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Islamonline Editing Desk
Name
Mahmoud
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
How do you explain the sudden and shocking fall of Baghdad? How do some small cities resist for 3 weeks and Baghdad is taken over hours without fighting? The whole world was amazed by the fierce resistance put up by the Iraqis, but out of the blow we came up on the news of the Baghdad downfall. What really happened?
Answer
It was predictable. The coalition forces had superiority in all spheres of war. Everything was on their side, including the Iraqi opposition, and once it became clear that the regime has no power, what so ever, even the people came on their side.
The Iraqi army was no match to the invading armies. The air superiority was total and the lines between defending the country and a regime became sharper as a result of the war propaganda.
The Republican guards never fought. No one in Iraq knew the morale of soldiers and no one knew how the commanding system was operating.
So it was a combination of several factors. But what happened was predictable.
Name
Sabah
- Brazil
Profession
Question
Does entering Baghdad mean that the Iraqi regime has come to an end? Or there is still some hope that the Iraqi resistance will rise up again? Does the destruction of Saddam's statue imply the end of Iraqi regime? Or is it just a media event?
Answer
The Bush-Blair coalition was determined to end the Saddam regime. It was willing to pay any cost. From the day one, its strategy was to expedite the elimination of Saddam regime. It achieved its goal with relative ease in Baghdad. For all practical purposes the Saddam regime is ousted and Iraq has no government to rule its affairs. Even if the regime leadership tries to stage a comeback, the coalition forces have all the superiority to prevent it from achieving its efforts.
Name
Shelh
-
Profession
Question
Now that Saddam's regime is no longer in Iraq. Can't we say that it is also in the advantage of Iraqis to make Iraq a better place for Iraqis? Now maybe all Iraqis abroad should return and build Iraq and protect it from regimes like Saddam's. What can you comment about this? Thanks.
Answer
In fact the responsibility of making a country better is always upon its citizens. If citizens are not willing to take up the challenge, regimes like Saddam impose them upon people.
Iraqis were living under Baathist regime. It was a totalitarian regime, a regime that violated all the principles of Islam on matters pertaining to human rights, people's participation in the political process and serving people in their needs.
Iraqi intellectuals and leadership was subdued by the totalitarian regime to such an extent that people could not rise in defense of their rights during the long years of despotism. When they rose, they were brutalized.
Many of their opposition leaders lived in Europe and America and worked closely with CIA and many other intelligence agencies to topple the regime. The coalition forces invaded in Baghdad only when they had the full guarantee that they would be the one who would be in control of Iraq's political and economic institutions.
The new regime will be controlled by the coalition forces. Let us hope that the new Iraqi regime allow Iraqis anywhere in the world to return and play a constructive role in the reconstruction of their country.
What is ironic is that Iraq's new reconstruction will be done by Iraq's money and manpower, but not with its mind. Those who will rebuild Iraq will be the ones approved by the Pentagon. The new rulers will be puppets in the hands of those who wanted this war in the first place against the will of the international community.
Name
Shukri
- United States
Profession
Question
Some observers say that Saddam and his regime have signed a deal with the Americans to leave in return for surrendering Baghdad. What do you think?
Answer
Everything is possible in war and sometimes in love. If Saddam has that choice, then he made it too little and too late. He could have done the same before the war.
Regardless of the rumors or observations that you refer to, the fact is that the people of Iraq are the ones who paid a heavy price for this deal. The Saddam regime used their resources to serve its economic and political interests often in cohort with the British, and American Administrations and the Iraqi people paid a price for that. Now America and Britain will directly benefit from the Iraqi oil and other resources.
The 24 million people of Iraq offer a huge market for American multinational corporations. Their lifestyle and their future will now be determined by the invading forces. It will be done in the name of Iraqi people, but once again we will see a revival of colonial past, something Great Britain has greater expertise in.
Name
Ashraf
-
Profession
Question
Saddam declared in the beginning that he would continue to fight America, and the first days of the war proved that. But, all of a sudden, he disappeared? Is it a kind of deal? Or it a kind of betrayal from the Iraqi army?
Answer
The war is a psychological game as well in addition to a military game. The regime was told on Day One that the coalition forces would target its leadership. Rather than defending the country or regime, each of the top officials became concerned about his or her own safety. The first round of the battle was lost there. It was a loss from where the leadership never recovered. The battles that took place appeared to be severe. But the Iraqi army was no match to superior military power of the coalition forces.
