Iqra: Iraq Is Free

Category: Americas, World Affairs Topics: Conflicts And War, Iraq, Iraq War Views: 2968
2968

Iqra, recite, proclaim, affirm, avow, declare: Iraq is free.

Iraq has been freed from ten thousand years of tyranny; freed from darkest infamy; freed from cold villainy; freed from centuries of stasis; freed from nights of searing pain; freed from terrible torture; freed from sanctioned starvation; freed from laser-guided precision; freed from bombs that explode with shock and awe. 

The whole world was witness to this historical moment. They saw the dark head of the tyrant, the granite head of Ozymandias draped in the fabric of freedom, effaced, his sneer blotted out, his terror nullified, brought down by the force of an armor-clad Bradley vehicle. Iraqis, many dozens of them, cheered lustily. A few even kissed the liberators on both cheeks, in authentic Arab style. 

The nay-sayers, skeptics, doubting Thomases, Pacifists, prophets of doom, and the patriotically challenged were wrong about America's war in Iraq. The millions who marched in the streets, protesting the war, are now gnashing their teeth. In deep shame, penitent, they have announced that they will march again in the millions, to curse, flog, flagellate themselves for marching against the war that freed Iraqis.

This was not a war on Iraq, much less a war against Iraq. It was a war in Iraq: a war for the Iraqis. It wasn't the first time that a great civilizing nation has fought a war in a barbarous land against its homegrown tyrants. Civilized nations have carried this burden uncomplainingly, showing equal dedication in freeing lands of their peoples and, when the occasion demanded, freeing peoples of their lands. It is United States now that carries the torch of freedom, bravely torching anyone who shows the gall to oppose the forward march of the brave and free.

Consider the freedoms this war has bestowed on Iraq.

First and foremost, this war has freed Iraq of its WMDs. If Americans have not yet found any caches of WMDs inside Iraq, this was expected all along. In the days leading up to the war, the WMDs were smuggled into Syria for safe-keeping. But that only means that Americans will have to go the extra mile, into Syria. And perhaps Syria will smuggle them into Egypt, Egypt into Libya, Libya into Iran, and Iran into Sudan. Is this an Arab conspiracy to hitch a freedom ride on Bradleys and Abrams tanks?

Instantly, the American liberators have turned the Iraqis free to pillage their museums, strip their hospitals, plunder their universities, and loot their homes. The acutely funny Donald Rumsfeld explained that " freedom's untidy. And free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things." Quickly, the Iraqis are learning that the gift of freedom comes at a price. And they are eager to prove that their freedom is worth the price they are being asked to pay. If Madeline Albright could sacrifice the lives of half a million Iraqi children for American security, surely the Iraqis too can give up their national treasures for a fleeting taste of freedom.

After years of being locked out, the war has freed Iraq to spread the welcome mat to American Corporations. For thirteen long years, since Gulf War I, American capital was not free to outbid Russian, French and German capital in developing Iraq; it was an unconscionable abridgement of freedom. Now the playing fields have been leveled. The Bechtels, Halliburtons, Northrops, Exxons, Triremes are free at last to claim their pound of Iraqi flesh.

The liberation of Iraq is being unctuously greeted by Franklin Graham's Good Samaritans, the pastoral faction of American capital. Their would-be victims are now free, after years of softening with sanctions and bombings, to receive the good word of the Lord. Even as I write, the Samaritan convoys are converging on Iraq, ready to trade American food and water for Iraqi souls. The Iraqis never knew a better bargain, getting something for nothing.

Iraq has now been freed, as Egypt had been freed by its third defeat at Israeli hands in 1973, to derive the inestimable benefits of normal relations with Israel. After 55 years, Iraqi oil is now free again to flow to Haifa. And, one might add, Iraqi water too.

Freed from the threat of Iraq's WMDs, Israelis can now attack the Palestinian problem - the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria - with greater freedom. The pace of ethnic cleansing, too slow for an early final solution, can now be accelerated. Now that Iraq is free, with help from the Americans, the Palestinians can be teleported to the deserts of Western Iraq.

The war has freed another Arab capital from the threat of Israel's Samson option. The five million citizens of Baghdad, once the unimpeded looting stops, can sleep in peace. This is another inestimable gift of the war: an Iraq free from nuclear holocaust.

If one counts all the advantages of America's war in Iraq - and I have barely started - history will record this war as the greatest opening in Iraqi history, when Iraqis were freed from the coils of convoluted tyranny. Once the Iraqis wake to this shattering truth, they will also acknowledge their deep debt to Saddam Hussein. It was his anti-Zionism, his methodical recklessness, his development of WMDs that precipitated the American war in Iraq, the war that freed them. Without Saddam, the Iraqis would still be toiling under some vapid dictatorship, like Hosni Mubarak's, allied to Israel and receiving bribes from USAID.

I can imagine a day, once the fog of America's war in Iraq clears, when the Iraqis may restore Saddam Hussein's statue to the high pedestal it occupied in Baghdad's Central Square. And these are the words that American visitors, in shock and awe, will read inscribed on its base: Saddam Hussein/A Brave Iraqi/Serendipitous Architect of Our Freedoms.

M. Shahid Alam teaches economics at Northeastern University, Boston, USA. His recent book, Poverty from the Wealth of Nations, was published by Palgrave (2000). He may be reached at [email protected]. M. Shahid Alam


  Category: Americas, World Affairs
  Topics: Conflicts And War, Iraq, Iraq War
Views: 2968

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Older Comments:
KIMBERLY DALE FROM USA said:
Free Iraq and Plastine. remove Bush and Zionist from US
2003-04-28

