BaKhabar, December 2013, Page-5 [The Truth Behind the Gulf War + Hajj, Part-2]

The Truth Behind the Gulf War

.... By Sohaib Zaman <itsmeonlinetoday@gmail.com>

United States of America has two major political parties – The Democrats and The Republicans hold the reins of the American Congress. Democrats seem to be peace-loving people, a reason why America's middle class and working class support them. Republicans on the other hand are mostly the party of the richest. The richest businessmen in America support the Republicans. Republicans seem to be maintain very close terms with the American warlords. Whenever America has a Republican President, the probability of the war rises. I would like to take you back to the 90's when the Gulf War happened. The mayhem started when Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2nd August 1990 claiming Kuwait as a part of Iraq. The first to jump on the bandwagon, as saviours of Kuwait, was none other than the United States of America. America has no love for Kuwait, but has enormous love for the Kuwaiti oil. Iraq had to face the wrath of America, after a long span of friendship with them. When Iraq was a Soviet ally, American’s dislike was quite natural; however, the sudden fall from friendly grace when they were counted as a stooge of America is beyond normal comprehension. Did USA have issues with Iraq's positions on Israel and Palestine. Iraq was vocal about their disapproval of peace process between Egypt and Israel. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were over-producing oil, and Iraq condemned it. Iraq was projected as anti to the pro-American Gulf countries. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had the blessings of USA and they were producing more oil than the OPEC-allocated quotas. George Bush Sr. was the President of USA at that time. USA was trying to find an excuse to attack Iraq. Iraq was already suffering an yearly loss of 7 billion dollars due to the Iran-Iraq war, which is considered as a strategic ploy to weaken these two oil-rich nations emerging as regional leaders in education and technology. Government in Iraq was already struggling to cover the basic costs. No episode could have served as a better excuse than the Kuwait episode; Iraq buckled down to America's diktat. They had no option except accepting what America wanted. America threw Iraq into oblivion and this led Iraq to bow down to America's wishes.

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With respect to Iraq’s “invasion” of Kuwait, they perhaps had no other choice except doing something insane to draw the outer world’s attention towards America's growing intervention in the region (like favouring over-production of oil by some countries, and bullying others not to do the same). Now just have a look of the actions taken by the USA. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, American government led by President George Bush Sr who belonged to the Republican party deployed US forces into Saudi Arabia. What peeved me was the primary action taken by the US government. Kuwait was invaded but America made sure that their favourite oil-rich country remained unscathed from any issues. Saudi Arabia paid around 36 billion dollars of the total 60 billion dollars cost to USA. America always keeps the Gulf countries under its clutch to make sure that the money and oil keep flowing towards America. It was no rocket science to know who would win the Gulf War in 1991. America had allies in the form of the richest Arabs and Israel; and America itself was the powerhouse. George Bush Sr. won the war but Saddam Hussain won the heart of the world, and proved to the world that America was unfair in its dealings with countries of the region. George Bush Sr. remained in power till 1993.

War-On-Terror-A-Fraud

Bill Clinton who was a democrat came to power in 1993 and the world was peaceful place for 8 years till George Bush came into power. Bush family were always critical of Iraq, and Bush Jr. found another excuse to invade them. America created a story from nowhere and attacked and demolished Iraq. America became the God of the world. Their growing interference in the world politics and their unfair dealing of Iraq and Saddam Hussain faced much criticism. Like a masala movie, Bush Jr. used the vulnerability of Saddam Hussain to capture Iraq’s resources. Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. represent the Republican mindset.

The atmosphere created by the Bush regime (that America is under attack) led the people to panic, and before they could understand the filthy desire of Republican Bush, America went ahead with “War against Terror”. Bush desire to help the American warlords cost 3 trillion dollars to America and forced America and the world into recession. Bush and the American warlords benefitted from the war but the innocent American people suffered major losses. The whole world and America are still trying to get rid of the recession imposed upon them. It did not take long for the people of America to realise their mistake of empowering the Republicans. American people finally voted for a change and saw a promising leader in Barack Obama, a true Democrat.

Hajj, Part-2

- By Arbaz Fahad <arbazfahad@rediffmail.com>

The streets of Madinah narrate the splendid tale of the torchbearers of the pristine faith. Madinah –the Vanguard of Islamic empire, the home of Al Ansaar-The helpers of Islam. The city is an eminent observer of the progressive evolution of Islam. The streets, the date palms, the grapevine orchards recount Islamic history with meticulous accuracy. Anecdotes are many, some elative and euphoric, such as the Rashidun Conquest of the Levant and the Sassanid empire, others sordid and remorseful, such as the brutal assassination of the third caliph Uthman bin Affan. The evanescing metaphors of the cold blooded murder of the caliph plunge the soul into deep strata of grief and anguish. With a heavy heart, pilgrims depart towards Makkah to participate in the Hajj rituals. 5 km to the east of the holy city of Makkah lies the tented valley of Mina. More than 100,000 tents air conditioned tents provide temporary accommodation to visiting pilgrims. The Teflon constructed tents are constructed to withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees Celsius. Mina is the place where pilgrims throw stones, commemorating the practice of Hadrat Ibrahim, when he stoned the accursed devil, while he was trying to dissuade Hadrat Ibrahim from following the commandments of God almighty. The ritual epitomizes the essence of flushing out all satanic vicissitudes from once life. The stoning of the devil also represents the repudiation of evil inclinations and temptative elements, casting aside of one’s personal whims and desires to attain felicity, piety and God consciousness. The stoning of the three devils is, in essence the clash to trample upon one’s internal evil inclination (Al Nafs Al Amara) and to subjugate it to the servitude of the Almighty. The Quran says
“Verily, the Nafs incites to evil” Quran 12:53
A popular imagery used to describe Nafs is that of a donkey, or a unruly horse, that must be trained and broken, so that eventually it will bear it’s rider to the goal. The Quran says:-
“And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids the soul from low desires; Then surely the garden, that is their abode” Quran 79:40-41
Mecca