Name
AbouBakr
-
Profession
Question
As-Salaamu `Alykum. Now that Saddam is finished I believe that we must think about Iraqis future. How can the scientist be protected? How can education be protected?
Answer
Well, according to a memo issued by the United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID), Iraqi institutions will be rebuilt mostly by American companies. They will decide about school, hospitals, army, police etc. They will decide what will be taught in these schools and who will be taught. They will provide training to teachers, nurses and doctors.
Of course, there will always be willing Iraqis who will participate in this process. How far that succeeds is something that has to be watched very closely.
There are groups who might accept total American leadership in all spheres of life. There are those who might resist. There are those who might serve others at the cost of their own people. There are already Christian missionaries waiting to flood Iraq with their literature. They have prepared text books in Arabic language and have even hired Arabic speaking volunteers. With money and the backing of the coalition forces, they might try to be a leading force for change in Iraq.
Name
Angelbert Parungo
-
Profession
Question
What are the verses in the Qur'an that can be applied in the situation in Iraq and for the Muslims around the globe?
Answer
There are many verses in the Qur'an that can help us understand the present situation.
Chapter 2-216 says that you may dislike something, but it may turn in your favor. Chapter 94:5-6 talk about a period of ease after difficulty.
The Qur'an gives us certain rules about the rise and fall of nations. These rules can be read in the following verses of the Qur'an:
As-Salamu`Alaykum, how would the other Muslims ever trust the Arabs about what happened in their backyards and they did not do nothing?
Answer
This is not an Arab and non Arab issue. It is an issue that deserves the attention of the Muslim ummah. The question that we must ask is simple: What is our true identity? Is it race, geography, ethnicity or religion? If we believe that we are first and foremost Muslims then we must act as such. Islam demands that we stand for certain basic human rights of others, regardless of their background.
If we do not stand for certain basic rights of other people and neglect them on the basis of our cultural, financial, political or ethnic or even personal interests, we are betraying none other than ourselves.
For almost 60 years of our independence from our colonial past, we Muslims have been betraying our own ideals, the ideals of Islam. We have neglected the rights of others. We must fulfill our commitment to our faith wherever we are. Our faith never stands against justice, patriotism, and commitment to human values.
Name
Thomas Pochari
- United States
Profession
publisher of World Affairs Monthly
Question
Many senior American politicians and officials do not really want to go along with this Likud plan to destroy the Arab world....this is my conviction. Do you see this as well? Why has the Likud Party been able to take control of the US government? The other problem is see is that the Democratic Party is dominated by Jews, and most of not all of these Jews are Zionists....Does this mean the USA has a grim future?
By the way, I would like to interview you for World Affairs Monthly.....I will call you.
Thanks
Answer
There are two harsh realities that we have to accept. The Bush Administration is not only supported by pro-Likud hawks, but also Zionist Christians or Christian Zionists, such as Falwell, Robertson and Grahm, who believe that the US is carrying the will of God in the world. They have votes and they have churches to disseminate their views every Sunday. Now they have many channels giving them time and space. The Anti-War movement has given rise to a new leadership that is neither Zionists nor Christian Zionist. It believes in certain basic principles. Perhaps a leadership emerging from this movement may play a key role in the future role of the US in the Middle East.
Name
Sarosh
- United States
Profession
IT
Question
Salam,
In light of the current happenings in the Arab and Muslim World as a whole and World Dominance by a few, why is no Islamic country re-considering the Muslim Caliphate for ordinary Muslims to leave in peace?
Answer
Before we can think of Caliphate, we need to talk about Sharafat (nobility or decency). Muslim intellectuals and reformers have to work at grass roots levels to empower their people in Islamic values of decency, nobility, freedom, justice and mercy. Without preparing a people whose character is built around these values, no system of government can succeed. We saw the collapse of totalitarian regime in Iraq. Unless people are part of the political process, nothing will be durable.
Name
Hassan
-
Profession
Question
I have heard in the last two days that a liberation army was formed in Iraq to free Iraq from its invaders and from any pro Zionist government that could be in place. How big is this force?