FROM USA said:
Michael Holyfield:
You should not call something backward without first understanding it completely. You display the lack of knowledge abuot Islam by telling us to argue in support of it without using the Quran. The Quran is Islam. How can we argue in support of something without even talking about that something.
The best way for a non-muslim to realize the truth of the Quran is to look at the scientific facts stated in the Quran thousands of years befor they were discovered by modern science. These facts include facts such as:
1. The universe is constantly expanding
2. The water of two different seas do not mix
3. Facts about the development of the fetus
4. The fact that earth was once a part of the sun
5. And the fact that time passes slowly as you move more and more towards space
there are many more such facts that are stated in the Quran and to many people around the world even non-muslims these facts prove the authenticity of the Quran. That is the reason why Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion all around the world.
However let me also state that i do not hope to impress YOU by this because, i believe by the way you converse with us, that you belong to the category described below BY GOD IN THE QURAN:
"As for the disbelievers, whether you warn them or you warn them not it is all the same for them; they do not believe."
But still my new friend if i am mistaken and you do understand, i invite you towards islam, the best and the most perfect religion. I promise if you do we muslims will welcome you with open hearts.
2003-04-22

ABDULLAH FROM UK said:
O YOU WHO BELIEVE! COME STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
2003-04-22

FROM USA said:
Michael Holyfield:
I think you failed to notice that i did not praise Saddam at all. Instead i admitted that Iraq WAS NOT DOING GOOD UNDER HIM. However i did say that the US has made the situation no better ,with supporting facts. And that it only went in Iraq with the objective of personal gain.
The US should mind its own business and focus on its own internal problems which there are literally hundreds of.
You do oppose the suicide bombings which are done only because the people of Palestine have been suffering for decades now. Why do you not oppose the killing of innocent civilians carried out by America all over the world,with the excuse of stopping terrorism just so it could gain some economic and other benifits. Why do you not call this immoral? It is because you are the one beong one-sided.
And yes you do have freedom of speech in America but only as long as you are not creating problems in the gov'ts way. Once you do start creating problems for gov't you will be trapped somehow just as Scott Ritter was.
The west has more problems than the ME regarding issues such as racism and extremism. America itself has a long history of it. If not the Blacks than the Asians. If not them then the Muslims. The Americans always need someone to discriminate,otherwise they are not satisfied. And now the extremist Christian Bush is on a mission to destroy Islam throughout the world through his "crusades". Once again problems such as these and numerous others which are found in America are related to the fact that America is mostly Christian. But once again i would not go into its detail because being a muslim i do not want to insult any religion unless people like yourself make it necessary for me to do so.
and also do not try to impress anyone by telling waht a french economist says or what a professor at oxford says becuase they are no more smarter that myself or yourself.Their ability to reason is still the same as us despite the fact that they have read a few
2003-04-22

MICHAEL HOLLIFIELD FROM US said:


Firstly, you failed to take note of my opening statement that my opposition to this war does not
require me to adopt the view that Saddam Hussein was not a terror and oppressor of his people to
the ninth degree. The rest of your response fails to address any of the issues I raised.

So, why is it so difficult for the readers here to actually criticize any flagrant tyrant who is the leader of a Middle Eastern country? Why is it seemingly impossible for Muslims to acknowledge
the fact of collective responsibility for the problems of the Middle East and the bad relations that exist between the United States and the countries of that region? I am critical of Israel policies, but also the mindless, immoral, "martyrdom" of suicide bombers. I am critical of the United States being "friends" with the wretched regime of Saudi Arabia, just as I am of my government's one sided support of Israel.

But there is never a criticism offered by anyone in these articles or comments of anything, or
anyone except those in the West. Why the utter one-sideness? Why the dogmatism? Could it be
Islam?

Religion should no more be immune from criticism than any political belief or scientific claim, so I am free, at least in the United States, to label a religion as socially backward if I so choose, and to defend that claim. That is one of the consequences of genuine free speech, often a difficult one to accept for those outside the West.

As the Oxford professor, Richard Dawkins put it "we should respect people for what they
individually think, rather than respect groups for what they were collectively brought up to
believe....If religious beliefs had any evidence going them, we might have to respect them in spite
of their unpleasantness. But there is no such evidence"
2003-04-22

MICHAEL HOLLIFIELD FROM US said:
To Yahya Bergum,

I realize that English is not your first language but this posting borders on the unintelligible.

In any event, there are numerous books written on Galileo's dispute with the Papal authorities over the geocentric view of the universe which had been incorporated into Catholicism as a part of St. Thomas Aquinas's synthesis of the doctrines of the Catholic church and Aristotle's view of the natural world. The best accounts focus on this fact: the Catholic church had mistakenly placed its authority behind Aristotle's view of the universe as geocentric with a stationary earth. Galileo's empirical observations were proving difficult to reconcile with this account, even though his theory itself may have been seriously incomplete since it lacked a theory of gravity, which did not make its appearance until Newton. (The philosopher of science Paul Feyerabend devoted considerable attention to this in his work Against Method.)

There is no reason to invoke the Koran since the Catholic Church did not seriously consider it as
anything other than the text of a heretical religion. Galileo did not invent the telescope by the way. It had already been invented in the Netherlands and he simply modified it to observe celestial bodies.

Finally, how does any of this self-serving and largely inaccurate historical account support the
grand metaphysical conclusions that I posted in my initial challenge? These supposed claims of
astronomical predictions from the Koran are so lacking in rigor, specificity, and completeness
that they do not even begin to make a case for anyone who is not already predisposed to accept
them. This is little more than hermeneutics run wild. Astrology, the ultimate pseudo-science appears intellectually respectable by comparison.
2003-04-22

MICHAEL HOLLIFIELD FROM US said:
The challenge that I stated earlier is as follows:


Muslims profess to believe in an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent, creator of the
universe whose words were vouchsafed to his Prophet Mohammed, and recorded in the Koran.
My question, and indeed my challenge to anyone who holds is these beliefs, is to give an argument
that would appeal to a rational, impartial, objective individual. By argument I mean the giving of reasons for the truth of a conclusion and not an attack upon someone who dares issue such a challenge and not an appeal to faith. Faith is useless as an epistemic guide. Faith provides no reasons for preferring one sacred text or religious belief to another and is little more than a refuge from critical evaluation. So, again, I issue the challenge, and for I am quite curious at the response.
2003-04-22

