lubna
01-10-2004, 11:28
Assalamoalykum all
muslims are not losing hope alhumdulillah and are using every thing possible to achieve peace and stability in the world, they are making dialogues with the governments in a hope to touch the intellect of some people and are showing great patience at the blunder comitted by them and telling them how to rectify their mistakes by giving them solutions too.
subhhannallah the moral strength and wisdom of muslims is still shining above all. and i am all for positive thinking and be hopeful inshaAllah.cos we have to put our trust in ALlah and the real help and strength comes from Allah alone. inshaAllah.
may Allah give victory to the muslims Ameen
and guide us all to the truth Ameen
wassalam
lubna
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
MAB Issues an Open Letter
To the Labour Party Conference
The Muslim Association of Britain, issued an open letter to the Labour Party Conference, published in today’s Guardian newspaper (Thursday 30th of September).
In the letter, MAB outlined the failures of the past few years and how these have been instrumental in alienating and betraying Labour’s Muslim base, as well as the entire Muslim community in Britain. The letter also outlines three conditions for the mistakes of the past to be rectified, pertaining to the issues of Iraq, Palestine and the treatment of Islam and Muslims in Britain, respectively.
Ahmed Al-Sheikh, President of MAB commented: “This letter comes on the day when the Labour party is due to vote on the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. Albeit largely a cosmetic exercise, MAB is urging the conference to vote for the withdrawal which would ultimately weaken the position of those in favour of extending the terms of occupation and hence prolong the suffering of the Iraqi people as well as the British troops.”
The Muslim Association of Britain
Sha'ban 16, 1425 Hijri
30th of September, 2004
An Open Letter to the Labour Party Conference in Brighton
From
The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Well into the second year of the invasion of Iraq by the United States and the United Kingdom, it is clear beyond any doubt that Iraq is a much worse place than it had ever been prior to the invasion despite what some may claim. Atrocities perpetrated on a daily basis result in killing and maiming scores of innocent Iraqi civilians as well as several troops and foreign contract workers every day and in the further destruction of the country’s social, economic and architectural infrastructures. The chaos within Iraq today threatens the entire region in the Middle East with further turmoil and instability. It is saddening that our role in fermenting the catastrophe in Iraq, was and remains pivotal. By supporting and taking part in planning and executing the war under false pretexts the government is legally responsible, and should be made accountable, for what has become universally acknowledged as an illegal war. It is no longer possible for those who orchestrated and supervised the war to claim any more that Iraq ever had any weapons of mass destruction prior to its invasion or ever posed a threat to Britain or any other country. It is even evident that the toppled Iraqi regime, and despite its undeniable evil and brutality, had no connection whatsoever with the Al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden. To make matters worse, and far from all the promises made prior to the invasion, Iraq today is void of democracy, human rights and without a representative government. The U.S. installed authority in Baghdad is utterly helpless and is incapable of providing citizens with their minimum needs of security and decent living.
The failure over Iraq has been compounded by an utter failure on another no less important and no less costly front not far away from Iraq, namely in Palestine. We have once again, unfortunately failed to adopt a Middle East policy of any coherence or vision in independence of the United States. In fact, in many instances Britain has acted on behalf of the U.S. seeking to sell a pro-Israel policy to the rest of Europe under the illusion that confidence in the US approach might encourage the Americans to resume the role of peace-broker between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Over the past four years, Israeli forces have been using the most sophisticated war equipment made available to them by the United States and Britain in plundering and pillaging occupied territories, building a repugnant separation wall on illegally confiscated lands and destroying dozens of Palestinian homes on a daily basis, while the Palestinians are denied the right to self-defence.
A third failure by the British government has been the fruit of the so called ‘war on terrorism.’ The government’s strategy has had one direct outcome, namely fueling Islamophobia and encouraging racist elements within British society to abuse Islam and Muslims with impunity. Hundreds of Muslim men have so far been arrested and held without trial, some of them for many months, only to be freed without charge. While arrests are leaked to the press and transformed into publicity stunts for the security forces and the Home Office, very little, if any at all, is reported of the fact that the overwhelming majority of those arrested so humiliatingly, turn out to be perfectly innocent.
The Labour Party has for generations been the natural choice for the vast majority of ethnic minorities including British Muslim voters. The past few years have seen considerable damage done to that trust, not least because of the elements mentioned above. Rectifying the mistakes committed and rekindling the true spirit that initially made Labour so attractive to millions whom today find themselves abandoned and alienated, requires sincere and true efforts. Above all, it requires a new vision and a new perspective.
