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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Fwd: [bangla-vision] Egypt: O How sweet is victory+US Muslims:Stand up+Muslim Brotherhood & CAIR+Jesus, pbuh+Egypt was dead!+Gaza leak!+Paks want Raymond+Mardan



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: kaukab siddique <butshikan@msn.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 9:49 AM
Subject: [bangla-vision] Egypt: O How sweet is victory+US Muslims:Stand up+Muslim Brotherhood & CAIR+Jesus, pbuh+Egypt was dead!+Gaza leak!+Paks want Raymond+Mardan
To: kaukab <butshikan@msn.com>


 


New Trend Magazine New Phone: 410-497-4988. Subscription for printed edition: $10 for 3 months. Mail check to: New Trend, P.O. Box 356, Kingsville, MD 21087. Disclaimer: Views expressed are not necessarily shared by the editors. New Trend does not endorse violence of any kind. Information on news or views related to violence is for analysis and understanding, not for endorsement. New Trend is against racism, classism, gender superiority, Zionism and Imperialism. The Qur'an and the authentic Hadith are our foundation. All views are welcome but only a selection can be published owing to high volume of mail. Anyone criticized in New Trend has the right of reply up to 300 words. Email address: butshikana@gmail.com
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Rabi' al-Awwal 10,1432/February 13, 2011
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Latest news from Pakistan:
Feb. 12, 2011. A court has ordered the arrest of former dictator Musharraf in the murder case of Benazir Bhutto. [See Bush below.]
February 11, 2011. Jamaate Islami and other Islamic groups held rallies in EVERY big and small city in Pakistan calling for the trial of Raymond Davis, the American arrested for killing three Pakistanis in Lahore. Some demonstrators called for his execution.
 In front of Mansoora, in Lahore, a huge rally was addressed by Liaqat Baluch, a senior JI leader, who called for investigation of American intevention in Pakistan and trial of all accused now hiding in the US embassy.

February 10: A martyrdom operator hit General Kayani's elite regiment in the cantonment of Mardan [outside the tribal areas]. At least 34 Paki troops were killed and 54 wounded. [New mujahideen activity is also reported from Mohmand and Swat inspite of heavy military occupation by Kayani's US-backed forces.]
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A must read: Please scroll way down.
A thought provoking article by Br. Shamim Siddiqui [Long Island, NY] on how Islamic activists should respond to the uprisings in the Arab world.
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Visit the Islamic Movement in America on Facebook
 http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=878015450#!/pages/Jamat-Al-Muslimeen-International/135993416460209
 (You must have a facebook account, and be logged into facebook to see this page.) Help publicize our page by "liking" it, or inviting your friends to view it.
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Zionism/Racism are Rooted in the Language of Oppression and Enslavement.
by Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz
 


In truth and reality there is no biological or genetic basis for Zionism/Racism.  This mental disease is based upon the lie that the human family is divided up into a hierarchy of races, with the white at the top and the black at the bottom.  This fiction is shown to be false in the Qur'an (Yusuf Ali interpretation) 49:13:  "O mankind!  We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other).  Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.  And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."

Zionism and Racism are alive and well, for words make people, words make up the language of racism, and education, formal and informal, by way of books/literature and the media ingrains the false concepts and thinking in the human family from birth to death.  For example, consider some of the main meanings of the word "black": (1) figuratively, dismal, gloomy, sullen, forbidding, or the like; destitute of moral light or goodness; mournful; calamitous; evil; wicked; atrocious; thus Shakespeare speaks of black deeds, thoughts, envy, tidings, despair, etc. (2) soiled; dirty. (3) disgraceful. (4) without hope, as a black future. (5) inveterate, confirmed, deep-dyed, as a black villain. (6) humorous or satirical in a morbid, cynical or savage way, as black comedy.  Contrast these with some of the following main meanings of the word "white": (1) having the color of pure snow and milk … opposite of black. (2) morally and spiritually pure; spotless; innocent. (3) free from evil intent; harmless; as white magic; a white lie. (4) happy; fortunate; auspicious. (5) (a) having a light colored skin; Caucasian; (b) of or controlled by the white race; as white supremacy; (c) (from notions of racial superiority, slang) honest; honorable; fair; dependable. (6) favorite. 