FROM USA said:
Michael Holyfield, I do not believe that Iraq was doing very good under Saddam. However, the US has made the situation no better taking in to account things such as the civilian casualties, the lootings, the joblessness and all the other severe disorders related to anarchy. In addition we should also take into account the real reasons for the war. They certainly did not include the freedom of Iraq since it was an argument that we only heard as the war started. The only argument we did hear in the previous months on the road to war was the elimination of WMDs. Ofcourse there were no WMDs since they were not found either by the inspectors(who were very well cooperated with according to actual evidence) or the US military(putting aside the fact that once the US has won it is very very easy and simple for it to fake the evidence 'which it usually does' and to convince the public of it through propaganda which is carried out by the "one-sided" US media day in and day out). Besides even if it had them, so does the US and Israel and numerous other countries around the world. Looking at the fact that the US and Israel are the ones who threaten there use the most( The US being the only one to ever use a WMD against another country and also threatened to use them if the situation got worse in Iraq) why not eliminate them, instead they are being supported and being funded for. (supporting and funding terrorism...hmmm). As for the care of Iraqi people. Why not care about the millions other troubeld people around the world. Why only Iraq. "The reason you know just as well as i do."
As for the "supposed" freedom of speech. Scott Ritter (former UN inspector) was trapped in a decade old case only because he spoke against Us Gov,t. Let alone many other such cases.
As for calling Islam 'backward'. As a muslim it is not my nature to respond to such a baseless and unworhty statement or to insult somebody's religion. And if so just ponit out a SINGLE backwardness of islam specifical
2003-04-21

ZAFAR IQBAL ZAFAR FROM AUSTRALIA said:
Assalam-o-alaikum
It's all well written and described in a tone with satire, pain and passion but do you really believe that Iraqis will rebuild a statue of Saddaam who has run their country to a point where he allowed the Americans to invade their land, capture their resourses and demolish the infra structure. Saddaam was the person who played in the hands of Americans and the other europeans to inflict an 11 yearslong war on Iran, gave an excuse to his "friends" to come to the holy land of Makkah and Madinah, provided grounds for them to establish their bases in Qatar and Kuwait and finally fled and left the Iraqis to fight against his friends. I belive that Saddaam may still be protected by Americans somewhere. He has served his masters till the last minute. He has done a great damage to the entire muslim ummah like no one did in the history not even any non-muslim. Second to him is General Musharraf of Pakistan whom I call "Saddaam Saani" who has taken his place to serve American purpose. Both declared their countries as secular, both are hard on the practicing muslims, both are dictators who never want to let go the power and both are the best friends of United States. It is just a matter of time, soon Musharraf will be the one who will be harbouring terrorists, axis of evil, and a dictator whose nation will need freedom and clearance of WMDs. Israel has already started working on that project in collaboration with India to disarm nuclear Pakistan. Musharraf has already humiliated and dishonoured his nuclear scientists through interrogation by FBI and has started to cap the nuclear programme in the greater interest of America and Israel. By the time you will require those missiles they will be already in the control on Israel/America. So don't think that Iraqis will resrect Saddaam after years of "freedom" which was bestowed upon them because of Saddaam.Likewise,Musharraf will be remembered as murderer of thousands of Afghanis & will havet same fate.
2003-04-21

ZAFAR IQBAL ZAFAR FROM AUSTRALIA said:
Assalam-o-alaikum
It's all well written and described in a tone with satire, pain and passion but do you really believe that Iraqis will rebuild a statue of Saddaam who has run their country to a point where he allowed the Americans to invade their land, capture their resourses and demolish the infra structure. Saddaam was the person who played in the hands of Americans and the other europeans to inflict an 11 yearslong war on Iran, gave an excuse to his "friends" to come to the holy land of Makkah and Madinah, provided grounds for them to establish their bases in Qatar and Kuwait and finally fled and left the Iraqis to fight against his friends. I belive that Saddaam may still be protected by Americans somewhere. He has served his masters till the last minute. He has done a great damage to the entire muslim ummah like no one did in the history not even any non-muslim. Second to him is General Musharraf of Pakistan whom I call "Saddaam Saani" who has taken his place to serve American purpose. Both declared their countries as secular, both are hard on the practicing muslims, both are dictators who never want to let go the power and both are the best friends of United States. It is just a matter of time, soon Musharraf will be the one who will be harbouring terrorists, axis of evil, and a dictator whose nation will need freedom and clearance of WMDs. Israel has already started working on that project in collaboration with India to disarm nuclear Pakistan. Musharraf has already humiliated and dishonoured his nuclear scientists through interrogation by FBI and has started to cap the nuclear programme in the greater interest of America and Israel. By the time you will require those missiles they will be already in the control on Israel/America. So don't think that Iraqis will resrect Saddaam after years of "freedom" which was bestowed upon them because of Saddaam.Likewise,Musharraf will be remembered as murderer of thousands of Afghanis & will have same fate.
2003-04-21

SAM FROM USA said:
To Mr Hollifield,
I am ready to accept your challenge.
Can I ask you to begin first as it was not clear from your post, if you had already posted some challenges ?
2003-04-21

YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
Michael Hollifield - a challenge: please consider the second verse of the Quran, "All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." Next, try to imagine the most plausible reason behind the Vatican's "panic attack" upon learning of the planetary revelations announced by Galileo - supported with observations that he made using his new invention, the telescope.

I don't expect that the sudden concern shown by the Vatican had anything to do with the already century-old revelation that the planets (as well as the earth) actually revolved around the sun. I suspect that was just a "red herring" on the part of the Vatican.

I do expect that what really had the Vatican so concerned was the discovery (that is, the supporting evidence offered) by Galileo that the planets were actually heavenly bodies with moons of their own - as well as a number of other, rather remarkable similarities to our own world.

In a nutshell, the very second verse of the "main competitor's" sacred text (suddenly) had some startling implications - regarding "the Lord of the Worlds" - especially since it had first been recited almost a thousand years before the invention of the telescope. If the issue had become a popular topic of discussion it might have led to all sorts of embarrassing questions.

For example: if God had a son by a woman of this world, would that son have the same authority over all the other worlds in the night sky, as well? May peace be upon you.
2003-04-21

MICHAEL HOLLIFIELD FROM US said:
A French economist once said that "Preaching in the garb of analysis is a sin against academic life." I would prefer another word to sin, perhaps disgrace to the truth, which is what appears in this diatribe.

