Showing posts with label Resistance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resistance. Show all posts
11 February 2009
Ibrahim Alloush and the voice of Resistance
My old comrade Ibrahim Alloush exhibits the combination of wit and fire that always characterised his interactions with hypocrites, cowards and collaborators.
29 January 2007
Ashura and the Arab Nation
A few years ago, I wrote an article entitled 'Ashura, A Call to Action' for the Free Arab Voice, urging the world to oppose the U.S. plans to invade Iraq in the interests of justice. Unfortunately, the world stood aside for the most part as Iraq was invaded, its government, social and economic infrastructure demolished, and a new era of anarchy under a puppet government was brought into being under the auspices of the U.S. and its allies.
Meanwhile, the world has seen another invasion of Lebanon by the Zionists and the heroic stuggle of the Resistance under Hizb'allah. Rather than supporting the Resistance uncompromisingly, there have been the usual petty divisive movements even within the Arab Nation among leaders and other organisations to distance themselves from anything that threatens their precarious standing with the U.S. and its allies.
The lesson of Husayn at Karbala is one that transcends any religion. Husayn is a hero of the Arab Nation. His refusal to compromise with a corrupt government, even in order to save his life and the lives of his family and friends, should be an example for the entire world. Husayn is the ultimate example of the pure martyr. In his death, he bore witness to Honour and Truth. This story does not belong to the Shi'a alone. It belongs to the entire Arab Nation and in fact, to all of humanity.
'Ashura is here again and yet, instead of unity against the U.S. and the puppet government it has installed in Iraq, we see Shi'a and Sunni at one another's throats. We see corruption and unrestrained greed for power and money on both sides. Iran, rather than supporting the Resistance unconditionally, is making a bid for power for itself and its own agents in Iraq. The President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein has been hanged like a common criminal while his enemies rejoice, obviously ignorant of the full significance of this infamous act.
Sect against sect, family against family, and above it all, the pernicious influence of the policy of the U.S. and its allies, which is dedicated to the proposition that a weakened Arab Nation is the best possible result.
There is neither excuse nor justification for this and no one is entirely blameless. Sunni and Shi'a alike co-existed in the Arab Nation as well as in the rest of the world, both members of a single Ummah. Before the Western media began its propaganda campaign to create enmity between Shi'a and Sunni, few non-Muslims even were aware of the distinction between the two. In truth, there is no more distinction than there is between Roman Catholic and Anglican in Christianity. 'La ilaha ilallah wa Muhammadan rasulullah' is the common belief that binds all Muslims in a single Ummah. ('There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.)
It is not only Shi'a and Sunni who are guilty of allowing these divisions to widen. Now Christians, Muslims and secularists all must unite under the banner of Arab Nationalism to defeat a common enemy.
Saddam Hussein's last words reportedly were 'Palestine is Arab'. He was a secularist and yet he was a Muslim as well. He was President of Iraq and yet the Palestinian people were in his heart always. As long as people pursue their own small selfish interests rather than uniting under the banner of Arab Nationalism, this will lead lead only to the defeat of ALL ultimately.
Shame on the heads of those Shi'a who support the puppet government and corrupt leaders like the criminal Chelabi. Shame on the heads of those Sunni who do not consider Shi'a as their brothers, not only within the Ummah but in the Arab Nation as well. Shame on all those who foment this secularism, whatever their motivations.
Husayn at Karbala stood for justice and the refusal to compromise. Heavily outnumbered, he still choose to fight with honour and to die with honour. A Western writer wrote: 'Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.'
With this example before us, how can any one choose personal gain or petty persecution over steadfastness to the noble cause of the Arab Nation? It is not only in Iraq that this poison can be seen at work, but in the Lebanon as well. Sisters and brothers, we must refuse to compromise, whether motivated from fear or by promise of gain. To work for or to support the puppet government that the U.S. has installed in Iraq is to be a traitor. To turn one's back on the Resistance movement in Lebanon would be a betrayal. The strength of the Arab Nation can be found only in Unity. To use the anarchy in Iraq or the political situation in Lebanon at this time in order to build a personal sphere of political, military or social influence is to be a traitor to the people. We must have resistance until death, but there must be Unity in this Resistance or it becomes nothing better than the squabbling of petty chieftains over war trophies that ultimately only will bleed the Nation dry.
