Posted on 03/25/2003 9:14:34 AM PST by Risa
War in Iraq: Guidelines for American Muslim Leaders
The Muslim American Society has prepared this set of talking points and guidelines as a roadmap for community leaders to follow when guiding their communities through the Iraq War Crisis safely and securely.
WHAT MUSLIMS FEEL ABOUT THIS WAR
We are particularly concerned with Iraqi issue because it involves a direct confrontation of our country with a Muslim nation, which apparently puts the cohesiveness of our American Muslim identity to the test.
However, principled positions based on sound methodology and careful analysis of the situation always bring harmony between our commitment to Islam and our civic duties, because by following the truth and standing out firmly for justice one would help the cause of Allah (SWT) and serve the best interest of all humanity.
And Islam leaves no excuse for bias or injustice under any circumstances.
We believe that this war, which is waged in spite of the UN Security Council and worldwide opposition, does not serve the best interest of our nation, and will further devastate the Iraqi people who are still suffering from the consequences of previous wars and crippling sanctions.
Our opposition, which is based on solid religious, moral, patriotic, and humanitarian grounds, concurs with the positions of most religious and civic leaders and groups, many members of Congress, a number of veterans, and some outspoken families of the victims of 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Declared justifications and objectives of the war are neither consistent nor convincing, especially when considering the double-standard trend in our foreign policy in dealing with dictators or with weapons of mass destruction.
The community should be reminded that this war has nothing to do with religion. Indeed, the war was opposed by the leadership of virtually all religious communities.
The war has also nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction, promotion of democracy, or the crackdown on terrorism. The real motives for the war are political and economical.
It is also the natural result of philosophical underpinnings and intrinsic flaws of both systems. The dictatorship in the oil rich Iraq has led to a string of fatal decisions that made it an easy target of the most powerful lobbies in the US:
a. The military industrial complex, which is constantly on the look for new enemies and more wars which constitute opportunities to experiment with new weapons and justification for an ever increasing budget.
b. The multinational corporations, which are constantly on the look for cheap resources and captive markets
c. The pro-Israeli lobby, which is trying to achieve unequivocal superiority for Israel in the region.
In addition to oppressing his people the Iraqi dictator made himself an easy target by attacking his neighbors, thus loosing any regional support and paralyzing an already cosmetic Arab and Islamic alliances.
On the other hand, the balance (or the arrogance) of power and the belief in a universal civilization, and the "I am better than him" syndrome have always resulted in hegemony and a drive to control the world.
However, one cannot deny that the prevailing perception in the Muslim World is that this war is war on Islam, another crusade.
Like Muslims elsewhere, our opposition to some government policies does not diminish our love for our country and our commitment to its security and prosperity.
We strive to serve its best interests by standing out firmly for justice at home and abroad, and calling for meaningful reforms.
Our principled and legitimate opposition to the war does not imply any sympathy with the ruthless Iraqi dictator, who terrorized his people and his neighbors and led Iraq to devastating military conflicts.
The world should be rid of the Iraqi regime and all similar regimes. And the first step is to stop supporting these dictators-a support that aborted so many attempts to establish real democracy-and to begin supporting real political pluralism in the Arab and Muslim world.
But the change should not be cosmetic nor should it be imposed on people. Weapons may liberate land, but they do not liberate people. And the Iraqi people have already paid dearly for twelve years of attempting to eliminate the regime through weapons and sanctions.
EXCERPT
(Excerpt) Read more at masnet.org ...
I could care less about such 'perceptions'.....my perception is that these people are disloyal Fifth Columnists, and may need to be induced to return home someday.
Well, DUH! If Israel didn't have unequivocal superiority it would no longer exist in the region.
Sit down and shut up. Period.
This is complete garbage, as they know full well the extent that we are going to in order to avoid killing civilians. They know this, yet issue statements such as those espoused in this article.
We could rid Iraq of WMD much easier by not caring so much about civilian casualties. We could say to ourselves, "so the Republican Guard is hiding in the cities---turn them into an ashheap"............but we aren't.
The followers of the moon god refer to Iraq as a "Muslim Nation". They also say the "Muslim Nation" is the collective of all Muslims. Like the fictional Borg on Star Trek these folks want to take over and assimilate all that are not Muslim. It's the bedrock of their cult. Become one of us or die.
There can be no free republic of Muslims. Never. As Turkey has proven the past few days.
As best I can tell, the only difference between Islam and the German Nazis is that the Germans were better dressed.
Um. Your comments do not adhere to the Constituition.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
That doesn't bother 90+% of FReepers...
Actually, yes, it would. The fact that the "Muslimes" and "islamists" and "mohammedaens" misspell "losing" in the same manner as most FReepers, would cause great consternation and a flight amongst FReepers to proper spelling...
So far I would say that you have failed that test miserably. I can think of no other ethnic, religious or immigrant group in history that has not supported this great nation in its time of need. Even when the Democrats detained Japanese Americans at the outbreak of WWII, Japanese Americans rallied to America's defense forming they're own units. They served with distinction, honor and valor and many died in defense of liberty.
Make no mistake this is a test and America is watching. If Muslim Americans ultimately fail this test future generations will treat them with mistrust and contempt.
I for one am already very disappointed with the overall Muslim American community. I know there are good and thinking Muslims out there, I have read several hear on FR. But this article appears to represent the overall feeling of the community accurately. Perhaps the second or third generation will better understand what America is all about.
Weapons may liberate land, but they do not liberate people.*
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