Our belief, is that this could be done through the following:
1. An acknowledgement of the mistakes made over Iraq that has cost so many lives thus far, and has compromised the stand of Britain on the international scene. We must realize that the presence of our troops has clearly become part of an incredible problem, rather than part of the solution. Your vote today to have our troops immediately pulled out of Iraq will go far in restoring our country’s credibility on the international scene as well as with Labour’s voters. The whole format of the ‘war on terror’ which has made the world far more dangerous than it has ever been, must also be readdressed and Britain’s role therein re-assessed.
2. The British Government cannot play a constructive role in resolving the problem in Palestine unless it deals fairly with the problem. The Palestinians must be recognized for what they are: the victims of a brutal Zionist occupation of their land. The continued Israeli defiance of UN resolutions and international treaties, including the most recent ruling of the Hague regarding the Apartheid Wall, must be met with firm action and resolve. Nothing less than an economic and military embargo against the Israeli regime will be accepted. Nothing less can be expected of the Labour Party which demonstrates a glorious record in dealing with the inhumane apartheid regime of South Africa in the 70s and 80s.
3. Legislation that has gone far in eroding civil liberties and enforcing a climate of fear and suspicion, have lead to the demonizing of Muslims, rather than protecting society as a whole. Such laws are largely based on myths and utilize the sense of fear and apprehension to justify the underlying measures. These must be reviewed and a new sense of trust and mutual collaboration for the benefit of our nation and our country must be established. There can be no place for indefinite detentions, arrests upon mere suspicion and brutal treatment of detainees in our society, which claims the pinnacles of democracy, human rights and freedom.
We, along with millions throughout the country will be following the remainder of your conference in anticipation and hope. The future of our people and our country can be as promising and hopeful as we want it to be, on condition that we take the correct measures to make it so. This task is in your hands today.
The Muslim Association of Britain
Sha'ban 16, 1425 Hijri
30th of September, 2004
The Muslim Association of Britain has local branches across the UK that provide localities with a wide range of regular events and activities, including study circles, talks, social gatherings and much more. Click here to see what is going on in your area.
The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
muslims are not losing hope alhumdulillah and are using every thing possible to achieve peace and stability in the world, they are making dialogues with the governments in a hope to touch the intellect of some people and are showing great patience at the blunder comitted by them and telling them how to rectify their mistakes by giving them solutions too.
subhhannallah the moral strength and wisdom of muslims is still shining above all. and i am all for positive thinking and be hopeful inshaAllah.cos we have to put our trust in ALlah and the real help and strength comes from Allah alone. inshaAllah.
may Allah give victory to the muslims Ameen
and guide us all to the truth Ameen
wassalam
lubna
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
MAB Issues an Open Letter
To the Labour Party Conference
The Muslim Association of Britain, issued an open letter to the Labour Party Conference, published in today’s Guardian newspaper (Thursday 30th of September).
In the letter, MAB outlined the failures of the past few years and how these have been instrumental in alienating and betraying Labour’s Muslim base, as well as the entire Muslim community in Britain. The letter also outlines three conditions for the mistakes of the past to be rectified, pertaining to the issues of Iraq, Palestine and the treatment of Islam and Muslims in Britain, respectively.
Ahmed Al-Sheikh, President of MAB commented: “This letter comes on the day when the Labour party is due to vote on the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. Albeit largely a cosmetic exercise, MAB is urging the conference to vote for the withdrawal which would ultimately weaken the position of those in favour of extending the terms of occupation and hence prolong the suffering of the Iraqi people as well as the British troops.”
The Muslim Association of Britain
Sha'ban 16, 1425 Hijri
30th of September, 2004
An Open Letter to the Labour Party Conference in Brighton
From
The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Well into the second year of the invasion of Iraq by the United States and the United Kingdom, it is clear beyond any doubt that Iraq is a much worse place than it had ever been prior to the invasion despite what some may claim. Atrocities perpetrated on a daily basis result in killing and maiming scores of innocent Iraqi civilians as well as several troops and foreign contract workers every day and in the further destruction of the country’s social, economic and architectural infrastructures. The chaos within Iraq today threatens the entire region in the Middle East with further turmoil and instability. It is saddening that our role in fermenting the catastrophe in Iraq, was and remains pivotal. By supporting and taking part in planning and executing the war under false pretexts the government is legally responsible, and should be made accountable, for what has become universally acknowledged as an illegal war. It is no longer possible for those who orchestrated and supervised the war to claim any more that Iraq ever had any weapons of mass destruction prior to its invasion or ever posed a threat to Britain or any other country. It is even evident that the toppled Iraqi regime, and despite its undeniable evil and brutality, had no connection whatsoever with the Al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden. To make matters worse, and far from all the promises made prior to the invasion, Iraq today is void of democracy, human rights and without a representative government. The U.S. installed authority in Baghdad is utterly helpless and is incapable of providing citizens with their minimum needs of security and decent living.
