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23 Ramadan 1438 A.H.- June 18, 2017 Issue # 25, Newsletter # 1711


Hadith of the Week

How to end Sibling Rivalry?

Nauman bin Basheer, r.a.,narrates : My father gave me a special gift and then went to the Prophet, pbuh, to let him bear witness [and bless it.]. The Prophet, pbuh, asked: Have you given a similar gift to your other children? He said: No. Then the Prophet, pbuh, said, I cannot be witness to oppression.

[Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal # 18601]



Outreach

Six page document given to 100 Muslims at Masjid Fatima. Something Strange and Disappointing Happened at this Masjid.

In On June 16, after Juma at a small masjid in the town of Catonsville, MD, a 6-page Jamaat document was given to 100 muslims, mostly Pakistani-Americans.

The 6 pages were as follows:

  1. Hate group's against Muslims failed.

  2. Washington briefing about children under Israeli occupation.

  3. Afghanistan, Somalia, and Philippines.

  4. Syria and Iraq.

  5. Holocaust Museum and censorship.

  6. Ehsanul Sadequee, Bangladeshi prisoner of the week in U.S. Prison.


Something strange happened at this masjid. The crowd was big because it was Juma during Ramadan. Instead of inviting the people to Allah and Islam, the Masjid preacher gave a long talk as a fund-raiser for the masjid. He bragged about how much money he had given and how much more was needed. He went overtime and would not stop urging people to donate at least $1,000 each. It seems that where rich Pakistanis go, the focus is on money rather than on the Islamic message. The large crowd, many of them young people, looked extremely bored. American style fund raising should be taboo in a place of worship. May God have mercy on the Ummah.

Political Prisoners :

AhmedAbdelSattar.org

FreeZiyadYaghi.info

FreeMasoudKhan.net



Just Released

First Notice of Shamim Siddiqi's latest book.

[The author is the most prominent scholar of da,wah in America.]

After Becoming Muslim, What Next?

PREFACE & DEDICATION

In the name of ALLAH, The Magnificent. The Merciful

Alhamdulillah, I have written so far the following eleven books about the feasibility towards introducing the truthful concept of paramount Abrahamic Islamic faith to Judeo- Christian Community of Euro-American Society and elsewhere in the world where the people of Abrahamic faith live. All are available on my Website

One can visit my Website and go through them to find out their contents and feel my eagerness to do the same as early as possible along with the intense reality that this phenomenon work can be done now by Muslims only. So, in the fitness of the matter, Muslims should be the first to be revived as pioneers of this Supreme task of Revival. The task was originally entrusted to them as the Qur'an dictates in Verse # 110 of Surah Al-Imran and it is the Muslims who again can do it as their Champion as they did at the advent of sixth century AD.

"You are [The Muslims] the best Community that has been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid the indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the people of the Scripture had believed, it had been better for them. Some of them are believers but most of them are evil-doers."

[Verse#110 of Surah Al-Imran]

So, the Muslims have, therefore, no choice but to resurrect their fate as "Ummatun Wasatan", [the best of nations], rise to the occasion, and make them as the Role Model in the Community of nations in every respect and invite the Judeo - Christian Community and the Pagan world to follow their footpath in order to have peace, order and harmony in the human abode, solve the human problems with the help of Divine Guidance that the Qur'an presents for humans. This is our foremost obligation as Muslim and we are obliged to do so as our priority # 0ne. In this context, I produced the essential literature so for, keeping the aforesaid vision crystal clear and paramount before us, exhorting Muslims to do their assigned job as the foremost call from our Creator and Sustainer and equally urging the Western secular societies to follow what our Creator and Sustainer demands from all of us.

The readers will find both the paramount concept and concern running together with equal force in all my books. The theme has reached to the Climax in my last books # 10 & 11 - 'Calling Humanity" and "Global Islamic Movement -Why & How?". I am sure, my prolong humble efforts will convince the readers to go through the final effort that I am presenting in this book to answer the Question of - "WHY & HOW?" that I envisioned in my last book for Muslim Ummah to think and undertake as the paramount mission of our life-long pursuit.



Breaking News

June 18

A US air force jet fighter shot down an Assad regime jet which was bombing SDF Kurdish fighters advancing towards al-Raqqa.