From Mina, the pilgrims march on towards Muzdalifah, where they spend the whole night beseeching God’s forgiveness and mercy. On the next day, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah multitudes assemble in the plains of Arafah. The pilgrims spend the whole day on Arafah supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins, and beseeching him to shower his grace, mercy and affection on them. This is the Day of Hajj, the clout and supremacy of Islam dazzles luminously in the plains of Arafah. People belonging to diverse cultural, social and ethical backgrounds conglomerate in a single arena to proclaim the greatness of the Almighty, The King and the Pauper stand shoulder to shoulder imploring God to embrace them under the covers of his infinite mercy. In the valley of Arafah all worldly riches, influence and opulence are laid to dust. The Quran says:-
“Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” Quran 49:13
The Quran espouses the believers to establish such amiable bonds of brotherhood which are based on the foundations of devoutness and piety. Unlike other bonds (nationalistic, patriotic) etc which are superficial, animalistic, reactive, emotional and completely devoid of a real solution for life affairs, the intellectuality of the ideological bond of Islam unites man irrespective of their race, nationality and other factors which are irrelevant when it comes to bonding on a ideological creed. The Quran says
“The Believers are but a single brotherhood” Quran 49:10
Fourteen centuries ago, the benefactor of Mankind, Prophet Muhammad SAW delivered his final sermon on the Mountain of Arafah, also known as Jabal Al Rahmah. At the final juncture of his prophetic mission, the Prophet summarized the quintessence of his prophetic mission in a short but eloquent sermon. As one stands in the plains of Arafah, one can feel the postulates of that articulate sermon reverberating in the valley. Adhering to the true spirit of the Quran, the Prophet set up such exemplarary notions of Equality and Brotherhood which stupefies Human Analogy. An illiterate man, in the deserts of Arabia, in a tribalistic and oligarchic society enumerates such divine values, which were adopted centuries later by the western world. The Prophet said:-
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non Arab, nor does a non Arab hold any superiority over an Arab. A White skinned person holds no distinction over a dark skinned person, nor is a dark skinned person superior to a white skinned person except by piety. Know that all mankind comes from Adam and Eve, and Adam was created of Dust”
It is a pity that Muslims all over the world have completely forfeited the Quranic values of Equality, Fraternity, Tolerance, Trust and Mutual Co-operation and have chosen shoddy ways to fulfill their capricious whims, and use Quranic analogy for their pusillanimous actions. Sunnis accuse Shias of perpetrating heresy in religion, on the split side Shias charge Sunnis on Usurping their rights and amending the Quran to deprive the Shia community of their rights. Why don’t we accept the Quran as a mediator and follow it’s teachings
“Come to common terms as between us and you; that we worship none but Allah, and we associate no partners with him” Quran 3:64
The next day, 10th Dhul Hijjah also connoted as Al Yaum Al Nahr (The day of the Great Sacrifice) marks the festival of Eid Al Adha. People offer the Eid prayers in congregation and carry out the sacrificial ritual commemorating the Prophet’s Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his young and only firstborn son in compliance to a command from God. This momentous ritual is a tribute to the unflinching faith, selfless devotion and resolute conviction of Prophet Ibraheem towards the Almighty. The Quran narrates this illustrious event in a melancholic symphony
“And when (his son) was old enough to walk and work with him (Ibraheem) said : O my dear son, I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view! (The Son said) O my Father! Do what you are commanded if Allah wills you will find me practicing patience and steadfastness! So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead, we called out to him saying: O Ibraheem! You have indeed fulfilled the vision; surely thus do we reward those who do good. Most surely this was a manifest trial. And we ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And we perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. Peace and Salutations to Ibraheem!!” Quran 37:102-110
God does not stand in need of anyone to sacrifice a lamb in his name. He is Al Hayy (Everliving) and Al Qayyum (Self sufficient). It has nothing to do with atoning for one’s sins or using the blood as a medium to wash our sins. The Quran says:-
“Never does their flesh reach Allah, and neither their blood; it is only your God-Consciousness that reaches him” Quran 22:37
The festival signifies selfless and unconditional adherence to the divine commandments. It also epitomizes the spirit of forsaking heavenly bounties in the way of God with unduly submission. It is a ritual which programmes the human soul to exercise purity of faith and conscience, leave no stone unturned and submit to God with willing acquiescence.
The pilgrims shave off their heads to enumerate a new beginning. A perfect Hajj, performed with the deepest conviction and unflinching faith in God Almighty clears the slate of past deeds. This spiritual journey has bought about everlasting changes in all of us. They return home, with watery eyes and burdened hearts, knowing that they might never get another shot at being in Makkah-The Holiest site in Islam and the birth place of the Prophet.

Farewell O Makkah! Farewell!!
Would that these eyes ever again behold the luminosity of the Kaabah
Oh! Would I Ever again drink from the spring of ZamZam
Shall I ever again behold the magnificient scenes standing on Jabal Al Noor
The Breeze sprinkles the fragrance of my beloved
The Sky recounts the munificence of his companions
Farewell O Makkah! Farewell!!