminals and like Abdul. Until Muslims stand strong and united with all humans of all faiths against terrorists, I will feel shame for some have brought that shame to our faith and heritage. I know these are extremists and minority and I have nothing to be ashamed of, but not all of their sympathisers are so extremists and not all Muslims are against those extremists. Hate is in the heart of many so called peaceful Muslims, and that is shameful.

This country and the rest of the free and democratic world must wake up and put a stop to fanatical Islamic organisations that promote terrorism, recruit terrorists and or simply sympathise with terrorists. Radicals who sympathise with terrorists must have no place in these countries and must either be sent back to the shit-hole they came from or sent to Gitmo. Organisations like al-Muhajiroun and Hizb ut-Tahrir, and people like Abu Hamza al-Masri and Omar Bakri should have no place in this country. Either that, or say goodbye to this way of life.

Did you know that terrorists are shameless disgusting parasites? Did you know that the scournful Hizb ut-Tahrir organised a protest in April in London against the anti-terror legislation and some (few) shameless Muslims actually participated? Did you know that extremist Muslims consider voting as un-Islamic and against the Muslim faith? I guess that explains a lot, doesn't it? But it doesn't explain why they live here! And some of them demonstrated against the Iraqi elections, all of whom are non-Iraqis!

For these reasons, I would like to see tougher laws, more anti-terrorism acts, arrests, denaturalisations, deportations, less freedom for religious organisations and more monitoring of these organisations. And I would love to see moderate Muslims, moderate Islamic organisations and Muslim countries to call for outlawing of radical organisation, to call for deportation or arrest of radical Muslims, and to fully and unequivocally support GWOT, and then I will be a proud Muslim.

At the moment and until then, I am a proud and grateful Iraqi who finds it hard to call himself a proud Muslim or a proud Arab; because many Muslims and Arabs are shamelessly ungrateful and disgraceful.

I will leave you with these lines that I've just received by email:

You come to place your bags of hate
On bus and train, you made us late
Yet we’ll be back again tomorrow
We’ll carry on despite our sorrow

Your bags of hate caused some to die
Yet we stride out strong with heads held high
You’ll never win, we will not bow
You can’t defeat us, you don’t know how

This London which we love with pride
Is a town where scum like you can’t hide
Don’t worry we will hunt you down
Then Lock you up in name of Crown

We’re London and we’re many races
Just look you’ll see our stoic faces
We all condemn your heinous act
You will not win and that’s a fact

We’ll mourn our dead and shed a tear
But we will not bow to acts of fear
You’re out there somewhere all alone
There’s nowhere now you can call home

Olympics ours we’ve won the race
Your timing then a real disgrace
Our strength you’ll find remains unbowed
We’re London and we’re very proud.

State of Rage

2005-07-07T18:56:00.000+01:00

First of all, I have to offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of today's coward and wicked attacks in London.

Today's attacks must - and they will - strengthen our commitment to defeat this barbaric hateful terrorism. We will not bow - I will never bow - to these despicable terrorists, even if my life depends on it. What happened to London today was an outrageous evil act by shameless criminals who, sadly, call themselves Muslims. Today, my family and I are ashamed of being Muslims.

I had, and still have, so many mixed feeling, but the most dominant feeling of all is rage. And to tell you the truth, I reached a point today when I hated Islam and all Muslims; I know this is irrational, but you get to a point that because of anger, all logic disappears. My father actually, in his irrational moment, said that the UK government must send every Muslim with a beard and every Imam living in the UK to Gitmo; I couldn't agree more with him in my irrational thoughts.

Fortunately I am fine, and so is my family and most of the people I know in London who I was able to reach either by SMS or phone. My uncle, who is a doctor, escaped one of the attacks by luck while on his way to the hospital; he called us and told us that he's fine and busy with casualties.

Thanks to all of you for your kind messages, I am overwhelmed by your kind support.

As for George Galloway and his scornful remarks today, I can not say more than what I have said before; you are despicable, you are no better than the animals who perpetrated these attacks and killed and harmed innocents indiscriminately.

God bless the brave people of London who helped so efficiently, professionally and courageously the victims and those involved in these barbaric attacks, my heart goes out to all of you and to all those involved.

Update:
I am still in shock. Seriously, I do not understand how people of any faith can attack those who provided them, and 100s of thousands if not millions others, with a safe haven? It is disgusting.

A very good friend of mine was lucky to escape the Kings Cross train bomb. He got off the train by mistake and decided to go for a fag. He then got into the train that didn't blow and missed the tragic train by 2 minutes. Others weren't so lucky.

Another good friend, who is a doctor, got back home from the hospital around 10:00 PM. The hospital was on red alert and the staff were not sure if the next shift will make it to the hospital or not, considering the state of public transport. Therefore, everyone in the hospital waited for a replacement to arrive before they left, and their replacements did arrive; don't ask me how. Those who are on-call made it to the hospital to let those who worked so hard today to go home and relax. That shows courage, professionalism and commitment.

The In T View

2005-07-06T00:29:00.000+01:00

My interview with the brilliant Mister Ghost.

My Dear American Friends

2005-07-04T16:46:00.000+01:00

Your forefathers have created a great nation for you and your children to live in. You must be very proud of what they - and your fellow countrymen and women - have achieved, and thankful for making sure that your children will have a future.

Cherish what you have, many people are willing to kill and die to have half of what you have, to be able to live the American dream, to make sure that their children will have a future. Your forefathers created a great nation, keep it great.

Happy 4th of July and God bless you.

Did you know?

2005-07-01T14:52:00.000+01:00

That Saudi women, who are not allowed to drive, to vote, to go out with strange men or be seen with strange men, whom the government is planning to employ, buy their lingerie from strange salesmen!

Yes, they buy their underwear from men! That would include asking strangers for different types of underwear in different sizes and colours! Oh come on, that allowed and driving is not? What logic is that? Could it be the logic of public humiliation and oppression, and never mind what's not public?

Sounds pretty strange to me, but don't worry they are going to "fix it"! Of course, by "fix it" I do not mean allowing women to drive, to vote and to mix with men, but changing the staff in the lingerie shops!

The Baathist Regimes

2005-07-01T12:04:00.000+01:00

A great post from Shirko about the Baathist regimes and their policy of terror in Iraq and Syria.

Saddam the Novelist

2005-06-24T16:49:00.000+01:00

Update: Jordan bans Saddam's latest novel.

Saddam has written four novels in his time. I haven't read any of them in the past, and I am not interested in reading any of them in future.

I believe that Saddam can offer me nothing in his novel, and I am not trying to sound too smart here, but I believe that even if I want to understand how this monster thinks, all I need to do is look at his atrocities and read about history and what other dictators have done. And I think that from what I know and what I've seen, I know how he thinks; the short version he is a stupid gangster.

Normally when Saddam writes a novel, he send draft copies to Iraqi and Arab critics and intellectuals. They read the novel and then send it back with recommendations and corrections, and after few revisions the novel becomes eligible for publishing and it gets published signed "Its author".

His latest novel, "Get Out, Damned One", was written just before the war. Some Jordanian publisher then published the novel after the war, and it was signed "Its author". People assumed that this publisher has obtained a copy from one of the critics and or from Saddam's daughter. Excerpts from the novel also appeared in different Arabic newspapers.

As I said, I am not interested in wasting my time reading what Saddam has to say. However, a friend of mine bought the latest novel in Jordan and read it; and he told me that it was laughable and extremely weak dramatically and grammatically. He recited some paragraphs for me in Arabic, that was shockingly unprintable. But hey, Jordanians love Saddam and wanted to publish his novel, so they did.

A rumor I heard about Jordanians a while back that one of Jordan's private schools have waived the fees for some of the families of Iraq's former regime, because they have suffered a lot and they are in trouble now!

apparently the novel will be republished; or for those who didn't know it was published before, it will be published by a Jordanian publisher. It will also be translated to English and French! And unlike his previous novels, this one will be published under his name. I expect that it has been revised and corrected in way that would not be so laughable. To me it is no surprise at all that a novel written by Saddam, without editing and modifications, is ludicrous, what do you expect?

Raghad Saddam Hussein has dedicated the novel to her father:

"To the beat of the heart, to the eye and to the father of the Iraqis ... to the creator of men and heroes ... to the one who taught us all the great values," she wrote.

Now I understand he is her father, but a little shame would be nice; though these people have no shame. The beat of the heart? The eye? The father? The creator? The teacher? It sounds like Allah. She could've have said "To Allah" and everybody would've understand it's for her father.

I know, Muslims will tell me that what I am saying is blasphemy; but guess what? When Saddam is portrayed as God, I become Satan.

"You, who raised our heads high, the heads of the Iraqis, the Arabs and the Muslims ... we present to you our souls ... to the father of the heroes, to my beloved and dear father, with all my respect and glory to you."

I am going to puke. I am not kidding...

Monkeys are Muslims

2005-06-24T13:32:00.001+01:00

In fact, not only monkeys are Muslims, but most animals are too.

That is what the pitiful Sheikh al-Mutawa is saying basically, in yet another outrageous and disgusting programme from the be an ignorant Muslim channel, the Saudi Wahhabi Islamic satellite channel Iqra! The irony is that Iqra means read, yet they don't want you to learn!

So is that what it's come to now, to convince the world that you are right, you compare yourself to animals? Well, I guess you are right, you are an animal [Update: Dcat has a picture of a Wahhabi terrorist training].

One word I have for you, sheikh; pathetic. No wonder the Middle East is a mess!

Shattered Windows

2005-06-24T12:41:00.000+01:00

We received a word few days ago from my uncle and neighbours in Baghdad that the windows of our house in Baghdad broke. This has happened before in previous wars, so we weren't surprised; however, we were curious as to what had happened.

We knew that no one was injured, so we weren't worried. In our house live members of the family that worked for us for over 30 years; people that we consider family. So we called and talked to different people to get the full picture, make sure everybody was OK and see what we can do or advice.

Apparently, it wasn't only the windows, but the main wooden door broke as well. A mortar shell had fell in front of the house. Thank god that no one was hurt. Thank god that kids weren't playing in the street, and no one was walking by or driving by.

It's a quite neighbourhood! How low can these low life terrorist and their low life masters and their low life supporters can be? Wake up people, you are digging your own graves; and you are bringing nothing but shame to yourselves, your families and your people. You are simply a disgrace, and I am ashamed that you call yourselves "Iraqis".

Saddam's Palaces

2005-06-23T17:22:00.000+01:00

Nuri Farhan al-Rawi, Iraqi Culture minister, announced in Paris that Saddam's 170 palaces will be converted to cultural centres and will be open to public. [Arabic source]

Syria wants to open a "new page"!

2005-06-23T16:48:00.000+01:00

Syrian Foreign Minister, Faruq al-Shara, said Damascus wanted to cooperate with Iraq to prevent militants from entering the country and open a "new page" with its neighbour.

"We are open to fraternal and good neighbourly relations with Iraq in order to eliminate any ambiguity and all accusations (about infiltrations)," Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara said Thursday.

"We are ready to cooperate and open a new page with Iraq," Shara said after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing.

Well, should we trust our neighbour Baathists regime? I have my reservations! This Arabic source has more:

"We are ready to cooperate from now on and open a new page with Iraq, because we will not accept unfounded accusations from now on" al-Shara said.

From now on? Interesting.

He also said "Our ambitions are to achieve the best possible relationship with Iraq, and Syria decided to send a delegation to Iraq to evaluate to two important issues, the first is to open a Syrian Embassy in Baghdad as soon as possible."

First Egypt and now Syria, this is good. Unless, the embassy becomes a command centre and a safe haven for foreign terrorists!

The second issue is to contact officials in the Iraqi Foreign Ministry and other departments to get the truth about the allegations against Syria. The delegation will ask for the evidence to be evaluated by the Syrian Intellegence and Syrian Foreign Ministry.

Am not really keen on giving them evidence to take back to Syria, I still do not trust them. They are Baathists after all!

Al-Shara also said that Syria is not willing to listen, every now and then, to accusations that could be unfounded!

Could be unfounded? Shouldn't you hear and investigate then? Not willing to listen means you are not interested in the truth!

Then he tries to be smart and goes about how drugs are smuggled to America and how that is not the fault of the country where the drugs are smuggled from! I don't understand how that is similar to Syrian Intellegence officers train and smuggle terrorists to Iraq under the government's nose, but he's a Baathi and they have a different logic from the rest of human race.

Sickening Arab Media

2005-06-23T11:17:00.000+01:00

When will the Arab media, journalists, politicians, experts, clerics, etc become decent? When will these people become rational and intelligent? When will they start caring about human life and about the people? I don't know, maybe when the US find life on Mars!

I have seen many disturbing shows on Arabic satellite channels, and this just an example:

As expected, all praised the resistance. All presented the daily terrorist activities as honorable and referred to the present government as a gang of traitors and agents. Operation Lightning, according to them, is solely designed to oppress Iraqis because, again according to them, there are no foreigners operating inside Iraq.

What disturbed me the most, though, was a statement by one of the guests, the editor of a daily Egyptian newspaper: "Killing the police and the national guard is a duty for all Iraqis."

There are even worse shows than this one, and I can't watch these programmes anymore because when I do my blood boils, I start cursing and change the channel. I've got hypertension, you know; and one day, one of these idiots might give me a stroke.

So, give me one good reason why should I trust and or love my "Arab brothers"? And why should I believe in one Arab nation? Or one Muslim nation? My loyalty and love is to Iraq and to hell with the so called "Arab world"!

Whine or Rebuild?

2005-06-23T00:16:00.000+01:00

Fayrous started an important topic about Iraqis and you mustn't miss the discussion.

First Arab Ambassador in Iraq

2005-06-22T14:53:00.000+01:00

Egypt will become the first Arab nation to send an ambassador to post-Saddam Iraq. This is a very welcomed move by Egypt which will certainly lead the way to having more Arab ambassadors in Iraq.

Ouch!

2005-06-22T11:24:00.000+01:00

He flirted with a glamour model on radio.
She sold his £25,000 Lotus for 50p on eBay within 3 hours.

Despisable... Despicable... Disgusting...

2005-06-19T13:43:00.000+01:00

Someone called "Anonymous" commented on one of my old entries, "Why Harith Al Thari is not being arrested?". His comments are way too nauseating.

I came across this blog while doing a bit of research about Harith Al Thari. As a British citizen who has visited Iraq three times during the past year as a volunteer in UN aid missions and currently residing in the United Arab Emirates, I can honestly say the irony in all this are comments such as the above. May I ask all of you, including Ahmed, where do you get your information regarding Iraq from? If its from news media hailing from the two major countries backing this war, then Im afraid you are burrying your heads in the sand.

So what are you saying here? That the mainstream media is backing the war and showing a rosy picture? How funny? I've never heard this before; this is a first. And to answer your question, I get the information from people in Iraq, friends and relatives, from Iraqi news sites, Iraq TV stations, from Iraqi friends who have family in Iraq and last from the mainstream media!

Ever wondered why "insurgent" videos are banned in western media? You would think if such videos depict the killings of innocenct civilians then it would be an ace of spades in the hands of the American and British governments in their never ending propaganda campaigns. Truth is, it is clear and evident that the so called "insurgents" take the utmost care not to hurt civilians in any "resistance" operation.

Come again? Utmost care? Who the hell do you think you are talking to here? Someone who just got interested in a country called Iraq and looked up some information about it, visited it a couple of times and became an expert? How do you know they take utmost care not to hurt civilians? Did you work with them? Did you talk to them? Did they take you hostage? Did they break you eardrum? Or ribs? Did they beat you so hard that you told your family to either pay the ransom or come in your place? Did they decapitate you or one of your friends? Were you a bystander in a market when one of your crazy friends blew himself up? Do you even know why they are fighting? Do you?

And as for the videos, I said before what I think. Anyway, back to your comment.

It is funny that when the US army blows up a wedding party it is passed as collateral damage. But it is sad that you all buy into it when atleast over 20 thousand civilians die because of US and British "collateral damage".

Which wedding party, this?

Dont get me wrong, Im not for terrorism, but I certainly would not go against the God given, and International Law given right to resist occupation and defend your country.

Oh really? You are not for terrorism? Wow! If you are not, then what does one who supports terrorism sounds like? Right to resist occupation and defend your country, how? By killing innocents, Iraqis, and all those that you disagree with even though you are minority? Is that the "resistance" you are talking about? And what about the Iraqis right to live and to choose? What if eight and half million Iraqi do not want violence?

As for those Iraqi's that do die, the striking majority of them are those who have collaborated with the enemy, atleast according to Iraqis. I am sure if this has happened to America, or Britain, we would not be siding with those of us who would ally ourselves with the invading forces. Or do you think that those British who have secretly supported Nazi Germany are not traitors?

According to which Iraqis? Please tell me, because all the Iraqi expats, their friends, relatives and families who live in Iraq, and my friends and relatives in Iraq do not think so! So which Iraqis have been talking to?

"do you think that those British who have secretly supported Nazi Germany are not traitors?" Of course they are traitors, and the best example of such treason today is George Galloway. It seems that you are holding the wrong end of the stick! How about those Germans who secretly worked with the British - or with others - against the Nazis? Or those who helped build Germany after the war? Do you think they are traitors?

Three visits, hundreds of Iraqis from all walks of life, and I have yet to meet one, just one, who supports the American occupation. Let me go further, I have yet to meet one Iraqi inside of Iraq that uses the word "insurgents", no, they are the "resistance".

Three visits? Hundreds of Iraqis? From all walks of life? You sure knew your way around Iraq, didn't you? And you haven't met one? Okay, here are two. But the question is who supports your "resistance"? How many Iraqis want violence? And all those you met called them "resistance"? What can I say, you sure know who to go out with! Here are some Iraqis who live in Iraq and disagree with you and here are some responses from Iraqis.

Let us get over our bias, Al Thari is loved by Sunnis and Shia's alike, specially those more aligned with Muqtada Al Sadr.

Please, be serious, ok? And next time you open your mouth, make sure you understand what you are saying and you can back it up! Don't think that by going three times to Iraq, you became an expert of the Iraqi society and conflicts! Men far better than you, are still seeking knowledge about Iraq, even though they know far more than you do. Do you even know what al Thari does or did? It is funny that you aligned him with Muqtada al-Sadr, because both men are despised by most Sunnis and Shias alike. By the way, don't forget to include this joke in your "research" about al-Thari.

I still wonder why anti-US-UK protest of over 80 thousand Iraqi's in central Baghdad in December of 2004 was casually mentioned in our media, yet a small gathering of 100 Kurdish US backed peshmerga chanting for an autonomous state was plastered all over the news.

80 thousands? In December? In Central Baghdad? Where in Central Baghdad, be specific? I don't have any recollection of such a massive protest! Can someone, remind me here? But did you see the even larger demonstration in January all over Iraq? 8,456,266 went out and protest against violence and voted for a free and democratic Iraq, even though your "resistance" said that it will be a blood bath!

Even if my son was part of the colaition, I would call a spade a spade. Any soldier participating in this farce and unjust war does not die an hornorable death. I will never blame people for defending their own country.

I wish that you are in UAE because they stripped you out of your citizenship; but I know this is wishful thinking. You have just set a new record for being a despicable British citizen, if you really are British! All I can say to you is that you are a disgrace to Britain and you do not deserve to be a citizen of this country.

Time to get our heads out of the sand.

Look at the mirror when you say that. I am sick to my stomach.

Constitution Writing Committee

2005-06-17T16:36:00.000+01:00

It seems that an agreement has been, or is about to be reached regarding the constitution writing committee. [Arabic]

It started over a month ago when the 55 member committee was formed with only two Sunnis in it. It was a mistake to assume that a committee with such an important undertaking can be formed on the basis of number of seats gained in the elections. The Sunnis have erred when they boycotted – and or asked people to boycott - the elections; however, that error did not mean that they should be sidelined in the most crucial task today which will shape the future of Iraq.

Having realised the mistake, and after calls from Condoleezza Rice, the Shias decided to include a larger number of Sunnis in the constitution drafting process. The Sunnis welcomed Rice’s move and started negotiations with the Shias, Kurds and the rest.

It has been reported couple of weeks ago that 15 Sunnis will be added to the 55 member committee; however, nothing has been confirmed until yesterday. But even yesterday’s confirmation is not certain; Dr Adnan al-Janabi, a member of the National Assembly and the deputy chairman of constitution committee, said that an agreement has not been reached yet, contrary to media reports. [Arabic]

According to the reports, the Sunnis have requested to have 25 members in the committee; but after negotiations, only 15 Sunnis will be added to the current committee to become a 70 member committee with the Sunnis having 2 members more than the Kurds. And the rest of the 25 Sunnis in the list submitted during the negotiations will have the role of advisors, but are not part of the committee.

If this agreement is final, then I believe it is great news. The Sunnis deserve couple more seats than the Kurds in the committee, so to me it looks fair and square. However, I am not quite sure about other factions!

But what worries me is that the Sunnis – or to be more specific, the Sunni representation – haven’t always acted in an appropriate manner. I believe the problem is that the representation is not the right representation, it is the wrong unelected representation which selected itself, and for some reason the many decent intellectual Sunnis are not part of that representation.

All politicians and representations are prone to making mistakes; but what I consider as inappropriate, unacceptable and way out of line is asking for elements from Saddam’s era to come back and participate or asking for the de-Baathification process to be scrapped completely! Yes, the de-Baathification process is very delicate and must be conducted carefully and fairly, but it is a must for Iraq to move forward. Iraq can not afford to have believers in the old regime or criminals of the old regime to be part of the new establishment.

The Sunni representation, during the negotiations for the constitution committee, has put forward Munther al-Shawi to be a member in that committee. This is the boldest movement by the Sunnis to bring back elements of the previous regime. Al-Shawi was the Higher Education Minister in the 70s, Justice Minister in the 80s, Saddam’s legal adviser in the 90s and finally Justice Minister before the war. I don’t think I need to say more about al-Shawi, do I?

After such boldness, the government issued an arrest warrant for al-Shawi on the basis of new evidence, 102 original execution orders signed by al-Shawi. [Arabic]

Such actions make my blood boils and make me wonder, why there isn’t a decent non-Baath sympathizers Sunni representation. I know that there are many decent, intellectual, democracy-loving Sunnis who are capable of participating and contributing positively; but why only few of them are in the political arena today? If there were enough of those, would the rest of politicians have to negotiate with Baath sympathizers? I don’t think so.

Our problem is, I think, the lack of self-criticism. We have to criticise ourselves and our representatives to be able to progress. In general, Kurds don’t criticise Kurds, Sunnis don’t criticise Sunnis and Shias don’t criticise Shias. This situation is quite dangerous and could make us apologists of our ethnic group or representation, even when we disagree with them.

At the moment, al-Sadr and al-Hakim are the bad elements in the Shia representation, and I know that many Shias will say that al-Hakim is good and his family records speak for itself; but al-Sadr’s family record speak for itself too, can you say he’s good? The problem of al-Hakim is that he is too keen to see Iraq become like Iran and to become Iran’s obedient partner. And unfortunately, al-Hakim is influential.

The Sunni representation on the other hand has bad elements too; like those who are taking advantage of the terror and ask for outrageous demands, such as bringing Baathis and elements of Saddam’s era back. Can they not bring better people to build the new Iraq? And, if they don’t think that Baathis are bad; well how about thinking that they had their chance and failed, and its time to have new faces?

Nonetheless, even though I had no doubt that they will reach an agreement, I am extremely glad that the constitution committee is formed (or not?), and that it has enough and fair representation of the three main factions, and I hope that minorities are represented too.

But I am worried that these stupid demands – and previous stupid demands by other factions - will leave ill feeling inside many Iraqis. It is our job to voice our rejections when such demands are made. If I criticise my representation before others criticise them, and if others do the same, we will leave no room for ill feelings, divisions and problems. In fact by doing so, we might force our representations to change their minds.

The Ketchup Email

2005-06-17T13:12:00.000+01:00

I just received the ketchup email and I thought this can't be true, but it is. The ~~sucker~~ guy is a senior associate at Baker & McKenzie! Unbelievable!

Anyway, the ketchup email is officially n e w s. Here is the email he sent on 25 May:

Sent: 25 May 2005 15:27
Subject: Ketchup trousers

Hi Jenny

I went to a dry cleaners at lunch and they said it would cost £4 to remove the ketchup stains. If you cd let me have the cash today, that wd be much appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

And what did Jenny do? Replied to him and carbon copied all her colleagues:

Sent: 03 June 2005 10:25
Cc: *LON - ALL USERS 3RD FLOOR
Subject: RE: Ketchup trousers

With reference to the email below, I must apologise for not getting back to you straight away but due to my mother's sudden illness, death and funeral I have had more pressing issues than your £4.

I apologise again for accidentally getting a few splashes of ketchup on your trousers. Obviously your financial need as a senior associate is greater than mine as a mere secretary. Having already spoken to and shown your email and Anne-Marie's note to various partners, lawyers and trainees in ECC&T and IP/IT, they kindly offered to do a collection to raise the £4. I however declined their kind offer but should you feel the urgent need for the £4, it will be on my desk this afternoon.

Jenny

Well done Jenny, he asked for it!

The best comment in the email, which was going around for a while and is full of hilirious comments, was this "this chap should emigrate"! I think he should :)

Iraq to resume flights to Europe this month

2005-06-15T14:40:00.000+01:00

The Iraqi government told parliament on Tuesday that commercial passenger flights to Europe would resume this month, 15 years after U.N. sanctions isolated the country under Saddam Hussein.

Do you see it? Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Saddam questioned in his underpants

2005-06-15T12:37:00.000+01:00

See for yourself.

About time

2005-06-14T21:07:00.000+01:00

A spokesman for the Association of ~~Terrorists and Kidnappers~~ Muslim Scholars (AMS) said that Iraqi and American forces have raided the house of their chairman, Harith al-Dhari. The joint forces have searched the house, confiscated three Ak-47s from bodyguards and left the area. Unfortunately, al-Dhari was not in the house during the raid. [Arabic source]

Addendum:
This could've been triggered by the 75 million dollars ransom that was paid by TV5 to AMS to release the French journalist Florence Aubenas! Sam, at Hammorabi, has more on this. [Arabic source]

When will these governments and organisations realise that the ransom money they pay will help kill more innocent Iraqis? There is a reason why governments don't - or in your case, shouldn't - negotiate with terrorists. Because when you do, you will be rewarding them for what they've done, and they will probably do it again!

They give millions of dollars that will be used to buy low life criminals and build bombs to save one person - or to save themselves, to be more specific - and they ignore the fact that they are paying terrorists to kill innocents!

RSS from an Arabic newspaper

2005-06-14T20:30:00.000+01:00

The Saudi newspaper, Asharq Alawsat, has added an English section and RSS. [Hat Tip: Saudi Jeans]

Finally, an RSS from an Arabic news site; I thought they will never catch up!

The Stringer

2005-06-14T20:10:00.000+01:00

Steven Vincent writes a heartfelt piece on Ali, an Iraqi stringer in Basra.

Tribal sheikhs to hand over suspects

2005-06-13T15:12:00.000+01:00

Tribal sheikhs/leaders in northern parts of Iraq have agreed to hand over suspects to the Iraqi security forces. [Arabic link]

This rare development contradicts tribal traditions which oblige the tribe to protected refugees no matter what crime they have committed. Having said that, I am not sure whether this agreement is to hand over suspected refugees, or to capture and hand over suspects, or both!

Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq

2005-06-13T11:44:00.000+01:00

I received this email today, which was forwarded to me by Iraq Volunteer. Iraqi expatriates who would like to go and work in Iraq for few months (up to a year) can do so by applying for one these jobs.

Dear Sir/Madam

The United Nations Development Programme and the International Organization for Migration are jointly implementing the Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq Programme (IRI) in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation of Iraq.

The Programme is designed for expatriate Iraqis with professional and successful backgrounds to undertake short term assignments of up to one year in Iraq. The Programme targets those needs identified by Iraqi ministries which are deemed essential for the reconstruction and development of the country and that are not immediately met by the human resources within Iraq. To date, the participating ministries have submitted to our office over one hundred requests for such experts. Type of expertise needed varies from management, engineering, human rights, IT, social development, environment, medical, law, science and technology, agriculture and many more.

All details on the programme, eligibility criteria, etc are available on the official website: www.iraq-iri.org. Interested candidates will be able to down load the application form available on the IRI webpage, fill it in and send it by email to our Amman Management Unit, at irisupport@iom-iraq.net.

In order to facilitate the access of the Iraqi nationals abroad, we would be grateful if you could pass this information on to Iraqis expatriates that visit your organization. Posters and leaflets are available in English, Arabic and Kurdish. Let us know how many you wish to receive according to your needs, provide as with the mailing address of the organization, and we will send them to you in the coming days.

We highly appreciate your support in promoting the IRI programme among professional Iraqi expatriates in your region and do not hesitate to contact us, should you wish to receive any further information/clarification on the programme.

Thank you in advance for promoting such an important programme to support Iraq and play a significant role in Iraq's new future.

Best regards

Lorena Lando
Iraqis Rebuilding Iraq
Programme Manager
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Iraq Mission in Jordan
llando@iom-iraq.net

Yes/No Question Update

2005-06-08T12:30:00.000+01:00

Thank you all for your participation. So far the answers to the Yes/No Question are:

Verified* No: 16
Verified* Yes: 1

Unverified** No: 1
Unverified** Yes: 1

Last Updated: 11 June, 2005, 21:09 GMT.

By the way, if you are still finding it hard to say yes or no; imagine we have two blocs only in the next election one that says will go back in time and the other one says will move forward, which one will you vote for? If you know, then you should be able to answer the Yes/No Question.

* Known Iraqi bloggers/commenters including myself.
** Anonymous or unknown commenters.

Why NO

2005-06-08T12:29:00.000+01:00

I asked fellow Iraqis to put differences and reasoning aside, and to answer a very clear question with a simple yes or no. But not all were able to achieve that and some felt compelled to explain. I can understand why you want to explain; but what you forgot is by saying yes or no, it doesn't mean you are accepting everything in that situation.

We all have more than one reason to explain our yes or no answer; but with too many and different reasons the answer will be lost and a long debate will start instead. The question doesn't ask for reasons, explanations or justification, only the answer to make things clearer and to get a straight answer, no matter what are the reasons.

The explanation could be too long or too short, and people have different reasons for both the yes and the no. Sometimes those reasons are logical and understandable, other times they are not quite so. I believe, through my blog I have expressed my views in so many different post which explains the NO that I will not try to link to these posts. But I will give you a not too long personalised version of the explanation.

I have seen the wars, though not the last one; I have lived in Iraq during the sanctions; I have been afraid all of my life of any government official and the lowest rank police officer who I have to thank and apologise to if he decides to slap me and spit on my face. I simply lost hope.

I used to think that Saddam can be toppled by the people, by an assassination or a revolution; but I was dreaming. It would never have happened, and even if it would, a new dictator would have came a long just like 1958, 1963 and 1968. Otherwise, Qussay would have been next.

If we go back in time to before the war, I would not dare to set a foot in Iraq; but I would do it now, even though I haven't don it, but the idea of going back doesn't scare me now like it used to before. Don't assume that I hold any passport other than the Iraqi passport, because I don't. There is hope today, and if we fail we have only ourselves to blame.

I have lost relatives during Saddam's era. I have seen the brutality of that regime and of the people associated with it. I have a relative who lived all his life in Iraq, i.e. he wasn't an expat, and was kidnapped after the war because he works for some foreign company. He couldn't even afford the ransom and the company paid for him.

I have also lost childhood friends during this war. Two brothers have died in the last few days of the war while driving in Baghdad, and they are very dear to my heart. I have lost people before and after the war; but it is not about me or them, it is about Iraq and giving it a chance to have a better future.

Freedom and democracy doesn't come free and dreams take us nowhere. We may not succeed, but that is our problem; and as Kanan Makiya said "The war made it possible for the country to have a chance—I am not saying a guarantee—of moving ahead in a democratic fashion".

Getting rid of Saddam was never going to be free and easy, and if Iraqis wanted to change the regime, 10s or 100s of thousands would've died. And I even believe that terrorism - or resistance if that's what you prefer to call them – would've happened anyway for many different reasons, mostly because we have people who care too much about themselves and are shameless about it.

The deaths caused by Saddam and his thugs were not being publicised like the deaths that happened in the last two years, but they were on a much larger scale. Terror was the government business and today it is the resistance's business. Until when are we willing to be ruled by terror?

The war ended with little causalities and collateral damage, little compared to the number of deaths of Iraqis if they wanted to topple Saddam themselves. But what happened next? Instead of standing all of us together to build a new Iraq, some of us in corporation with foreign Arab/Iranian governments started a fight and started destroying our own country and the will of the good people. Who do I blame? That some of us!

Why it is better now? Because there is a chance that we might succeed; and if we don't then all those losses during Saddam's era and during and after the war are gone in vain.

Views from Iraq

2005-06-07T17:08:00.000+01:00

Throughout today, from dawn to dusk Baghdad time, BBC News has gone behind the headlines to take an in-depth look at life in Iraq. One Day in Iraq: At-a-glance.

Here are some of the comments of Iraqis and non-Iraqis:

I am a British military engineer working to try and improve the Iraqi electrical system. Despite the gloomy news you read from Iraq every day, there is also much good work going on across the country to improve all aspects of the nation's infrastructure. Every Iraqi that I have met has been welcoming, kind and friendly and I consider myself lucky to be in a position to help The rights or wrongs of the war seem a totally irrelevant from where I am sat. I simply believe my contribution here is worthwhile.
Ross, Basrah, Iraq

From BBCArabic.com: In spite of all the bad things we face on a daily basis in Iraq, life is beautiful without Saddam. Today there's a lot of talk about sectarianism but no one looks back to remember who the people Saddam governed Iraq with were. Today even as you see Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and others in the government there is talk about sectarianism and monopolisation of power by one group. Are 35 years of Ba'athist rule not considered sectarianism! The problem today in Iraq is the breath of Ba'athism and sectarianism that still hovers over the minds of some people and we should fight that to live in peace like other people.
Jalal Baghdadi, Baghdad

Did you read that? Life is beautiful without Saddam.

As an Iraqi, I am uniquely qualified to post on this discussion. First off, life is definitely better under the coalition than under Saddam. Saddam's regime killed thousands of my fellow Iraqis. The only way people in the "West" don't see this is because they have a media with a liberal bias.
Abdul Al Suja, Ramallah, Iraq

Can he be anymore right? Spot on.

From BBCArabic.com: Iraq is a country that has been suffering from wars and bloody conflicts for 5,000 years and what you see now is a decisive episode of the bloody Iraqi saga. Perhaps its richness is what attracts all these wars, or maybe it's the despair of its people - whatever the reason the result is the death of innocents, the spread of fear, terror and injustice. I don't remember any period longer than a year without wars and destruction. Now the dream of every honourable Iraqi is to live in peace and quiet. We have grown accustomed to storing food and the basics of life. My hope from God is to grant the people of Iraq peace.
Heymen, Irbil

Amen.

From BBCArabic.com: Is the Iraqi situation that bad? Yes there are some problems but things are going in the right direction. The residents of any area can make it safe or otherwise. When you shelter insurgents you have to expect trouble. As for the sectarian issue, this is promoted by some Arab channels which refuse to have democratic governments like that of Iraq, and time will prove this.
Ahmad al-Saadi, al-Amara

From BBCArabic.com: I want to say that the situation in Iraq is not good, but we can see that the heroes of Iraq sacrifice themselves to keep the smiles on the faces of the children. Pray to God to preserve the heroes of the police and the army and the guards and every honourable Iraqi who protects the smiles of the children and women of Iraq.
Iraqi citizen, Baghdad

Those heros are the true freedom fighters and may god bless them.

From BBCArabic.com: I have visited my country after 24 years of abroad and I have seen such joy at the downfall of the most tyrannical regime in history that I had never seen before.
Mohammad al-Baydani, Sydney, Australia

There is one question that I would like to see answered by Iraqis in Iraq. "If you could return to your life in Iraq as it was before the allied invasion, would you? A simple yes or no would reveal far more than pages of biased reporting by disinterested journalists.
Al, UK

May I ask all Iraqis who are reading this to answer Al with a simple yes or no in the comments section. My answer is of course, NO.

Life in Pakistan and Saudi

2005-06-07T13:01:00.000+01:00

Isaac Schrödinger talks about life in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during and after the Gulf War. Check this out:

[...] After we finished, I was walking back with one kid who out of the blue asked me a question. “Who do you think is going to win the war?”

“The US,” I said.

“Why do you think that?” he asked.

“Since the US is more powerful than Iraq and has sent such a large force across 8 time zones.”

“No, Saddam Hussein is going to win!” he shot back.

I didn’t like that answer and asked him to explain his choice. He gave an answer that I knew was not right but my nine year old mind couldn’t compute as to why.

“Because he is a Muslim,” he replied.

Hehehe... Yeah, that makes perfect sense! And the kid was right; Saddam did win the Gulf War!

One day, I overheard a conversation between my aunt and family. She had come back from a mosque. She told us about a foreign lady who came to teach birth control to women near the mosque. She said that the Westerners were afraid of Muslims. This talk of birth control was a scheme by the Westerners to keep the number of Muslims low in the world. I knew that this statement wasn’t right but kept my mouth shut. By the way, this aunt had seven children. I am sure that Western lady must have been petrified by her.

Yep, that makes sense too! It's all part of the master Imperialist Zionist Western evil plan!

All Levels of the Iraqi Government were Complicit

2005-06-07T11:22:00.000+01:00

Kanan Makiya, the author of Republic of Fear, talks about the nature of Baath, de-Baathification, and Iraq Memory Foundation. Here are some excerpts from the interview - which is worth a read:

MEQ: If Baathism is a form of Arab nationalism, how do Baathists define who is an Arab?

Makiya: To Baathists, being an Arab is connected with the degree of loyalty that one has, not only to the idea of "Arabness," but also to the party that carries that idea, that party's central committee, and ultimately, to the party leader. In that sense, it is fascist. Baathist ideology in the pure original sense means you could have ancestors going back hundreds of years in an Arab country and your first language might be Arabic, but still you are not an Arab in the Baathist view. The quality of being an Arab is therefore a subjective and not an objective attribute of an individual.

[...]

MEQ: Were the highest echelons of the Iraqi government involved, or was corruption a low-level affair?
Makiya: All levels of the government were complicit. Profiteering, black market trafficking, and sanctions-busting became the principal activity of the Iraqi elite. United Nations officials turned a blind eye as top Iraqi officials diverted funds from the U.N.-managed Oil-for-Food program into secret bank accounts.

[...]

MEQ: So the coalition invasion in March 2003 served, to some degree, as a catalyst for changing an unsustainable situation?

Makiya: The war made it possible for the country to have a chance—I am not saying a guarantee—of moving ahead in a democratic fashion. The sanctions could not be removed before the regime was removed, and only then could the country pick itself up again. With the removal of the old regime and the elections, we have reached the beginning of a new era. Baathist ideology has, I believe, been dealt a deathblow in Iraq.

[...]

MEQ: Have any of the states neighboring Iraq played a more helpful role?

Makiya: None. None at all. There is no doubt about this whatsoever: We never expected to have friends in the region, and we still don't.

[...]

MEQ: What are the origins of the Iraq Memory Foundation?

Makiya: In 1991, in the immediate aftermath of the last war, I went to northern Iraq to look into rumors that the Kurds had captured tons of Iraqi documents. With the tacit knowledge of the then-director of Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies [William A. Graham], I sought to gain support to transport those documents outside of Iraq so that academics and scholars could work with them. The project began the following year at Harvard.

[...]

MEQ: Was there anything you found that surprised you?

Makiya: We found registers of Iraqi secondary school students with all kinds of personal information, especially political information: when they joined the party, including their degree of loyalty measured by various criteria; whether they participated in such-and-such an event; the loyalty of the members of their family up to cousins of the third degree. So, you end up with virtually a blacklist of the secondary school population. You can imagine the implications of studying Iraq through the prism of these kinds of documents.

Read the whole thing.

Tide Ad

2005-06-06T19:43:00.000+01:00

I just received this by email, and remembered that Fayrouz said it would make a good ad for Tide. I think its great and will definitely use Tide from now on, LOL.

The caption says "My Lady, for cleaner clothes and smoother hands ... Tide"

Pathetic Ignorance of Hypocrites

2005-06-06T17:09:00.000+01:00

This is not a joke! It is a true story!

Two Algerians went to a take-away restaurant here in London and their breath smelled alcohol, yet their first question was is the falafel halal?

I swear when my friend who was in the restaurant told me, I couldn't stop laughing! How can falafel be halal? It's vegetarian, use your brain for god sake! And if you are so concerned about halal and haram, why do you smell like a pint of lager?

I bet you that these morons support what they call the "resistance" in Iraq!

Promoting Terrorism

2005-06-06T12:07:00.000+01:00

About a year ago, I was talking to a colleague about the terrorists and the videos they release and get broadcasted on TV. I told him that such videos should never be broadcasted because it only helps the terrorists. When the terrorists release such videos, it is because they want to show it to the world, they want to deter people and they want to be heard. And therefore, it is important that they won't be heard.

The terrorists kidnap people for one of two reasons; either to get a ransom and the victim most of the time is an Iraqi (or in some cases an Italian!); or to publicise terror. Hence, it is our responsibility to not give them the publicity they are seeking. Think about it, if they can't publicise their terror, what good would it do them to kidnap if not for money? If they kill the victim, all the publicity they would get is a headline saying terrorists killed a foreign businessman; and no one would see Mr X pleading for his life or getting executed on TV.

I am not saying that Mr X is not worth the attention, but showing the video would put Mr X's life in more danger because the message of killing Mr X will serve their publicity agenda, and it would make the kidnapping business a successful PR exercise to terrorise the world. Therefore, TV stations like al Jazeera helps only the terrorists when they broadcast these videos.

Rumsfeld said that al Jazeera promotes terrorism:

"If anyone here lived in the Middle East and watched a network like Al-Jazeera day after day after day, even if you were an American you would begin to believe that America was bad," Rumsfeld told an Asian defense conference.

"Quite honestly, I do not get up in the morning and think that America is what's wrong with the world. The people that are going on television, chopping off people's heads is what's wrong with the world."

"And television networks that carry it and promote it and are Johnny-on-the-spot every time there's a terrorist act are promoting it," he said.

Qatar-based Al-Jazeera, a pan-Arab station, denies it holds any anti-American bias and says it reports the news objectively.

Okay, I will not comment on al Jazeera's laughable objectivity, but can al Jazeera say that they report responsibly? Can they say that they care more about innocents than they care about terrorists or about having an exclusive from terrorists? I do not think so because if they did, they wouldn't broadcast the video the minute the terrorists deliver it to them! And why the terrorists deliver to al Jazeera only and not to other channels? Because they are buddies.

Plans for 370 megawatt

2005-06-06T11:39:00.000+01:00

$118 million dollars have been allocated to build a new 60 megawatt diesel Power Station in Samawa, south of Iraq. [Arabic source]

Laith Kuba, the Iraqi government spokesman, announced that Iran has agreed on increasing the power supply from 90 to 150 megawatt.

Abdul Latif Rashid, Minister of Water Resources, announced that his ministry will work on increasing the power supply by 250 megawatt to produce 1250 megawatt once the Turkish government fulfills the agreement of increasing the water flow in the Euphrates.

Association of Muslim Scholars and Sajda

2005-06-06T11:22:00.000+01:00

Mohammed Ayash al-Kubaisi, a representative of the Association of Muslims Scholars, have been in contact with Sajda al-Tulfah, Saddam's wife, who resides in Qatar. He has also been in contact with Luay Khair Allah al-Tulfah, Sajda's notorious brother. Al-Kubaisi received millions of dollars and transferred the money through various businessmen to terrorists in Iraq. [Arabic source]

This could well be bogus; but the fact remains that the Association of Muslims Scholars in Iraq was established after the war by Baathi scholars who are more loyal to Saddam and the Baath than to Iraq or even to Allah. It is a well known fact that they corporate with terrorists and kidnappers. So, even if this is bogus; it doesn't mean that they are not doing what Saddam and his family want them to do.

Am back

2005-06-01T11:46:00.000+01:00

Thank you all for your nice words. I had a great holiday, tiring though! The weather, the set up, everything was great. And as usual we had too many late nights, too many drinks and not enough sleep, so I came back wanting a few more days off to relax!

Anyway, I am back now and catching up... So far, I don't know anymore than you do as to what's happening in Iraq, so I will be brief as I am sure you know all of this.

10 Iraqi Shias have been tortured and shot, and no one protested like I said they should. Their mutilated bodies have been found in the desert near the town of Qaim, close to the Syrian border.

Tariq Aziz thinks that he would've had "rights" under Saddam's law! Oh yes, I forgot about the right to be humiliated, tortured and to die without trial!

President Talabani said that he expects the trial of Saddam to begin within two months. Let's hope that it will be so, as I can't wait to see and celebrate the end of this monster.

The kidnapped governor of Anbar province, Raja Nawaf, has been found dead along with his suspected captors after a clash with US forces in Rawa, near the Syrian border.

At least 27 people were killed and 128 wounded in a double suicide bomb attack in Hila, south of Baghdad. The attack took place while a crowd of policemen protesting against a decision to disband their unit!

Sunni politician, Mohsen Abdul Hamid, leader of the Iraqi Islamic party was arrested and taken from his home by mistake. The arrest was immediately condemned by President Talabani and Abdul Hamid was released.

What you don't know is this:
A letter from Harith al-Dhari, head of the Muslim Scholars Association, dated July 2004 has been found in Abdul Hamid's house, in which al-Dhari threatens Abdul Hamid and asks him to either join the Muslims Scholars Association and support the resistance or he will be assassinated along with other members of his party. Also in the letter, al-Dhari states that al-Zarqawi and the Saddamites are Muslims and that we must corporate with them, and everything they do is according to Shariah even if they killed all the Iraqis, it doesn't matter, what is important in the end is that the "resistance" succeed! [Arabic link]

When will al-Dhari be arrested? This is becoming ridiculous and am getting sick of it. Harith al-Dhari, his son and al-Sadr must be arrested and tried if we want Iraq to move forward. Al-Dhari should've been arrested instead of Abdul Hamid.

Short Break

2005-05-27T13:28:00.000+01:00

I am going away on holiday for the weekend and will be back on Monday. I probably won't have internet access there, so I will have some catch up to do then!

Have a great weekend y'all, and be good!

Iraq News Update

2005-05-27T13:07:00.000+01:00

Iraqi civilians have captured two terrorists in Haifa Street in Baghdad and sentenced them to death and hanged them in the street to deter other terrorists. [Arabic link]

You might think this is wrong and they should've been handed over to the police. Probably! But not when you being terrorized by these low life criminals. It is hard to not judge these terrorists when you get hold of them after all Iraqis have been through because of them. I think this is good; there is not stronger message to the terrorists than this.

An officer in the former Iraqi Army has been sentenced to death in al Hila for his involvement in terrorist bombing and killing activities. [Arabic link] A Tunisian terrorist has been sentenced to 15 years in the same court for his involvement in terrorism.

I have a question; why Iraqi terrorists are being sentenced to death, while foreign terrorists aren't? Are the cases against these foreign terrorists different? Or are we not allowed to sentence them to death? I really don't know! But I know that they have no probably in killing innocent Iraqis!

The grip on terrorists has been tightening with the launch of a new offensive of 40,000 troops and 600 checkpoints in Baghdad. "These operations will aim to turn the government's role from defensive to offensive," said Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabor. Mr Jabor said he is "not sure whether [Zarqawi] is dead, but we are sure that he is injured."

Omar has more on this here and here. And from reading Iraqi news websites, many headlines are referring to these operations and the arrests that have been made so far.

Athena is doing a great job in covering al Zarqawi story. She started by reporting his injury, then she analyzed whether he's in Syria or not, then she provided us with another update, and finally she asked who's in charge?

Meanwhile, people are praying for al Zaqawi to get caught, get humiliated, get a painful death, reach hell asap, etc. at Chrenkoff.

Sami, on the other hand, thinks that the capture of al Zarqawi is irrelevant, as a new person will become in charge. But even though, we want justice, we want him captured, humiliated and then get a painful death and rest in hellfire, don't we?

Apparently terrorists are having recruitment problems; so they are now headhunting cows [Ali] and dogs [Fayrouz], while Mister Ghost tells the sad, but funny, story of moojahdeen.

Iraq Sandstorm Photos

2005-05-27T10:44:00.000+01:00

I have received amazing photos of April's Sandstorm in Iraq.

The Lies of Galloway

2005-05-26T17:03:00.000+01:00

Kudos to Seixon for a magnificent job in showing the lies of the disgraceful Galloway in his testimony before the Senate Committee.

[Hat Tip: Roger L. Simon]

Terrorists tried and sentenced in an Iraqi court

2005-05-25T16:14:00.000+01:00

The first death sentences, since the fall of Saddam, have been given to three Iraqi terrorists who were convicted of 20 operations that involved killings of Iraqi Policemen, kidnapping of Iraqis and raping Iraqis girls.

Two Syrians, who entered Iraq illegally and got captured in al Falluja, were convicted of arms assaults and sentenced to life in prison.

The hearing lasted for five hours, while fifty Iraqis, most of whom were families of the victims, were present in the court room. The death sentences will be executed within 10 days. [Arabic link]

I watched part of the trial on Al Iraqiya TV. The statements of the witnesses and the terrorists were very very gruesome, I don't think you want to hear it. Death is too good for these low life terrorists!

Iraq abolishes Saddam's alcohol restriction law

2005-05-24T20:10:00.000+01:00

Ministry of Interior in Iraq abolished Saddam's alcohol, night clubs and casinos restriction law which was introduced in the 90's. The law has been abolished because it interferes with and limits Iraqis personal freedom. Businesses, however, are required to obtain a licence from Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health. [Arabic link]

Who would've guessed that al Jaafari government would do this? I must say, I'm impressed.

Was Al Jazeera on the take?

2005-05-24T18:06:00.000+01:00

This probably is old news for many; but if you still have doubts, then you should check Uday's Oil-for-News Program.

Recipients of this Baathist largesse appeared to include a former managing director of the influential Qatar-based government-subsidized satellite network Al Jazeera, Mohammed Jassem al-Ali. The videotaped meeting between Uday and al-Ali occurred on March 13, 2000, when al-Ali still worked as Al Jazeera's managing director. [...]

Uday goes on in his videotaped conversation with al-Ali to mention that some people have relayed to him al-Ali's comment that Al Jazeera is the station of Iraq's Baathist regime "both literally and figuratively." Thus, Uday says, "It is important that I share with you my observations about the station."

In response, al-Ali never denies saying that Al Jazeera was Saddam's station. Instead, his cloying remarks provide Uday every reason to believe that this is so. Al-Ali gives Uday his "unequivocal thanks for the precious trust that you put in me so that I was able to play a role at Al Jazeera; indeed I can even say that without your kind cooperation with us and your support my mission would have failed." Al-Ali also tells Uday that, in his mission at Al Jazeera to serve Iraq, "the lion's share of the credit goes to you personally sir, yet we would be remiss not to mention our colleagues here who constantly strive to implement your directive."

Al Jazeera isn't the only Arab media outlet implicated in the Al Hurra tapes. It was recently discovered that Hamida Naanaa, a Syrian writer based in France who was known for her pro-Saddam slant, had received coupons under the Oil-for-Food program in exchange for her favorable coverage. [...]

[...] After Uday greets Naanaa, she gushes, "Hello to you, the dear son of the dear and the precious son of the precious. Hello, is kissing allowed?" Kissing was indeed allowed.

Oh dear Naanaa, have you no shame?

Now pray with me for the Devil, a.k.a. al Zarqawi, to reach his eternal destination (hell) ASAP.

WE have a problem and WE must solve it

2005-05-24T00:58:00.000+01:00

I have always believed that when a system is malfunctioning, no matter how much pressure and efforts outsiders put to change that system, it will not change unless insiders work twice as hard to change it themselves. Take Islam for example, no matter how much the western world is going to talk about Islam and try to enlighten Muslims, Muslims will have to work twice as hard, if not more, to enlighten themselves, their Muslims brothers and try to reform Islam. Outsiders will never be able to change anything, unless those who are part of the problem do it for themselves and for others.

When I first read that Sunni mosques in Baghdad have been closed as part of three day protest; the first thought that came to my mind and many others was, why they are protesting now and didn’t protest when innocent civilians, Shiites, Iraqi Policemen and Iraqi National Guards got killed/executed by terrorists? Or do the clerics of these mosques call the terrorists “freedom fighters”?

I believe this was one of the worst moves of the Sunni clerics, because it has, whether we like it or not, widened the sectarian rift between Sunnis and Shiites. By doing so, they said that Shiites are killing Sunnis in retaliation and that they are protesting against them or against their actions. They are almost saying that they do not care much when others die (even when Sunni IP or ING die)! They are saying that Shiites are retaliating against Sunnis and that is totally unacceptable, but when others die its only pitiful.

They are basically saying that they shouldn’t be punished for crimes done by others, which is absolutely right but they should work harder to denounce those crimes before they say we shouldn’t be punished. They are doing this to prevent civil war, when they should’ve done the same to prevent it when others got killed.

Do I blame westerners for hating Islam or having prejudice toward Muslims? Absolutely not; why do we expect them to love us when there are so many of us (Muslims) hate them so much? Unless Muslims work hard to denounce those anti-Westerners, we shouldn’t expect much from them.

The problem is that some Sunnis believe - or try to believe - that there is a real patriotic resistance and there is terrorism, as if that resistance would be in Iraq’s best interest, but never mind! Most Sunnis, however, even those who believe there is resistance, condemn terrorism but at the same time try to deny that terrorism is more of a Sunni problem.

Yes, I know, terrorism is more of a Wahhabi problem, but are those Wahhabists acting alone? Who feeds them? Who harbour them? Who helps them? Who is working with them? Baathists and some Sunnis, and since most Baathists are Sunnis anyway; then most of those who are working with the Wahhabists are Sunnis. And that is why it is more of a Sunni problem.

I know that most Sunnis are against terrorism; hence, I believe that Sunnis need to acknowledge the problem and work harder than anyone else to eliminate it. Criticizing, blaming and changing oneself takes courage and conviction, and that’s what Sunnis need. They should denounce all terrorists, be it Wahhabists, Baathists, Sunnis or Shiites (like al Sadr, but that should be denounced more by Shiites). If Sunni mosques close for three days when Sunnis get killed, it should close for six days when non-Sunnis or when IP or ING get killed. Sunnis should preach against terrorism twice as much as Shiites do. Sunnis should try to get involved in politics twice as much as others do. Sunnis should try to denounce every terrorist no matter which sector that terrorist belongs to twice as much as others do. If that happens, terrorism will then be defeated easily.

We have to act now, before it is too late; both Sunnis and Shiites must get their act together and work together for the good of the nation and not for the good of their sectors. Baathists do not deserve another chance, but they shouldn’t be persecuted either. Sunni clerics and politicians must not align themselves with al Thari and his ilk, terrorists or Baathists; they must not try to legitimise terrorism as “resistance” and or try to bring Baathists back to power; instead, they should be against terrorists and Baathists more than others, at least for preventing them from participating properly in the elections.

The Shiites have behaved badly too and they should get their act together too; they shouldn’t play the winner card every time they try to form a team. They should outcast al Sadr; in fact, he should be arrested and put on trial for the murder of al Khoie, if not for his other actions.

Iraqis must force their representatives, clerics and politicians to behave for the good of the nation. When Shiite individuals, clerics and or politicians do wrong, Shiites and Sunnis must protest; when Sunni individuals, clerics and or politicians do wrong, Sunnis and Shiites must protest. If Iraqis act as Iraqis and Muslims act as Muslims, then politicians will have no choice but to act for Iraq’s best interest.

I accept that this might be too optimistic, but we must try and protect each others interests; and we shouldn't be afraid of identifying problems within our community and sector, because if we keep ignoring them, the problem will only get worse.

Chemical Ali and Chemical Sally

2005-05-22T00:48:00.000+01:00

The Sun published the above picture of Saddam's frail notorious murderer cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as Chemical Ali, and Saddam's biological weapons chief Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, also known as Chemical Sally and Mrs Anthrax.

The Sun also responded to the woolly-minded liberals:

Our extraordinary photos yesterday of Saddam in jail got the whole world talking and woolly-minded liberals into a predictable lather.

They bleated on about infringing his RIGHTS apparently forgetting who this depraved monster is.

Apparently! But how sad?!

How sad for Saddam if he feels humiliated. The fact is these images are simply the most striking demonstration of exactly how much Iraq has changed in the last two years.

Does he? And we are suppose to feel sorry for him? Why? Didn't he feel humiliated by the images of Iraqis slapping his toppled statue and his portraits with their slippers and spitting on his face? Or when he was captured in the spider hole? Or when he didn't have the courage to shot himself?

A bloody tyrant who forced 20 million people to grovel at his feet has finally been humbled and what better way to illustrate that.

I would say there are many ways, Iraqis are full of ideas if you know what I mean; nevertheless, this is a good one, so thank you for publishing the pictures.

The man who showed no mercy is jailed in humane conditions. Unlike his tragic victims, he will face a fair trial by a legitimate Iraqi court.

But make no mistake, this man is hardly entitled to a single human courtesy.

Absolutely.

All the Iraqi people I know or have met on the streets of Basra or Baghdad will give you the same answer.

The evil brute - and his cruel henchmen - deserve no ones sympathy for anything.

What can I say, you said it all!

Update: I was talking to a friend and he pointed out, quite correctly, that this women is not Mrs Anthrax, it is Rihab Rashid Taha, also known as Dr Germ. I think he is right and the Sun got it wrong!

More pictures of Satan

2005-05-21T16:56:00.000+01:00

After decades of oppression and tyranny, after owning a country and living the most luxurious life; it is nice to finally see Saddam sitting on a pink plastic chair in prison washing his own clothes!

I am, however, disappointed that he is being treated with dignity and freedom that thousands of his prisons and victims did not enjoy. Why he is still allowed to have some luxuries? Why does get dye for his hair? Why his living area is fully air conditioned? Shouldn't he be treated like any other prisoner, if not less?

It is funny that Al Jazeera did not show the pictures! I guess showing terrorist videos and Abu Gharib's pictures is more ethical and professional! Instead they published an old picture of Saddam with the article. Interesting, no?

I think these pictures have two important messages. One, it shows that Saddam is nothing but a prisoner who is living with no or limited luxuries; and two, is that he is NOT coming back, he is weak and counting his days.

But unfortunately, losers, who were insulted by these pictures, will always be losers and there is nothing they can do about it. Personally, these pictures provided a much needed insight and gratification.

More to come, stay tuned.

Saddam in his pants!

2005-05-20T10:40:00.000+01:00

BTW, The Sun is not showing the pictures online!

The Sun is under fire over Saddam pictures:

The US military has condemned the Sun for publishing photographs of a captive Saddam Hussein and said it was "aggressively" investigating who took them.

Today's paper carries a series of photographs showing the former Iraqi dictator in his cell, including one on the front page showing him in his underwear. Another shows him washing clothes under the headline "Tyrant? He's washed up".

The Sun says it obtained the photos from "US military sources" who handed them over "in the hope of dealing a body blow to the resistance in Iraq".

"Saddam is not superman or God, he is now just an ageing and humble old man," the paper quotes its source as saying. "It's important that the people of Iraq see him like that to destroy the myth."

But in a statement issued today, the American military in Baghdad said the photos violated military guidelines "and possibly Geneva convention guidelines for the humane treatment of detained individuals".

"The source of those photos is unknown at this time. It is believed the photos were taken over a year ago."

More...

Okay, maybe it's a violation of Geneva convention; but I know that I am happy to see these pictures, aren't you? Don't you like to see Saddam washing his clothes? I know I do, and I also know that most Iraqis do too.

After all the suffering he put us through, now he is living how he should've lived all his life, in prison washing and cleaning, not only his clothes but also the floors and the toilets of the prison. Man, I will never get enough of seeing him humiliated, suffering and treated like he should've been treated all his life, like an animal. I mean didn't you like the picture of Samir holding Saddam, after punching him? I love that picture!

I know you will say that I am evil and two wrongs don't make a right; but, first, I am just a human who want to see justice and can't say that I don't want vengeance. Second, I do not consider him human; therefore, I don't think he deserves any right. And third, nothing in the world that can be done to him could be compared to what he had done to millions of innocents.

I am getting a lot of SMS messages today asking me if I saw the Sun's front page! I know that Iraqis are loving it. I will certainly keep a copy of the Sun. By the way, I will try to scan some of the pictures and upload them later, probably tomorrow.

Mother of all Smokescreens

2005-05-17T18:14:00.000+01:00

It seems that Galloway learned to talk like his friend, Saddam. Do you remember the mother of all battles in which Saddam defeated the zionist imperialist west in 1991? Well, Galloway said that the accusations levelled against him were the "mother of all smokescreens"!

Mr Galloway denied being an apologist for the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

He said he had been a long-term opponent of Saddam, and had a much better record of opposition to the Iraqi leader than members of the American or British governments.

Very funny Mr Galloway, you almost had me there!

It seems that today is the International Joke Day!

Brotherhood between Shiites and Sunnis

2005-05-17T15:51:00.000+01:00

The defense minister, Sadoun Al Dulaimi, announced that the government had ordered the army to stop raiding mosques, arresting clerics and "terrifying worshipers."

At a news conference in the Defense Ministry, his first public appearance, Mr. Dulaimi said the order extended to college campuses and Christian churches, and applied to Shiite as well as Sunni religious sites. He said raids had been "terrifying worshipers," adding, "The holy places must not be violated by the security forces, nor religious leaders arrested, and that will not happen anymore."

He said that the security agencies under Mr. Hussein had spread "terror" among Iraqis in the name of protecting Iraq, and that the new government was determined not to do the same by attacking places that Iraqis had the right to consider immune to violence. "A sense of public security cannot be achieved by spreading fear," he said.

Scores of mosques have been raided in the past 18 months, arresting dozens of clerics and often carrying away large hauls of weapons and ammunition, including bomb-making equipment and antitank rockets.

Personally, I think it is wrong to raid mosques, arrest clerics and terrify worshipers; HOWEVER, when these clerics and worshipers violate the sacredness of these holy places, store weapons and ammunition, and advocate terrorism, then these raids will clean these mosques from those who are abusing it. It is a holy place for god's sake; it should be used for worshiping not for terrorism!

Ayatollah Sistani met with Ibrahim Al Jaafari at his sanctuary in Najaf, and gave the prime minister a message emphasizing the need for Shiites and Sunnis to work together on the country's future.

Dr. Jaafari told reporters that Ayatollah Sistani "insisted on the need for brotherhood between Shiites and Sunnis, and the need to include our Sunni brothers in the constitution-drafting process."

Of course this is good news which happened after US pressed the government to boarden the role of Sunnis. Condoleezza Rice urged the government to keep up the momentum and continue to forge a democracy that represents all ethnic and religious groups.

"The next step and the next challenge is to have a constitution that is written by people that are broadly representative," Ms. Rice told Fox News in an interview from Baghdad.

"And so we've been talking about the constitutional drafting process that's about to take place here. It is true that Sunnis did not participate in large numbers in the elections and therefore are underrepresented in the national assembly," she said.

"But I found an openness to the idea - which is really an Iraqi idea - that Sunnis must be represented in this constitutional process because this has to be an Iraq that works for all Iraqis. That's the only way that everyone is going to see the political path as a way to a better future."

Spot on Ms. Rice, my sentiment exactly!

Joke of the Century

2005-05-17T14:33:00.000+01:00

Sit down, breathe slowly and relax.

Yousef Makki, a Saudi writer, wrote the most gibberish column of all time, in which he thinks that Al Sistani do not deserve to be nominated for Nobel Prize or for King Faisal Prize for serving Islam. He was nominated for his efforts to hold elections in Iraq and his calls to calm down the Shiites and prevent a civil war.

Makki gave reasons such as the elections were held under occupation and that many Iraqis disagree with it, Al Sistani cooperated with the invaders and that Nobel prize is no longer important to Arabs since it has been given to terrorists like Yitzhak Rabin, therefore it represents the persons relationship with America!!!

I told you, it's jargon; hence, I won't bother with translating anymore.

But hold on, here comes the joke. Makki thinks that there is someone else who deserves to be nominated for King Faisal Prize for serving Islam. That person, Makki thinks, was responsible preventing civil war and intolerance; he is a patriot who acted for the people and against the occupation selflessly!

That person who Makki thinks deserves the nomination is Harith Al Thari! The same person who speaks for the terrorists, who the families of hostages negotiate with, and who was in charge of the mission of writing the Quran in Saddam's blood.

Harith Al Thari? Very funny. It would've been funnier if he had nominated Saddam or Zarqawi!

Makki, wake up man and be serious! I mean, who would take you seriously after writing something like this?

[Hat tip: Saudi Jeans]

News Round Up

2005-05-16T23:09:00.000+01:00

There's been a dispute going on between an Egyptian called Cipherrus and myself. Well It started between Ciph, Athena and others, and then I ended up debating with this guys who believes in a united Islamic nation, Islamic Passport and terrorism.

Anyway, it started at Athena's site, then Isaac replied to him in 2 post [1, 2]. What amazes me is that he justifies terrorism in Iraq! I mean, who gave an Egyptian the right to justify anything that goes in Iraq? Can I justify terrorism in Egypt? Do I have such right? If I do, then hell, I will justify terrorism in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi, Syria; what the hell, let's justify it in all Arab and Muslim states and blow up everybody in every capital there!

I wonder if his family get blown up in one these attacks, would he still justify it? Anyway, read the arguments and try to understand the mind of those who want take us back to the 7th century; it's a long story but worth it. By the way, there were few errors in my replies, but I can't edit the comments, so I didn't bother and I am sure you will get the message.

Akbar had some worries regarding the misrepresentation of Sunnis in the new 55 member commission that will responsible for writing the constitution, and he is also worried about the de-baathification. Fayrouz has wrote about the commission too.

I believe the Shia bloc has shown their dark side by not allocating enough seats for the Sunnis in that commission. I understand that some people, especially Shiites, are frustrated with Sunnis boycotting the elections and then demanding representation, it sounds completely unfair; but if I want this process to work and not just to prove that they were wrong in boycotting and that they got what they asked for, then I want to include them.

This is not a game of who got more in the elections get to rule; this is about writing a constitution that will shape the future of Iraq; and therefore, it is imperative that people get represented properly.

To be honest, I wan't worried. Let me tell you why; first, the Kurds will not let the Shia get away with religious law; second, Allawi stood up to the Shia and refused to head the commission because the Sunnis are misrepresented; and last but not least, the US will not stand by idle watching the Shiites, or anybody, messing about without doing anything. And they didn't stand idle, and the Sunnis today have welcomed Rice's call to have a great Sunni representation. I mean were would we go without the Americans, eh?

So, this will be sorted out; don't worry Akbar.

As for the de-baathification; well, if you know me by now, you would know how much I despise the Baathis; but, we can not persecute them just because they were Baathis. Therefore, while I fully support the de-baathification process, I believe it must be just and those who didn't commit crimes and behaved honourably should have a future in the new Iraq. It is not an easy task to separate the bad Baathis from the good Baathis; but we can not just outcast all Baathis. I don't think we can do that; even though I wish we can, I think it would be very unwise to do so.

What else? Saddam lawyer said that Saddam is so afraid of execution he cries and pisses himself! Nice, eh? Way to go Ibn Sabha! (Ibn=son, Sabha is Saddam's mother) [Hat Tip: LadyBird]

And another hat tip to LadyBird; Sajeda, Saddam's wife, and his daughter have bought 55% of Al Jazeera! They paid $180 million through some fake company registered in British Virgin Islands. I wonder were they got that money from! Later, I told my father about this transaction, he said; what's new? It was Saddam's channel, anyway!

So, it seems like Al Jazeera which I adore so much, is going to be the official mouthpiece of Saddam and the Baathis! But seriously think about it, this is good news; I mean we don't have to put up with morons who keep defending Al Jazeera anymore.

On Friday, some friends came over; we were having a drink and chatting when they mentioned the Hezbollah-Israeli clash! I was shocked and I turned the TV on to watch the news on Al Arabia, but I had to wait half an hour for their news bulletin! So, one of the guys said Al Jazeera has a news bulletin now; but I said, no way man, I am not going to watch Al Jazeera! So, I tried BBC, CNN, etc and couldn't find anything and had to check the web for details and then watched Al Arabia half an hour later. Therefore, I don't care whether Sajeda, Raghad, or even Saddam himself owns Al Jazeera, it is not a channel that I would watch anyway!

Are We Patriotic?

2005-05-12T23:46:00.000+01:00

I think many Iraqis are not; but let’s examine it and maybe I will change my mind by the end of this post.

What is patriotism? Patriotism is a feeling of love and devotion to one's own homeland. Generally, any selfless act that directly benefits the nation is considered patriotic.

If we look at our modern history, three leaders stand out; Saddam Hussein, Abdul Karim Qassim, and Nuri as-Said.

Is Saddam patriotic? I am certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that some Iraqis and many Arabs will say yes he is. But how is that possible, I say? And they would answer with some Arab-Nationlism, anti-American, anti-Zionist rhetoric, and that to them is patriotism. But in all that, where is the selflessness and the benefit of the nation? Nowhere, it’s not important. Did Saddam benefit Iraq? No, he benefited himself, his family and his henchmen. Was Iraq any better because of him? No, the world, including all Arab nations, moved forwards and Iraq moved backwards. Are those who worked with him patriotic? Of course not, they did it to benefit themselves.

If Saddam had any patriotism, he would not have forced the Iraqi people to go through three wars.

Abdul Karim Qassim, was he patriotic? Well, this is a tricky one. Many will claim he was. He died without owning anything, he slept in his office in the Ministry of Defence and he used to give half his salary to his sister to cook lunches for him, and these lunches contained no meat because the money was not enough. So he acted with unselfishness; however, Al Mahdawi court witnessed many injustices during his short reign and most those who were convicted in that court were sentenced to die.

What scares me about Qassim’s, Saddam’s and many other Iraqis’ version of patriotism is that they believe that they know what is best for the country and therefore they believe they have the right to rule that country. They act upon their belief and kill anyone who disagrees with them.

Do they know what is best for the country? Or what is best for them and their clan or their faction? What does Iraq mean to them? Does it mean it is their country and it should become best suited for them? Are the rest of the Iraqis not really Iraqis, or they shouldn’t live there?

If any of them was really patriotic he would have acted on the countries best interest, in general; and not their faction’s or their idea’s best interest.

Nuri as-Said, was he patriotic? Well, I believe he was; simply because he acted for the country’s best interest. Al Baath Party told us that he was to be considered a traitor because he was a strong supporter of the British and the west; and therefore, many Iraqis do consider him a traitor. He became the prime minister of Iraq many times, including the first and the last before Qassim’s coup. And while being a PM, he was overthrown few times by those who thought they know what it best of Iraq! He signed the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty in 1930 which led to Iraq’s independence in 1932, and he also signed Baghdad Pact in 1955 with Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Britian, while Jordan refused to join.

He was pro-Western, and that’s why he was a traitor! Does it sound familiar?

Is patriotism only restricted to those who believe in pan-Arabism? What if the nation’s best interest is to be pro-Western? Isn’t patriotism acting for the nation’s best interest? Well, Saddam and his Baath Party taught us that any pro-Western stance is traitorous, even if it is in the nation’s best interest.

Therefore, some Iraqis do not know what patriotism is. Some believe that being anti-Western is patriotism, no matter whether it is good or bad for the nation. That is what we’ve been told.

Let’s say that I hate America, Israel and the west in general. Let’s also assume that I believe in all the conspiracy theories that incriminate America, Israel and the west in general. And let’s assume that I think that all our misfortunes are cause by America, Israel and the west in general.

That said, I still hate and despise all the Baathists and their supporters. But above all, I hate Saddam, his family and his henchmen. Or do these contradict with the above?

If I am patriotic, then Iraq’s best interest would certainly be my priority, right? Having got rid of Saddam is definitely something I should be happy about, right? But believing in conspiracy theories and hating the west is a hurdle. If Iraq’s best interest forces me to work with the west then I have to choose either to love Iraq more than anything and ignore my feelings about the west, or to hell with Iraq because I can’t stop loathing the west.

So, which is it? Do I love Iraq more, or hate the west more? And is it in Iraq’s best interest to work with America?

From looking at Iraq’s history and the damage it caused, I strongly believe that we need the west to help us rebuild Iraq. But, my hate to the west tells me that I should not work with them and I should say we can depend on ourselves and we can do it without help. But then again, if we can, why didn’t we do it before? Why didn’t the top Baathists advice on making Iraq democratic? Why didn’t Qassim or Arif or Al Bakir do it? Because once they sit on the chair, they think they can do it all by themselves. Because they think they know what is best and to hell with what Iraqis think.

Now that could be debatable; but let’s look around us, is there any country in our region, apart from Israel which I am suppose to be hating right now, that has a democracy? But why? Can Arab not do it on their on? Do they always have to be pressured by the west to do what is best for the country and the people, i.e. to become patriotic?

Why we don’t want to be pressured and forced to implement democracy? Because then it proves that our government don't care about the people and the country as much as they care about their seat and what they think is right and best.

Maybe it is that male thing that makes us prefer to get lost than to ask for directions, only Arabs have it ten times more than the rest of the world! I call it the fake-pride, and we have a lot of that in the Middle East.

So, back to Iraq’s best interest; if I want democracy and I have doubts that we can achieve it, plus there is this idea that scares me about someone thinking that he knows what is best for the country and decides to fight the rest to rule the country, which is what the terrorists are doing now, then I think we need the west, America and the rest of the world to help us pass this and build a new free and democratic Iraq for all, and not only for a specific faction.

But I hate the west! So do I love Iraq more? Do you? I do, and therefore I am willing to ignore my hate. And maybe when Iraq becomes free, stable and democratic then I will start hating the west again; but for now Iraq’s best interest is above any other feeling I have. But that is not how most Iraqis think! Many Iraqis either they hate the west more than any love they have for Iraq, or they believe that to become patriotic you must be anti-Western pro-Arab!

The world knows that America is divided; left and right. It was also divided in early 2001, was it not? But what happened after 9/11? All Americans put aside there differences and stood together as one nation. They all rallied behind their leader, his approval ratings reached 90% and they supported their troops when they went to Afghanistan to get the perpetrators. There is not better example to show what patriotism means.

Iraq is being attacked by terrorists who want nothing other than to destroy the country and kill innocent people, yet still some Iraqis sympathise with these terrorists. Is this patriotic? Is killing Iraqis, sabotaging oil pipelines and construction, patriotism? How is that going to help Iraq? Please, someone explain to me. Of course, it is not about what is good for Iraq, but what is good for a group of Iraqis who think that they own Iraq and they know what is best for Iraq.

Probably Saddam would consider it the highest degree of patriotism; but not me, not the eight millions who voted, not the victims of Saddam and his wars, not the victims of these terrorists and their atrocities. No they are not patriotic, they are destroying the country, and their supporters are not patriotic too.

I believe that most Iraqis are against these terrorists. But a year ago, the terrorists had much more support than what they have now; and the reason because of the messed up concept of patriotism that we’ve been taught. Many Iraqis thought and believed that these are not terrorists but pure patriotic Iraqis who were fighting the occupation.

And today, even though most Iraqis are against the terrorists; there are still Iraqis who can’t put Iraq’s best interest before their feelings. When you think of what is best for your faction before thinking of what is best for Iraq then you are being less patriotic. Iraq’s best interest is not to make it best for Shiites, or Sunnis, or Muslims, or Christians, or Arabs, or Kurds, or Turkmen, etc; but to make it best for all. Now how many Iraqis think that way? Sadly, I think the minority thinks that way. And I hope I am wrong; but if I am not, then our future depends on the enlightened minority and the west.

If we agree that patriotism as the love, devotion and the selfless act that benefits the whole nation and all its factions; then I must say that Iraqis lack patriotism. And I don’t care for the act to be selfless as much as I care for it to be for the good of Iraq and all its faction.

Having said we lack patriotism, or we have a messed up concept of patriotism; I must say that does not mean there aren’t any. No, there are many patriotic Iraqis, certainly the eight million who went out to vote are patriotic enough to risk there lives and vote, and the Police and the National Guard who are trying their best to protect Iraq and its people; but still not enough, still we have a lot of Iraqis who have a messed up concept of patriotism that allows them to kill their own people.

I find it funny that some people think that it is insulting to brand an American as patriotic or super-patriotic! If we were as patriotic as the Americans who put aside their differences and stood together when they were attacked, we wouldn’t be in this mess! In fact, if we were as patriotic as them, Saddam would not have found enough Iraqis to support him in the first place!

The Liberal Way

2005-05-09T11:25:00.000+01:00

I’ve been planning to post about this issue for sometime now; but I never got around doing it. But, thanks to Brian H, I read a disturbing post about Sweden and I thought that I have to write about the issue.

This post about Sweden, which you must read, is a wake up call. I have believed for sometime that if western societies are going to lose their freedom, democracy and way of life, it will happen because of the liberal mind not because of radical Muslims.

Annie once asked me:

“I was reading about Sayyid Qutb and his writings and found some real irony in the present situation with the Patriot Act that I would like your opinion on.

What I was reading said when he came to America in 1950 he grew to hate America for it's permissiveness especially when it came to teenagers and Qutb cited Alfred Kinsey's report on sexuality, as well as Darwin, Marx, and Freud, as degrading influences on American life. He feared the same influences would invade Egypt.

All of those things he hated were leftist ways of thinking and now it is the leftist organizations such as the ACLU that are trying to block the punishments (you are recommending), and trying to undermine the Patriot Act, etc. What do you think about so much of the leftist thought in today's situation? Don't you find it ironic?”

And my answered was:

“It is ironic! But I believe its all about fear and control! The liberal is afraid of control and Sayyid Qutb is afraid of losing it!

They are both somehow radical in their thinking. The leftists are liberal; therefore, have less control over people's lives. And that's the first reason why Sayyid Qutb and many other radical clerics were - and those living are – afraid. Having less control means people can do what they like, within reason, without being punished. So, not only they are afraid that they cannot apply Islamic laws with such liberal thinking, but they are also afraid that more people will ignore the Islamic teachings.

Second, if people known about this liberal world, how people in the west are living and how attractive it looks, they are afraid that people would choose the liberal world. So, they want to control people's lives by telling people what they can and can't do, which is the complete opposite of the liberal world.

Now if a liberal advocates his ideology in a religious state, the liberal will be easily defeated because he has no rights and the religious leader can decide his fate / punishment for breaking the rules easily and therefore protecting that world

However, if a religious person advocates his ideas in a liberal state, then the religious person will use all the rights that liberal state has provided him with to continue his fight. Therefore, the religious person take advantage of the rights given to him by the liberal; and the liberal will argue that if we reduce these right that means we lost, but in fact without reducing them you make losses and by reducing these rights you can make winning so much easier!”

Today, Islamists are the enemy, but tomorrow you might have a different enemy. Some of those radical Muslims attack by suicide bombs; others infiltrate western societies and abuse the freedom and rights given to them by these liberal societies. They attack the society’s way of life, incite followers against those who tolerated them, recruit people to attack the country that harboured them, change the culture of that society, etc.

The more rights these societies will offer them the more happy they will be, because then they will have protection while they are attacking the country that offered them these rights which they should be indebebted to for the rest of their lives. Instead of being grateful, respectful and tolerant, they want to change that society in way that it would undermine that society’s way of life; that society which has tolerated them and protected them in the first place.

These Islamists will not offer the westerns any rights if they have powers, because they know that these rights will undermine their rule, just like it undermined the rule of the foolish western society that allowed them to abuse it and take over.

Think about it, do these radical Muslims have similar rights in their own country? No. Would they give such right to their people, if they come to power? No. Why? Because they are afraid that when people have rights, they will lose control. Yet, they will be glad to get more and more rights that protect them during their mission to destroy the world and send it back to the 7th century.

It is absurd that western societies must adjust to accommodate radical Muslims, their culture and believes in a way that jeopardise the society’s very way of life. Yes, people should be tolerant, western society should be free and democratic, multi-cultural, etc., but within reason. If Muslims do not think that they can live in a free, democratic, multi-cultural, tolerant western society while being good Muslims then they should not have come here in the first place.