The problem in the western dominated world is that the culture and the history of the oppressed populations are neglected, ignored, and belittled as primitive or as non-existing.  For example, Arnold Toynbee, a respected British historian, stated in one of his historical treatises that of all the civilizations known to man not one was established by the blacks.  Of course, this is false, but the average person, who does not read and who has not travelled, believes what the scholars are reported to have said; and that is, indeed, why scholars make the best liars.  When one points out that Egyptian and Ethiopian civilizations existed when Europe was savage and uncivilized, and the fact that "all authorities agree in the statement that, however far back they go, they find no uncivilized state of society" in Egypt, some deceiving scholars counter with: "The Egyptians and Ethiopians are dark Caucasoids."

The consequence of this kind of writing and teaching of the culture and history of formerly enslaved and colonized people is very low self-esteem or self-worth, which naturally leads to demoralized destructive behavior and low expectations.

[The writer is Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Grambling University, Louisiana, and philosopher of Jamaat al-Muslimeen.]

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Imam Badi Ali [National Shoora Leader] North Carolina.

After Mubarak

[Feb. 12. Imam Ali has just returned from a rally in Greensboro to celebrate the victory in Egypt. Now he is looking for flags of Algeria and Yemen as the people are rising up there.]

Spotlight #1: The Pharoah's magicians were clever. They tried everything but Allah's miracle was stronger and swallowed up the Pharoah's snakes.

Spotlight #2: The US media were worried about "security" owing to the uprising. They forgot about 30 years of tyranny when there was no security for the masses.

Spotlight #3: Concern was expressed about the danger of blood flowing in Egypt owing to the uprising. The western media forgot that blood has been flowing in Egypt for 30 years. The tyrant arrested, tortured, raped and murdered countless people. Where were the US media?

Spotlight #4: Mubarak's secret bank accounts and his "religious scholars" were two sides of the same coin. These "scholars" were willing to give religious sanction to all of Mubarak's crimes.

Spotlight #5: The Muslim Brotherhood [Ikhwan] has shown it's inability to think ahead. They condemned the killing of Sadat. Then they tried to win the favors of Mubarak. He kicked them around. Finally they entered "elections" under the fraud of his system. He allowed them to win seats and then kicked them out in the next election. During the uprising, they rushed to talk to Israeli connector VP Omar Suleyman who is worse than Mubarak. The Brotherhood movement have lost their moral direction and are a blot on Islam. [They are not very different from CAIR and ISNA in America who were very friendly with Bush and now with Obama.] They are educated but politically inferior to the Egyptian masses.

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Latest Khutba: Americans do not hate Islam.  
Learn Peaceful Resistance to Oppose Zionism & Oppression: Egypt & USA Need Islam
"Islamophobia" is a fake concept.
On February 11, 2011 Dr. Kaukab Siddique gave the juma' khutba at a mosque in Baltimore, Maryland. It was much appreciated and its main points are given below.
Texts:
 O you who believe! if an evil-doer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest you harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done. [The Qur'an 49:6]
 [From 'Umar, r.a. {excerpted]. Allah's messenger smiled while he was lying on a mat made of palm tree leaves with nothing between him and the mat. Underneath his head there was a leather pillow stuffed with palm fibres, and leaves of a saut tree were piled at his feet, and above his head hung a few water skins. On seeing the marks of the mat imprinted on his side, I wept. He said.' 'Why are you weeping?' I replied, "O Allah's messenger! Caesar and Khosrau are leading the life (of luxury) while you, Allah's messenger, are living in destitution." The Prophet then replied. 'Won't you be satisfied that they enjoy this world and we the Hereafter?' " [Bukhari 6/60/435]
Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, said: "Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: the case of a man whom Allâh has given wealth and he spends it in the right way; and that of a man whom Allâh has given religious wisdom and he gives his verdicts according to it, and teaches it to others." (Bukhâri 9/419)

MAIN POINTS:


  • The Egyptian tyrant has stepped down. It is a stupendous victory for the Egyptian people, for the Muslim world, for the Arab nations, for Africa and for humanity.
  • The victory has come about through Faith, unity and brotherhood/sisterhood of Islam.
  • The world is changing and, inshallah, all the tyrants will be swept away.
  • We must apply the example of Egypt and Tunisia to our own conditions in America.
  • Behind the revolution in Arab countries stands the example of the Prophet, pbuh, when he was in Makka.Like the Prophet,pbuh, we must study America and understand who are our friends and enemies.
  • Do not be like the young Hispanic convert to Islam who was recently arrested in Maryland for allegedly planning violent attacks on the US military. Violence is not the answer.
  • Also, do not be like the funded Muslim organizations which support Israel and are silent on the occupation of Muslim lands. These have sold out and are Muslims only in name.
  •  There is no such thing as "islamophobia" in America. There are 300 million people in USA. Muslims are 7 to 9 million. If they hated us, we would have been wiped out.
  • In fact the Zionist media have suffered a mortal defeat. They have tried for TEN years to stir up the American people against us but have failed miserably.
  • Know your friends and enemies. Remember that the Prophet, pbuh, used the tribal system in Makka to protect Muslims. If one tribe was against him, another protected him.
  • We have the right to speak, organize, mobilize, protest and rally, as long as we are within the limits of the law.
  • Who are our friends? African-Americans first, owing to the legacy of Malcolm X and Imam Jamil al-Amin.
  • Then come Hispanics [latinos] who are still religious and need a religion like Islam which honors Jesus, pbuh.
  • Then come the people of German descent. Many of them feel deeply humiliated by the constant propaganda against Germany with reference to World War II. The story of the "holocaust" is backfiring.
  • Most important of all: The women of America, of all races. Zionist ideas have objectified, trvialized and humiliated women. Decent women find that they have to go around half naked before they will get a job.
  • Look at the storm of adultery, fornication, rape, child molestation and battering/murder of females in America. Our sisters are coming to seek refuge under the banner of Muhammad, pbuh, who never raised his hand against a woman. We must respect, honor and protect ALL women.
  • Christianity cannot save America. Evil and good clash in America and evil always wins. Look at the issue of GAMBLING. In spite of al their efforts, the Christians could not win. Why? because the Bible does not speak against gambling or liquor.
  • Look at homosexuality. Again the Christians have lost. Even the President of the United States supports homosexuality.
  • Christianity has no concept of HARAM and HALAL. Hence their is no divine support for Christian morality. The Zionists have infiltrated Christianity. International Jewry has America by the throat!
  • We do not hate all Jews. Among them are good people, as the Qur'an affirms. However, most Jews support Israel which is an illegitimate and terrorist entity.
  • Make sure that your money is not going to support Israel through American Jews and Christian Zionists. Use PEACEFUL MEANS only to undermine Israel. Boycott businesses which support Israel,such as Coca Cola, Nestle, Disney, Gap, Calvin Klein, McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.
  • Be kind, compassionate, honest, caring and generous towards all people, like the Prophet, pbuh, was. Pray 5 times a day and remember that Allah is the Creator of ALL.
Du'a:Please pray!  O Allah! Help the people of Tunisia and Egypt to complete their victory and establish an Islamic state.
O Allah! Help the ummah to topple all tyranny. Help the people of Algeria, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan to establish Islamic rule.
O Allah! Help the people of Kashmir against India! Help the people of Chechnya against Russia! Help the people of Afghanistan against NATO! Help the people of Pakistan against the munafiqueen, help the people of Iraq against the US.
O Allah! Help the Muslims of Baltimore, of Maryland and all America to unite on the Qur'an and the authentic Hadith.
O Allah! Above all we pray that you help the Muslim ummah to defeat and drive the yahood out of Palestine! Ameen!
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With thanks to Dr. Omar Afzal [Ithaca, NY]
 
Tunisian Poet Sha'abi's poem [much before the revolution].
To the Tyrants of the World
Oppressive tyrant, lover of darkness, enemy of life
You have ridiculed the size of the weak people
Your palm is soaked with their blood
You have deformed the magic of existence
And planted the seeds of sorrow in the fields

Wait -- don't be fooled by the spring
The clearness of the sky or the light of dawn 
For on the horizon lies the horror of darkness,
Rumble of thunder, and blowing of wind
Beware, for below the ash there is fire
And he who grows thorns reaps wounds

Look there, for I have harvested the heads of mankind
And the flowers of hope 
And I have watered the heart of the earth with blood
I soaked it with tears until it was drunk
The river of blood will sweep you
And the fiery storm will devour you 

               - Translated by Abdul Iskander for NPR
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[With thanks to Mark Weber, Los Angeles.]
George Bush Cancels Visit to Switzerland After Complaints about Torture
Reuters
Former President George W. Bush has canceled a visit to Switzerland, where he was to address a Jewish charity gala, due to the risk of legal action against him for alleged torture, rights groups said on Saturday Bush was to be the keynote speaker at Keren Hayesod's annual dinner on February 12 in Geneva. But pressure has been building on the Swiss government to arrest him and open a criminal investigation if he enters the Alpine country. Criminal complaints against Bush alleging torture have been lodged in Geneva , court officials say.

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In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

"EGYPT IS FREE" –"EGYPT IS FREE", ALHAMDULILLAH

by Shamim A Siddiqi, New York

The moment the VP of Egypt Omar Suleman announced that the President General Hosni  Mubarak has stepped down following the will of the mass uprising, the masses at the Tahreer Ground and every nook and corner of the country were echoing with the captioned slogan in an endless chain of enthusiasm and ecstasy. These were the rightful moments of deliverance from the clutches of a total dictatorship and the people were quite honest to acclaim it with their spontaneous welcome.

It is the glorious reward of 17 days and nights of constant fighting of young "kids" of Egypt who were dauntless and fearless in smashing the mightiest Pharoah of 21 Century. Their sincerity of purpose, the haunting memories of three decades of deprivation of human liberties, the total denial of human rights under false emergency for 30 long years, their miserable living condition hardly meeting body and soul together, just pulsating anyhow within less that two dollars a day and the mockery of the Western democracies that nourished and maintained the image of Mubarak as stable power under false sense of stability and keeping the hoax of Islamism away from the tentacles of power. Ultimately the oppressed people broke it into pieces under the immeasurable mighty weight of Egyptian youth.

 The despotic Mubarak who constantly tried his best to break the courage and stamina of youth on false pretensions, evasive promises and dictatorial mockeries has no choice but to surrender to the will of Egypt's brave sons, daughters, students, labor, doctors, law students and the common folks. He is now hiding his "ugly" face in the "waters" of Sharm-al-Sheikh at the borders of Saudi Arabia where the Muslim rulers take refuge generally when ousted from power, and his bosom friend Israel, the other potential "safe" harbor for Mubarak.

This is the open success of mass movements against sitting tyrants and the resounding replica of Tunisia where Mohammad Bouazizi,  the fruit vendor of Sidi Bouzid,  the city 200 miles South of Tunis laid down the foundation of mass uprising by putting his body on fire in protest against the oppressive regime of Zine-el-Abidine  who ruled that country ruthlessly for 23 years and ultimately people forced him to run away to SA as a refugee. The dominant role of military was very constructive in Tunisia as was in Egypt. Now it has become the fact of history that a national army could not and cannot shoot her own patriotic people when on revolt against the oppressive regime of their own kith and kin. Pakistan military refused to shoot the young demonstrators on the streets of Karachi when PM and Martial Law Administrator Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto ordered to fire. As a result, he had to go and General Zia-ul-Haq came to power.  Likewise in Iran, military refused to fire on its own people in Tehran and the Shah of Iran had to leave the country and take refuge ultimately in Egypt and where he is buried in a mosque in Cairo.       

These are the encouraging signs as how to bring revolution in a country where the sons of the soil through wrongful means usurp the power and then try to perpetuate their regime as their life long episode under martial law, or emergency, keeping the fundamental human right, the election process, democratic institutions all suspended at the behest and active support of the so-called democratic countries of the West. The Mass Movements get momentum only when the masses are hard pressed, human rights are denied, elections if held at all are marred with fraud, rigging, forced balloting accompanied with a lot of disqualification both of the candidates and the voters making the election a farce. Simultaneously, people suffer from mass scale unemployment, higher cost of living, increase in foreign debts and face extremely harsh and hard terms of loan if IMF is involved in it. Thus the country is ruined and the masses have no choice but to come to the street in protest and agitation demanding the change of regime in power and they succeed very often when the national army becomes neutral and refuses to take any action against general uprising.

The success of mass movements in Tunisia and then Egypt foretell the trend that is likely to be repeated in almost every Muslim country with a few exceptions only of Turkey, Malaysia and to some extent Indonesia. The rest are the bad stigma in the name of Islam that guarantees all the aforesaid rights, freedom and liberties to all its citizens within its jurisdiction irrespective of the fact whether Muslim or non-Muslim, in majority or minority. As such, mass uprisings are knocking at the doors of Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Pakistan, Algeria, Bangladesh and Sheikhdoms of Persian Gulf States. Everywhere the regimes are shaky and they are likely to face their masses uprising sooner than later for their human and democratic rights and falling standard of living.              

In these mass movements and the would be uprising in the near future the role of Islamic Movements have been very nominal or marginal. Unfortunately, they could not feel the pulse of their youth who organized the mass uprisings through Internet services on mass scale and have given new dimensions to the use of Internet services which enabled them to contact millions and millions of people in no time and call them to assemble at a given point for mass rallies and demonstrations, picketing and public meetings. They with flash button could tell the public to attend such and such places in such and such number where they will be addressed by such and such people. It is a kind of mass whispering campaign secretly and silently and no despotic ruler could or can disturb their program or agenda.

Islamic Movements could not muster this system so far and hence were no where there in their orbits. As such these mass uprising were neither pro nor anti Islam. They were simple younger generation of their country and played havoc with the well-establish dictatorship of their respective countries, even beyond the imagination of their western masters in America and Europe.

Muslim leadership should learn from the organized efforts of Tunisia and Egypt and immediately reset their strategies and programs towards creating mass uprising by taking the full advantage of Internet services. They have to do home work for the countries listed above and prepare their movement oriented youngsters for this job and spread it to the grass route levels of the targeted countries. All these countries are now well set for mass uprising on the pattern set by the two African predominantly Muslim countries. If they delay, they will be the losers and will be nowhere in taking part in the reshaping these countries on ideological lines. The time is very short for them and they have to get the lost lessons updated.

The second task before them is to build the team of Da'ees and increase its numerical strength to the level that when the uprising happens and mass awakening takes place, the team of Da'ees, irrespective of age factor should and must be in the field to cover and sustain the results of these uprisings in favor of Islam and the Islamic Movement and the opportunists and secular leadership is not able to pocket the results of mass uprising. This is the game of preplanning, precaution and preparation for the preemptive struggle when the iron is hot. This is also called the wisdom of a Mumin who foresees the events before hand and makes himself or herself ready to face all the eventualities in no time.

May Allah bless the Muslim Ummah everywhere.

Shamim Siddiqi

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Jamaat al-Muslimeen Outreach

Muslim/Christian Dialogue

Allah Rejects the religion of the blood and all human Sacrifices to God

by Sis. Ashira  [Baltimore]

This presentation was made following a series of meetings with Christians. The participants had agreed to be very clear in presenting their religion.

 

"Bismillah.  We want to start this presentation by reminding ourselves of God's

supreme wisdom.  Allah is so wise that we cannot even quantify how wise He is. 

How is this relative here now?  Let us look at the Prophet Ibrahim whom we all

claim, the Christians and the Muslims and also the Jews.  We all believe in

Abraham and we agree that after his willingness to sacrifice his son, God told

him not to do so but rather to place a lamb on that altar for sacrifice and that

this should put an end to anyone offering humans on altars for sacrifice.  He

said kill an animal and feed the hungry people.

  No blood or flesh reaches Allah but it is one's piety that pleases God. 

So, we bring it here to show that God in His wisdom has pre-empted the lie that 

He knew the writers of religious Dogma would come with--the lie wherein they

would say that God Himself gave His son (God forgive us for God has no son) to

be sacrificed.  Such a fabrication is a contradiction to what God has already

declared during the time of Abraham (and there is no change in what Allah (God)

says or does).  No human sacrifice; the crucifixion is not true.  God says in  His

last revelation to all mankind, the holy Quran, "they neither killed him nor

crucified him"--speaking of Jesus (Isa).

  This is the truth.  The Quran stands for the past 1400 years as a testament to God's ever living words.  What is true of the books before it is included in it and it is the only revealed book that has kept its original wording--untouched!!"

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[With thanks to Sis. Hamdiyya, Jamaat al-Muslimeen, Charlotte, NC]

Saudi women protest, web activists call for reform

Saturday, February 5 [Courtesy Reuters]

About 40 women staged a rare demonstration in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday, demanding the release of prisoners held without a trial as part of the kingdom's efforts to fight al Qaeda insurgents, activists said. Skip related content

Women clad in black gathered in front of the Interior Ministry in central Riyadh watched by a heavy police presence, a Reuters correspondent said.

"God, free our prisoners," read one poster held up by a woman.

Police officers at the scene declined to comment.

"The women demand to free people imprisoned in the campaign against terrorism. Many people have been held up for a long time without trial, or have nothing to do with al Qaeda," activist Mohammed al-Qahtani told Reuters by telephone later.

Amnesty International and other human rights activists have accused Saudi Arabia of having detained thousands of reform activists in its sweep against al Qaeda which staged a campaign inside the kingdom from 2003-06. Riyadh denies this.

It was not immediately clear if the demonstrators were related to the prisoners.

The protests took place at a time when hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have rallied in the streets protesting against poverty, unemployment and authoritarian rule in Tunisia and Egypt, sending shock waves through the Arab world.

In a rare sign of rising discontent in Saudi Araba, a group of Saudi web activists also launched an online campaign calling for political reform in the world's biggest oil exporter.

The Saudi campaign, which was launched on Facebook on January 29 and has 264 members so far, called for a constitutional monarchy, an end to corruption, an even distribution of wealth, and a serious solution for unemployment, among other demands.

"Before it is too late, I call the government, and the king, to reform the country and heed our requests...if they wish to continue ruling this country, " one group member, Safaa Jaber, posted on the group's wall on Friday.

"I call on our people to take on the responsibility of demanding their legitimate rights for complete reform of our country before the situation evolves into something undesirable," she said.

Activists in Egypt have used the social media websites to rally supporters online and coordinate protests.

Saudi Arabia does not allow public dissent. Last month, police detained dozens in the port city of Jeddah after they protested against poor infrastructure following deadly floods.

King Abdullah of Saudi, who is around 87, has tried some cautious reforms since ascending the throne in 2005 but diplomats say his room for manoeuvre is hindered by opposition from powerful members of the royal family.

(Reporting by Ulf Laessing and Asma Alsharif; Editing by Rania El Gamal and Angus MacSwan)

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With thanks to Dr. Ismail Zayid [Canada]

WikiLeaks: Suleiman vowed to prevent Hamas rule in Gaza

Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman promised Israel in 2005 that he would prevent Hamas' rise to power in the Gaza Strip, according to a document leaked to the WikiLeaks website and published by Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.
According to the memo, the then-Egyptian intelligence minister told Israeli defense official Amos Gilad during a meeting six years ago that he would "do all in his power to sabotage the Gaza elections in order to prevent a Hamas victory." (Elior Levy) [Israel News.]

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 Under Mubarak, Egypt was the land of the Dead Where Coptic Churches were More Prominent than Mosques

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Dreaming in Egyptian……….

 [Courtesy Asqfish[dot]wordpress[dot]com]

 

**The Dreaming is a term used by Aborigines to describe the relations and balance between the spiritual, natural and moral elements of the world.

 

I have arrived in Cairo alone. I am a day ahead of the tour that is supposed to take me on an educational tour of the Middle East.

 

At the airport a man from the tour company dressed in a suit is waiting for me in a limousine. I am seated and we are off to a hotel on the Nile…I drift to thirty years ago when I had arrived with my newly wed husband in the middle of Ramadan and were on our way also to a hotel on the Nile.

