Posted on 08/17/2004 11:06:20 PM PDT by yonif
[Interview conductd in Arabic with the station providing passage -by-passage English translation; text transcribed from Radio 786 translation except where noted.]
[FBIS Transcribed Text]
[FBIS Report]
[Begin recording in English] [Radio 786 announcer Farid Sayed] Iraq has been gripped by some of the fiercest clashes in months and Najaf has seen some of the most intense fighting. The Jaysh al-Mahdi [Al-Mahdi Army] are resisting all attempts by American forces to enter the city. In other parts of the country, fighting also continues. In tonight's program, Radio 786 brings you an exclusive interview with Abbas al-Rubai'i, the spokesperson for Islamic leader Muqtada al-Sadr. Brother Abbas speaks to us from Sadr city in Baghdad and acting as translator is Shaykh Shaheed Matti [same as heard]. Al-Salamu alaykum and welcome to the airwaves of Radio 786, brother Abbas al-Rubai'i.
[Abbas al-Rubai'i] Walaykum al-salam.
[Sayed] Brother Abbas, what is the current situation in Iraq and, in particular, Najaf?
[Passage by passage translation; Matti] Brother Abbas has been saying, firstly, there is unconfirmed news of a ceasefire. The ceasefire is supposed to have taken place, to have been arranged between the National Advisor, National Security Advisor in Iraq as well the representative of Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr. But he says there's generally, there are very many clashes throughout Iraq and the situation is mushta'ila [ignited] -- is flaming. He spoke about Al-Basrah, in Al-Amara, in Al-Kut, in Najaf, of course, and in parts of Baghdad. We have these severe clashes between the fighters of the Jaysh al-Mahdi of the Mahdi Army as well as the occupation, American occupation troops. [Arabic]
[Matti] What brother Abbas is saying is, he says firstly, the Jaysh, the Mahdi Army, that he wanted to make something clearer, they've been able to fight on all these fronts and to stand firm in the resistance. Says, we've been able to stand firm in front of this most powerful army, that the duration now is more than half the resistance that was given when the American troops just entered, and the British troops just entered Iraq the first time, says with our simple weapons, with our modest weapons, we are able to resist this crusade and campaign that is aiming the people of Iraq, its land, the people, the culture as well as its holy relics. And he says, in these eight days, we've been able to confront them to such an extent that they do not know, they are standing confused, and are unable and standing confused, and not able to carry out and they are weak. They are not able to achieve what they want to achieve.
[Sayed] Now, brother Abbas, you mentioned that the strength of the Mahdi Army has increased. What has the general response of the Iraqi people been to the ongoing clashes and the resistance?
[Matti] Brother Abbas is saying in the beginning when we formed this Mahdi Army, when Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr started forming the Mahdi Army, and the aims were not very clear in the beginning for many people. Thus, there was not any widespread support in the beginning. However, it became clear that this line of the Mahdi Army was that the tayyar [trend], it took the line of Shahid al-Sadr, that is Muqtada al-Sadr's father as well as his uncle, Sayyid Muhammad Bakr al-Sadr. And he says, and it became clear to people that the present government in Iraq is unable to serve the Iraqi people. It is weak. It is not able to ensure the interest of the Iraqi people. Rather that we see the interest of the occupiers are being, are being served. And when this happened, many people saw the reality for what it is. And then you found many people now, the support has been growing for the Mahdi army and for that resistance against occupation. People came out in their support, in their defense. Some helped with all other means. And he said that the situation is that many people are now understanding what this occupation is all about -- sorry, many people are resisting this occupation and are giving their support to this resistance. And he says, perhaps you have heard the fatawah [fatwas] from, throughout Iraq. People are joining the resistance from the ulama ahl al-sunnah [scholars of the Sunni community] as well as some of the Kurdish brothers who have now announced their support for the resistance led by the Mahdi army.
[Sayed] Brother Abbas, in conclusion, a call from your side from the brothers and sisters in occupied Iraq to the people here in South Africa.
[Matti] Brother Abbas is saying that I greet my brothers and sisters in South Africa. And of course, we hope that you'll hold fast onto this great aqidah [ideology], this aqidah of Islam to hold on to the [word unintelligible] that has been brought by the prophet, the greatest prophet, Muhammad Salla Allah alayhi wa sallam [Peace be upon him]. It is only Islam that will guarantee that we develop to the good and complete human beings as we ought to in this far, remote region far from the center of Islam that is from Mecca. It is only by holding firm by your thabat [firmness], by standing firm with your Islam that you'll be able to protect yourselves and also, to stand firm in the onslaught of Western civilization. And it is precisely, we can see the service by your radio station and by being in service of Islam."
[Sayed] Shukran [Thank you] very much to you, brother Abbas al-Rubai'i, for informing us of the situation in occupied Iraq and from the people in South Africa, I'm sure their thoughts are with you.
[Editor's Note: The following exchange in Arabic, was not included in Radio 786's English translation. ]
[Matti to Al-Rubai'i] For our part, we want to offer you thanks and support regarding what is happening in occupied Iraq and we want to assure you that the people of South Africa, Muslims, Christians, and the other religions, all of them are with the Iraqi people in this tribulation of yours and we ask God to preserve you and grant you comfort and victory over the American-British occupation and we thank you, Brother Abbas."
[Al-Rubai'i] I thank you very much and wish to all of you success and firmness in the faith, if God wills.
[Matti] If God wills, and our greetings to the Iraqi people and Sayyid Muqtada Al-Sadr, and the Mujahidin fighters, if God wills.
[Sayed in English] And that then was brother Abbas al-Rubai'i, the spokesperson for Islamic leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, in the Sadr city in Baghdad. [End recording]
[Description of Source: Cape Town Radio 786 in English -- Muslim community radio station run by the Islamic Unity Convention of South Africa]
South Africa should shut down that radio station.
Talk about pure propaganda
Al Sadr's propaganda is a case of wishful thinking (on his part).
Congressman Billybob
Latest column, "Says the Wuss: Ma, He's Touching Me"
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Time to take this guy and ALL his followers out...dead men don't give interviews and can't fight any more wars
He needs Baghdad Bob as a spokeman ...
Sadr's momentary truce is off now. He refused to speak with the peace negotiators from the Iraqi Government.
Uh huh... I'm sure a rag-tag group of poorly trained schmucks are keeping the Marines out of the city... No, it's the politicians in Baghdad and New York that are keeping the Marines out of the city.
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