Schooling Faith in Islam
Dear Friends,
BBC journalist Mr. Roland Buerk in his report of 26/2/2005 had expressed his concern about "Schooling Faith" in Islam.
The root of the problem lies in some Englishmen’s obsession to rule the world forever. European Renaissance and Industrial Revolution in Europe created vested interests who want to rule the world forever by the vices and institutions of atheism, materialism, colonialism, opportunism, hedonism, fornication and such other perversions and evils.
Those who do not have the compassion to look after their parents at their old age, want to teach the Afro-Asian nations about Human Rights and Good Governance. Obviously their aim is neither Human Rights nor Good Governance. Their aim is to promote their domination over the world forever. And that's nonsense. And they are already losing this battle.
I have been a member of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon for more than 25 years and I am very close to the Islamic Clerics and Non-Gov't Madrasa system (i.e. Quaumi Madrasa) and its pupils and teachers. I honestly and sincerely support the Talebans and the freedom fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, though I agree that they are human beings and they are not immune from prejudices, wrongs and errors. But like my compatriots I strongly pursue a policy of not taking up arms in Bangladesh so long we enjoy Freedom of Expression.
Founder of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Late Hazrat Maulana Muhammadullah Hafezzee Huzur (Peace of God be upon him), is one of the founders of the Non-Government Madrasa System in Bangladesh. He used to say in both indoor and public meetings, "Muslims are our brethren in religion, but Hindus and non-Muslims are our kin. We are all descendents and children of same parents Adam & Eve (Blessings of God be upon them)."
But BBC's Mr. Roland Buerk's local guide took him to the so-called madrasa child student in Narayangonj who said to Burek "I want to spread Islam, to convert Hindus into Muslims". I am sure this part of the report is blatant lie.
There is no record that Madrasa students after graduation engage themselves in missionary activities to convert the Hindus to Islam. But the Christian Missionaries are doing it, usually backed by western fund while Christians themselves in the West are deserting their churches.
Soon after BBC’s report, I sent faxes and e-mails to BBC expressing my curiosity to meet Mr. Burek's guide and the so-called Madrasa student he interviewed. They never responded. Most likely because it was a concocted story in line with the campaign to pressurize the administration to crackdown on Islamic institutions in Bangladesh.
The fact is that the Non-Gvernment Islamic Madrasa in Bangladlesh (i.e. Quaumi Madrasa) are NGO Islamic schools which are struggling to protect and promote Islamic Heritage & Culture. Literacy in Islamic scripts and orientation in righteous pious life is their main concern.
It is true that situation for quick growth of Islamic militancy all over the world exist. But if the liberal space for Islamic clerics and activists is not shrunken, they are unlikely to choose the path of armed struggle in Bangladesh. Best regards,
Kazi Azizul Huq,
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Our problem is not our poverty. Our problem is our selfish unpatriotic elite who are knowingly or unknowingly serving as foreign mercenaries
from Kazi Azizul Huq
to liz.philipson....
date Jun 25, 2007 7:38 PM
subject Thanks for your mail of 24 June 2007
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Dhaka, Monday 26 June 2007.
Dear Mrs. Liz,
Thank you for your mail.
If I am asked to speak about the political situation of Bangladesh, I can not suppress the truth that the so-called 'Democracies of the Free World' have successfully taken away whatever little Freedom my Motherland had. Our problem is not our poverty. Our problem is our selfish unpatriotic elite who are knowingly or unknowingly serving as the mercenaries of foreign vested interests.
On 12 Feb 2007 in a letter addressed to the Hon. Chief Advisor of the current Caretaker Government of Bangladesh we wrote:"..fascism of Awami League, palace conspiracy of BNP and so-called 'Free Media' & 'Civil Society' controlled and manipulated by Euro-American vested interests have almost stripped Bangladesh of her sovereignty."
In the first week of January we came to know that American Embassy and British High Commission were secretly meeting senior officers of Bangladesh Army. The country was on the brink of a civil war. The So-called 'International Community' and their mercenaries at the helm of 'Free Media' & 'Civil Society' had already succeeded in creating such a situation that even Bangladesh military was not in a position to intervene without the support of US and her partners (UK, EU, India, UN) only who could tune the 'Free Media' and the 'Civil Society' in line with their agenda.
As a person, US Ambassador Butenis seemed better than other diplomats and the elite of my own country.
Initially the Emergency was welcomed by common people as they felt relieved since the country was on the verge of fratricidal civil war. But the so-called joint forces in the plea of recovering government lands destroyed small business of Hundreds of thousands of self-employed lower and lower middle-class families without any rehabilitation. Price hike, increasing unemployment, huge number of self-employed hawkers and small business owners suddenly rendered unemployed, reduction of flow money circulation - al together the situation is apparently very worrying.
However, Bangladesh is the land of Saints and Sufis. Allah Himself is its protector. Local or foreign traitors, whoever exceeds limit shall be punished.
I look forward to meeting you in Dhaka.
With best wishes and best regards.
Huq
Kazi Azizul Huq
(ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary,
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
At 03:22 AM 6/24/2007, you wrote:
Dear Mr Haq
I received your test message. I have not visited Bangladesh since last October - though I have been watching events from afar with great interest and would love to have been there. I am hoping to return before the end of this year and I also hope that I shall be able to see you and talk to you about your views of the way politics are developing within your country.
Best Wishes
Liz
Friday, October 9, 2009
PRESS RELEASE : Sharing Common Concerns of Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops held in Vatican
In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Dt: Friday 09 Oct.2009
PRESS RELEASE
Dear Editor,
Assalamu Alaykum. Courtesy Vatican Information Service [VIS 091005, 091007] we are copying hereunder selected quotations from the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops held in Vatican recently. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon shares with Vatican similar concern about many of the issues copied hereunder. We strongly feel that the administrations of EU, USA and UN should return to divine moral values and pursue aim of reaching “high measure” of virtuous life. They should change their current harmful agenda for promotion of :-
(1) practical materialism, combined with relativist and nihilist thinking
(2) export its spiritual toxic waste that contaminates the peoples of other continents
(3) new global ethic which aggressively seeks to persuade African and Asian governments and communities to accept new and different meanings of concepts of family, marriage and human sexuality
(4) second wave of colonisation both subtle and ruthless at the same time
(5) liberalism, secularism and …lobbyists who squat at the United Nations
(6) structural injustice rooted in European and United States policies
(7) The 'Aid Industry', which feeds on selling negative and outmoded stereotypes of Africans and Asians as helpless victims of endless wars and constant famines.
For Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
QUOTATIONS
HH POPE BENEDICT XVI:
Africa ..represents an enormous spiritual 'lung' for a humanity that appears to be in a crisis of faith and hope ...at the moment, at least two dangerous pathologies are attacking it: firstly, an illness that is already widespread in the West, that is, practical materialism, combined with relativist and nihilist thinking........First World has exported and continues to export its spiritual toxic waste that contaminates the peoples of other continents….in this sense, colonialism which is over at a political level, has never really entirely come to an end.....The "second 'virus' that could hit Africa..is religious fundamentalism, mixed with political and economic interests……in God's name, but following a logic that is opposed to divine logic, that is, teaching and practicing not love and respect for freedom, but intolerance and violence ...
Matrimony as it is presented to us in the Bible, does not exist outside of the relationship with God. Married life between a man and a woman, and therefore of the family that springs from that, is inscribed into the communion with God Jesus welcomes the children..we see the image of the Church that, in Africa, and in every other part of the planet, demonstrates her maternal concern especially for the smallest, even before they are born ....
The Church in Africa, at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.. one must always aim at the 'high measure' of Christian life, that is to say holiness
reconciliation is the stable foundation upon which peace is built, the necessary condition for the true progress of mankind and society, according to the project of justice ordained by God....
conflicts currently endangering the peace and security of the people of Africa. episodes of violence that have affected the people of Guinea I invite all parties to engage in dialogue and reconciliation.. spare no efforts to reach a just and equitable solution.....
carry out empirical studies yet practical analyses, though conducted with precision and competence, do not indicate the true problems of the world if we do not see everything in the light of God.our analyses are deficient if we do not realise that behind the injustice of corruption, and all such things, is an unjust heart, a closure towards God and thus a falsification of the fundamental relationship upon which all other relationships are founded....
ARCHBISHOP BUTI JOSEPH TLHAGALE O.M.I. OF JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA:-
Moral values embedded in the diverse African cultures, alongside the Gospel values, are threatened by the new global ethic which aggressively seeks to persuade African governments and communities to accept new and different meanings of concepts of family, marriage and human sexuality.
The cultures of Africa are under heavy strain from liberalism, secularism and from lobbyists who squat at the United Nations.
Africa faces a second wave of colonisation both subtle and ruthless at the same time. ...
Lay people, by virtue of their Baptism, have a significant role to play. They are expected to witness in the public square, in their families and places of work. Their Christian voice in the face of the many challenges in Africa, is weak, muffled or simply silent.
The hierarchy is without credible partners in the work of the transformation of Africa. Lay Catholics need to be given a voice in order to stand up and be counted for their Catholic faith. The hierarchy cannot do it alone.
FR. KIERAN O'REILLY, SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE SOCIETY OF AFRICAN MISSIONS:-
to address issues of structural injustice rooted in European and United States policies that affect Africa adversely. ...
As the 'family of God' the Church is challenged to witness and promote the universality of God's love for all people and the future unity of humanity....
Africa is poorly served by the mass media, which focuses almost exclusively on the bad news, thus creating a widely accepted narrative of a continent in a constant state of crisis. ..
The 'Aid Industry', too, feeds on selling negative and outmoded stereotypes of Africans as helpless victims of endless wars and constant famines.
[Source : Vatican Information Service www.visnews.org or www.vatican.va ]
Dt: Friday 09 Oct.2009
PRESS RELEASE
Dear Editor,
Assalamu Alaykum. Courtesy Vatican Information Service [VIS 091005, 091007] we are copying hereunder selected quotations from the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops held in Vatican recently. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon shares with Vatican similar concern about many of the issues copied hereunder. We strongly feel that the administrations of EU, USA and UN should return to divine moral values and pursue aim of reaching “high measure” of virtuous life. They should change their current harmful agenda for promotion of :-
(1) practical materialism, combined with relativist and nihilist thinking
(2) export its spiritual toxic waste that contaminates the peoples of other continents
(3) new global ethic which aggressively seeks to persuade African and Asian governments and communities to accept new and different meanings of concepts of family, marriage and human sexuality
(4) second wave of colonisation both subtle and ruthless at the same time
(5) liberalism, secularism and …lobbyists who squat at the United Nations
(6) structural injustice rooted in European and United States policies
(7) The 'Aid Industry', which feeds on selling negative and outmoded stereotypes of Africans and Asians as helpless victims of endless wars and constant famines.
For Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
QUOTATIONS
HH POPE BENEDICT XVI:
Africa ..represents an enormous spiritual 'lung' for a humanity that appears to be in a crisis of faith and hope ...at the moment, at least two dangerous pathologies are attacking it: firstly, an illness that is already widespread in the West, that is, practical materialism, combined with relativist and nihilist thinking........First World has exported and continues to export its spiritual toxic waste that contaminates the peoples of other continents….in this sense, colonialism which is over at a political level, has never really entirely come to an end.....The "second 'virus' that could hit Africa..is religious fundamentalism, mixed with political and economic interests……in God's name, but following a logic that is opposed to divine logic, that is, teaching and practicing not love and respect for freedom, but intolerance and violence ...
Matrimony as it is presented to us in the Bible, does not exist outside of the relationship with God. Married life between a man and a woman, and therefore of the family that springs from that, is inscribed into the communion with God Jesus welcomes the children..we see the image of the Church that, in Africa, and in every other part of the planet, demonstrates her maternal concern especially for the smallest, even before they are born ....
The Church in Africa, at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.. one must always aim at the 'high measure' of Christian life, that is to say holiness
reconciliation is the stable foundation upon which peace is built, the necessary condition for the true progress of mankind and society, according to the project of justice ordained by God....
conflicts currently endangering the peace and security of the people of Africa. episodes of violence that have affected the people of Guinea I invite all parties to engage in dialogue and reconciliation.. spare no efforts to reach a just and equitable solution.....
carry out empirical studies yet practical analyses, though conducted with precision and competence, do not indicate the true problems of the world if we do not see everything in the light of God.our analyses are deficient if we do not realise that behind the injustice of corruption, and all such things, is an unjust heart, a closure towards God and thus a falsification of the fundamental relationship upon which all other relationships are founded....
ARCHBISHOP BUTI JOSEPH TLHAGALE O.M.I. OF JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA:-
Moral values embedded in the diverse African cultures, alongside the Gospel values, are threatened by the new global ethic which aggressively seeks to persuade African governments and communities to accept new and different meanings of concepts of family, marriage and human sexuality.
The cultures of Africa are under heavy strain from liberalism, secularism and from lobbyists who squat at the United Nations.
Africa faces a second wave of colonisation both subtle and ruthless at the same time. ...
Lay people, by virtue of their Baptism, have a significant role to play. They are expected to witness in the public square, in their families and places of work. Their Christian voice in the face of the many challenges in Africa, is weak, muffled or simply silent.
The hierarchy is without credible partners in the work of the transformation of Africa. Lay Catholics need to be given a voice in order to stand up and be counted for their Catholic faith. The hierarchy cannot do it alone.
FR. KIERAN O'REILLY, SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE SOCIETY OF AFRICAN MISSIONS:-
to address issues of structural injustice rooted in European and United States policies that affect Africa adversely. ...
As the 'family of God' the Church is challenged to witness and promote the universality of God's love for all people and the future unity of humanity....
Africa is poorly served by the mass media, which focuses almost exclusively on the bad news, thus creating a widely accepted narrative of a continent in a constant state of crisis. ..
The 'Aid Industry', too, feeds on selling negative and outmoded stereotypes of Africans as helpless victims of endless wars and constant famines.
[Source : Vatican Information Service www.visnews.org or www.vatican.va ]
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Letter to White House : Forwarding Comment of Father Timm on President Obama's Cairo Speech
Friday, October 02, 2009.
To:
Mr. David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President,
White House,
Washignton D.C. USA.
Cc: To Whom It May Concern
Subject: Forwarding Comment of Father Timm on President Obama's Cairo Speech.
Mohtaram,
Assalamu Alaykum.
We are forwarding hereunder comment of Father Timm on President Obama's Cairo Speech.
Rev. Father Richard William Timm CSC is an American educator, zoologist and activist for the post-World War-ll neo-colonial Anglo-American Agenda. Since 1952, Father Richard W. Timm has been working in the territory now called Bangladesh.
In view of the latest anti-Obama campaign, it seems that you need to know this comment. This comment means that American Ideals declared by its founders is not American Agenda.
And we know that the American Agenda in the 20th and 21st Century has been to serve as the face and fore front of British Colonialism - which is waiting to be defeated by divine people under Divine Leadership.
Unless the US and the Jewish people are able to disassociate themselves from British Agenda and conspiracies - they will not be able to serve the God they believe in and want to serve.
Maassalam.
Kazi Aziz
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Cell: 01819-407963. Tel: 8411436.
Fax: +880-2-8411436
E-mail: kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:49:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: DICK TIMM
Subject: Re: We generally endorse President Obama's Cairo Speech
To: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Dear Friends,
Thank you for sending me the complete text of President Obama's talk. This has been my first opportunity to read it in its fullness. Although it tends to be idealistic, we can all reach a higher level of idealism by inspired leadership and sharing with one another.
Father Timm
--- On Fri, 6/12/09, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon wrote:
From: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Subject: We generally endorse President Obama's Cairo Speech
To: "US Deptt. of State"
Cc: feedback@pmo.gov.bd, pemnews.dhk@gmail.com, feedback@mfa.gov.il, inquiries@un.org, nizamuddin.ahmed@thomsonreuters.com
Date: Friday, June 12, 2009, 8:50 AM
..in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. - President Obama
==========================
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Cairo,Egypt)
________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON A NEW BEGINNING
Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt
1:10 P.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning; and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum. (Applause.)
We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world -- tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.
So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today -- to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I'm a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam -- at places like Al-Azhar -- that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities -- (applause) -- it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. (Applause.)
I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers -- Thomas Jefferson -- kept in his personal library. (Applause.)
So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. (Applause.)
But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. (Applause.) Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words -- within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum -- "Out of many, one."
Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores -- and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)
Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it. (Applause.)
So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations -- to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Applause.) That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes -- and, yes, religions -- subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared. (Applause.)
Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security -- because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military -- we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.
And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths -- but more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as -- it is as if he has killed all mankind. (Applause.) And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. (Applause.) The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of promoting peace.
Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who've been displaced. That's why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (Applause.) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future -- and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people -- (applause) -- I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (Applause.)
So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction -- or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews -- is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people -- Muslims and Christians -- have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they've endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations -- large and small -- that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Applause.)
For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It's easy to point fingers -- for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. (Applause.)
That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires. (Applause.) The obligations -- the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them -- and all of us -- to live up to our responsibilities.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That's not how moral authority is claimed; that's how it is surrendered.
Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)
And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel's legitimacy, and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.
America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. (Applause.) We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra -- (applause) -- as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer. (Applause.)
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.
I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation -- including Iran -- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)
I know -- I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)
Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld -- whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.
Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit -- for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
In fact, faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action -- whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.
The sixth issue -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights. (Applause.) I know –- I knoow -- and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. (Applause.) And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now, let me be clear: Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.
I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. (Applause.) Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity -- men and women -- to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams. (Applause.)
Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations -- including America -- this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities -- those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century -- (applause) -- and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I'm emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We'll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I'm announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek -- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort -- that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There's so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country -- you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) This truth transcends nations and peoples -- a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."
The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."
The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Applause.)
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
2:05 P.M. (Local)
###
To:
Mr. David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President,
White House,
Washignton D.C. USA.
Cc: To Whom It May Concern
Subject: Forwarding Comment of Father Timm on President Obama's Cairo Speech.
Mohtaram,
Assalamu Alaykum.
We are forwarding hereunder comment of Father Timm on President Obama's Cairo Speech.
Rev. Father Richard William Timm CSC is an American educator, zoologist and activist for the post-World War-ll neo-colonial Anglo-American Agenda. Since 1952, Father Richard W. Timm has been working in the territory now called Bangladesh.
In view of the latest anti-Obama campaign, it seems that you need to know this comment. This comment means that American Ideals declared by its founders is not American Agenda.
And we know that the American Agenda in the 20th and 21st Century has been to serve as the face and fore front of British Colonialism - which is waiting to be defeated by divine people under Divine Leadership.
Unless the US and the Jewish people are able to disassociate themselves from British Agenda and conspiracies - they will not be able to serve the God they believe in and want to serve.
Maassalam.
Kazi Aziz
Kazi Azizul Huq (ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Cell: 01819-407963. Tel: 8411436.
Fax: +880-2-8411436
E-mail: kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:49:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: DICK TIMM
Subject: Re: We generally endorse President Obama's Cairo Speech
To: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Dear Friends,
Thank you for sending me the complete text of President Obama's talk. This has been my first opportunity to read it in its fullness. Although it tends to be idealistic, we can all reach a higher level of idealism by inspired leadership and sharing with one another.
Father Timm
--- On Fri, 6/12/09, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
From: Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Subject: We generally endorse President Obama's Cairo Speech
To: "US Deptt. of State"
Cc: feedback@pmo.gov.bd, pemnews.dhk@gmail.com, feedback@mfa.gov.il, inquiries@un.org, nizamuddin.ahmed@thomsonreuters.com
Date: Friday, June 12, 2009, 8:50 AM
..in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. - President Obama
==========================
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Cairo,Egypt)
________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON A NEW BEGINNING
Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt
1:10 P.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning; and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum. (Applause.)
We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world -- tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.
So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today -- to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I'm a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam -- at places like Al-Azhar -- that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities -- (applause) -- it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. (Applause.)
I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers -- Thomas Jefferson -- kept in his personal library. (Applause.)
So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. (Applause.)
But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. (Applause.) Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words -- within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum -- "Out of many, one."
Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores -- and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)
Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it. (Applause.)
So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations -- to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Applause.) That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes -- and, yes, religions -- subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared. (Applause.)
Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security -- because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military -- we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.
And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths -- but more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as -- it is as if he has killed all mankind. (Applause.) And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. (Applause.) The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of promoting peace.
Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who've been displaced. That's why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (Applause.) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future -- and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people -- (applause) -- I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (Applause.)
So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction -- or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews -- is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people -- Muslims and Christians -- have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they've endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations -- large and small -- that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Applause.)
For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It's easy to point fingers -- for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. (Applause.)
That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires. (Applause.) The obligations -- the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them -- and all of us -- to live up to our responsibilities.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That's not how moral authority is claimed; that's how it is surrendered.
Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)
And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel's legitimacy, and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.
America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. (Applause.) We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra -- (applause) -- as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer. (Applause.)
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.
I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation -- including Iran -- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)
I know -- I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)
Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld -- whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.
Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit -- for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
In fact, faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action -- whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.
The sixth issue -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights. (Applause.) I know –- I knoow -- and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. (Applause.) And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now, let me be clear: Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.
I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. (Applause.) Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity -- men and women -- to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams. (Applause.)
Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations -- including America -- this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities -- those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century -- (applause) -- and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I'm emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We'll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I'm announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek -- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort -- that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There's so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country -- you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) This truth transcends nations and peoples -- a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."
The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."
The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Applause.)
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
2:05 P.M. (Local)
###
Monday, September 28, 2009
For Creation of Palestine State Muslim/Arab side also needs piety & sincerity to honor agreement
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:40:14 +0600
To:
H.E. President Mahmud Abbas
H.R.H. King Abdulllah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud
H.E. Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei
Cc:
H.E.President Barack Obama
To Whom It May Concern
Subject: For Creation of Palestine State Muslim/Arab side also needs piety & sincerity to honor agreement
Mohtaram,
Assalamu Alaykum.
Our Jewish friend Dr. Richard L.Benkin in recent correspondence among PA diplomat, Dr. Benkin and me commented that the conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere would have ended long ago if the Arab-Muslim side were represented by real devout follower of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) and his faith, Islam. The divine ordinance obliges all individuals and parties to abide by agreement. And it is true that till date the Muslim/Arab side has little spirit to honor the agreement reached between PA and Israel. Muslim community has more than 40 states while the Jews are struggling to secure their only one state. We should not forget what Allah said to Holy Prophet Hazrat Daud (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) who had many wives and still he intended to marry the wife of another person.
The Jewish people are suffering from the obsession that they are the "Chosen People of Allah" and the Muslims are also suffering from the obsession that they are the "Chosen Ummah of Allah". But no one is caring that true Faith, Piety and commitment to covenants is the basic requirement to be Chosen by Allah.
The pro-Israeli Weekly Blitz has published an article titled "The ignorant arrogance of the advice-givers" written by Mr. Barry Rubin. Neither I have read the June 22 Newsweek article by Jacob Weisberg nor my purpose here is to endorse the content of the article of Mr. Barry Rubin. But the article reveals some of the genuine concerns of Israel - resolution of which largely depends on the Muslims and Arabs.
I am forwarding a copy of the article and urge all concerned to be sincere to the agreements already reached to create the State of Palestine.
May Allah forgive us and Bless us with His support to be His obedient servants.
Maassalm.
Kazi Azizul Huq
(ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Cell: 01819-407963. Tel: 8411436. Fax: +880-2-8411436
E-mail: kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net
Blog: www.bangladeshkhelafatandolan.blogspot.com
===================================================
Weekly Blitz
VOLUME - 4, ISSUE - 39, DHAKA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php?id=950
The ignorant arrogance of the advice-givers
Barry Rubin
One remarkable thing about watching the Middle East is how what’s celebrated as brilliant in Europe or America is errant nonsense. Writing such stuff makes people successful and gives them an audience of millions. What they say is so ridiculous that one wants to laugh, yet so totally accepted as true in Washington and European capitals that the laughter would be laughed at. The article to which I refer is by Jacob Weisberg in the June 22 Newsweek, entitled, “A Friend in Need: Barack gets tough on Bibi.” It is far more terrible because Weisberg is neither leftist nor anti-Israel but has simply imbibed what “everyone says.” Let me quickly add that while I don’t know Weisberg personally, I’m confident in saying he has no serious training in the Middle East, speaks neither Arabic nor Hebrew, spends little time researching the region, and has no real qualification for making the judgments he does.
Here's the theme: Israelis are so stupid about their country, situation, and region on the life-and-death issues which they have been dealing with for decades that they must be saved in spite of themselves by people who have no knowledge or experience on any of these things. No other country in the world is so frequently told this kind of thing which I hear all the time from Europeans, too.
Is it so hard to comprehend that our views and behavior are based on years of experience and study? That we know best how to save ourselves and have been doing a far better job of it, against tremendous odds and unhelpful kibbitzers,than many others? That heeding their prescriptions would be disastrous, in fact have already proven so? After all, the tragic history of the last 20 years has largely resulted from listening to the same advice he gives now,
When one tries to explain these things in conversations, however, you can see their eyes go blank and their ears close up.
Weisberg’s article follows this pattern. The United States, he says (and these are main elements in the rhetoric among supporters of the Obama administration and several European governments) must show Israel “tough love,” lean “harder on Jews and the Arabs to get serious about a deal,” and stop “fostering Israeli illusions that there [is] an alternative to trading land for peace.”
All three of these arguments are based on false premises.
Tough love: This derives from the late 1980s and early 1990s when the left side of the Israeli spectrum was pushing the land-for-peace and negotiate with the PLO arguments against their rivals on the right. A little U.S. pressure, they argued, would help get talks going.
A lot has happened since then, however, notably the 1992-2000 Oslo process. This proved to the vast majority of Israelis that the Palestinian leadership (and Syria, too, for that matter) wasn’t ready or interested in peace. Disillusioned, a lot of these people supported Ariel Sharon and the disengagement from the Gaza Strip, the results of which (Hamas takeover, rocket fire) made them even more disenchanted.
That’s why the Labour partywhich invented the land-for-peace argument in the first place and made the Oslo agreement and offered a two-state solution in 2000is now in a coalition government with the Likud party. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not a “right-wing” or “hard-line” leader but someone who speaks for the national consensus, a consensus based on education through painful, bloody experience.
Israel also faces a more hostile Europe, an Iran racing toward nuclear weapons, an intransigent and incompetent Palestinian Authority, plus Hamas and Hizballah.
Today the last thing Israelis need or want is pressure to make more concessions to the Palestinians. They’ve already made a lot; these didn’t lead anywhere good. What Israel needs today is not “tough love” but real support.
Push “harder on Jews and the Arabs to get serious about a deal”: The false assumption here is that getting an agreement, any agreement, is a desperate need of the two sides and of the region as a whole.
In fact, Israel is doing very well without any comprehensive peace agreement. The economy is doing fine; morale is high; security improved. Moreover, this concept pays no attention to the idea that a deal can be a bad one, inherently instable and leading to more violence.
It never enters the minds of these people that a “peace” agreement that was broken or had dangerous provisions (giving up strategic territory; east Jerusalem; empowering a radical regime in a next-door Palestinian state; opening the door to foreign Arab or Iranian armies entering; bringing in millions of Palestinian Arabs to Israel) could leave Israel far worse off.
As for the Palestinian leadership, far from being desperate for a deal it is desperate to avoid one on anything other than its own unrealistic terms.
Stop “fostering Israeli illusions that there [is] an alternative to trading land for peace.” This one makes me laugh. Everyone in Israel knows that there can be no comprehensive agreement without trading land for peace. The question is, however, whether any comprehensive agreement on decent terms is possible at this time.
In addition, the question is also which land. Israel has focused on three to five percent of the West Bank that is strategically important and has large concentrations of Israeli population.
Finally, if someone doesn’t understand that the barrier to peace is the Palestinians and not Israel, any advice they give Israel is going to be worthless.
As for those giving advice, here’s what we’ve seen in the last six months from those who want to “save” others by imposing their own vision:
--The idea that stopping construction on Jewish settlements would bring some Arab concession has already proven wrong.
--The idea that engagement with Iran would work has already proven wrong.
--The idea that the United States could successfully engage Syria in a set of mutual compromises has already proven wrong.
--The idea that an Obama charm offensive would bring higher levels of Arab support has already proven wrong. And that's just in six months!
Let’s have a little humility and readiness to listen, please, from those who would play with the lives of other people.
Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest books are The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), with Walter Laqueur (Viking-Penguin); the paperback edition of The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan); A Chronological History of Terrorism, with Judy Colp Rubin, (Sharpe); and The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley).
To:
H.E. President Mahmud Abbas
H.R.H. King Abdulllah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud
H.E. Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei
Cc:
H.E.President Barack Obama
To Whom It May Concern
Subject: For Creation of Palestine State Muslim/Arab side also needs piety & sincerity to honor agreement
Mohtaram,
Assalamu Alaykum.
Our Jewish friend Dr. Richard L.Benkin in recent correspondence among PA diplomat, Dr. Benkin and me commented that the conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere would have ended long ago if the Arab-Muslim side were represented by real devout follower of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) and his faith, Islam. The divine ordinance obliges all individuals and parties to abide by agreement. And it is true that till date the Muslim/Arab side has little spirit to honor the agreement reached between PA and Israel. Muslim community has more than 40 states while the Jews are struggling to secure their only one state. We should not forget what Allah said to Holy Prophet Hazrat Daud (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) who had many wives and still he intended to marry the wife of another person.
The Jewish people are suffering from the obsession that they are the "Chosen People of Allah" and the Muslims are also suffering from the obsession that they are the "Chosen Ummah of Allah". But no one is caring that true Faith, Piety and commitment to covenants is the basic requirement to be Chosen by Allah.
The pro-Israeli Weekly Blitz has published an article titled "The ignorant arrogance of the advice-givers" written by Mr. Barry Rubin. Neither I have read the June 22 Newsweek article by Jacob Weisberg nor my purpose here is to endorse the content of the article of Mr. Barry Rubin. But the article reveals some of the genuine concerns of Israel - resolution of which largely depends on the Muslims and Arabs.
I am forwarding a copy of the article and urge all concerned to be sincere to the agreements already reached to create the State of Palestine.
May Allah forgive us and Bless us with His support to be His obedient servants.
Maassalm.
Kazi Azizul Huq
(ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Cell: 01819-407963. Tel: 8411436. Fax: +880-2-8411436
E-mail: kahuq@dhaka.net, khelafat@dhaka.net
Blog: www.bangladeshkhelafatandolan.blogspot.com
===================================================
Weekly Blitz
VOLUME - 4, ISSUE - 39, DHAKA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php?id=950
The ignorant arrogance of the advice-givers
Barry Rubin
One remarkable thing about watching the Middle East is how what’s celebrated as brilliant in Europe or America is errant nonsense. Writing such stuff makes people successful and gives them an audience of millions. What they say is so ridiculous that one wants to laugh, yet so totally accepted as true in Washington and European capitals that the laughter would be laughed at. The article to which I refer is by Jacob Weisberg in the June 22 Newsweek, entitled, “A Friend in Need: Barack gets tough on Bibi.” It is far more terrible because Weisberg is neither leftist nor anti-Israel but has simply imbibed what “everyone says.” Let me quickly add that while I don’t know Weisberg personally, I’m confident in saying he has no serious training in the Middle East, speaks neither Arabic nor Hebrew, spends little time researching the region, and has no real qualification for making the judgments he does.
Here's the theme: Israelis are so stupid about their country, situation, and region on the life-and-death issues which they have been dealing with for decades that they must be saved in spite of themselves by people who have no knowledge or experience on any of these things. No other country in the world is so frequently told this kind of thing which I hear all the time from Europeans, too.
Is it so hard to comprehend that our views and behavior are based on years of experience and study? That we know best how to save ourselves and have been doing a far better job of it, against tremendous odds and unhelpful kibbitzers,than many others? That heeding their prescriptions would be disastrous, in fact have already proven so? After all, the tragic history of the last 20 years has largely resulted from listening to the same advice he gives now,
When one tries to explain these things in conversations, however, you can see their eyes go blank and their ears close up.
Weisberg’s article follows this pattern. The United States, he says (and these are main elements in the rhetoric among supporters of the Obama administration and several European governments) must show Israel “tough love,” lean “harder on Jews and the Arabs to get serious about a deal,” and stop “fostering Israeli illusions that there [is] an alternative to trading land for peace.”
All three of these arguments are based on false premises.
Tough love: This derives from the late 1980s and early 1990s when the left side of the Israeli spectrum was pushing the land-for-peace and negotiate with the PLO arguments against their rivals on the right. A little U.S. pressure, they argued, would help get talks going.
A lot has happened since then, however, notably the 1992-2000 Oslo process. This proved to the vast majority of Israelis that the Palestinian leadership (and Syria, too, for that matter) wasn’t ready or interested in peace. Disillusioned, a lot of these people supported Ariel Sharon and the disengagement from the Gaza Strip, the results of which (Hamas takeover, rocket fire) made them even more disenchanted.
That’s why the Labour partywhich invented the land-for-peace argument in the first place and made the Oslo agreement and offered a two-state solution in 2000is now in a coalition government with the Likud party. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not a “right-wing” or “hard-line” leader but someone who speaks for the national consensus, a consensus based on education through painful, bloody experience.
Israel also faces a more hostile Europe, an Iran racing toward nuclear weapons, an intransigent and incompetent Palestinian Authority, plus Hamas and Hizballah.
Today the last thing Israelis need or want is pressure to make more concessions to the Palestinians. They’ve already made a lot; these didn’t lead anywhere good. What Israel needs today is not “tough love” but real support.
Push “harder on Jews and the Arabs to get serious about a deal”: The false assumption here is that getting an agreement, any agreement, is a desperate need of the two sides and of the region as a whole.
In fact, Israel is doing very well without any comprehensive peace agreement. The economy is doing fine; morale is high; security improved. Moreover, this concept pays no attention to the idea that a deal can be a bad one, inherently instable and leading to more violence.
It never enters the minds of these people that a “peace” agreement that was broken or had dangerous provisions (giving up strategic territory; east Jerusalem; empowering a radical regime in a next-door Palestinian state; opening the door to foreign Arab or Iranian armies entering; bringing in millions of Palestinian Arabs to Israel) could leave Israel far worse off.
As for the Palestinian leadership, far from being desperate for a deal it is desperate to avoid one on anything other than its own unrealistic terms.
Stop “fostering Israeli illusions that there [is] an alternative to trading land for peace.” This one makes me laugh. Everyone in Israel knows that there can be no comprehensive agreement without trading land for peace. The question is, however, whether any comprehensive agreement on decent terms is possible at this time.
In addition, the question is also which land. Israel has focused on three to five percent of the West Bank that is strategically important and has large concentrations of Israeli population.
Finally, if someone doesn’t understand that the barrier to peace is the Palestinians and not Israel, any advice they give Israel is going to be worthless.
As for those giving advice, here’s what we’ve seen in the last six months from those who want to “save” others by imposing their own vision:
--The idea that stopping construction on Jewish settlements would bring some Arab concession has already proven wrong.
--The idea that engagement with Iran would work has already proven wrong.
--The idea that the United States could successfully engage Syria in a set of mutual compromises has already proven wrong.
--The idea that an Obama charm offensive would bring higher levels of Arab support has already proven wrong. And that's just in six months!
Let’s have a little humility and readiness to listen, please, from those who would play with the lives of other people.
Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest books are The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), with Walter Laqueur (Viking-Penguin); the paperback edition of The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan); A Chronological History of Terrorism, with Judy Colp Rubin, (Sharpe); and The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley).
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Core Cause of the On Going Confrontation
From Kazi Azizul Huq to Dr. Richard L. Benkin
Tuesday, Sept. 08, 2009.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Dear Brother Richard,
Assalamu Alaykum.
Greetings and special prayers for you during this Holy Month of Ramadan. Also greetings for the ensuing Jewish Days of Awe since repentance and introspection keeps all we Believers obedient to Allah.
On 29th October 2001 we wrote a letter to Muhtaram Pope John Paul ll. This letter may give you some idea about our interpretation of the core cause of the on going confrontation.
We do not support totalitarianism. But Believers need to resist globalization of De-Faithing and de-humanization of the mankind.
The society that does not teach their children to look after own parents at their old age - how can they teach us human rights?
To commit sin is humane. But to legalize sin is rebellion against Allah. The British administration (DFID and intelligence) with the support of EU, US and their mercenaries and collaborators have been working for decades to create situation to legalize fornication, live-together, homosexual living in Asia and Africa including my Bangladesh. They are exploiting Gender issue to weaken our social bond and social fabric. They are exploiting Good Governance program to weaken our government and strengthen their mercenaries (Media / Think-tank / NGO / agents inside ruling elite / agents inside intellectual elite) to impose their will on our nation. The Believers have a common duty against those who rebel against Allah.
We are not perfect. So we introspect, repent and try to correct ourselves. This the way of a Believer's life. Resilience has become a way of protecting own values and own way of life from external conspiracies of evil forces. It is really not totalitarianism.
However, I am seriously studying your words. We need to interact with each other to improve our ways and community to community relation. I have already reached this realization that neither the US nor Israel is our real enemy. Our real enemy is the evil agenda of the British who want to de-Faith us and legalize major sins in our Muslim counties.
May Allah forgive us all and Guide us all to His Will.
With best wishes and best regards.
Maassalam.
Your Brother
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
---------
From Dr. Richard L. Benkin to Kazi Azizul Huq
Monday, Sept.07, 2009.
-------
Dt: Monday, 07 Sept.2009.
To: Mr. Sohail Choudhury, Executive Editor, Weekly Blitz.
Cc: To Whom It May Concern
Re: http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php?id=924
Nasty side of radical Islam
-Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Dear Sohail Bhai,
Assalamu Alaykum.
Blending truth with lies is worse than blatant lies. The above article titled Nasty side of radical Islam is an unfair article and bad propaganda.
Everything in the post-Islamic Revolution Iran is neither perfect nor is possible to be perfect. But there is quite good kind of rule of law in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Divine, Social and humanitarian situation in Islamic Iran is far better than in Europe, U.S.A. and than in the territories ruled by the collaborators and mercenaries of U.K. and USA.
It is not good to appease those radicals who are prejudiced and senselessly against Islam and against Believer Muslims.
It is good to try to bring the Believer Muslims, Jews and Christians closer and initiate some joint efforts on the basis of common values.
With best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Tuesday, Sept. 08, 2009.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Dear Brother Richard,
Assalamu Alaykum.
Greetings and special prayers for you during this Holy Month of Ramadan. Also greetings for the ensuing Jewish Days of Awe since repentance and introspection keeps all we Believers obedient to Allah.
On 29th October 2001 we wrote a letter to Muhtaram Pope John Paul ll. This letter may give you some idea about our interpretation of the core cause of the on going confrontation.
We do not support totalitarianism. But Believers need to resist globalization of De-Faithing and de-humanization of the mankind.
The society that does not teach their children to look after own parents at their old age - how can they teach us human rights?
To commit sin is humane. But to legalize sin is rebellion against Allah. The British administration (DFID and intelligence) with the support of EU, US and their mercenaries and collaborators have been working for decades to create situation to legalize fornication, live-together, homosexual living in Asia and Africa including my Bangladesh. They are exploiting Gender issue to weaken our social bond and social fabric. They are exploiting Good Governance program to weaken our government and strengthen their mercenaries (Media / Think-tank / NGO / agents inside ruling elite / agents inside intellectual elite) to impose their will on our nation. The Believers have a common duty against those who rebel against Allah.
We are not perfect. So we introspect, repent and try to correct ourselves. This the way of a Believer's life. Resilience has become a way of protecting own values and own way of life from external conspiracies of evil forces. It is really not totalitarianism.
However, I am seriously studying your words. We need to interact with each other to improve our ways and community to community relation. I have already reached this realization that neither the US nor Israel is our real enemy. Our real enemy is the evil agenda of the British who want to de-Faith us and legalize major sins in our Muslim counties.
May Allah forgive us all and Guide us all to His Will.
With best wishes and best regards.
Maassalam.
Your Brother
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
---------
From Dr. Richard L. Benkin to Kazi Azizul Huq
Monday, Sept.07, 2009.
Dear Brother Huq,
Shalom Aleichem--and a special prayer for your peace as we approached the Jewish Days of Awe, which soon will be upon us.
I think there needs to be some really open debate here. For on the one hand, there can be no doubt that radical Islam represents a grave danger to much of the world and stands behind the murder of innocents. It is also difficult to think of a world conflict in which radical Islam is not involved. The fact that my brother entitled the article "the nasty side" of radical Islam presupposes that there is another side, too.
But, Brother Huq, while I certainly defer to you as a far greater expert than my, the way I understand Islam tells me that the radical Islamists claim to be true to the faith but are not. Three days after the 9/11 attacks, Dr. Daniel Pipes, a friend and non-Muslim scholar of Islam wrote:
"THAT the assault on New York's highest buildings and the American military headquarters appears to have been organised by Osama bin Laden and carried out exclusively by Muslims has large implications for
the way Muslim populations living in all Western countries will be seen in the future. Knowing a bit of background helps to explain what brought us to this situation. Bin Laden's men are not just Muslims but also
Islamists. Islam (a religion) is not the problem, but Islamism (a totalitarian ideology) is. Islamism is not so much a distortion of Islam, but a radically new interpretation. It politicises the religion, turning it into a
blueprint for establishing a coerced utopia. In many ways, its programme resembles those of fascism and Marxism/Leninism."