 

The roads are the same but the inhabitants on the road are different. I am stuck in rush hour traffic in Cairo. In the one and half hour drive to my hotel I enjoy the scenic route at a slow pace.

 

I notice unlike thirty years ago, most of the women drivers and passengers in the cars are in hijab (head covering). The second major change is that the Coptic orthodox churches are very prominent and have an "in your face" visibility.

 

Isn't this the city of 2000 mosques?

 

Now traversing the highway it feels more like the city of churches.  Every Coptic Church is lavishly lit up with neon sign crosses galore.

 

The third not inconsequential difference is popping up of the luxurious, handsome opulent buildings of the armed forces and the Government. They look elegant, solidly permanent with beautifully manicured gardens.

 

The driver points out in a cynical tone to a barricade where the entry road and all surrounding roads are barricaded "That is the road to Hosni Mobaraks palace"

 

I arrive at the Hotel and opt to pay extra to get a room with a Nile view.

 

The Bell boy (man) is extremely polite and engaging. He is of that indeterminate age somewhere between 35 and 45, strong enough to lift my luggage but has aged with the lines of worry and strife written all over his face.

 

We exchange pleasantries in the traditional Muslim way I ask about his family and he asks about mine. He tells me he has two sons and his eyes light up in the tired lined face. He asks me what sort of a Doctor I am, and then promptly shares his concerns about one of his sons and asks for advice.

 

He tells me wistfully that he does not get to see them awake as he travels one and half-hour by bus to get to the hotel at 6 am, and when he returns they are already in bed asleep.

 

He is of the few who are fortunate to have a paying job.

 

"Why don't you live in Cairo?" I ask thinking about downtown housing at home.

 

A look comes over his face, "I cannot even dream of it" he says, a firm and accepting look on his face, unquestioning of the impregnable divide between the have's and the have-nots and resignation to that fate…………….

 

That night at 9 pm he will take the bus for one and one half hour to his home in the outskirts of Cairo and his boys will be asleep.

 

That was before Jan 25, 2011.

 

I meet a young college student, who tells me that when she goes to the mosque for Jumma she is followed and later questioned as to her relationship with other Muslim political groups, she thus gave up going to the mosque.

 

For Eighty years the older generation of Egyptians stopped dreaming and kept adjusting to what ever oppression was foisted on them. The fatalistic cynicism that comes with atheistic thinking has overtaken them.

 

Others feel that either God has forsaken them or that God has allocated them oppression and more oppression and this is their fate. yet others feel that their only way out is to immigrate to another country.

 

However immigration to the most popular country in the world (USA) is not possible, as it does not want Egyptians anymore. Right wing TV News has already drummed into the mind of the American TV Watchers that Egyptians are Arabs and that is another word for terrorists.

 

However I was all wrong……….about every thing and everyone in Egypt.  Historically Egypt has grown strong, steadfast levelheaded practical men and women in the past. Why not now?

 

    What I did not know that unbeknownst to all, a generation of Egyptian men and women were growing up in the land of oppression, who were dreaming of a life of dignity. They had set their sights for a nation without oppression, without fear of no one except God and a lack of attachment to things.

 

With the New Year 2011, came the drawing of the first blood. The Dictator of Tunisia crossed the line and the public took him down!

 

On Jan 25…………..the generation of Egyptians who were dreaming decided to take action and make their dream come true.

 

To the horror of their elders who were well entrenched in the service of the establishment, these youth picked up the first stone to cast at the huge photo of Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian dreaming morphed into the Egyptian Intifada…………….

 

I wonder if the sons of the bellboy at the Hotel will grow up with out the fear of oppression. Whether the girl I met will be able to go to Jumma at the mosque without being harassed, and whether for once in eighty long years Egypt will rise as a Phoenix instead of being held down in stone near the Pyramids of Giza and show the way to other oppressed nations?

 

Of course I may just be Dreaming in Egyptian…………

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P.O. Box 356, Kingsville, MD, 21087

__._,_.___


--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/

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