Answer
This is called the National Liberation Front of Iraq, and its number is growing by numbers. But it lacks the resources to conduct itself in an orderly fashion at this moment.
Name
Agadiri
-
Profession
Question
US threatens Syria for helping Iraq in its resistance, does that mean that US is telling Syria that it is next?
Answer
Yes, the United States will do whatever it deems necessary for its oil and political interests and for the security of Israel because it is run by those who are hardliners and who see evil as a legitimate tool to serve their interests. Anyone who is not willing to be the line of the US in the Middle East is the next, be it Syria, or Iran or Pakistan or Egypt or Sudan.
Name
Aisha
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Professor
Question
At what level was this war a war against Islam? When there appear to be obvious attempts to destroy the knowledge of the country, there are memories of similar historical events in which invading armies literally filled the rivers with ink. Are there any similarities here?
Answer
This war was for the oil interests and the imperialistic design of the hardliners in the Bush administration. But there were groups supportive of President Bush such as Christian Coalition and many others who believe it is a war against Islam. They call it the beginning of Armageddon, or the final war between evil and good. They believe that US has been chosen by God to be the standard bearer of the message of Jesus Christ to defeat ant-Christ, who in their views, are Muslims.
Name
Heidi
-
Profession
Question
Perhaps we should wait and see. Now America and Britain will directly benefit from the Iraqi oil and other resources.
Answer
Of course, this issue was settled long before the first shots were fired. The US did not fight this war to liberate the people of Iraq. Had this been the case, the US would have sent its armies in Cuba, in several Latin American countries where dictatorship rules and despotism prevails. The reconstruction will pump in billions of dollars to the US economy benefiting companies like Halliburton, parsons, or Bechtel.
Name
OMAR
- United States
Profession
Question
What will happen if the Iraqi scientists are kidnapped or killed or if they just disappear? Would the Arab world or Iraqis do something about it?
Answer
Well, so many Arab and Muslim scientists are forced to migrate to other countries due to oppression in their own countries. There is brain drain in the Muslim world. The Muslim governments have failed to give adequate resources and freedom to their own people to purse scientific and technological advancements. In this situation, everything is possible.
Name
IRAQI
- Iraq
Profession
Engineer
Question
As-Salamu`Alaykum,
Why All the Arab governments and people, as well as the media, didn't talk about the dictator Saddam Hussein? No one talked about the suffering of the Iraqi people, and even when the tyrant fell, now every one seems now to talk bad about the oppressed Iraqi people. We want some fair Judgment, Iraqis have enough oppression from the invaders, they are destroying every thing...
Answer
The Muslim world is also run by dictators and despots who control the mind and the media. These rulers are supported by London, Paris and Washington. They serve the multination as well. They will never speak about human rights abuses of others because they themselves are violators of human rights.
However, those who have a deep commitment to Islam and human values did speak against Saddam. They wrote against the dictator and focused on the sufferings of the Iraqi people.
Name
Shamsul Huq
- United States
Profession
Question
Is the conquest of Iraq compared to the invasion of the Tartars, back in history? Did Saddam bring about his own destruction by way of his dictatorship, or is this Allah's punishment for not ruling in a just way?
Answer
The invasion of Iraq is a unique modern phenomenon. Against the will of international community, the US and UK lead invasion to secure their oil interests. There are other groups who joined the caravan. They include Christian Zionists and multinational corporations as well as the Zionists. They will do whatever it takes to first secure oil interests. If that means killing people, they will not hesitate.
A vast majority of the American people is against this policy and believes that people should be the one to decide their own destiny. They believe in American ideals of democracy and want the same for the Iraqi people. Yet they are outvoted by Zionists and hawks in the current administration.
Name
fathima
- Sri Lanka
Profession
Question
Yesterday (Friday 11th) we had an anti-war day and human chain, sticker and badge campaign in our country. Just explain to me the present situation in Iraq and predict me the future. It's totally confusing. What's the real feeling of an Iraqi?
Answer
The war was wrong yesterday, is wrong today and will be wrong tomorrow. There is chaos in Iraq and it is most likely that the US and UK forces will stay in Iraq for foreseeable future. The war may be over but the occupation is not. The liberation of Iraqi people should mean that the country be restored to them. But the fact that the US is in control of everything means that Iraqis are not trusted by the Administration to govern themselves. The focus now is on how to end the occupation.