Moreover, most Islamists have not gone through the extensive study of Islam, Islamic law, etc. that traditional Islam requires. They tend to have western educations and apply a stunted interpretation of Islam to try and fix their own frustrations. Their brutal repression of women is contrary to Islam; so is their ethnic cleansing of non-Muslims and forced application of Sharia to them. They pick and choose, and do not allow the scholarly debate that characterizes true religious scholars everywhere. They are incapable of conducting the same sort of interpretation that traditional Islamic leaders once did, for instance, in softening the proscription against usury.
Moreover, I must respectfully take issue with your apologetic for the Iranian government,"But there is quite good kind of rule of law in the Islamic Republic of Iran." That regime has been one of the most repressive on earth--certainly of Muslims, which was on world view not long ago when Muslims protested the election and were ruthlessly put down, even tortured, for it. Plus, that government has engaged in the worst forms of minority repression and ethnic cleansing. I myself have spoken with Jewish and Bahai victims. Persia/Iran has a centuries-long tradition of pluralism, which the mullahs have raped and pillaged. With respect, saying that there are good things in that government is equivalent to those who justified Italian fascism by saying that "Mussolini made the trains run on time." As to the statement that the humanitarian situation is better there than in the US, I can hardly imagine what could possibly lead anyone--especially the residents of Iran--to such a conclusion.
Dr. Richard L. Benkin
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
http://www.interfaithstrength.blogspot.com/
+1-847-922-6426
http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
http://www.interfaithstrength.blogspot.com/
+1-847-922-6426
-------
Dt: Monday, 07 Sept.2009.
To: Mr. Sohail Choudhury, Executive Editor, Weekly Blitz.
Cc: To Whom It May Concern
Re: http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php?id=924
Nasty side of radical Islam
-Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Dear Sohail Bhai,
Assalamu Alaykum.
Blending truth with lies is worse than blatant lies. The above article titled Nasty side of radical Islam is an unfair article and bad propaganda.
Everything in the post-Islamic Revolution Iran is neither perfect nor is possible to be perfect. But there is quite good kind of rule of law in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Divine, Social and humanitarian situation in Islamic Iran is far better than in Europe, U.S.A. and than in the territories ruled by the collaborators and mercenaries of U.K. and USA.
It is not good to appease those radicals who are prejudiced and senselessly against Islam and against Believer Muslims.
It is good to try to bring the Believer Muslims, Jews and Christians closer and initiate some joint efforts on the basis of common values.
With best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
Kazi Azizul Huq
International Affairs Secretary
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon
Mail to HH Pope: Anglo-American occupation forces are not "working for peace"
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:51:14 +0600
Subject: Anglo-American occupation forces are not "working for peace"
To: H.H. Pope Benedict XVI
Cc: To Whom It May Concern
Mohtaram,
Assalamu Alaykum.
It is a matter of great regret that the Government of Italy sent soldiers in support of continuation of occupation of Afghanistan. It is not agreeable that the Anglo-American occupation forces are "working for peace".
H.H. Mollah Mohammad Omar is Leader of the Believers and a divine leader defending his Faith, people and country.
The Anglo-American administrations are promoters and protectors of the sins and evils of atheism, agnosticism, materialism, hedonism and social perversions (fornication, extra-marital sex, live-together, homosexual living etc.).
Believers in God irrespective of religious identities and differences need to join their hands in common Divine Cause.
Maassalam.
Kazi Azizul Huq
(ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary
At 07:07 PM 9/18/2009, you wrote:
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
NINETEENTH YEAR - N. 157
ENGLISH
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2009
HOLY FATHER'S GRIEF OVER DEATH OF ITALIAN SOLDIERS IN KABUL
VATICAN CITY, 18 SEP 2009 (VIS) - Benedict XVI yesterday expressed his grief
at the death of six Italian soldiers, members of the "Folgore" parachute
regiment, in a bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, which also caused the
deaths of fifteen other people.
The Holy Father gave assurances of his prayers for the victims and
expressed his "closeness to the families and to everyone involved", declared
Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J.
"What causes most sorrow", Fr. Lombardi went on, "is the continuation of
such violence against the very people who are working for peace. ... We hope
that all this bloodshed may, in the end, give way to the peace to which so
many people are committed and are giving their lives".
OP/KABUL ATTACK/LOMBARDI VIS 090918 (140)
Subject: Anglo-American occupation forces are not "working for peace"
To: H.H. Pope Benedict XVI
Cc: To Whom It May Concern
Mohtaram,
Assalamu Alaykum.
It is a matter of great regret that the Government of Italy sent soldiers in support of continuation of occupation of Afghanistan. It is not agreeable that the Anglo-American occupation forces are "working for peace".
H.H. Mollah Mohammad Omar is Leader of the Believers and a divine leader defending his Faith, people and country.
The Anglo-American administrations are promoters and protectors of the sins and evils of atheism, agnosticism, materialism, hedonism and social perversions (fornication, extra-marital sex, live-together, homosexual living etc.).
Believers in God irrespective of religious identities and differences need to join their hands in common Divine Cause.
Maassalam.
Kazi Azizul Huq
(ibn Abdulhuq ibn Izzatullah ibn Abdulhamid)
International Affairs Secretary
At 07:07 PM 9/18/2009, you wrote:
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
NINETEENTH YEAR - N. 157
ENGLISH
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2009
HOLY FATHER'S GRIEF OVER DEATH OF ITALIAN SOLDIERS IN KABUL
VATICAN CITY, 18 SEP 2009 (VIS) - Benedict XVI yesterday expressed his grief
at the death of six Italian soldiers, members of the "Folgore" parachute
regiment, in a bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, which also caused the
deaths of fifteen other people.
The Holy Father gave assurances of his prayers for the victims and
expressed his "closeness to the families and to everyone involved", declared
Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J.
"What causes most sorrow", Fr. Lombardi went on, "is the continuation of
such violence against the very people who are working for peace. ... We hope
that all this bloodshed may, in the end, give way to the peace to which so
many people are committed and are giving their lives".
OP/KABUL ATTACK/LOMBARDI VIS 090918 (140)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)