This is the immediate aftermath of war and you know as well as I do, Mr. M. Shahid Alam, that any assessment of post-war Iraq is premature.

However, let me ask, do you believe that Iraq was well off under a man who attacked four countries with the result of more than a million deaths? Was Iraq well off with a leader who routinely tortured and killed any political opposition in order to sustain his power? Would you be able to express dissenting views anywhere in Iraq or anywhere in the Middle East to the extent to which you are permitted here? I think not.

On a different note, I have posted challenges to the readers of this site to provide an argument for why any rational, objective, impartial person who was not already indoctrinated into Islam would accept its truth. On the assumption that you are a believer I challenge you personally to respond and defend the supposed truth of Islamic doctrine,and I will expose you for the intellectual fraud and disgrace that you are for all the followers of your backward religion to see.

Let's see if you can give an argument that doesn't involve appeals to faith or the sacred status of texts, or abuse of the sort you doled out in your article.

This challenge stands. Do you have the courage or intellect to meet it? I think not.
2003-04-20

MICHAEL HOLLIFIELD FROM US said:
A French economist once said that "Preaching in the garb of analysis is a sin against academic
life." I would prefer another word to sin, perhaps disgrace to the truth, which is what appears in this diatribe.

This is the immediate aftermath of war and you know as well as I do Mr. M. Shahid Alam, that
any assessment of post-war Iraq is premature.

Let me ask, you do you believe that Iraq was well off under a man who attacked four countries
with the result of more than a million deaths? Was Iraq well off with a leader who routinely
tortured and killed any political opposition in order to sustain his power?

Would you be able to express dissenting views anywhere in Iraq or anywhere in the Middle East
as you are permitted here? I think not.

On a different note, I have posted challenges to the readers of this site to provide an argument for why any rational, objective, impartial person who was not already indoctrinated into Islam would
accept its truth. On the assumption that you are a believer I challenge you personally to respond
and I will expose the you for the intellectual fraud and disgrace that you are for all the followersof your backward religion to see.

Let's see if you can give an argument that doesn't involve appeals to faith or the sacred status of texts, or abuse of the sort you doled out in your article.

This challenge stands. Do you have the courage or intellect to meet it? I think not.
2003-04-20

ROSE ROHAL FROM UNITED STATES said:
What seems to be happening is what I feared prior to the outset of the war in Iraq. I hate to be suspicious but it appears that our democracy is controlled by money and corporate power. The Iraqis with the assistance of Arab countries and whoever the Iraqis choose, should make decisions about the rebuilding of their Nation. I am not sure because I am not a legal scholar, but there was talk of this being an illegal war. (internationally) I was appalled to notice that a great nation would go to war without having the plans in place for IMMEDIATE control and assistance to the citizens during the aftermath. I am a patriotic citizen but believe in this quote: "To announce that there be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American Public" by Theodore Roosevelt. God Bless the World by whatever name you know him/her.
2003-04-19

HAJI ISMAIL BIN YAKUB FROM MALAYSIA said:
I am unhappy why, after Iraq has been fallen into the hand of the US, there are many muslims talk bad on Iraq especially on its past administration. I wonder why this thing happen. But before Iraq was falled, there were very few muslims talked like that. Many gave full support. We should not forget that Iraq fell down was not because of its administration's weakness but because of its forces compared to the US forces. The US forces were very strong. If the Iraqi's forces were on the other hand, I am sure Iraq will win the war. Iraq "has no" sofisticated weapon, and even the weapon of mass destraction. "Mr Blair's talk, not correct at all" This is because Iraq has gaven twice, full coperatoin to the UN inspectors. UN did think wrong and it has no "veto" power at all. So there is no more weapon to protect Iraq. And that's why Iraq was easily lost.
2003-04-19

YAZID FROM USA said:
Salaam-

The muslim lands in the mid-east have been under occupation since the death of Ali...1200 years ago.

try that one on :)
2003-04-18

AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Listen Up Buddy, you are so baseless in your argument that about 50 people around me in my economics class just laughed really loud at you and your comment as I've hooked up the computer screen to the projector!! Yeah we laughed simply because you said that "Arabs think they are superior to Christians!" LOL Just think about that for a second, do you not get it yet, not every Arab is Muslim, and Arab does not equal Muslim!! I for one am Muslim, born and raised in Canada all my life, but at least I know the difference between people like yourself, Uncle Sam's and Uncle Tom's!

You think after getting behind George W. Bush in unaccounted aerial assaults on Iraq, and the U.S. Soldiers do nothing to stop these newly freed Iraqi's (12 years of American sanctions and bombs)from looting National Museums, Hospitals, taking Ancient Babylonian Artifacts, and desperately needed medical supplies...while Coalition Forces are only standing by guard oil sites and the Oil Ministry Building! How rudiculous it is of you to defend Franklin Graham, whose father made clear cut RACIST, anti-Islamic remarks soon after 9/11/01!! We're not laughing at you anymore, we think you made a fool of yourself with your amazement as to why Muslims (Arab does not mean Muslim), cannot accept the trinity of Christianity. Being one of maybe 7 Muslims in my class, most of everyone else is Christian or of another faith, and we all think you are screwed up to convince yourself that the 'Arabs on here upset you because they think they are superior to Christians.' Love thy neighbour is what the New Testament teaches you, the central purpose is to accomplish peace with love, so why do you proclaim to much hate?

"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)."
The Noble Qur'an
Surat Al-Hujarat, Ayat 13
2003-04-18

USMAN FROM USA said:
To "listen up buddy": Excuse me for saying this but I am not going get into a contest of what we have done or not done compared to Christians but since you asked we have done something that america or for christians in america since its 200 years have never done. We haven't waged a war on another country years after years, generations after generations. You good old samaritan you called islam a wicked religion is ignorant and arrogant to think of himself as some one higher or superior. The way I like to put Mr Grahams work is Food with one hand and Bible in the other. Food or Faith. If you want the food you better take the bible. Better yet how about Bush who is a reborn christian has a bible in one hand and bomb in other. Sounds like osama to me but wait it starts with B and end with ush giving Bush. This is cough "crusade" cough on muslims. This is a wake up call to all nations in the world. You either bomb or get bombed. Pick and choose. Surely no one wants to get bombed. The arab countries with there head bowing towards america need to take Actions towards modernization in education. Spend on education rather than bombs. Wake up ARABS!!! THERE IS LESSON TO BE LEARNED. IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN YOU BETTER START WORKING AND WORKING HARD!!!!
2003-04-18

LISTEN UP BUDDY FROM USA said:
I read this article with a degree of interest and a semi open mind, but the following just makes my blood boil
"The liberation of Iraq is being unctuously greeted by Franklin Graham's Good Samaritans, the pastoral faction of American capital. Their would-be victims are now free, after years of softening with sanctions and bombings, to receive the good word of the Lord. Even as I write, the Samaritan convoys are converging on Iraq, ready to trade American food and water for Iraqi souls. The Iraqis never knew a better bargain, getting something for nothing."

"something for nothing" huh? I have this guy know that Billy Graham and Franklin Graham have brought hope to millions of people around the world through the gospel of Christ.

The author just reveals his true arrogance by criticizing one of the most respected Christians in the world.

The Arabs on here really upset me, because they think they're so superior to Christians.

and there is something that makes absolutely no sense to me.. how can you respect Christ, God bless him, as a prophet when he proclaimed on numerous occasions that he was "the son of God" "I and the father are one", etc?

Anyway, the author is free to criticize the President and his motives, but to criticize a group, the Grahams/Samaritan's Purse, who have brought free medical care, food, and hope to millions is just a little despicable.

what have you done for the world?


2003-04-17

ABU UTHMAN FROM USA said:
this is for chris,first i was born here so i have the right given by ALLAH to stay here.(my family is latin,and been here probably before your family) to say that the iraqis are liberated is like saying dogs can fly. the government had a plan to occupy iraq long before 9/11 and the gulf war. go read the works of some the reaganites. this war was base to control the oil supply of iraq,weaken opec,give the jewish state easy access to oil and energy supplies it dearly is in need of. last but not least,to stop the islamic ideology from taking root in any of the arab entities. as muslims we do not fear christianity or anything else in that matter. monguls once came and sacked bagdad and in return the monguls became muslims and took islam further east. sometimes you have to take in account history,for truly it can repeat itself.
2003-04-17

YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
I personally object to the "Shia" joke. I believe that humorous remarks pertaining the religion of others, who might presently be considered to be political adversaries, are generally in poor taste.

Beyond that, I found the article quite refreshing to read - and actually even a bit enlightening. Nicely done!

As Salaamu Alaikum.
2003-04-16

NARGIS FROM CALIFORNIA said:
Surely Allah knows the unseen.
War after war. The US seems to be after crippling the already crippled muslim nations; not after freeing the country's people. The US government is addicted to wars; showing off its monetary powers while declaring itself as a free country. Sane public has protested this war but the demoratic government has not listened to the people practicing their freedom. What kind of freedom does the U.S. practice and what kind of freedom is it going to give to Iraq?

How can the Iraqis enjoy the freemdom led by US gov't when these people entered their country killing,and wounding their children, destroying the treasures of libraries, museums and universities of the holy land.

We the people must be able to see the game of those in power: support Isreal to kill the weak in Palestine, Destroy Afghanistan in the name of erasing terrorism, and now war with Iraq in the name of freedom and finding of weapons of mass destrucions. Whether the weapons exist only Allah knows. If so where are they only Allah knows, but who has used the weapons of mass destructions besides US in killing of so many civilians in the recent times. I say that no war is worth if it takes away even one child's life over some very lousy reasons for war. I sincerely hope you reconsider what you have expressed in your writing before too many readers get hold of it. I do have a lot to say, but remember that no war is worth a baby's wound.
2003-04-16

AHMAD said:
To CHRIS: You mock the conviction in the hearts of those believing Muslims in Iraq!! An empty stomach does not mean a heart emptied of faith. This is one of the reasons we Muslims fast. You need to see for yourself how many men and women within the US army which invaded Iraq convert to Islam sooner or later. Anyone who comes in contact with the message of Islam with a humble heart and rational mind will embrace it with all his/her heart, no matter what difficulties they have to face in the society they live in. Such is the power and conviction in the message of Islam which all the Prophets of God preached right from Adam (pbuh).
There is no such thing as food for soul program in Islam or any such false attractions in the entire spectrum of its message. Why dont you analyze for yourself? It only goes on to prove the truth in Islam and the hypocrisy and disbelief in the hearts of those Christians who have taken to worship Jesus (pbuh), who (pbuh) never in his lifetime claimed divinity. Yes Paul made him divine and such Christians worship the message of Paul and not that of Jesus (pbuh). Indeed when the second coming of Jesus (pbuh) is witnessed by such Christians they will be aiding the Antichrist who will claim divinity with his one eye blind and Unbeliever written on his forehead, who only the true believers will distinguish.
Chris, if you are one of those Christians, then know this. Your entire life is nothing but a chance for you to prostrate in humbleness in front of the One and Only God, Who has no begining or end, nor in need of any sons. Such is His Power and Glory, which even your own body glorifies endlessly, only if your soul could perceive.
2003-04-16

STUDENT FROM INDIA said:
To Chris; It is true that many Muslims live in US. But lets not forget that US is on this Earth which God created, and you are also on this very planet Chris. So dont be foolishly arrogant. Today its the chance of people like Graham to preach their distortions to hungry people in Iraq. Hunger does reduce the faith in weak hearted people. But Believers will have the last laugh in Heaven. Do whatever you want, or say whatever you wish Chris, and people like you. But you will never succeed in misguiding those whom Allah(swt) protects until the Last Day.
2003-04-16

SAZZ HAMEED FROM SINGAPORE said:
Very well written and truthful article. I completely agree with Bro. M. Shahid Alam and happy to read such a well written article.

But the million dollar question is 'when will this puppet Arab leaders will realise this?'
Or at least Will they have a chance to read these kind of articles?