There is no distinction between Iraq, Lebanon or Palestine. All are vital parts of a single Arab Nation and to focus on divisions instead of promoting unity is to be blind to the reality of the immense danger that threatens to overwhelm any hope of strength for the future. Strength is found only in a categorical refusal to bow to any foreign pressure whether in the form of intimidation or bribery. It is time for every one to support the cause of liberation. This liberation cannot be achieved at the hands of any foreign intervention or false pretense of 'democracy'. The Arab Nation must be steadfast in Resistance until Victory.
Meanwhile, the world has seen another invasion of Lebanon by the Zionists and the heroic stuggle of the Resistance under Hizb'allah. Rather than supporting the Resistance uncompromisingly, there have been the usual petty divisive movements even within the Arab Nation among leaders and other organisations to distance themselves from anything that threatens their precarious standing with the U.S. and its allies.
The lesson of Husayn at Karbala is one that transcends any religion. Husayn is a hero of the Arab Nation. His refusal to compromise with a corrupt government, even in order to save his life and the lives of his family and friends, should be an example for the entire world. Husayn is the ultimate example of the pure martyr. In his death, he bore witness to Honour and Truth. This story does not belong to the Shi'a alone. It belongs to the entire Arab Nation and in fact, to all of humanity.
'Ashura is here again and yet, instead of unity against the U.S. and the puppet government it has installed in Iraq, we see Shi'a and Sunni at one another's throats. We see corruption and unrestrained greed for power and money on both sides. Iran, rather than supporting the Resistance unconditionally, is making a bid for power for itself and its own agents in Iraq. The President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein has been hanged like a common criminal while his enemies rejoice, obviously ignorant of the full significance of this infamous act.
Sect against sect, family against family, and above it all, the pernicious influence of the policy of the U.S. and its allies, which is dedicated to the proposition that a weakened Arab Nation is the best possible result.
There is neither excuse nor justification for this and no one is entirely blameless. Sunni and Shi'a alike co-existed in the Arab Nation as well as in the rest of the world, both members of a single Ummah. Before the Western media began its propaganda campaign to create enmity between Shi'a and Sunni, few non-Muslims even were aware of the distinction between the two. In truth, there is no more distinction than there is between Roman Catholic and Anglican in Christianity. 'La ilaha ilallah wa Muhammadan rasulullah' is the common belief that binds all Muslims in a single Ummah. ('There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.)
It is not only Shi'a and Sunni who are guilty of allowing these divisions to widen. Now Christians, Muslims and secularists all must unite under the banner of Arab Nationalism to defeat a common enemy.
Saddam Hussein's last words reportedly were 'Palestine is Arab'. He was a secularist and yet he was a Muslim as well. He was President of Iraq and yet the Palestinian people were in his heart always. As long as people pursue their own small selfish interests rather than uniting under the banner of Arab Nationalism, this will lead lead only to the defeat of ALL ultimately.
Shame on the heads of those Shi'a who support the puppet government and corrupt leaders like the criminal Chelabi. Shame on the heads of those Sunni who do not consider Shi'a as their brothers, not only within the Ummah but in the Arab Nation as well. Shame on all those who foment this secularism, whatever their motivations.
Husayn at Karbala stood for justice and the refusal to compromise. Heavily outnumbered, he still choose to fight with honour and to die with honour. A Western writer wrote: 'Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.'
With this example before us, how can any one choose personal gain or petty persecution over steadfastness to the noble cause of the Arab Nation? It is not only in Iraq that this poison can be seen at work, but in the Lebanon as well. Sisters and brothers, we must refuse to compromise, whether motivated from fear or by promise of gain. To work for or to support the puppet government that the U.S. has installed in Iraq is to be a traitor. To turn one's back on the Resistance movement in Lebanon would be a betrayal. The strength of the Arab Nation can be found only in Unity. To use the anarchy in Iraq or the political situation in Lebanon at this time in order to build a personal sphere of political, military or social influence is to be a traitor to the people. We must have resistance until death, but there must be Unity in this Resistance or it becomes nothing better than the squabbling of petty chieftains over war trophies that ultimately only will bleed the Nation dry.