There is competition between Russian backed Assad and American backed SDF to reach the ISIS capital of al-Raqqa.

The shoot down was near Tabaqa.



Palestine

June 16. Jerusalem.

In a clash between armed Israeli security troops and knife carrying Palestinians, an Israeli police officer was stabbed to death and two injured. All three Palestinian attackers were shot dead by the Israelis.

The attack has been claimed by the Islamic State [IS].

Hamas is objecting to the claim and saying it was their people. ISIS is becoming a problem for Hamas which is leaning towards Iran.



Believe it or not.

Omaha, Nebraska

Sex Trafficking of Women has reached Small Town Nebraska big time.

On June 15, the "Take it away" program of NPR broadcast a summary of Nebraska TVs report on the trafficking of women in the small towns of Nebraska. Young women are being sold for sex across this far away state in the small towns. More than 900 cases have been detected in a year.

The small towns, according to this report, cooperate with each other to use women in such a way that it remains a secret till once in a while the colossal level of this tragedy comes out.

Many of the women are from Nebraska itself. Some families sell their own daughters.

The scale of this sex slavery is so big that almost every little town is involved.



Africa

Africa

Pity the Nigerian People. This is what their rich elites do.

Nigerian Billionaire Marries Model in $6.4 Million Wedding

[Courtesy Yahoo.com]

Plenty of people dream of fairytale weddings, but Folarin Alakija and Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar's nuptials make fairytales (and our Pinterest boards) look downright quaint. Alakija, the son of a Nigerian oil billionaire, and Ghaissarifar, an Iranian model, said "I do" in a ceremony that came with a price tag of $6.3 million dollars.

The wedding was held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England and the guest list included the likes of supermodel Shanina Shaik and fashion blogger Temi Otedola. As if the venue itself isn't stunning enough, celebrity florist Jeff Leatham curated one million white roses to adorn the interior. Check out the full flower walls and hanging installations.

Our reader Br. Mohammed Mahfooz of Michigan quoted these verses of the Qur'an on this wedding:

"Verily, Qarun was of Musa's (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: "Do not exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). Verily Allah likes not those who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah).

"But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters)."

He said: "This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without being called to account).

So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: "Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun has been given! Verily he is the owner of a great fortune."

But those who had been given knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As-Sabirun (the patient in following the truth)."

So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves.

And those who had desired (for a position like) his position the day before, began to say: "Know you not that it is Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up (also)! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful.

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.

Sura Al Qasas 28 Ayat 76 -



Voices of Concerned American Muslims

On June 17, the National Islamic Shoora of Jamaat al-Muslimeen was held in Baltimore, Maryland.

It was a 12-hour meeting which discussed, analyzed and issued solutions for all the major problems facing the Muslims of America.

The logistical associate was Sis. Kristi.

The Chairperson was Imam Ali Siddiqui and he also lead the prayers.

Concluding statements and texts to show Islamic reasons for holding a Shoora in Ramadan were given by Br. Kaukab Siddique [ameer of the Jamaat].

A delicious meal for iftar was brought by a Bangladeshi halal restaurant.. Desserts were also provided.

Some of the main speakers included:


The issues agreed upon by members of the Shoora are subsumed in the resolutions presented here.




Jamaat al-Muslimeen National Majlis-e-Shura Resolutions:

Domestic
  1. We condemn police violence against Black men in the United States, and the near universal aquittals of police when cases are brought in such killings. We condole with the family of Philando Castile, Terence Crutcher, and other innocents.

  2. We stand with the Latino community against escalated harassment, raids, and deportations by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) under Donald Trump.

  3. We call for the immediate release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, innocent Pakistani woman held political prisoner by the United States; in the interim, we insist that an independent team of doctors, which include her sister, Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, be allowed into the prison to evaluate Dr. Aafia's physical and mental state.

  4. We deplore the political imprisonment, maltreatment in prison, and death in captivity of renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Omar Abdel Rahman.

  5. We deplore the political imprisonment and maltreatment in prison of Attorney Lynne Stewart (attorney for Dr. Omar Abdel Rahman before her imprisonment), which led to her early death from cancer after she was released.

  6. We extend our condolences to the family of Sekou Kambui, Black Panther Party and Republic of New Afrika member, held political prisoner by the United States for 47 years. He died in May, after having been free for less than three years.


Overseas
  1. We categorically condemn the dropping of the largest bomb in the U.S. on the defenseless nation of Afghanistan.

  2. We condemn the $38 billion military aid package from the U.S. to the apartheid entity of Israel.

  3. We deplore the imprisonment and killings of Palestinian children by the Zionist entity.

  4. We condemn the bombing and infliction of massive casualties on the Syrian cities of Alppo, Raqqa, and Damascus, and on the Iraqi city of Mosul; in particular, we deplore the use of White Phosphorus, a deadly chemical agent prohibited by International Law, on Mosul and Raqqa.

  5. We urge Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to commit himself to Islam, and to not try to appease both sides.

  6. We urge Iran not to support the tyrant of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and to rejoin the Islamic community of the world.

  7. We deplore the gargantuan sale of weapons by the U.S. to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Jamaat al-Muslimeen National Majlis-e-Shura



Invitation to Think
from Br.Robert Solano

Br Robert Solano

Manipulation of People's Minds can lead to Terrorism: The Alexandria Shooting

It did not surprise me that another act of terrorism took place in Alexandria Virginia this past week. What surprised me was that it was a follower of Senator Sanders in his attempt to get elected President and that the group of people, including a Congressman was overwhelmingly Republican.

I started to think about what I had learned for over half a century as an adult in this country of ours. I recalled that the North Koreans were working with Mind Control techniques in the early 1950's with the prisoners of war. The US was also conducting experiments using LSD and other methods. Then some scientists came up with the idea of using "subliminal messages" to influence human behavior. They tried it out in a movie theater where instant messages appeared on the screen telling people to buy popcorn. And it worked. People without realizing it got up from their theater seat and went to the lobby to buy popcorn.

Many have forgotten about these studies since it has not been mentioned for over fifty years. But it was learned that a person had to be susceptible to what they were told in subliminal messages. If you did not like popcorn you did not pay attention to it.

I'm sure the Mind Control Weapon has been perfected and I'm convinced it is used today by enemies of Islam to get some Muslims to do what the government calls "terroristic acts". If you are a good follower of Islam but have a weakness for injustices and abuses, you can be manipulated by what I call a "Mind Control Secret Weapon" and made to do things which if you had time to reason you would not do. I have no counter solution except be careful of Television, movies and try to let Allah take care of Evil in this world and just concentrate on worshiping Allah.

But another issue comes to me now: Why was this weapon used on this non-Muslim Terrorist and by whom? Was it the Russians? Was it Mossad? Was it some government people that are trying to reduce the constant news reporting on the Trump's aids involvement of Russia's attempt to influence our Presidential Election? I don't have an answer. But why don't terrorists ever attack a Zionist facility or a house of worshiping used by Jews? Whomever is using this Mind Control Weapon does not want to use it against Zionists or even better the Mind Control Machine has not been perfected yet!

- Br. Robert Solano lives in Texas and is a member of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen leadership team. He's conducted da'wa over the past several decades to the Hispanic community and given the Spanish translation of the Qur'an to more than 500 people.



War News

War News

Iraq
Mosul Week 35 Trump week 21
Heavy Fighting as Shia Forces Launch new Assault on Mosul's Old City Sector

June 18

Following 20 new air strikes by the US air force on Mosul's Islamic State defenders, Shia military forces attacked the inner city defenses. The large scale attack by the Baghdad regime could not make much headway as their offensive was blunted by ten human bombers.

The US air force hits any movement in and around Mosul's Islamic State held areas. Under cover of the air strikes, the best military units Baghdad has try to enter the old city.

The condition of the defenders is being undermined by lack of electricity, clean water and food.

The Baghdad regime is urging the small Islamic defense force to surrender. The odds are too great. 10 to 1.

However the resistance is very strong and the regime forces are paying a heavy price even under cover of the US air force.

The Islamic State flag is flying over El Nuri mosque in the heart of the old city.



Philippines
Reinforcements are Being Sent to re-Capture the City of Marawi

June 18. After four and a half weeks of fighting, most of Marawi city in the deep south of the Phiippiines remains in the hands of mujaheddine groups known as Maute supported by Abu Sayyaf.