Let's Doa / sazz.
2003-04-16

AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Mr. Kirby interesting quote, I'll look it up, but sounds likely, since the Baath Party was never, and never will be an Islamic system. Islam does not agree with the actions of the Baath Party. So I ask, if this war was to oust the communist-rooted Baath party and the ringleader Saddam, why is this ideology of democracy being put in it's place, instead of the peaceful ruling of Islam that was a governming body across the middle East, present day Israel, the South-Asian Subcontinent, and all the way to central Africa, to CHRISTIANS, JEWS, HINDUS, or anyone of any faith, allowed to practice their religions freely without any force towards Islam? This was for 1000+ years. How is it that Islam becomes Islamic Fundamentalism when a fundamentalist is in fact violating the ways of islam....and why aren't people like Pat Robertson n others saying that "every Muslim is now a potential terrorist" not labeled a Christian Fundamentalist...he gave a GREAT deal of financial and other political support to George W. Bush during his election campaign...are you wowed or frustrated, or agreeing yet? I live in Canada, I study American and Canadian history b/c it interests me to read...I also study the history from the perspective of non-Western states...we know the Baath party was bad, has communist origins, does that have anything to do with Islam? The answer is NO. I see it this way, that the puppets (monarchy's and regimes, and dictators) governing arab states, are, like the author said, kept quiet by US Foreign Aid, or they are installed by the US Govts power, their version of British colonialsm. The world should know that the present day Pope condemned the war(it's actually an invasion), by saying that it is a sad day for humanity. I have many close Roman Catholic friends, and they tell me that their churches do not support this coalition in their actions. That also feels very good to see the Christian-Muslim unity, the way it exists in Palestine...
2003-04-16

AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
It's feels good when I hear people speak the truth. It is a nice feeling, if only more people could see the truth about what has happened in Iraq in it's truest form. I see how one individual said, how ashamed the people in the world should be that the USA has occupied Iraq...like the way Israel, with the help of Britain, originally occupied Palestine - - neway, USA found no WMD, or Saddam, but posess WMD themselves, friends with war criminal Ariel Sharon who also has WMD in the Middle East region, supplied by non other than the US government. Hey wait a minute, Israel has a brutal dictator who kills the people in Israel, and also they have WMD which they have used as well just recently!! Remember Summer 2001 when Ariel Sharon used Chemical agents banned under the UN on Palestinians? Where's the American support to finish Sharon and his cronies? I can imagine the outrage of pro-American respondents right now...'suicide bombers blah blah!" I think the first thing an American with little knowledge about the region, should stop the habit of forgetting history, and go learn some from a non-American history book, maybe you will see things in true light, hmm probably not...funy how some Americans are ranting about how Iraq is free now to overcome obstacles, such as theft and crime in time, so eloquently described by Mr. Shahid Alam, concerning the words of Donald duck Rumsfeld. quack quack!

I would like to add to the point regarding situations like Egypt's Mubarak govt. bought out by USAid...it is obvious the traditional Anglo-Colonial powers are not only working in one sector of the Middle East; not just through Iraq and outwards, but through Palestine, through Egypt, through Afghanistan, and now Iraq, I guess it must have been the big one for the coalition...by the way it's funny how when a writer such as Mr. Alam writes in such a fashion that only truths are told, people say it's "satirical"....heheh WAY TO GO MR. ALAM!:-D I thought it was refreshing
2003-04-16

M KIRBY FROM NZ said:
I would like to remind every body, that the Pop received Micheal Aflaq ( The Founder of Baath party) in the late sixty, saying to him "WhatYou have done in the Middle East,the crusades could not do it in a peroid of a century". That was about 38 years ago. Does the majorty of Baath part members knew that. The answer, saddly yes.
2003-04-16

KOVIT FROM CANADA said:
In the past sixty years, US has killed the most amount of people in the entire world, from Japan, Vietnam, Afganistan... and now Iraq. They are the masters of Weapon of Mass Destruction(WMD).
2003-04-15

SR D.ALBIZU FROM USA said:
I live in America and I'm afraid of the punishment we will suffer for the wrongdoing not only now but for the past 60 or more years. It saddens me to think that probably my kids will be the ones to suffer for the MISTAKES of a president that we didn't ELECT!
2003-04-15

USMAN FROM USA said:
This is a response to Chris. You are absolutely right chris. I agree with you totally. Infact, I would dare you to say that China and Russia with nuclear bombs in your directions. Yes, iraqis are people who govern themselves. But lets not forget who put in Saddam Hussein in power. CIA, your lovely agency that has brought so much peace in the world. You are the super power not because you got lucky, but because you worked hard and now when in power you are able to dominate us and get in our face arrogantly to show us how great your country is. Lets review history in which this country was not given but taken from the native americans. Lets review the history in which africans were not free but yet were living in oppressed in your so called Free Country. The arabs have not had the same opportunities and have been manipulated and exploitated through there own regimes with mind you american backing. You are so keen to tell us to leave. We will leave at a time of our choosing. Don't mind us when we in the next 100 years or so are telling you to leave our lands and countries. This bashing will not get you anywhere as well as us. Differences in opinions, views and perspectives, are part of the democratic government in which you boast about giving the iraqi people. Iraq's 70-300 billion barrels of oil is just a bonus! Lets be realistic, heh! You government is in power to dominate the world and dominate there truth. As the thing regarding faith for the iraqi people. You are absolutely right that iraqis will not give up there faith easily. But, lets just see how they convert when they are in desperate need of food, water and shelter. Implications in these circumstances could be put in this manner such as "Food or Faith". I don't think that is what Jesus Christ had in mind when he asked people to go distant lands and tell the word of God through BRIBES! I welcome religious debates but not like this. I partly blame Arabs for lacking in power to say "NO"
2003-04-15

USMAN FROM USA said:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/13/international/worldspecial/13BAGH.html?ex=1051434733&ei=1&en=763af265c00ed1d1