Name
Rashad
- United States
Profession
Engineer
Question
As-Salaamu `Alaykum dear Brother Abdullah,
What can Muslims do here in the US to change the direction that of our foreign policy, which is very pro Israel. And secondly what do see as the likely outcome of the scenario playing out in Iraq? Thank you.
Answer
Get involved in your local community. America is a land of smaller communities. Get involved. Let your neighbor hear your story, let your city hear your story and let your state hear your story. Get involved.
Name
Soussi
-
Profession
Question
What is the main reason for the US to get rid of Saddam? I know he is a bad leader for Iraqis, but why is it that only now they decided to get rid of him? Why didn't Bush Sr. finish the job in Gulf War 1? Thanks.
Answer
Saddam is a casualty of this war that the Bush Administration wanted to fight no matter what. This war was essential to control 11 percent of the world proven oil reserves. The concern was not his human rights record. Had this been the case, perhaps the first one the US would have deal with is none other than Israel whose human rights record is dismal towards Palestinians.
They got rid of Saddam Hussein because they found others who will be more loyal to their oil interests than Saddam.
Name
Soussi
-
Profession
Question
I agree with Shukri "Some observers say that Saddam and his regime have signed a deal with the Americans to leave in return for surrendering Baghdad. What do you think?"
There was no resistance in Baghdad unlike other cities in Iraq, Saddam touring streets of Baghdad was an old show and I believe it took place in Gulf War 1 as I can still remember seeing it. Bush made it clear before the war began: Saddam leave the country and you Iraqis don't burn oil fields...
Don't all these things make it clear that Saddam had something to do with having some agreement with invaders? Thanks for clearing this.
Answer
What difference does it make? In either way he played in the hands of his friends who turned foes. Saddam and, let us be clear here, people like him who rule through force and coercion, are never loyal to their country, people or religion. They use each one of them to serve their interests. The history of the post colonial Muslim world is full with stories of corruption and betrayals for a few million dollars.
Name
sumayya
-
Profession
Question
As-Salam `Alaykum, has Al-Sahaf died? We don't get his coverage of the war any more, which is very sad!
Answer
No one really knows the number of Iraqi civilian or military casualties. It is said that in a Muslim country, a Muslim is often deprived of the last rites and a respectable burial. The scene of Iraqi bodies rotting in streets and being dumped in hospital morgue is an ugly scene. This is not dignified. But if Muslim rulers had cared about Muslim dignity and human dignity, they would not have led the Ummah to this plight.
Name
abu omar
- United States
Profession
Question
As-Salamu `Alykum, what do you think of those Arab leaders who helped the kafir (disbeliever) to kill Muslims, are they Munafiq or what?
Answer
Human life is sacred, even the life of a kafir is created by God Almighty. The Qur'an says that whoever kills a human being without any reason or turmoil indeed kills the whole humanity. We should be on the side of justice. Those who support injustice are indeed violating the divine laws, regardless of their background.
Our commitment to a Muslim is on the basis of his commitment to the divine principles. We are not sectarian. We believe in the universal principles of Islam of justice, peace, liberty and progress.
Name
Arlan
-
Profession
Question
Salam,
Thomas Pochari just asked you a question which highlights Jewish/Zionist dominance in The US...you also answered another question with: "the United States will do whatever it deems necessary for its oil and political interests and for the security of Israel because it is run by those who are hardliners and who see evil as a legitimate tool to serve their interests". This sure explains the question of T .Pochari. Can you please make this clear? Thanks.
Answer
What more clarity you seek. What the Bush Administration is doing is not the will of American people. American people did not elect Rumsfield or Wolfwitz, but American people are certainly led by them through President Bush. They have made up their minds about the future of the Middle East. They believe that a politically subdued Islam and a divided Arab world on shia-sunni and ethnic lines would serve their interests. This is nothing new. All superpowers play this game. The issue is how far can people be influential in preventing this to become a permanent reality.
Name
Sayeed
- India
Profession
Business Executive
Question
Dear Sir, As-Salaamu`Alaykum,
It was Afghanistan last year and now Iraq. And in both cases it has been a total rout of Muslim forces. It could be Syria, Iran and Libya next, as these are the only remaining Muslim countries not falling in Line with the whims of US. Muslim leaders have to wake up and come together as one nation, burying old hatchets if any. Why does this continue to remain a distant dream?