There is no distinction between Iraq, Lebanon or Palestine. All are vital parts of a single Arab Nation and to focus on divisions instead of promoting unity is to be blind to the reality of the immense danger that threatens to overwhelm any hope of strength for the future. Strength is found only in a categorical refusal to bow to any foreign pressure whether in the form of intimidation or bribery. It is time for every one to support the cause of liberation. This liberation cannot be achieved at the hands of any foreign intervention or false pretense of 'democracy'. The Arab Nation must be steadfast in Resistance until Victory.
06 January 2007
The Purpose of an Online Journal
As this online journal known as a 'blog' joins others on the internet, I wonder why it is that we feel compelled to raise our voices or type out our words, joining a seemingly endless stream or procession of others who walk the same path. 'I Blog for Palestine' in itself deserves some explanation...
Many write in order to express the reality of a homeland denied, a culture that has survived the onslaught of over a century of Zionist propaganda designed to promote the lie of 'A Land without People for a People without a Homeland'. The Zionist propaganda that depicted Palestine as an unoccupied 'desert' which they would cause to 'bloom' while its proponents worked tirelessly to destroy Palestinian villages and create a permanent foreign occupation of the Palestinian homeland.
Every Palestinian bears witness to the reality that Palestine is Arab and that truth cannot be bulldozed out of existence no matter how many villages are razed, or how many Palestinian children are murdered by Zionist bullets.
Nostalgia may motivate some writers but beyond that, there is the duty to preserve Palestinian history, art and culture for posterity. One day, the Zionist entity will crumble into dust and Palestine will reclaim its land and its heritage. The idea that a fragment of the West Bank or a piece of Gaza can serve as the Palestinian homeland is absurd. The idea that a foreign Jewish invasion could dispossess the Palestinian people from their homes on a permanent basis is one that must be proven false, and is being proven false on a daily basis by every refugee who carries the memory as well as evidence of his/her right to return wherever he/she may be in this world. The time when the Zionists may have hoped to wipe out an entire people has passed. The entire world now bears witness to each Zionist murder and each new crime committed by this foreign Occupation.
This is the other motivation that drives writers: the duty to bear witness. The word for martyr in Arabic comes from the verb 'to bear witness'. The death of every martyr bears witness not only to the cause for which he or she died/was murdered but bears witness to the crime that set the martyrdom into motion. For the human bomb, that crime is the foreign Occupation of the Arab homeland. For the martyr slain by a Zionist bullet, his/her death bears witness to the inherently murderous nature of that Occupation.
Many write about Palestine in order to bring the plight of the Palestinian people to the attention of the world. One therefore must attempt to conquer prejudice and ignorance as well as delineating facts. Do we write only to proclaim known truths to those who share our knowledge or do we write to bring the truth to those whose eyes are blinded to it by Western/Zionist media propaganda? Often the sheer weight of the ignorance and prejudice proclaiming all Arabs or all Muslims to be 'terrorists' and all Jews to be 'innocent victims' threatens to overwhelm many of us. How long can human beings remain ignorant to the facts? How many murders and demolitions must the Palestinian people endure before the world finally demonstrates any willingness to put Zionism on trial?
In every false protestation by the Zionists as to their desire for 'peace', there is a renewed Zionist campaign to appropriate more Palestinian land, as well as an effort to further reduce the Palestinian population either with bullets or exile in the cause of creating a wholly Jewish presence in Palestine. When will the world assume responsibility for its criminal negligence and even recklessness in allowing the Zionist entity to maintain its stranglehold over Palestine? At the heart of any call for 'Peace' must be a call for Justice. Until the Zionist entity is totally dismantled, there can be no true justice not only for Palestine but for humanity itself.