I just want to say something to make me feel better. These iraqi looters have only hurt there country by stripping themselves of there rich history. There could be no justification for stealing these rich, priceless artifacts and burning them. I simply don't understand the logic behind the looters. They may gain money out of this by hurting the country. Thinking in such a individualistic way will only hurt them. They need to think long-term for themselves and for the community. But don't strip the iraqis of there national identity. I am not an iraqi yet I have deep care for such rich history. I am quite shocked and disgusted at the behaviour of these iraqis. It would make sense if the American army were looting but when iraqis themselves loot there country breaks all norms in my view. When you steal from your own family breaks all normal behavior. You don't deserve to live I would say. If I ever see those iraqi looters in my sight I will curse at them. I am not an iraqi yet I feel this deep anger towards those looters. This might have nothing to do with this discussion but I wanted to let that out.
2003-04-15

RAJ FROM USA said:
NOW I KNOW THAT GETTING OIL FROM IRAQ IS ITS FREEDOM.
2003-04-15

RAHUL FROM INDIA said:
What we saw is shame for Humanity. America is fighting for OIL and posses wepons of mass destructions.
2003-04-15

TUSHAR FROM INDIA said:
America does not care about Iraqi people. All it cares is OIL. Ministry of Oil is very safe. Now, America is planning to destroy sirya , Iran , then Jordon and other small countries and last saudi arabiya. THIS IS NOT ABOUT FREEDOM , IT IS OCCUPATION OF IRAQ. AMERICA IS HAS FURTHER PLANS TO KILL THE PEOPLE OF OTHER COUNTRIES. GOD IS GREAT AND GOD KNOWS THE TRUTH AND THERE IS NO POWER BEFORE GOD. THOSE WHO THINKS THAT THEY ARE STRONG THEN GOD AND ONLY GOD WILL SHOW THEM HIS THE TRUE POWER. MAY CHILDRENS AND INNOCENTS DIED FOR THE OIL-NEED OF AMERICA.
2003-04-15

TALHA FROM USA said:
Guys, guys...chill out. This article is satirical. It's a shame that people are confused by satire - an indication of our deepening crisis of culture and education.
2003-04-15

CHRIS FROM USA said:
Who do you think you are? Living in the USA and making snide comments about what we are planning to do? The Iraqi's if they have any faith in their religion will not be bought by a couple bags of rice or whatever Franklin Graham is offering.


What did the French, Germans and Russian do for the people of Iraq? They helped a regime torture and kill it's own people.

You do not know anymore than I do about the future of Iraq and it's people. If they do not like what the US is doing they can tell us to leave. It's as simple as that. The US does not own Iraq the people of Iraq do now. So instead of bemoaning the fact that Iraq is free. Why not give the Iraqi's a chance to prove that they can be an independent people.

My personal opinion about the artifacts that were looted. The museum curators have probably sold those items to the highest bidder. They knew the war was coming, they had time to hide the irreplacable items long ago.

By the way since I am thinking about this.
What are you doing in the USA if we are so terrible? If I thought my country was so awful I would leave. Have you thought of doing that or is this nice cushy lifestlye you are living to good to pass up?
If the US has such terrible plans for Iraq. Why don't you and your cohorts go to Iraq and set up some kind of resistence and see if you can do better. It seems to me that you do not have any faith in these people at all. You don't think their faith in their own religion will withstand a few sermons from the Grahams. You don't think they will be able to stand up for themselves. You have no faith whatsoever in these people so why don't you keep your opinions to yourself or do something about it. Actions speak louder than words and the sword is mightier than the pen. Go for it and rescue these people from the awful Americans.
2003-04-15

AZHAR MUHAMMED KHAN FROM USA said:
Subhan Allah

We muslims, were the foremost in science and technology, math, astrology, medicine research & what not, you name it, from the islamic era till the fall of Othman Empire ? except fictions which are day dreams of this new world.
We need leaders like Muhammed(pbuh).
We need scholars, like usman (r.a).
We need gentle & generous friends like Abu Baker(r.a).
We need far sight of Umar (r.a).
We need friends like Ibn Abbas, Abdullah bin umar, Abu Huraira and other 1,25,000 sahabas(r.a).
Time has come, please make dua and keep your pace in the media.

Jazak Allah Khair
-azhar
2003-04-15

SADIQ said:
Make it plain Mr. Aslam. Islamicity needs to encourage articles that are direct and to the point.
2003-04-15

SOLOMON WEISKOP said:
Now as many of his preciously-cherished and tirelessly-repeated fallacies and distortions are being exposed as such (by events in Iraq) for all the world to see, Prof. Alam resorts to writing an "article" that reminds me, more than anything else, of a child's temper tantrum, complete with whiny sarcasm and self-pity. How sad.
2003-04-15

AMARA TAZEEM FROM US said:
Assalamualaikum brother,
I couldn't understand what exactly you were trying to say in your article. Are you in favor of or opposed to the circumstances that have been created as a result of the war? It seems like you are in favor, and yet you list many things that are unfavorable to muslims. I agree that the Iraqi people have finally been releived of an extreme oppressor, but you say that now that they are free the Samaritans can come into Iraq,and what will they do? Try to convert the Iraqi people. You say that now Isreal can turn its full attention to the palestinians and they can be transported to the desert of Iraq. You mean that after all that they have fought for they chould just be deported. I just thought that some of the comments made in the article were quite sad and hard to understand, for I don't see that positive side of them.

2003-04-15

HARUN FROM BOSNIA said:
excellent article, haven't read one like these in ages... Jazaku Mu'llahu Hayren!
2003-04-15

ASIF ZAIDI FROM USA said:
Alright Bob: here is the truth also

It is gullible American public who cannot see what their government does to other countries - not its own but other countries esp in Middle East.

The reality of the matter is that your Rumsfelds, Bushs knew all along about the torture chambers and lack of democracy even as far back as 1982 - remember the infamous handshake of Rumsfeld with Saddam on the cover of TIME.

Your governments do not care for a democratic governments in ME - look at Egypt,Jordan. They care only that governments compliant to US interests stay in power - whether they torture their own poeple or abuse human rights is a secondary issue if at all.

No one denies that Saddam was evil - certainly not the Muslims. However, this US occupation is no different - in the end the Muslims will suffer (remember we Muslims do not make distinction if they are in Iraq or elsewhere - if Muslims in Iraq suffer then a Muslim in Amercica shares their pain. We are one body as stated in the Qur'an)

Now before you go on to say that we are there to liberate and the ususal propaganda: remember when the British came to India, they came as a trading company and occupied it for 200 yrs. When the British came to Palestine, they stated their 'friendly' intentions and in the end gave the land for Israeli occupation (Balfour Declaration in 1917). To date (april 2003), Palestinians are suffering.

Remember the past is a judge of future and that is why we know the interests of US government are not benign.

To really understand present problems, you have to look no further than the history of modern Western intrusion into the Middle East. It may be difficult to accept but it is the truth whether you like it or not.

Asif
2003-04-15

ELQ FROM US said:
forgot to mention free of torcher chambers, or was that on purpose? Maybe you are right in that ommission - we'll have to see how it shapes up in the long run. Me, I hope for the best.
2003-04-15

PARVEZ FROM ENGLAND said:
There is no such thing as a "Free Lunch", yes the authour is write to suggest that the Iraqi's will have to pay for their so called freedom. This war cost the US $30 Bln, they plan to make $250 - $300 Bln in reconstructing over the next ten years, and thats just initial estimates. Not a bad return!!

The aims and justification for this WAR have been ever changing, first it was about WMD, which the US helped Saddam aquire in the first place, then it was about Regime change, Saddam was a freind when he was fightihng Iran, surported and armmed by the US. Finally it's all about liberation, all contracts to US companies.

It has always been the same raeson for me, and for many who have not been duped by the propagada machine, "THE GREENBACK", the "DOLLAR" the interest of "GREED & POWER". All american dreams are based on this simple principle, the greed to make more at all costs.

All modern wetern so called democrasies have been formed after bloody revolutions or civil wars. At the same time those who have profited the most are those who always changed sides to protect their intersts. If you try and calculate the ammount of wealth that the West has generated during WAR you will be Shocked, only the outbreak of WW2 realyy helped to save the US Economy at the time after the affects of the deppression.

This was also a result of greed. Please do not mask your attentions of greed and domminance with the notion of you come in peace to liberate. I think it was a famous US pressident who once said u can fool some poeple all the time, some, some of the time, and others none of the time, but you cannot fool everyone all the time.

The US may be fooling some at this present time but not the masses.
2003-04-15

HALIM AZIZ FROM MALAYSIA said:
Of course there is no WMD in iraq. How can a country like Iraq who cannot even import books or pain killer develop thermonuclear weapon...
Bombing of Iraq is only to dump oudated ordnance and other toxic waste as a two prongs strategies for pentagon to replenish its weapon stockpile and at the same time to poison Iraqis generation with depleted uranium.
The real WMD left by the coalition forces will explode in Iraq in the form of Iraq's civil war.
2003-04-15

ADAM FROM CHINA said:
Very good article. Keep the good work up

Mr. Aamir, make some extra efforts to read between the lines. Per chance you may understand the true meaning of this wonderful satire
2003-04-15

MITCH FROM MALAYSIA said:
Dear Bro. Shahid,
Your view is excellent. Yes, the Iraqis, especially the INCs will be free to serve their true masters, Bush and Blair!. The Shite will be free to kill the Sunni. The Saddam loyalists and the disloyalists will be free to attack each other, the Arabs will be free to back stab another Arabs. The Kuwaitis, the Saudis etc will be freer than ever to serve their masters. In fact it's going to free, free and free for all! Who knows, one day "Freedom" will replace "Kingdom" in the Arab worlds!
2003-04-15

AHAMED N FROM SINGAPORE said:
Good Joke dear.

I guess the Iraqis deserve this kind of "freedom".
Let them enjoy for a while, before Allah swt takes account again.

Regards
N
2003-04-15

BOB FROM CANADA said:
What is this article trying to say?.......
This in nothing more than a twisted account of something that should have happened long ago..
In a civilized world, in todays age, what has happened in Iraq during the rule of one Saddam Hussein cannot be allowed to happen again..
This is your final paragraph..
>>>>I can imagine a day, once the fog of America's war in Iraq clears, when the Iraqis may restore Saddam Hussein's statue to the high pedestal it occupied in Baghdad's Central Square. And these are the words that American visitors, in shock and awe, will read inscribed on its base: Saddam Hussein/A Brave Iraqi/Serendipitous Architect of Our Freedoms.

How can one who has killed, murdered, and brutally tortured more Muslims than anyone on the face of the earth be considered anything other than what he really represents.......Evil......pure EVIL.......
Get a clue.......Join the human race.......Soon, the atrocities will come to light.......Soon, very soon.......
How can one have such a twisted version of the truth?......How can one deny such attrocites?.......How can anyone close their eyes to such brutality?...........It is well beyond the scope of understanding.........It is pure evil..............and that is not only the plain truth.....It is nothing but the truth......
2003-04-15

MARLENE FROM USA said:
Same dribble as most muslins write about with just a different twist. Pretty lofty position sitting in your castle at Northeastern.
2003-04-15

AAMIR FROM UK said:
Is Mr Alam seriously intending to say that Iraq has in truth been freed by Bush and his lapdog Blair? If so, how long does he think this freedom will last ? Have the Iraqi`s not simply acquired occupation and colonisation in place of dictatorship ? Does he really think the Iraqi`s will now retain ownership of their oil ? Is it not likely to be handed over to US corporations before they ever get around to electing their government ? How will democracy , if it is ever introduced , further US interests ? It plainly has not done so in Turkey .
Does Mr Aslam seriously think the USA will allow Iraq to become a democracy ? Is that why it spent billions of dollars prosecuting the war ? Is it really a selfless adventure to promote democracy ? If so , this must be a truly historic moment in human history and millions of people around the globe have been too blinkered to recognise it as such.
Perhaps , Mr Aslam should join the Marines and liberate all Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere . They will , no doubt , accord him appropriate recognition for his endeavours and be eternally grateful . Perhaps , having done his good deed , he would then remain in one of the liberated countries and continue his civilising crusade . After all , without American weaponry and know-how , the liberated people will be quite unable to progress .
2003-04-15