Answer
It happens because our immune system is deficient. We don't have people with strong Islamic character and we don't have leader with strong Islamic values. We don't have institutions to serve our values. We have people and institutions to serve others. Unless we become stronger at grassroots levels we will not move forward.
Name
aqeel
-
Profession
Question
Are the non Iraqi Arabs that are fighting in Iraq doing the right thing by conducting guerilla warfare, although the main Iraqi troops have disappeared?
Answer
It is futile to fight a war on the basis of one's emotions. It is better to use this energy to empower Muslims at different levels through peaceful means.
Name
Mohammed Noor Desmukh
- India
Profession
Research scholar
Question
The question is: Now what? I feel we should keep a low profile and develop the strength to fight as this war has shown America can be defeated if the ummah is united which requires that we remove the Jews and Christians ruling our countries and become one nation.
Answer
The solution is not in a military victory. Islam calls for a moral and peaceful victory of mind and hearts. Islam does not want to dominate on the basis of coercion. It wants to win hearts and minds on the basis of logic and reason. We do not have to defeat any country to win. America is as human as any other country is. The fact that millions spoke against the war is a testimony of the strength of America. It is that America that we should cherish and cheer.
Name
Sarosh
- United States
Profession
Question
Salam,
Saudi Arabia, is it another Iraq that has fallen to the West without a fight?
Answer
Saudi Arabia and many other countries are puppets of the big multinationals and their representatives in the governments. They have a game plan and they play accordingly.
Name
Abdinassir
- United Kingdom
Profession
Student
Question
Dear sir I have a simple but important question.
Will the so called America and its Allies leave Iraq, if yes after how long?
Answer
They will leave Iraq once they have secured their oil interests. It may take months, or years or decades.
Name
Omar
-
Profession
Question
Is it possible that Muslims can confront by any means to bring freedom to their countries and root out dictatorship before it is too late? But what stance Islam would allow violence to up root a dictator?
Answer
Violence is not permitted in Islam. Defence against violence is permitted. Our political struggle must be based on peaceful foundations. We must develop people's movement at grass roots levels for justice, liberty, freedom and other Islamic values. We must prepare ourselves for a long struggle. Those who control the power in Muslim worlds represent the most powerful mafia in the world, the mafia of multinationals who have the capability of eliminating even nations from the face of earth. Each one of us is responsible for this struggle and each one of us should be involved in it.
Name
Kamil
- Canada
Profession
Engineer
Question
Do you think the US and Britain may be plotting another evil design Against Saudi?
Answer
The plots are always there. Will they implement it and when? These are the questions. Perhaps not as long as Saudi monarchs play the tune to the enjoyment of oil companies.
Name
Syed
-
Profession
Question
Where are the Arab leaders? What happened to the Arab street? Is the impotence of Arabs going to continue even after this humiliation?
Answer
I have heard of Arab rulers but not Arab leaders. Perhaps the rules have never allowed the true Arab leaders to emerge. Arab streets are impatient but they lack an organized peaceful response to the political blunders of their rulers.
Name
Abdelkader
- Canada
Profession
student
Question
What do you think would be the short-tem future of the entire region after the collapse of Iraqi regime?
Answer
Chaos, mistrust, and political changes. The real beneficiary of this war are oil cartels, Israel and of course Christian Zionists who glee at the prospect of Armageddon.
Name
ali
-
Profession
psychiatrist
Question
What should Muslims in the West especially in the United States be doing at this time? Do you have any specific ideas on strategies?
Answer
Getting involved at the grassroots level, talking to people at all levels and trying to convince them of their point of views.
Name
Ahmed
- India
Profession
Question
As per your answer to somebody, it is not predictable. But in world amazing about 2 hours battle. From 11:30 we heard news, they are big fighting. But 02:00 battle was over. They did some bombing (Cluster or Mothe Bomb) like in Baghdad that period. Please explain.
Answer
Well, the Iraqi army was a myth and the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction a myth. They evaporated like a bubble when met the real test.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Editor:
We would like to apologize for our viewers for not being able to answer all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We request our viewers to join us in the upcoming sessions on Iraq.