Meanwhile, make no mistake about it: silence cannot be imposed by any means whatsoever on the cause of justice for Palestine and the Arab Nation. If one voice is silenced, another will take its place. The blood of every martyr creates its own resounding message and its own presence in history. The death of every hero and martyr is an example to future generations as well as a rallying point here and now for those who will not accept the vision that the Zionists and their morally bankrupt allies seek to impose upon the world.
The path of Resistance only becomes wider and deeper as time goes on. It is through Resistance rather than compromise that this war will be won. Compromise only allows lies and half-lies to prevail and in the end, those lies will not serve the cause of justice. Resistance until Victory!
Many write in order to express the reality of a homeland denied, a culture that has survived the onslaught of over a century of Zionist propaganda designed to promote the lie of 'A Land without People for a People without a Homeland'. The Zionist propaganda that depicted Palestine as an unoccupied 'desert' which they would cause to 'bloom' while its proponents worked tirelessly to destroy Palestinian villages and create a permanent foreign occupation of the Palestinian homeland.
Every Palestinian bears witness to the reality that Palestine is Arab and that truth cannot be bulldozed out of existence no matter how many villages are razed, or how many Palestinian children are murdered by Zionist bullets.
Nostalgia may motivate some writers but beyond that, there is the duty to preserve Palestinian history, art and culture for posterity. One day, the Zionist entity will crumble into dust and Palestine will reclaim its land and its heritage. The idea that a fragment of the West Bank or a piece of Gaza can serve as the Palestinian homeland is absurd. The idea that a foreign Jewish invasion could dispossess the Palestinian people from their homes on a permanent basis is one that must be proven false, and is being proven false on a daily basis by every refugee who carries the memory as well as evidence of his/her right to return wherever he/she may be in this world. The time when the Zionists may have hoped to wipe out an entire people has passed. The entire world now bears witness to each Zionist murder and each new crime committed by this foreign Occupation.
This is the other motivation that drives writers: the duty to bear witness. The word for martyr in Arabic comes from the verb 'to bear witness'. The death of every martyr bears witness not only to the cause for which he or she died/was murdered but bears witness to the crime that set the martyrdom into motion. For the human bomb, that crime is the foreign Occupation of the Arab homeland. For the martyr slain by a Zionist bullet, his/her death bears witness to the inherently murderous nature of that Occupation.
Many write about Palestine in order to bring the plight of the Palestinian people to the attention of the world. One therefore must attempt to conquer prejudice and ignorance as well as delineating facts. Do we write only to proclaim known truths to those who share our knowledge or do we write to bring the truth to those whose eyes are blinded to it by Western/Zionist media propaganda? Often the sheer weight of the ignorance and prejudice proclaiming all Arabs or all Muslims to be 'terrorists' and all Jews to be 'innocent victims' threatens to overwhelm many of us. How long can human beings remain ignorant to the facts? How many murders and demolitions must the Palestinian people endure before the world finally demonstrates any willingness to put Zionism on trial?
In every false protestation by the Zionists as to their desire for 'peace', there is a renewed Zionist campaign to appropriate more Palestinian land, as well as an effort to further reduce the Palestinian population either with bullets or exile in the cause of creating a wholly Jewish presence in Palestine. When will the world assume responsibility for its criminal negligence and even recklessness in allowing the Zionist entity to maintain its stranglehold over Palestine? At the heart of any call for 'Peace' must be a call for Justice. Until the Zionist entity is totally dismantled, there can be no true justice not only for Palestine but for humanity itself.
Meanwhile, make no mistake about it: silence cannot be imposed by any means whatsoever on the cause of justice for Palestine and the Arab Nation. If one voice is silenced, another will take its place. The blood of every martyr creates its own resounding message and its own presence in history. The death of every hero and martyr is an example to future generations as well as a rallying point here and now for those who will not accept the vision that the Zionists and their morally bankrupt allies seek to impose upon the world.
The path of Resistance only becomes wider and deeper as time goes on. It is through Resistance rather than compromise that this war will be won. Compromise only allows lies and half-lies to prevail and in the end, those lies will not serve the cause of justice. Resistance until Victory!
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