The failure over Iraq has been compounded by an utter failure on another no less important and no less costly front not far away from Iraq, namely in Palestine. We have once again, unfortunately failed to adopt a Middle East policy of any coherence or vision in independence of the United States. In fact, in many instances Britain has acted on behalf of the U.S. seeking to sell a pro-Israel policy to the rest of Europe under the illusion that confidence in the US approach might encourage the Americans to resume the role of peace-broker between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Over the past four years, Israeli forces have been using the most sophisticated war equipment made available to them by the United States and Britain in plundering and pillaging occupied territories, building a repugnant separation wall on illegally confiscated lands and destroying dozens of Palestinian homes on a daily basis, while the Palestinians are denied the right to self-defence.
A third failure by the British government has been the fruit of the so called ‘war on terrorism.’ The government’s strategy has had one direct outcome, namely fueling Islamophobia and encouraging racist elements within British society to abuse Islam and Muslims with impunity. Hundreds of Muslim men have so far been arrested and held without trial, some of them for many months, only to be freed without charge. While arrests are leaked to the press and transformed into publicity stunts for the security forces and the Home Office, very little, if any at all, is reported of the fact that the overwhelming majority of those arrested so humiliatingly, turn out to be perfectly innocent.
The Labour Party has for generations been the natural choice for the vast majority of ethnic minorities including British Muslim voters. The past few years have seen considerable damage done to that trust, not least because of the elements mentioned above. Rectifying the mistakes committed and rekindling the true spirit that initially made Labour so attractive to millions whom today find themselves abandoned and alienated, requires sincere and true efforts. Above all, it requires a new vision and a new perspective.
Our belief, is that this could be done through the following:
1. An acknowledgement of the mistakes made over Iraq that has cost so many lives thus far, and has compromised the stand of Britain on the international scene. We must realize that the presence of our troops has clearly become part of an incredible problem, rather than part of the solution. Your vote today to have our troops immediately pulled out of Iraq will go far in restoring our country’s credibility on the international scene as well as with Labour’s voters. The whole format of the ‘war on terror’ which has made the world far more dangerous than it has ever been, must also be readdressed and Britain’s role therein re-assessed.
2. The British Government cannot play a constructive role in resolving the problem in Palestine unless it deals fairly with the problem. The Palestinians must be recognized for what they are: the victims of a brutal Zionist occupation of their land. The continued Israeli defiance of UN resolutions and international treaties, including the most recent ruling of the Hague regarding the Apartheid Wall, must be met with firm action and resolve. Nothing less than an economic and military embargo against the Israeli regime will be accepted. Nothing less can be expected of the Labour Party which demonstrates a glorious record in dealing with the inhumane apartheid regime of South Africa in the 70s and 80s.
3. Legislation that has gone far in eroding civil liberties and enforcing a climate of fear and suspicion, have lead to the demonizing of Muslims, rather than protecting society as a whole. Such laws are largely based on myths and utilize the sense of fear and apprehension to justify the underlying measures. These must be reviewed and a new sense of trust and mutual collaboration for the benefit of our nation and our country must be established. There can be no place for indefinite detentions, arrests upon mere suspicion and brutal treatment of detainees in our society, which claims the pinnacles of democracy, human rights and freedom.
We, along with millions throughout the country will be following the remainder of your conference in anticipation and hope. The future of our people and our country can be as promising and hopeful as we want it to be, on condition that we take the correct measures to make it so. This task is in your hands today.
The Muslim Association of Britain
Sha'ban 16, 1425 Hijri
30th of September, 2004
The Muslim Association of Britain has local branches across the UK that provide localities with a wide range of regular events and activities, including study circles, talks, social gatherings and much more. Click here to see what is going on in your area.
The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally