People need
legitimate representation in order to be considered
democratic. Iraq doesn't have legitimate representation.
The Iraqi people are voting for democracy, but are not voting in a democracy. |
|
When
democracy was established in the United State, those
representing the colonies were legitimate because they fought
for the independence of the United States from England. They
fought on the same side for the same purpose. They all had
an idea of what they wanted the republic to reflect, although
they didn't all agree. Furthermore, the
representatives were of the people. They weren't in a
green zone hidden away from the people.
The
Iraqi people have not fought for their freedom; its being handed
to them by the wrong people. They haven't really agreed
what the republic will reflect. There are candidates running for
ideas, not for the people, and not for law. The people haven't
had the opportunity to voice their concerns to those running for
parliament. The Iraqi people are voting for democracy, but are
not voting in a democracy, because they are not being
allowed to fully participate in the decision-making process.
Instead
of having one dictator, they will now have a few dozen.
Rashad
Abdul Hakim
New
Haven, CT, United States
Jan
4, 2006
I
totally support Khalid. Whatever Saddam did to his people for
the last thirty years the Americans have done the same in just
under three years. And besides, there is much more violence in
Iraq right now. I just don’t get it, how could some people
support a war that was based on total lies. I don’t see any
difference between the terrorists, Saddam Hussein or any
criminal minded person. They are all in the same boat. After
all, birds of the same feather flock together. HOW TRUE!
Frances
Cassim
Dec
30, 2005
Assalamu
Aleikum,
I think that Iraq and the Iraqis are worse-off in everything. |
|
I
write to thank the leadership of your organization for the
enlightenment to Muslims all over the world.
In
respect to the issue of Iraq after the war America senselessly
fought, I think the hypocrites in Iraq should have only
themselves to blame. I think that Iraq and the Iraqis are
worse-off in everything. The only kind advice is for them to
return to Allah and jointly agree to do Jihad.
Mikhail
Ibrahim
Nigeria
Dec
30, 2005
Come
to Tennessee and try to behead our children and see what happens
to you. You want to kill American women and children? Tennessee
Militia is ready and waiting on you! I'm very sorry for your
hatred for innocent people who have done nothing to you, but you
have made your intentions clear. I would like to do likewise!
Armed
American Christians
Dec
30, 2005
I can't imagine what kind of terrorism the next generation of Americans will bring to the world. |
|
Evan
lost the debate in the 4th round when he referred to Khalid as
3rd person, instead of "you".
Evan's views are an echo of the American media. This American
youth doesn't have any idea what is going on in Iraq. Strangely,
instead of opening his eyes to first hand info from Khalid, he
insisted on believing what the rest of the world have abhorred
listening to. This is purely an amazing example of people
refusing to be open to truth other than the one they subscribe
to.
I can tell that deep inside Evan is embarrassed of the terrorism
in Iraq brought by his government. However, in the name of
patriotism, he is supports the war.
If he is a typical American, I can't imagine what kind of
terrorism the next generation of Americans will bring to the
world.
Labu
Dec
30, 2005
Assalamu
Aleikum,
This
is a very good debate. Yes, although the war is illegal by our
standards and maybe immoral, one has to admit that the only way
to remove Saddam was the intervention of another government that
is looking out for its own interests. Let's face it, no Muslim
country had the courage to do it because the fear it had of
Saddam out-weighed the fear that it should have had of
Allah, which gave the US the back bone to remove Saddam
from power.
Allah
says if it weren't for him setting one people against another
surely corruption would have been pervasive throughout the
lands.
Muslim
countries should have done this along time ago!
Rashad
Abdul-Hakim
New
Haven, CT , USA
Dec
26, 2005
It is a soldier's duty to fight and die for his country. |
|
Iraq
would be better off if the "resistance," i.e.
terrorists, would stop killing innocent people. The fact that
al-Quaeda was not in Iraq before the war is irrelevant today
because it is there now. Terrorist activities such as kidnapping
will only prolong the bloodshed and violence in Iraq. Americans
would rather face such atrocities in another country than relive
September 11, 2001. It is a soldier's duty to fight and die for
his country. It is the right of every citizen to enjoy life,
freedom and happiness. The citizens in Iraq are robbed of these
basic human rights and the thief is this "resistance".
This is just one American's opinion.
Bob
Hoffman
Dec
23, 2005
Thanks
so much for this informative exchange of ideas.
I find Khalid's beliefs and arguments much more persuasive than
Evan's.
I think the war in Iraq is illegal and immoral -- and a
terrible, terrible mistake that will have far-reaching negative
implications for the people of Iraq, the Middle East, the US,
and the world at large for many decades to come.
Bill C.
New
Orleans
Dec
21, 2005
Assalamu
Aleikum,
Dear
IOL’s editors,
I
couldn’t hide my amazement at IOL for making this dialogue go
public. I think this is a very good effort in trying to join two
different people, from two different positions, into a dialogue
that has enlightened me and most of the readers. I’m sure that
this dialogue has made people, especially Muslims from other
parts of the world, understand the current realities in Iraq and
choose which side to stand by after analyzing views from both
sides.
I truly can’t hide my surprise to see how blind Americans can be to the people of the country they invaded. |
|
For
me, Evan resembles a typical American, who holds
"rigid" views of supporting his government, no matter
how realistic and relevant Khalid’s points were. He tried to
understand, but not with sincerity. He sounded biased every time
he answered Khalid’s post.
I
would like to congratulate Khalid for standing up to speak the
truth on behalf of the Iraqis and the Muslims. I truly can’t
hide my surprise to see how blind Americans can be to the people
of the country they invaded. It’s now clear to me that the US
expects people to see only the "good side" of the
occupation while they are obviously robbing the country. The US
will not go to war unless there are some profits guaranteed.
Khalid gave a very good analogy to explain the "expected
benefits" of war on Iraq. Philosophizing wars and saying
that they bring benefits is totally unacceptable! You presented
your points very well, Khalid :)
I’m
not trying to be pro-Khalid just because I’m a Muslim. But the
points he laid were much more convincing, realistic and logical
if compared to the points used by Evan.
I
enjoyed the dialogue. May Allah bless us all and give us a
better understanding of what is actually happening in Iraq.
Nur
Fatiha Kamarzaman,
4th
Year Medical Student,
Clayton,
Australia.
Dec
21, 2005
Peace
to you,
It
is a great job to bring opposite sides for fruitful
discussion. It started out as fun to me but I couldn't quit till
I read to the last word. I thought it was too long too read but
it turned out to be too short.
Khalid
Jarar hasn't only exposed reality but was also very rational in
his arguments. He was replying point by point while his
partner's approach was a bit vague, and it echoed what the world
got tired of. I hope you keep up this job as it might help to
reveal the truth that most of the media failed to forward.
I
say Peace to you again.
Ine
Ante
Dec
20, 2005
