*** The Session Has Begun. Please Submit Your Questions. ***
Answer
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Name
amira
- United States
Profession
Question
While Muslim and Arab countries have criticized the US decision to go to war, how likely is it they can actually deny military support to the US?
Answer
Some Arab and Muslim governments will as they have promised provide military facilities while some may not and are not required to. There are already American troops deployed in much of the Gulf area. However, these governments will come under enormous pressure from their own people since it is clear that there is a huge gap between the position adopted by governments on this issue and those adopted by the masses.
Name
Samya
- United Kingdom
Profession
pharmacist
Question
Is this war only a pretense to wage attacks on the Muslim countries, something I feel the US has wanted to do for a long time but never really had a good enough excuse for it.
Answer
It is possible of course that the United States is seizing this opportunity to intervene in the affairs of some Muslim countries. But there is no doubt also that the U.S. administration is under pressure to retaliate for the attack on its citizens and installations. In anyway, the Muslim masses across the world will see the American war against any of the Muslim countries to be a war against Islam. That is why we have seen so many demonstrations protesting the American plans and threatening to join the victims of America if America were to attack.
Name
Anne
- Palestine
Profession
Question
The US has claimed that Israel will not participate in the coalition the US is trying to build in the middle east, but that they will provide "intelligence."
Doesnt this amount to Israeli participation and will muslim and Arab countries then continue to stand by AMerica?
Answer
The United States will do its best to prevent Israel from appearing to be involved in the planned coalition. This is in a way similar to what happened ten years ago when America led a coalition against Iraq. But of course covertly nothing to prevent the U.S. and Israel from coordinating and exchanging intelligence.
Name
Saladin
- United States
Profession
Question
Should not the U.S. have a little patience and investigate further before reacting so hastily in codemning certain people? Should they not investigate all avenues?
Answer
Everybody has been appealing to the U.S. to be patient and careful. The formidable power the U.S. has is capable of destroying Afghanistan or any country in the Muslim world America is likely to target. However, if the wrong people are hit and the campaign results in innocent people being killed and wounded America’s problems will only be exacerbated. There is no doubt that a crime not only against America, but also against humanity was committed on September 11th, but this wrong cannot be undone by another wrong. Most Muslims, at least outside America, believe the U.S. has probably jumped to conclusions before undertaking a thorough investigation. Not only that, but also because Afghanistan is a weak country, and because the Taliban have been demonized in the Western media, America is bullying Afghanistan and is not dealing with it as a sovereign member of the community of nations.
Name
Joseph
- France
Profession
Student
Question
How -we Muslims in the West- can influence our governments to not bombard Muslim countries? Should we work with pacifist movements and green parties to realise that?
Answer
I think Muslims in the West can only influence policy making only if they are involved in politics and are active members of both civil and political societies. So far, some successes have been accomplished, but there is still a long way ahead. What the Muslims need to focus on, as well, is to communicate with the others in the societies in order to influence public opinion. The majority of people in western countries continue to be either misinformed or disinterested regarding issues of importance to Muslims, which happen in most cases to be major foreign policy issues as we have seen in America. Americans show very very little interest in their government’s foreign policy. Although the situation is not as bad in Europe, nevertheless, most foreign policy matters are entrusted fully to politicians who are only occasionally questioned about the decisions they take. Muslim need to engage the media by expressing opinions, correcting mistakes, and protesting against distortions.
Name
John
- United States
Profession
Question
Why do the Taliban Afgan's call for a Jihad? They clearly back terrorism, but to encourage all Islamic's to a Jihad does not speak very well of Islam as a religion. Why is there not an out cry from other Islams against this?
Answer
Well, the Taliban have called for a Jihad incase they are attacked. What else does one expect if one is subjected to aggression? The Taliban would be mistaken had they initiated aggression. If it is proven that the Taliban are responsible for the attack on America on September 11, then they would be wrong and they would not deserve the sympathy of other Muslims. So far, Bin Laden, who lives in Afghanistan has denied responsibility and even if he or any of his associates are proven to be responsible, then the proper way to deal with this issue would be to communicate with the Taliban directly or indirectly the proof of guilt. But as things stand today, Afghanistan is threatened with war because they refuse to extradite someone who has not been proven to be guilty. There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding the concept of Jihad. Jihad is not an evil thing even if some people may misuse it or abuse it. Jihad is the process of exerting an effort or making an endeavor to stand for truth and justice. In other words, Jihad is not simply waging war against others.
Name
Jamal
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Salaam a'laikum,
Why iz it that U.S. says they go after only terrorists but they actions go after all Muslims?
Answer
Well the Americans say clearly that they do not declare war against Islam or the Muslims and indeed they say they are after terrorism. Now, if the Americans are truly after those who caused the 11th September massacres, we should all support their effort. However, Muslims suspect that what the Americans are after is much more than this. The Americans can prove to us to be credible if they refrain from using language that can only mean a declaration of war against Muslims. Take, for instance, the word “Crusade” used by President Bush. Take also the phrase “the Civilized World”. In addition to words, the mobilization of fleets and troops intimidate Muslims and the fear and the anxiety that is felt by the masses across the Muslim world are justified.
Name
Asif
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu Alaykum !
My question is not related to the issue of whether USA should go to war or not. But the question is that if USA does, and innocent Muslims will be killed in Afghanistan, would it mean jihaad or just an attack on Afghanistan?
Answer
There is no doubt that an attack on Afghanistan will arouse the anger of Muslims elsewhere. Our memory is still fresh with the Muslim mobilization against the Soviet occupation of that same country. It is possible that the Americans have something different in mind than occupying a country, but I would have thought that the Americans would be apprehensive about the possibility that any action against innocent Muslims will only turn more people against America. America, today, is the most hated country in the Muslim world because of its unconditional support for Israel, because of its sanctions against Iraq, and because of its military presence in Arabia. Such hatred is only likely to increase as a result of any blunder.
Name
Abduall
- United Kingdom
Profession
Teacher
Question
Assalamalykum Dear Brother
I have atatende a few Isalmic talksand asked verious well known speakers about the staus of the talibanand wetehr we should support them. The common replie was that they were not awae of their situation and thus coul not comment. Now if we are in such a situation were those at the forefront of the dawah are not finding out about whether a country has established pure ISlam - then what about the rest of us. Pls comment in light of the proposed attacks.
JazakAllah
Answer
Well, Muslims living in different countries are under no obligation to pay allegiance to a government other than theirs even if it claims to be Islamic. Those who sympathize with a regime or a country may do so, but what really matters is how the citizens of the concerned country feel. We should always distinguish between Islam, as a religion that provides is followers with guidance for a better life in this world and in the hereafter and Muslims who endeavor to implement a certain interpretation or a certain understanding of Islam. Therefore no Muslim government can be said to be pure Islamic, but we can say that a particular Muslim government is perhaps more Islamic than another Muslim government. With regard to Taliban, a Muslim may admire certain aspects of their government, but may disagree with some other aspects. Once again, it is not our opinion that matters. What matters are the opinions of those governed by the Taliban.
Name
Ali
- United States
Profession
Librarian
Question
Would you please assess the consequences worldwide of the U.S. war against probably many Muslim countries?
Answer
Well, a war by the U.S. against one or more Muslim countries is likely to be a long war. In terms of the balance of power it is definitely in America’s favor. But we Muslims believe that oppression is short lived and that if the United States of America unjustly attacks Muslims that will only backfire on America and will be to its detriment. We don’t wish this to happen and we pray that American decision makers act wisely. A war against terrorism can be won if terrorism means acts of aggression, but if terrorism is taken to include anyone or any group that disagrees with American foreign policy in the Muslim world, America’s war will not be against few outlaws, but against an entire civilization.
Name
Host
-
Profession
Question
*** The Session Has Begun. Please Submit Your Questions. ***
Answer
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Name
Host
-
Profession
Question
*** The Session Has Begun. Please Submit Your Questions. ***
Answer
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Name
Amani
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
Do think that there is still a hope to stop this war?
Answer
Well, unfortunately recent events point to an eminent war. But since the war has not started, we are still hopeful.