Sanity in this context is to know what is realistic and what is not. If some of these rights undermine the very foundation of a democratic and free society, then no matter how noble these rights are, it is insane to offer them to people. It is imperative for a free and democratic society to protect its freedom and way of life, and to be able to foresee the dangers that could undermine its way of life. This is not only important to non-Muslims, but also to moderate Muslims who will eventually be punished or discriminated against for wrongdoings of radical Muslims. I don't want to be in Britain when the day comes when I would be called bloody foreigner, bloody Muslim, bloody Arab and have to lower my head and walk faster; I don't want to be here when this happens.

Integration is very important in a multi-cultural society; but it is the job of the immigrant to integrate while the native tolerate, accept and respect that immigrant. And by integrating that doesn't mean one should change completely and becomes a copy of the native; no, otherwise it is not a multi-cultural society, is it? One must change to become part of the new society and learn about rather than creating a small society that is specific to his culture. That’s how my family, my friends and I, did it, not the other way around. We integrated, we changed, we learned and we are grateful to have been accepted and been treated with dignity.

A friend of mine stopped going to the mosque for prayers because the Imam always talks about the evil west! Well, if it is evil, then why are you living there? It is frustrating for us because we know that the native will hate all of us one day because of those radicals! And If we allow them, they will simply take away every right we cherish today and everything that is good about any free and democratic society. They will simple make the world stop envy the west or try to migrate to the west, because the west is no longer this place were people are free and have rights and protection.

I have said before and I think it's appropriate to mention it again that the problem is not Islam; backward thinking Imams, blind and unquestioning following of these Imams, tyrants and tribal culture are the problems. The solution, I think, is the enlightenment of Muslims, getting rid of tyrannical regimes, and reforming and reinterpreting Islam. Shariah TV is a simple example.

The perfect example for an Islamist abusing rights given to him by a free and democratic society to destroy that society is Abu Hamza Al Masri, who praised Ben Laden and is a supporter, if not a valuable member, of Al Qaeda.

Britain banned Abu Hamza from preaching in Mosques, yet he continued to preach in the street outside Finsbury Mosque! Then a new law that made sense was introduced which enabled the Home Secretary to strip Abu Hamza from the British Nationality because he acted against UK’s interests; but Abu Hamza appealed his deportation and the appeal could’ve cost the British taxpayer £250,000 if it wasn’t for Ashcroft’s request to extradite him to the US on 11 counts of terrorism.

Today, Islamists are the enemy, but tomorrow you might have a different enemy.

I was watching Fox news the other day. I don’t normal watch Fox news, but I thought I should try it and see how biased it really is and what is all the fuss is about. Anyway, I watched the O’Reilly Factor, when Bill talked about a murder case in which the murderer was sentenced to life in prison without parole about 10 or 9 years ago, not sure. However, the murderer was freed, recently! Why and how? He was freed because the victim’s family wore a small badge with the victim’s face on it; and that might have influenced the jurors! Can you believe this? Do you know how devastating such a stupid decision to the victim’s family?

Imagine they free Saddam because the son of a father that Saddam murdered wore a badge with his father’s picture on it!

Now I appreciate that the law does not allow any banners that could influence the jurors; but this was not something that could’ve influenced the jurors, it was a small sign with the face of the victim and the jurors knew these were members of the victim’s family and they were in mourning. How could it have influenced the jurors?

Liberal judges, one of whom is married to a former ACLU director, freed that murder, and they didn't free him because he didn't do it, but because of the most stupid technicality ever.

My blood was boiling then and I could think of nothing but how devastating such decision to the victim’s family must be. I think it is outrageous and I think that a world that is ruled by such stupid radical liberals would not last long; because it is extremely easy for any fanatical group, Islamists or not, to undermine and destroy such world.

The liberals are just not getting how serious the problem is. And I hope they could think about how life would be if those terrorists and radical Muslims, in Iraq and or elsewhere that they sympathise with, get to power. I can assure you that they will leave you (the liberals) for dessert, knowing how powerless and foolish you are.

It's America's fault

2005-05-08T14:55:00.000+01:00

Everything bad happening in this world, and I mean everything, is America’s fault. The ruler is oppressing the people; it’s America’s fault. All Arab leaders are no good; it’s America’s fault. There are lots of problems in Africa; it’s America’s fault. Saddam was brutal and killed many innocents; it’s America’s fault. Saddam invaded Kuwait; it’s America’s fault. Sanctions were imposed on Iraq; It’s America’s fault. 9/11 killed about 3000 innocents; it’s America’s fault. Islamophobia is increasing; it’s America’s fault. There are terrorists in the world; it’s America’s fault. Someone died in Iraq yesterday; it’s America’s fault. Someone will die in Palestine tomorrow; it’s America’s fault. And so on and so forth, it is always America’s fault.

That’s how the Muslim and or Arab mind works. It’s America’s fault; those are the magic words that when you say, everybody will nod in agreement and then everyone will try to highlight another problem which is again America’s fault.

Sorry my American friends, but no matter what you do; it is always your fault.

I was in a party yesterday and a friend of mine who just came back from the States was talking about the fabulous time he had there and how friendly people are. He went to NY for three weeks on a business trip and he ended up in a presidential suite because the hotel was full. How lucky is that? Anyway, he talked about how friendly and nice people are and it is something we miss here in London.

Anyway, he then talked about the airport and the security checks, which wasn’t too bad for him because he’s been there twice before on business trips and he doesn’t look like an Arab, even though it was written on his British Passport that he was born in Baghdad but still he is blondish.

At that point another guys turned to me and start talking about how bad these security checks can be; and I said yes, but they have to and its there right. And he said, yes I agree with them too and I want these security checks its for our safety; but it’s all there fault. And I said, who’s fault? America’s fault, he said! Interesting. So I asked, how is it that it’s America’s fault. All is America’s fault, he said, they created Israel in the middle of the Arab Nations, etc! I knew were this was going and I didn’t need to here it, so I just stopped him there and told him that it has nothing to do with America’s.

I told him how in the 70s and early 80s, when I was a kid, we used to travel around Europe every summer and when decide to go to a country that we didn’t plan to go to, we just go there and get a visa in the airport, on the spot. I told him how our Iraqi passport used to be respected everywhere like any European or American passport today and he was shocked. He didn’t know because he is a non-Iraqi Arab. I also told him how Saudi’s, until recently, used to get the British visa in the airport and used to get the America visa with no problem. Again he was shocked.

So I told him it’s our fault, we are the bad guys and we brought this to ourselves. So he said, okay, but they should do these security checks on everybody, why they single us out? And I told him, we know that we are the bad guys and they know that we are the bad guys, so why do we fool ourselves? We have a problem and we have to tackle it, if we don’t talk about it and solve it, it will not be solved.

After that, he said, yes Arabs are SOBs; and I said, absolutely, now we are talking. So then he went on how his old parents couldn’t get visa to another Arab country and how Arabs treat other Arabs as second class and how the whole Arab world is messed up. Eventually he started make sense.

The point is that these security checks are created because some of us and in our name behaved badly, and it is there to protect the good people from the bad ones.

The problem is that when Arabs / Muslims talk, they blame America for everything without thinking and the worst part is that when someone blames America the rest agree! I mean, if I had let him finish what he was saying, he would’ve ended up with an Arab Nationalism speech and said something like; America created Israel and they help them and they have to pay for being Israel’s best allay. I know where he was going, but I didn’t want to ruin the party and end up talking about the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the right for Israel and Palestine to coexist.

Victory tinged with sadness

2005-05-06T15:18:00.000+01:00

Tony Blair has won a historic third term in government with clear and large, but reduced, majority. The 66 majority is not a landslide like the previous 2 Labour wins, but it is undoubtedly large. The Conservatives in 1992, after the first Gulf war, won by 22 majority; this must be much better and it is a clear victory for Tony Blair and Labour. Congratulations Mr Blair.

Amid this wonderful victory last night, came a bitter loss; Labour has lost the seat of Bethnal Green and Bow to the despicable MP, George Galloway! Is this interesting? Yes. Why?

Galloway normally stands in Glasgow; he won there in 2001 before he got expelled from the Labour Party for his traitorous remarks in which he incited foreign troops to rise up against British troops. He was loathed by many for his remarks and his praise for Saddam, not to mention his support for the Iraqi "resistance" which he thinks is legitimate! So, after all that he decided that there is no chance for him to win in his own constituency and decided to stand in Bethnal Green and Bow, in London!

What is interesting about this constituency is that it is a Labour constituency held, or was held, by a black women MP. What is even MORE interesting and gave him a chance for winning is that there are 45,000 Asian Muslims in this constituency! Yes, he knew that to win a seat in the Parliament, he must target the anti-war Muslim community, and he was right; those Muslims elected the man who once stood before Saddam and said "Sir, I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability", and now he wants to free Tariq Aziz. Those Muslims elected the man who once said the Iraqis should rise up against the British troops; they elected the man who calls the terrorists in Iraq "freedom fighters" and consider the innocents who were killed by those "fighters" as collaborators!

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, those Muslims sickens me because they do not understand nor do they appreciate the meaning of words such as freedom, democracy, oppression, tyranny; and they probably prefer a Muslim tyrant over a non-Muslim righteous. I am not upset because Labour lost that constituency, but I am disgusted that those Muslims voted for Saddam's buddy when they could've easily voted for Lib Dems or Green Party to show their opposition to the war. But to vote for Galloway, Saddam's mouthpiece, of all people is truly disturbing.

I bet you if Saddam was a candidate in that constituency, he would've had a very good chance of winning! Or if it Osama Bin Laden, he would've probably secured his win easily!

I have a problem, I don't understand, I mean I do understand and it is hard to accept! How can a Muslim living in a democracy do not appreciate democracy? How can a Muslim be so backward thinking while living in country full of forward thinking people? Why do they love Saddam? Why do they hate Iraqis so much, or at least, they hate to see them living in democracy? Is it because it is imposed? Well, what about what the Iraqis want? Or do they have to dictate how Iraqis live and run their country? Why didn't they say something when Saddam was oppressing them?

I mean, if Iraqis want democracy, and the west helped them while their Muslim neighbours cheered their ousted tyrant, it's their choice and they should get that democracy, right? No they say, the tyrant is a Muslim! And they didn't only cheer him when he was oppressing his own people; they now cheer the so called "resistance" which is killing innocent Iraqis, they call them "collaborators"!

Now, thanks to some 15,801 voters in Bethnal Green and Bow, Saddam's puppet and the "resistance" glorifier is still in the British Parliament! What a shame!

But thanks to Jeremy Paxman, the Newsnight presenter, Galloway didn't have all the fun he expected!

UK Elections 2005

2005-05-05T17:29:00.000+01:00

I am sorry I haven’t been able to post anything the past few day; I was busy with work among other things.

Among those other things, I've been following the UK elections . I've watched Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrats leader, answers most of the questions by looking at the sky, then closing his eyes and signing "Imagine". Imagine what? You become PM? No thanks, I don’t want to imagine that.

Then came Michael Howard, the Tories (Conservatives) leader, and he answered most of the questions by saying; "But we have to look back; we have progressed too much in the last 8 years and it's time to move back"! I especially enjoyed it when Howard shot himself in the foot on the Iraq war! He attacked and accused Blair, and then he went on and said that he would've gone to war for regime change. Then why are you attacking Blair? Howard would’ve done himself much less harm if he had said something like; “I supported Blair’s decision to go to war and I would’ve done the same”. End of story. Why did you have to shoot yourself?

Well, I guess by now you know whom I support in this election! That’s right, the one and only Tony Blair, for he is the only candidate in this election who is a real leader and deserves to be the Prime Minister. I don’t support him only because of the Iraq war and his courageous decision, but also because of his realistic and progressive policies.

I was talking to my parents yesterday and they announced that they will vote for Lib Dems! I was speechless for a moment, but then my father explained it. Labour has no chance of winning that constituency; they lost there in 2001 by about 35%; the Lib Dems won and the Tories lost by 10%. Therefore, it would make more sense to vote Lib Dems than to waste a vote on Labour in a constituency were they have no chance of winning. So, if a Lib Dem won there again, then it would have no effect on Labour.

As most of you know, or maybe not, it has been predicted by most people and pundits that Tony Blair will win this election; which is great. However, unfortunately, I don’t think he will have the same majority in the parliament that he currently enjoys! Tonight I will be watching the election coverage and will be eagerly waiting to see 1) the disgraceful George Galloway defeated and out of parliament; 2) the respectable Tony Blair win a third term with a good majority.

Fortunately, there were no injuries in today’s blast near the UK consulate in Manhattan; but it might become a source for another conspiracy theory!

This picture speaks for itself

2005-05-05T12:08:00.000+01:00

[Hat Tip: Minh-Duc]

Update: Read the story behind this picture from the photographer. [Hat Tip: Lisa, NY]

Join the March Against Terrorism

2005-04-30T13:24:00.000+01:00

Join the March Against Terrorism on May 14th 2005; or spread the message and support this rally, which will be the first of its kind in Washington DC that is led by Muslims and Middle Easterners against radical Muslims and supporters of terrorism.

This rally, however, is NOT limited to Muslims and Middle Easterners.

[Thanks Annie]

The low-life scumbags

2005-04-30T00:06:00.000+01:00

Mohammed posted a powerful and moving message about the low-life terrorists and the low-life ignorant scumbags who support these terrorists and call them resistance. I am not going to repeat what he said, which you must read because I agree with every single word. These people are nothing but low-life morons with an anti-freedom anti-democracy sick ideology.

Make no mistake about it, we will never forget or forgive theses terrorists who deliberately spilled the blood of innocent Iraqis and brave Iraqi policemen. Nor will we forget or forgive their supporters.

A comment has been made there by Eddie in which he said: "...How many wedding parties have been slaughtered...", to which I decided to reply here and I hope he wasn't talking about Al Qaim incident!

This is a true story about my uncle's friend who lives in Germany, I will call him G. He went back to Iraq last year to visit his family in Baquba, part of the Sunni triangle. To go back to Germany he hired a taxi to take him to Amman. Here is the conversation that took place between them on the way to Amman:

Driver: "Where are you from?"
G: "from Baquba"
Driver: "Welcome! Welcome to the son of the honourable Baquba! You guys are brave! You guy are our brothers in fighting! You guys are the true Iraqis!" etc.
Driver: "I am you brother from Al Ramadi"

At that point, G was getting worried. He became afraid and didn't know what to say; he didn't know whether to curse the "resistance" or to praise it, so he kept quite and the driver kept talking, but he knew that this might be his last day. Fortunately for G, the driver didn't know that G was an exile who hold German citizenship!

So the driver felt relaxed and started talking about his involvement in the so called resistance. He said that they have helped many Iraqis and Arabs in their operations against the occupation and "collaborators". Usually, suicide operations are done by Arabs, whereas other operations are mainly done by Iraqis.

He talked about an incident, when they caught an Egyptian who used to spy for the Americans. They (taxi driver and terrorists) prosecuted the Egyptian guy and sentenced him to death; but the Egyptian bragged about his brother being part of their network. So they asked him who was his brother, and they found out that his brother was one of theirs.

So, after the told his brother about the death sentence, he said that he will have no reason to live and wished to be sent on a mission that he will not return from! And so they executed the Egyptian spy and sent his brother on a suicide mission.

Now all this time, G was shitting his pants! Not literally!

Anyway, the taxi driver went on to describe the rituals preformed before a mission. He said that when a suicide mission is carried out, the suicide bomber would go to heaven, have lunch with the Prophet, and at night he will be accompanied by 80 virgins!

The problem is that the taxi driver was serious and believed every word!!

So, the night before that mission, they would throw the suicide bomber a wedding party! And he asked G, if he remembers the wedding party in Al Qaim, and G said yes. The taxi driver said this was one of these weddings!

The funny part is when they reached the border and the taxi driver saw G's German passport! He was shocked and asked curiously "You are an exile? You have a German passport?", knowing that he missed the opportunity to make few thousand dollars by kidnapping him.

I heard so many stories like this one from exiles who visited Iraq, or those who came here for a visit, that just make you feel sick.