Some of the fighters have gone back to the countryside but a small force is holding on to the commercial center of the city.

The regime has now ordered elite new troops to reinforce those who are trying to enter Marawi.



Afghanistan
New "Insider" Attack on US Troops.

June 16 in Mazare Sharif, an Afghan soldier who successfully infiltrated troops being trained by the US opened fire on US special forces hitting 7 of them. The US says that they were injured but the Afghans say they were killed.

More than 50% of Afghanistan is under Taliban control. Some areas are under Islamic State control.



Syria
Kurdish-American Advance on Raqqa Repulsed. IS Using tiny Drones. White Phosphorous Used by US.

HRW Notes "staggering" Loss of Civilian lives. Assad's Iranians/Russians Hammering Jobar & Daraa. Battle in Latakia

The Assad regime with the Russian air force and Iranian artillery has been hammering the suburbs of Damascus as part of its program to force the populations to leave so that Shias from Iraq and Afghanistan can be settled there. The suburb of Jobar and other areas of eastern Ghouta are under daily bombing.

Daraa. The people of this southern Syrian city ruled by citizens under the banner of the FSA was hammered by the Assad regime for a whole week of bombing and shelling, a storm of deadly munitions. Then suddenly on June 18 it stopped. Probably the population of Daraa can be persuaded to leave. [There have been a THOUSAND strikes by Russia and Iran.]

In Latakia province, look like the mujahedeen groups smuggled in grad missiles from Turkey and hit Assad's forces. Assad's troops suffered considerable losses here on June 16.

Raqqa

June 11-18. The initial news said that US Special Forces & SDF Kurds [Communists] sounded like they were breaking into Raqqa [the Islamic State capital]. The news turned out to be incorrect. The outskirts of Raqqa had no defenses but once the Kurd-US coalition reached the IS line of defense, their attack was repulsed and has come to a complete stand still. A new tactic the Islamic State [IS] is using effectively is the use of small drones they have built and these tiny drones are sent out in swarms to attack the American forces with grenades. [SOHR has posted a video of American casualties being taken out of the Raqqa area by helicopter.]

Here is what America's Foreign Policy magazine has written in its latest issue. [Received by New Trend via Sis. Teresa.]

[Next three paragraphs.]

"Islamic State drones are attacking U.S. Special Operations forces located around the group's de-facto capital of Raqqa in Syria, U.S. officials and Syrian fighters said, sometimes disrupting the ability of American troops to call in airstrikes.

The Pentagon, in response, is looking to send additional anti-drone equipment and troops into Syria, according to one official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss planning.

Unlike in Mosul, where U.S. forces have deployed an array of drone-stopping systems, U.S. troops on the ground in Raqqa are operating with fewer resources and have a limited ability to defend against the small, hard-to-spot aircraft, the official said. The off-the-shelf drones, sometimes used in swarms by the extremist group, are often rigged to drop small 40mm grenade-sized munitions with a relatively high degree of accuracy.

In Raqqa, the Islamic State has been attacking U.S. targeting teams working alongside the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF, the official said. The teams — usually operating from a vehicle with radios and a computer synced to communicate with the aircraft overhead — often have a spotter looking for incoming drones. In recent days, according to one SDF fighter, the Americans were preparing for a set of strikes after receiving coordinates from their Syrian counterparts when they had to move position because of a drone"

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH [HRW} has noted the rising death toll of civilians in Raqqa owing to bombing by the US air force and members of the American coalition. The use of WHITE PHOSPHOROROUS by the US air force has been confirmed. Here is what Human Rights Watch and Foreign Policy magazine have to say.

"Separately but relatedly, it appears that U.S. forces are using white phosphorous in areas in Iraq and Syria — including Raqqa, a stronghold of Islamist extremists, but one still populated with civilians. White phosphorous is not technically banned as a chemical weapon, but can cause burns and start fires.

"No matter how white phosphorus is used, it poses a high risk of horrific and long-lasting harm in crowded cities like Raqqa and Mosul and any other areas with concentrations of civilians," Human Rights Watch arms director Steve Goose said. "U.S.-led forces should take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm when using white phosphorus in Iraq and Syria."



News Within the U.S.

News within the US

Amazing,Good News: Doing Good For the Refugees without Talking Much about it.
[The writer is a teenager, a Part of the brilliant new generation of Muslims.]

Community Service Needed and Worthy of Praise
By: Maitha Ali

(GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA) - In response to the oppressive political and economic climates within the Middle East and Africa, large flocks of refugees have been displaced in various countries, including the United States. In fact, according to a demographic study completed by Pew Research Center, nearly 85,000 displaced refugees entered the U.S. in the fiscal year of 2016 (PRC, 2016). Since then, many churches and other non-profit organizations have taken the initiative to intervene with the affairs of the refugees, sacrificing an extensive amount of resources, efforts, and time in attempt to assist them.

A prominent and notable non-profit organization in the small yet populated city of Greensboro, North Carolina, has a similar mission. The Islamic Center of the Triad (ICT) Refugees Committee, founded by a team of Muslim activists, is a newly established organization with hopes of aiding families who have endured separation, immense discomfort, and suffering. This team is determined to empower and transform the lives of the displaced refugees who know little to nothing about America.

"Our non-profit organization was primarily established to serve the ends and objectives of the refugee's community where the government and other resettlement agencies may lack in support and/or resources," Sheikh Badi Ali, one of the founding members stated.

The ICT Refugees Committee, oversees 97 families within Guilford County, including the cities of Greensboro and High Point. While more than half of the refugee families are from Syria, the rest represent the countries of Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Congo, Bhutan, Somalia, and Sudan.

Of course, this overwhelming selfless service is not achieved in solitary - however in solidarity.
"We maintain constant contact with our partnerships of numerous resettlement agencies as well as some churches, such as the College Park Baptist Church," executive Director of the ICT Refugees Committee, May Zamamiri, stated.

"This not only avoids overlapping of services, but unites our community towards one cause - regardless of our individual differences," Zamamiri added.

Considerable efforts assembled by the ICT Refugees Committee include monthly educational orientations, featuring credentialed guest speakers who discussed topics of Medicaid, rights as a refugee, job hunting, and ways to access different services and resources. In addition to education, schooling, and adapting to the new environment of American laws and culture. The Committee has also assisted by providing counseling and health check-ups, in which several refugees were diagnosed and treated for any physical or mental faults. Also, clothing, furniture, and food drives, were carried out on several occurrences.

Earlier this week, because the holy month of Ramadan was approaching soon, the ICT Refugees Committee evenly distributed a 55-pound box to all families, obtaining a variety of halal meat and other food products.

So how is this non-profit organization notably accomplished? And why do they sacrifice their own personal endeavors?

Zamamiri explained how her background as a bilingual Palestinian benefits her in this field of work. "Palestinians are generally closer to the language and culture. For the sake of Allah (SWT) anyone can do this job, but being a practicing member of the religion of Islam and knowing the culture and the language - I make it easier for the refugees."

She goes on to state, "This is what sets us apart from other agencies - not only our drive, but our diversity, and ability to naturally connect without having cultural or language barriers."

"I am an immigrant, so I understand," Samira Khan, Outreach Officer of the ICT Refugees Committee stated. Khan is a self-motivated, and exceptionally educated individual from Pakistan, who shared her struggles as a former refugee - mentioning that even the three languages she was fluent in, were not useful when she initially entered the U.S.

"At one point, I had to start a new life too, so I am not only physically involved with these individuals [refugees], but mentally and emotionally too." Khan said.

According to Sheikh Badi Ali, "Without volunteers, we would not be able to continue the work we do. Always get involved." Ali also believes that service is a form of worship and explicated the importance of making the refugees feel welcome.

"We are all only human. These people may not remember what you did for them, but they won't forget how secure and happy you made them feel," Ali said.
Ali concluded, "We worship Allah (SWT) by serving, caring, and loving our community and the community at large."



Analysis

Arab Leadership Quagmire: Do They Need More Weapons or More Wisdom?Saudi military

Saudi Military

[Photo: Saudi Military]

By Mahboob Khawaja, PhD.


Editor's Note

As the challenges and devastation in the Middle East spreads like a cancer, Saudi Arabia buys bigger military boots, and the entire region girds for war rather than trying to find a peaceful solution. Whether this persistent action against the good of the people is driven by greed or for the wish to ensure the royal hegemony, it is devastating to all states and peoples in the region. At this point it seems that the grip of an iron fist is being weilded withou mercy or discretion. Is there a way out of this situation? The question becomes increasingly critical as the loose cannon in Washington, Trump, crashes through fragile relationships that were in the process of bearing fruit - as in Qatar - leaving frayed ends in his wake and exacerbating tensions all around.


Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab Leadership Puzzle

Western political dinner tables spare not a day without hollow laughter about what the Arab leaders say and do underpinning obsessed human follies. For too long, the oil exporting Arab leaders ignored the newly educated generation's calls for critical thinking on their social, economic and political affairs. The core concern underlying the phenomenon of political change has inextricable relationship to new thinking and reconstruction of systems of political governance away from the dormant neo-colonialism prevalent across the Arab Middle East. No Arab leaders will entertain any critical or positive thinking for futuristic change. The people's "want" perception embodies "fear" of the unknown; that Arab authoritarianism will diminish and kingdoms of clans will no longer be feasible to ensure petro-dollar Western security establishments operated under the governance of the few. They could displace and kill millions of the fellow citizens but not listen to voices of reason. The issue is where you draw the line between a logical political change discourse, and a one track monstrous scheme to undo the people's aspirations for freedom from "want" and "fear."

The whole of the Arab region reflects the absence of moral and intellectual imagination for the future. Human development is ignored and obstructed, materialistic development is adored. The latest GCC individualistic leadership skirmishes highlight how Arab leaders are disconnected from the reality of the contemporary world. GCC was formulated to bring unity of the minds and actions of the Arab region. The unthinkable judgment to accuse Qatar of "supporting terrorism" comes out of the nowhere. A good deal of foreign propaganda asserts blame for supporting the 2011 Egyptian people's revolution and electing the leadership of Muslim Brotherhood for a change. The envisaged change could not materialize as the Muslim Brotherhood did not realize the imperatives and sensitivities of political governance once they were in power. Egyptian Generals are explicitly involved in businesses and major industries with particular Western economic and political interests and backing. This interest lobby could not be changed by the Muslim Brotherhood, and General Sissi was encouraged to oust the elected President Morsy and imprison him under a false pretext. The military coup was supported by then Saudi King Abdullah, The US, Israel and other affluent gulf member states. Arab authoritarianism lacks imagination for peaceful change and transfer of power to elected institutions. For the GCC affiliates, it is a policy issue, not a situation of warmongering threats to entrap Qatar, Kuwait or others indifferent to foreign dictates. The US strategy is enlarged in its scope by the recent sale of $110 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia. Weapons are not needed in the Arab Gulf Region, rather, wisdom for a logical way forward is. Peace is not being pursued by the Arab leaders, and unity is absent in all rational thoughts for actions. Most Arab people and culture contribute to charities to help the less fortunate due to social and economic disparities. This is the core value of the Arab-Muslim culture just as it is in many Western nations. If Qatari charity organizations are doing it, why it has become a belligerent issue now? There is a hidden political agenda and clash of the clans in the current hostilities. Maybe the Arab leadership of the GCC should rethink what it means to be "serving the interest of the masses"? If so, they will find workable solution rather than becoming a laughing stock all over the globe.

Towards Rethinking - Palestine is the only Issue, all others are absurd

If the Arab leaders think buying more weapons will solve the security problems of the region, they are damn wrong and disconnected from reality. They desperately need to have a critical analysis of their current situation- their strength and weaknesses. They are operating from a position of weakness, not strength in global affairs. Otherwise, why would instigate internal disruptive behaviors and foreign strategies to engulf the culture with political cynicism, militarization and greater uncertainties for the future. Absolute authoritarian leaders have many enemies all around them. The worst and most dangerous is the animosity against their own self.

The Arabs, once pioneers of knowledge-based advanced civilization lasting for eight centuries - the longest period in human history, are the victims of a delusional oil-pumping economic prosperity imported as marriage of convenience, forged between the tribal Arab rulers and the Western industrialized world - particularly the USA and Britain. Throughout the 20th century and well into the 21stcentury, the oil richness was not used to deal with emerging social, moral, intellectual and political problems. Instead it was used for militarization of the region, increasing bloodbaths depicts a havoc across the political spectrum. Islam enriched the Arabs to become global leaders of a progressive civilization, but the oil enhanced prosperity transformed them into 'camel jockeys' and objects of laughter at after dinner jokes across the Western culture. Money cannot buy wisdom, honor and human integrity. The bogus "war on terrorism" could not have happened if the Arab leaders - the frontline boogyman of the US Empire, had rationality, intellectual capacity and the integrity to challenge the most irrational and cruel act in human history. Throughout the oil exporting Arab world, the contemporary rulers have turned out to be complicit in the US -Israeli strategic plans for the future of the Middle East. Most rulers appear to be missing the essential human conscience - the hub of Islamic characteristics of human beings to see the unfolding political and economic realities on the ground. None of the leaders have ever come out to represent the public conscience on the issue of Palestine and the establishment of an independent homeland for the people of Palestine. If the Arab leaders had any knowledge, understanding and sense of responsibility of the future and of the devastating short and long terms impacts of this bogus war, they should have challenged the American policy or sought advice from Muslim intellectuals and scholars to assess the crisis situation for reasonable alternatives.

Towards Remaking a Future with Knowledge and Unity of Purpose

Are the contemporary Arab dictators the reason for the present decadence of the Muslim people and culture? Surely, when common folks live in hues and cries, they fail to think positively of any vital spectrum of life. Was the petrodollar a conspiracy ("fitna") to disconnect the Arab people from Islamic civilization? Ironically, how the few tribal leaders could have managed the time and history on their own unless large segments of the masses were complicit in making the tragedy? Contemporary global affairs warrant intelligent and competent leadership, not kings, not military dictators or a fat and dull prince occupying splendid palaces away from the people. Leaders manage the crisis when facts of life warrant change and adaptability to the future. Often crisis unites people of reason but not so the Arab rulers. Notwithstanding the requisites of reason and honesty, many Arab rulers are collaborating with the US-Israel warmongering strategy in the Arab Middle East. Unless political power is peacefully transferred to the able succeeding generations, Arab authoritarianism is a dead-end phenomenon. There are no Arab public institutions of critical thinking and no leaders to lead. One wonders, why the earth never felt any weight of the oil pumping Arab leaders.

In view of the unstoppable cycle of political killings and daily bloodbaths in so many Arab states - Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and spill-over to other oil producing Arab nations - deliberate dismantling of the socio-economic and political infrastructures - is the Arab world coming to its own end because of sadistic authoritarian rulers? The Arab leaders and the masses live and breathe in conflicting time zones being unable to see the rationality of people-oriented systems of governance, the worst is yet to come, surrender to foreign forces as there are no leaders to think of the future or the Arab armies to defend the people. Once in history, Arabs had moral superiority with the relations of Islam, not any more. When difficult problems erupt, intelligent and competent leaders are always conscious and open to listening to voices of reason for change and reformation. If Saudi, Qatari, UAE and Kuwaiti leaders could sit together and face the mirror, it will substantiate a rational metaphor for peace and harmony. This will help all concerned to manage a navigational change and to solve the man-made problems. Most of the oil pumping Arab countries are merely satellites of the US Military Empire and this needs to be changed.

In his thoughtful analysis of the Western empire-building, Professor James Petras ("Networks of Empire and Realignments of World Power", Dissident Voice), noted the following observations:

....In either private or state economic and/or military led penetration, in furtherance of empire-building, the strategic purpose is to exploit the special economic and geopolitical features of the targeted country to create empire-centered networks. .....In the genocidal wars in the Middle East, anti-terrorism and anti-Islamic ideology is central.......The unity of purpose of European and US imperial regimes allowed for the peaceful joint takeover of the wealth of the new regions by private monopolies......Imperial Sequences: From War for Exploitation to Exploitation for War...."

Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including: Global Peace and Conflict Management: Man and Humanity in Search of New Thinking. Lambert Publishing Germany, May 2012. His forthcoming book is entitled: One Humanity and The Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution.

2017-06-19 Mon 22:52:38 ct

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