So Eddie, don't throw anything negative you read at us; remember we are Iraqis and we know more than you do about the reality of what is happening in Iraq. And yes I am an exile, and probably don't know as much as the guys at ITM or others who live there, but I still have friends and relatives in Iraq and I do have my sources.

Views regarding Iraq's New Government

2005-04-29T13:56:00.000+01:00

I don't know why I do this! Why do I go and read comments on the BBC web site? It pisses me off, because I end up reading negative comments made by non-Iraqis who think that they know everything!

Anyway, I did it again; but this time I only read comments made by Iraqis. There were 14 comments made by Iraqis, 7 of them are expats. Most of the comments were positive, with only 3 negative comments made by expats!!Yeah, I am puzzled too!

Here are some excerpts:

[...] The insurgency will probably evolve and change tactics for the next decade.
Mohanned Rahman, Oxford, UK (originally Iraqi)

Mohanned, did you say "for the next decade"? Give me a break!

Although I've live in Australia for years, I thought I'd tell you about what my extended family feels in Iraq. During the last three years there have been four major happy moments in their lives. First is the fall of Saddam dictatorship, second is the capture of Saddam, third is their participation in the victorious Iraqi election and the fourth is the formation of this first freely elected Iraqi government. They also acknowledged the violence and uncertainty in their lives, but everything has a price and the above mentioned achievements are worth any price.
Abdul Musa, Adelaide-Australia (Iraqi)

Iraq will move now better and faster than other Arab countries. The delay in the formation of the cabinet is better many times than what's happening in countries like Egypt or Syria. These two countries are next in line for a repeat of the Iraqi scenario. There are now signs that it has just started in Egypt now under the name of democracy.
Ahmed Shihab, Baghdad, Iraq

This is the second blow to terrorism after the massive turnout at the polls. The new government will be vital for the restoration of law and order and prosecuting the enemies of the people, especially those who want to access power by means of plotting and incitement to religious hatred and at the expense of killing innocents and defiling holy shrines.
Ali Mohamed Hassanein, Iraqi in Dubai

Today is the final stab in the heart of terrorists and of Saddam's followers. The delay in the announcement of the cabinet demonstrates the dedication of the government in choosing the most competent elements. What matters now is preventing foreign occupiers from influencing political decision making in Iraq.
Ahmed al-Janoubi, Emara, Iraq

It's the first time we have witnessed the formation of an elected government in which all the components of the Iraqi ethnic patchwork are represented (Shia, Arabs, Assyrians, Turkmen, etc), including those who refused to take part in the electoral process. This is truly a source of pride to all Iraqis.
Ammar, Kirkuk, Iraq

BBC: Iraq's new government: Your views

Iraq Sandstorm

2005-04-28T00:16:00.000+01:00

A rare desert sandstorm hit former Iraqi airbase, about 180 km west of Baghdad, now home to a US marine corps unit.

Samir Punched Saddam in the Mouth

2005-04-27T16:20:00.000+01:00

Samir, the Iraqi American who was with the American Army when they captured Saddam in the rat's hole, punched Saddam in the mouth.

That must've felt too damn good.
Man, I'd love to punch him too!

Samir, you are da man!

[Hat Tip: LGF]

The right question

2005-04-26T23:05:00.000+01:00

A worthy comment made by Paul -UK- on ITM regarding Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrats leader.

There is one question about the Iraq war that all the cynics, critics and dissenters cannot answer.

The Lib Dem leader was asked it at his daily Press conference yesterday and fell flat on his face.

Charles Kennedy was asked: Would the world have been a better place if there had been no war and Saddam Hussein was still in power?

In my view, the only answer is no. But if that word passed his lips, Kennedy's case for attacking Tony Blair would have been blown to smithereens.

Kennedy's deputy Sir Menzies Campbell tried to dig him out of the hole he was in by claiming, preposterously, that if there hadn't been a war then the United Nations sanctions might have driven Saddam out by now.

The Lib Dems will be asking us to believe in the tooth fairy next.

Later, facing a tough audience of primary school children, Kennedy did concede the world was better without Saddam. But he also claimed the war was "a terrible error".

Once again, the Lib Dems manage to face two ways at once.
[...]

President Talabani thanks PM Blair

2005-04-26T22:39:00.000+01:00

Dear Mr Blair

I CANNOT begin to explain my emotions, after over five decades of personally fighting for and promoting democracy and human rights, to witness a nation take its first steps towards a dream.

Now the democratically-elected parliament has honoured me, a Kurd, with the post of Presidency. This is a symbol of the promise, integration and unity of the new Iraq.

Let nobody mislead you, the Iraq that we inherited in April 2003, following the British and American-led liberation, was a tragedy.

The Ba’athist criminals had starved the country of an infrastructure and the people of their freedom.

Apart from the Kurdish safe haven, Iraq was a playground for thugs and a prison for the innocent.

Saddam’s war against the Iraqi people was on-going; we have evidence which demonstrates that the regime was executing its challengers until the last days of its rule.

It was that war, lasting almost forty years, which was the true war of Iraq.

We have all heard of the genocide, gassing, ethnic cleansing, mass murder and the environmental vandalism of the territory of Iraq’s historic Marsh Arabs.

We understand that there is no turning the clock back. Instead, we press ahead with democratisation and justice.

Unfortunately, Saddam’s former henchmen and religious extremist associates have chosen to fight their losing battle, which in turn has made post-liberation Iraq less stable than we would have wished.

Yet true Iraqis have largely shunned the terrorists, and their cowardly acts are increasingly becoming limited and confined to certain areas.

Millions of brave Iraqis defy terrorism and reject dictatorship every day, without fuss, and certainly without attention from the television cameras.

We undertake to rebuild a shattered country scarred by decades of tyranny. With unwavering resolve we support plurality, egalitarianism, and the political process.

Building a democratic federal Iraq is a difficult, and slow, but rewarding process.

Those who doubt the swiftness of transition must keep in mind that a state such as Iraq is a cultural, ethnic and linguistic mosaic that was only ever held together by brute force, thus, political speed can kill.

Nevertheless, January saw Iraq’s first free and open general election, leading to the first democratically-elected government of our desolate history.

Yet our struggle for a better, emancipated Iraq is only due to the consistent and unwavering support of Prime Minister Blair, the British people, and the coalition of the willing.

For many Iraqis, the positive role that Britain has played is a welcome change.

From our colonial master, Britain has become our democratic guardian.

In 1991 I saw at first hand how Prime Minister John Major, fresh from the liberation of Kuwait, bravely led the way in implementing a safe-haven for Iraqi Kurdistan.

For 12 years, heroic RAF pilots, with the support of neighbouring Turkey, flew in Kurdish skies to prevent Saddam from completing the anti-Kurdish genocide that he had started in 1987.

We were finally able to start rebuilding the 4,500 villages destroyed by Saddam’s regime and to begin the process of nurturing civil society and democracy.

And now thanks to Prime Minister Blair’s courageous and principled decisions, we can recreate this throughout Iraq.

Of course the liberation of Iraq has been controversial, as all wars should be.

Sadly in this case, war was not the “best” option, it was the only option.

Under Saddam, war was never controversial, never discussed, simply ordered and executed by him and his thugs.

Iraqis sometimes wonder in amazement what the debate abroad is about. Why do people continue to ask why no WMD was found?

The truth is that Saddam had, in the past, used chemical and biological weapons against his own people, and we believed he would do so again.

Of course Saddam himself was, in the view of those who opposed him, Iraq’s most dangerous WMD.

Instead of continually focusing on the negative, the British, who will soon commemorate the 60th anniversary of VE day, should know that in the eyes of the majority of Iraqis, it was you who brought us our own victory day.

Britain should be proud that the liberation of Iraq has in our eyes been one of your finest hours.

History will judge Prime Minister Blair as a champion against tyranny. Of that I have no doubt.

We are not reticent about expressing our great thanks to the British people and paying homage to tragic British losses.

Every Iraqi family, in fact, has lost a loved one because of Saddam. Every Iraqi understands the pain of conflict, the grief that accompanies war.

We honour those who sacrificed their lives for our liberation. We are determined out of respect to create a tolerant and democratic Iraq, an Iraq for all the Iraqi people.

It will take time and much patience, but I can assure you it will be worth while, not only for Iraq, but for the whole of the Middle East.

yours sincerely
President Talabani

Link to story [Hat Tip: Austin Bay]

Dear British Voter

2005-04-26T02:20:00.000+01:00

Please accept my sincere and enormous gratitude for helping liberate Iraq and for what you have given me in the last seven years. I have learned a lot by being part of your society, you offered me a home more secure than my own, you showed great tolerance toward foreigners like myself and accepted me as a human, and last but not least you have opened my eyes to a world were good prevails, where freedom and democracy are truly cherished, where I don’t have to be afraid anymore.

I am writing to you because yesterday the issue of the Iraq war has become the highlight of the election agenda; and therefore, I ask you to be as courageous as your honourable leader Tony Blair who decided that he will not bow to the tyrant Saddam Hussein and made history by helping liberate the Iraqi people from their oppressor.

You should be proud of your countrymen and women who have liberated the Iraqis from one of the most brutal dictators. You should be proud of your countrymen and women who are helping a nation to rebuild itself in a democratic fashion after being oppressed for 35 years. You should be proud of your countrymen and women who have helped opening the eyes that were closed by oppressive regimes in the Middle East.

I ask you not to vote against Tony Blair, like some parties would like you to do, because of the Iraq war. I ask you not to accept the argument that Iraq was better before the war, to which I relied earlier. And I ask you not to accept peace with oppressors, as this peace will only lead to more bloodshed of the oppressed people.

To the Muslim community of Britain; I ask you not to stand against those who liberated Muslims from oppression. I ask you to be happy for you brothers and sisters in Iraq who are free and trying to rebuild their country democratically. I ask you to wish for them that their dreams come true, and to wish for them to have the freedom and democracy you enjoy today in Britain. And I ask you not to vote against Tony Blair because of the Iraq war and because he was courageous and decent enough to decide to liberate Iraq from Saddam’s tyranny.

Sometimes true peace can only be achieved though war; therefore, I ask you not to forget what Hitler once did, and not to forget the bravery of your people who ousted him. And I assure you that Saddam was not better than Hitler, and what he did to the Iraqi people was not less than what Hitler did to the Jewish people. Without the brave actions of your people, Iraqis would have been living in Saddam’s Iraq today and would have ended up living in Qusay’s Iraq years from now.

How could life be better when...

2005-04-24T17:31:00.000+01:00

Many people, including the Mail on Sunday and Peter Hitchens, claim that Iraq was better off under Saddam, that the war has brought poverty, destruction and death, that the elections were meaningless and fraudulent, and the funniest of all is that a new Saddam regime is being created.

While there are problems in Iraq today, most of these problems existed before the war too; the only difference is that it rarely got reported, no one dared to talk about it and it was much worse than it is now.

There are security problems in Iraq, created by many including those who made Iraq look secure and stable in the eyes of the world during Saddam’s rule; but were Iraqis really secure back then? If you think that when the security servicemen come to your house and wipe out your family is security, then Iraqis were secure! If you think that when the government terrorize people is security, then Iraqis were secure!

These people use shallow argument to attack policies and people they disagree with, to make political gains, and or to show their opposition. They are living in denial and will continue to do so because they can not accept change, even if that change is right. They choose to ignore facts and only see what the leftists mainstream media show. They choose to ignore the horrors that the Iraqis used to live by everyday under Saddam’s rule.

How could someone claim that life for Iraqis was better under Saddam, when Saddam killed so many Iraqis in cold blood and terrorized the rest?

How could it be better when a village like Halabja could get exterminated so easily? How could it be better when hundred of thousands could get buried in mass graves? How could it be better when you and your family could vanish from the face of the earth for criticizing Saddam or his family? How could it be better when you could be executed for laughing on a joke about Saddam? How could it be better when your daughter or sister could get raped by Uday because he felt like it and you can do nothing about it? How could it be better when you could get killed in front of your family for not giving way in the road to Saddam’s 20 years old nephew?

How could life be better when 1/2 a million child have to die because of Saddam’s pride and stupidity?

How could it be better when extravagant palaces and mosques get built while people starving? How could it be better when all these palaces serve three meals a day in case Saddam shows up, but had to throw it all away if he didn’t and not even the servants are allowed to eat that food? How could it be better then when you make $3 dollars a month after over 16 years of education? How could it be better when your life, your country and its wealth is owned by one family?

How could life be better when god (Saddam) is so brutal and unjust?

How could it be better when elections and referendums are won by 99.99%? How could it be better when a Baathist is looking over your shoulder to check that you ticked yes to Saddam? How could it be better when you can not elect the government you support? How could it be better when you are forced to demonstrate your love and loyalty to Saddam? How could it be better when you know all the above but can not complain about it or change it?

How could life be better when you have no hope?

Living hopelessly is much more destructive than any problem you see in Iraq today, and Iraqis were hopeless before the war. If you don’t see the possibility of a bright future for Iraq, if you have no hope today, then you must be either blind, short sighted or living in denial.

Are you sane?

2005-04-22T13:21:00.000+01:00

Well, am glad that I am sane; but are you?
If you want to know, Nadz's has the answer!

Iyad Allawi escapes bombing

2005-04-21T10:46:00.000+01:00

Iraqi PM Iyad Allawi escapes an assassination attempt when a suicide bomber blew up a car near his convoy at a checkpoint.

Allawi was not hurt but several guards and policemen were killed. The attack took place on the main road leading to his party headquarters in Baghdad.

Dead Innocents

2005-04-20T18:01:00.000+01:00

I am sure all of you heard about Al Madaen situation where there were hostages that the security forces didn't find and the Sunni clerics said it was fabricated. Well, now they found them, dead, dumped in the river! Meanwhile, 19 men have been found dead in a football stadium in Haditha, north-west Baghdad.

It is possible that the lowlife culprits of Al Madaen tragedy didn't want to face the security forces that were going to get them; therefore, some Sunni ~~collaborators~~ clerics from the ~~Terrorist~~ Muslim Clerics Council were the first to declare that there were no hostages, even before the security forces entered the town, to buy the terrorists time. Meanwhile, the terrorists were killing and dumping the innocent hostages in the river, so that when the security forces arrive they wouldn't find any crime!

Update: LadyBird posted the latest pictures from Al Madaen.

Terror TV

2005-04-20T14:24:00.000+01:00

I just found this site, Friends of Al Jazeera! [Hat Tip: Jeff Jarvis]

Anyway, they have a poll "what best describes Al Jazeera", and one of the options is Terror TV! Well, What can I say, for me that sounds like the right name.

Google Maps go UK

2005-04-20T14:12:00.000+01:00

Google Maps now has a UK beta version! They also signed a deal with Yell, the UK Online Yellow Pages, to create Google Local UK!

I've said goodbye to streetmap long time ago, but it looks like am going to say goodbye to multimap too!

A Grateful Nation

2005-04-16T17:03:00.000+01:00

If you are an Iraqi and grateful to the US, then don't hesitate to sign A Grateful Nation Petition to show your appreciation to those who have set us free from tyranny.

The Future is in Our Hands

2005-04-15T17:26:00.000+01:00

It is easy for someone to criticize and blame others, it feels as if one has the right to do so; but it takes a lot of courage and intelligence to analyse a situation, find a solution, act upon it and accept the risk involved. One must take other’s criticism into consideration and take his/her fair share of the blame, before start pointing fingers on others.

Personally, I have no objection on people criticizing me or others as long as that criticism is first constructive and second objective or at least subjective.

Many Iraqis and non-Iraqis have blamed and criticized the Americans for problems in Iraq, but I wonder how many of those have blamed themselves for anything or accepted criticism. In fact, I believe they didn’t even analyse the situation thoroughly and, most importantly, fairly, they are just too eager to point their fingers whenever there is a problem.

Pretending that there was no problem to start with, is NOT the solution!

Americans are doing their best, yet so many people are doing nothing other than moaning, blaming and criticizing.

After the Americans came to Iraq they didn’t just apply their own policy, and if you think that they did then you are mistaken. They asked for advice from prominent Iraqi oppositions and prominent Iraqi intellectuals. They asked for advice from those who were available to offer advice and who were known not to be associated with the previous regime.

Therefore, before blaming the Americans for problems, e.g. disbanding the army, questions must be asked: “Was there a better realistic way to deal with that situation?”, “Is it fair to blame the Americans or should we blame ourselves or one of our people?”, “Did the Americans seek advice from Iraqis before they have decided on the issue?” And the answer to the last question is almost always YES; therefore, one can’t blame the Americans for acting upon the advice of Iraqis, whether those Iraqis were the right people to seek advice from or not.

The notion that Americans brought these Iraqis and should be blamed for their choices makes no sense to me, since they are Iraqis, they were born Iraqis and they were the only obvious people who were not associated with the previous regime and offered help and advice. One shouldn’t expect the Americans to come to Iraq and then start asking people for help and advice, not knowing who to ask.

I must admit that not all the Iraqis that stood by the Americans and gave their advice were the best people to offer advice, and the Americans learned this too, the hard way, but those were Iraqis who were ready to help and offer advice, and for that I give them credit.

I have to say that I strongly believe that the future of Iraq now depends more on the Iraqis than on the Americans. The Americans can only do so much, and they have already done a lot to help Iraqis stand on their feet. Without the Iraqis, without their help, advice and support, the Americans will not be able to finish the job at hand successfully.

So, if you think that you have the right to ask the Americans to do everything and then blame them when problems occur, think again. No one has such a right.

It’s up to the Iraqis now to make this work, without them (the Iraqis) it will not work.

Americans give back what Saddam took away

2005-04-13T01:14:00.000+01:00

Apart from giving us back our country, freedom and hope, a number of small Iraqi businessmen are getting a prosthetic hands to replace the hands the Saddam ordered to be amputated.

I remember this when I was in Iraq, it happened in mid-1990s. Saddam's secret service and Mukhabarat captured several small businessmen, from various districts around Baghdad, who where speculating with foreign currency.

One of the biggest raids was in Al Kindi district where many small-time foreign currency operators conduct business. I have been there many times to buy or sell US$ for personal use. A friend of mine was there at the time of the raid and had to hide in a pharmacy until the raid was over. He was lucky not to be captured; but what he saw was terrifying, people were being beaten up with sticks and taken away!

Read this amazing story of some of the victims of that operation. Also read this story about a baby who had Surgery in the US for heart defects and is heading back home to Afghanistan.

Who said the Americans don't care?
Who said the Americans are the bad guys?

[Hat Tip: DagneyT]

In Iraqis We Trust

2005-04-12T20:27:00.000+01:00

Minster Ghost of Iraqi Bloggers Central posts excerpts from President Talabani's words of wisdom.

[...]
The choice of peace or war lies not with the Iraqis who ignored terrorism and intimidation to vote in their millions, the Iraqis to whom I am accountable. No, that decision lies with the terrorist minority that despises freedom and spurns every offered opportunity to enter the political process. The attacks on election officials, the suicide bombings of voters, and the cowardly attacks on brave Iraqis waiting in line to join our fledgling security forces are not the tactics of "resistance" or "freedom fighters" but of murderers and criminals. Nor are the terrorists by any stretch of the imagination the repressed or the disadvantaged. They chose violence despite consistent exhortations to contribute to the new Iraq. They are, for the most part, representatives of the old regime, Baathists who gorged themselves on their compatriots' riches. They are not the dispossessed of the earth but those who have been deprived of their palaces.
[...]

Freedom, Hope and Optimism

2005-04-12T13:48:00.000+01:00

There are problems in Iraq, no one can deny that, and the road ahead is long and difficult, but Iraq today is full of hope and optimism, Iraqis are free and no longer afraid, they are marching toward a bright and democratic future and no terrorist will be able to stop them.

Here are some excerpts of what ordinary Iraqis said to the BBC:

Saad, 32, Basra, Sound Engineer
Let me describe our situation before the fall of the previous regime. We were like a sick, weak prisoner under the thumb of a cruel jailer.

Then, suddenly and without warning, the gates of our prison were flung open. We were told: "Come on, you are free!"

[...] Then the moment of salvation came. Perhaps I shouldn't use the phrase "moment of salvation", for to do so implies we were expecting such a moment when in truth we were feeling hopeless.

Noura, 32, Baghdad, Computer Engineer
Iraqis should remember the law now is not as it was under Saddam.

They should remember we have a golden chance of freedom, a wish shared by many other suppressed nations.

Nada, 32, Mosu, Government Worker
We never imagined that the Turkmen community would have a political party representing them in Iraq, but this is happening now. We have our own flag, too, in addition to the Iraqi flag.

This was impossible during Saddam's era. Had we dared to do any of these things then we would have ended up buried in a mass grave.

Kaban, 31, Baghdad, Electrical Engineer
There have been many changes since the fall of Saddam's regime, but the most important change was that we feel free.

Many Iraqis had lived in fear of the regime for years, therefore the first step along the way to democracy and freedom was getting rid of that fear.

This freedom led to breaking the isolation which had engulfed us Iraqis - especially the Iraqi intellectuals - during the Saddam era.

The only thing that worries us is the security situation. However, those who say that security was better in the past are completely wrong.

It is true we did not have suicide car bombings in Saddam's era, but our homes did not feel safe from the intrusion of Saddam's security men, who came in the middle of the night to kidnap, kill or rape.

Walaa, 25, Baghdad, School Teacher
From what I have seen, I can say that the Sunnis in Iraq do not live in isolation from the political and social circles of life, as many people outside Iraq seem to believe.

Nothing has affected our relationships with each other - we face the same problems. This applies to Sunnis or Shia, Christians or Muslims, Arabs or Kurds.

Unfortunately, the refusal by some Sunnis to participate in the elections was the cause of some political isolation.

Imad Mohammed, 25, Baghdad, University Graduate
After the regime change in Iraq, I expected radical changes in Iraqi society. I hoped things would improve.

This is true in some cases. For example, as an Iraqi, I am no longer afraid that the secret security service will arrest me.

I am no longer afraid that I could be tortured, jailed, or killed simply because some officials do not like me.

I am no longer worried about losing my dignity or my life. And I am also getting a higher income, like most Iraqis.

I have bought a new car - which was a dream for me - and all commodities are available in the markets now, in contrast to Saddam's time.

Iraqi want to live in peace after long years of wars. They just want normal lives without violence and sectarianism.

I hope that one day Iraqis will overcome all the difficulties they face. I hope they build a new country for this generation and the coming ones.

Saddamites

2005-04-11T17:56:00.000+01:00

After my last post about the anti-American Iraqi, I thought its worth writing more stories. I have hinted before how Iraqi Expats think, I said:

"As for how people think, well as you can imagine or maybe not, you can find all sorts of people (exile Iraqis). You can find those who supprots Iran Style, those who supprot the Baath, those who support Saddam! And you can even find people that support a Wahhabi style Iraq! You might find it hard to belive, but it is true; and the question that always comes to my mind when I see such people is: Why are you here? Why did you leave Iraq? Why are you not in Iran? And so many other questions.

I must say that it is disturbing to see such people, especially those who still support Saddam; but the majority believe one way or another in freedom and democracy, even though each express their views in a different way."

A Saddamite:

There is this women who lives in London; I barely know her, but I know the people she hangs out with pretty well. Iraqis always had some doubts that she might be a Saddamite Agent, but that didn't stop her from being part of the Iraqi community.

She first hit the news when Uday and Qusay died. She wore black to mourn their death! Can you believe an Iraqi woman mourning the death of the murderers and rapists Uday and Qusay? Well, she did. Then she hit the news again when Saddam was captured. While we celebrated his capture, she cried.

So, after the war and after these events people distant themselves from her. To have a different view is fine, but crying for Saddam and mourning the death of his two evil sons is completely different, upsetting and disturbing.

Later she surface back, claiming that she couldn't celebrate someone's misery, and she can't feel happy for someone's suffering! So she couldn't be happy when people get justice? When the murderer is captured! When the rapist die! Right! As if we believe that!

So, she was treated with cautious, and was already being labelled a Saddamite like few others who had similar views. But my jaw dropped when I heard that she is working for the Out of Country Vote polling centre, and I saw her there when I went to register; but the first question I asked when I heard was: What about Saddam and her position on these issues? And the Answer I got was brilliant: They pay £60 cash in hand per day!

This woman, and the other Saddamites who have varying degrees of support to Saddam, don't dare to defend or praise Saddam. However, they sometimes use lines that shows clearly where they stand and when it happens everybody becomes angry and they start wrangling. Some of these lines are -- all of which begin with I hate Saddam or I don't like Saddam -- when Saddam was captured we lost our pride! Or Saddam could not have been captured in the rat's hole, he is too courageous or too elegant or too proud to be found there! Or when Saddam was in power we had no problems! And there are so many versions of this last one that sometimes it makes you laugh!

The problem is that some people, especially anti-Americans and or anti-Bush, might actually believe them. I don't know whether they believe them out of stupidity or only to prove their case, but either way its just plain stupid.

A Kurdish Saddamite:

This might come as a shock to some people! Some Kurds have worked with Saddam and or his thugs; but this guy is different, he is a hopeless case!

I met him in a house party and as usual we ended up talking politics! He is from a very well known Kurdish family, few members of which have worked with Saddam and his thugs. While debating, he announced that he loves Saddam. For me that was a major hurdle and I can't ignore it, so for us continue debating I have to know where he stands. So here is where he stands: He love Saddam. Saddam is handsome, courageous and shrewd. Saddam is our pride. At that point I was ready to explode, but I tried to contain myself and I asked him what about the Shias that he slaughtered, the Kurds that he buried alive, the 100s of thousands killed, the chemical weapons, killing anyone who speak or do anything against him, what about all this? And his answer was: What do expect him to do? He had to defend himself. Those dead deserve what they got. If I were in his position, I would have done the same.

Now imagine someone saying this to you. I was boiling and he was smiling which made me even more angry, but I realised that he just stupid and I shouldn't bother with someone like him, because it will only make me angry and he will never understand. It is astonishing that he can justify what Saddam did to the Iraqis, and its even more astonishing for a Kurd to be able to justify it. I was shocked and appalled and I couldn't believe it. That was the first time I ever meet a person who priased Saddam like that, but apparently there are people like that and I don't know what to call them.

What puzzles me is that if they like Saddam so much, and apparently he was good to them, why did they leave?

A comment

2005-04-10T13:12:00.000+01:00

Jeff Jarvis of BuzzMachine posted a comment I wrote, about an anti-American Iraqi, on his site.

The Fall of Saddam

2005-04-09T23:54:00.000+01:00

I woke up as usual to go to work, I made myself a coffee, head to the shower, back in my room I turned on the TV to watch Sky News while I dress. The Americans were in Baghdad, as they have been the day before. I left to work.

I was on my desk working when I checked BBC News site and the Americans were in the Firdous Square. There were in the same place were Saeed Al Sahaf spoke yesterday and gave one of his infamous speeches and said that the Americans were no where near Baghdad. As I read that the Americans are there, I clicked on the Live TV feed of BBC News. I forgot about my work, I forgot where I was, I even forgot that I smoke.

My hands were shaking, my heart was palpitating, my eyes were glued to my monitor at my desk and I forgot about my work.

My eyes filled with tears of joy as I watched Saddam statue being toppled. The dictator was finally toppled. Is this really happening or am I dreaming? My hands were still shaking, my eyes tearing and my hear was still palpitating. I couldn’t work that day.

Happy is an understatement, I was more than happy, I was the happiest man on earth. I forgot about all my problems, I forgot that I smoke, I even forgot that I had a family while watching my fellow countryman in euphoria spitting on Saddam and hitting him with their shoes and slippers.

I didn’t want this moment of joy to end. My only wish was that I can be there with my fellow countrymen, celebrating this joyous moment with them, hitting Saddam’s head with the slipper and spitting on him. That was my only wish. I was feeling them, it was like they were my family. It was so strange, that no words can describe it.

That was the happiest moment of my life, two years ago when Saddam fell. Finally, what seamed impossible just happened before my eyes, and thank God that I was alive to see it.

I didn’t want to go back home, I didn’t want to drive and miss a minute of this most amazing and beautiful reality TV, but I had to. I went home and saw my family in jubilation and I saw the man hitting Saddam’s picture with his slipper, while asking him why he did this to the country, why he ruined the country, and so many other questions that remain unanswered.

That was the day that I will never forget, the day when Saddam was toppled, the day when Saddam fell. It was not the fall of Baghdad, Baghdad never fell, Baghdad was liberated; it was the birth of hope and the fall of the dictator, the fall of devil, the fall of the butcher of Iraq, the fall of god's most merciless creatures, the fall of Saddam.

Thank you for making this happen and giving us hope and thank God that I was alive to see it.

To all mankind, Happy Anniversary.

Forgive Me My Lady

2005-04-09T16:37:00.000+01:00

Shariah TV on Channel 4

2005-04-08T18:24:00.000+01:00

I was flipping through the channels last night while having my last fag (by that I mean a cigarette) before I sleep when I found this interesting programme on Channel 4, "Shariah TV". I have watched an episode of its first series sometime ago and thought it was interesting, so I decided to watch this one.

The programme has a panel of three and a group of intellectual Muslims. Now this programme isn’t targeting non-Muslim Brits, simply because it doesn’t tackle Islam from the point of view of a non-Muslim, it doesn’t offer explanations, it doesn’t solve perception problems and it doesn’t explains how to deal with it. It is basically tackling problems Muslim Brits encountering in their daily life while living in a Western society.

That fact that this programme hosts young intellectuals lived most of their lives in Britain is interesting. What is even more interesting is the panel. In the panel yesterday, was an Imam from Manchester, I will call him R because I can’t remember his name, another Imam from the Muslim Council of Britain, I will call him M and Dr Mona Siddiqui, Head of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Glasgow. Most women include Dr Siddiqui did not wear Hijab, and all participants were practicing Muslims who believe in Islam. Therefore, they were concerned about certain issues and they requested answers from the panel.

The reaction and answers from the panel was rather amusing. Imam R was rather radical in his answer, whereas Imam M was moderate and Dr Siddiqui was rational. What happens is that the moderate Imam M would side more with Dr Siddiqui than with Imam R, which was very interesting, you see him changes his moderate answer to be even more logical after Dr Siddiqui gives her view. So, the inquirer often accepts the moderate and logical answer.

One of the questions was, should believing Muslims (non-Muslim can do what they like here) question, criticize and or critique Islam or the Prophet. Imam R said that you shouldn’t, as a Muslim and a believer you should accept it without questions, i.e. blindly and without using your brains. Whereas, Dr Siddiqui made a distinction between criticize and critique; as a Muslim you can critique Islam to get a better understanding and explanations. Another example, a journalist asked if he can work on a programme that deals with pornography or alcohol. As you would expect, Imam R said, NO; Muslims should never work with such programmes because they are Haram; whereas Imam M would answer him by saying that if this is to expose problems in the society, then of course we need that work done and you should do it, but not if you are producing a porno film; which is fair I think.

Another interesting point made was about Salman Rushdie the author of The Satanic Verses (anti-Islam, anti-Prophet novel). The point was, why none of the Mullahs cared to answer Rushdie, yet they didn’t hesitate to issue fatwas decreeing his death. This goes back to the "criticize and critique" issue; the Mullahs should have responded not by a fatwa, but by a logical answer to show a different explanation. I think they got used to people (Muslims) following them blindly so much, that they expect others to do the same.

What is interesting is that having such a programme would force radicals to become less radical and more rational because in a programme like that they lose the debate and people will follow the logical answer not the close your eyes and follow me answer. This is the kind of programmes that we need in the Middle East, to make people think before accepting what the Imam says, and at the same time it make the Imam think before saying things. These people were caring believing Muslims, yet they did not accept what Imam R told them.

I believe we need programmes like these in the Middle East, where Imams like Imam M and intellects like Dr Siddiqui would interact with an intellectual audience to reach a logical conclusion that enlighten people and reform Islam. Instead what we have in the Middle East is Al Jazeera with either a male presenter or a female presenter with Hijab (even if she doesn’t normally wear one) making a programme where Al Qaradawi gives his views unchallenged, as if he is the law! Why not make it intellectual and bring also people like Dr Siddiqui for example to give a different view, to give rational answers, and an audience to ask questions. We need such programmes to tackle Muslims daily issues in the Middle East in an intellectual approach, not the follow me blindly approach.