Iraqis Reject the Terrorist
Message of September 11
"These people didn't just appear randomly. They are the result of a culture propagated by a group of malevolent and backward clergymen. ... September 11 contributed to
the creation of a new phase of world history, and I can say that we, the
majority of Arabs, have been greatly disappointed by the image that a few
extremists have painted - and of our own understanding of religion."
In my view, with the turn of
the new century, extremist Muslims showed their true colors. They demonstrated
their dark intentions toward the coexistence of peoples, religions and nations,
and opposition even to the notion that divergent groups could live under justice and peaceful
debate. Islamist leaders have also shown incompetence, as they lack the capacity
to communicate without resort to suicide and murder.
The events of September 11
proved that the religion of extremists and terrorists doesn't recognize taboos
or even the most basic human rights. Murder for the sake of murder has become
their norm. It is a ritual manifested in every one of their actions and plans.
This is what a vast majority
of Iraqi people came to believe about the terrorists. Even those who at first
had felt some sympathy with them began to put distance between themselves and such
evil terrorist acts. This tendency emerged when the dust settled and the people
saw their own recklessly murdered on the streets of Baghdad. The activities and
falsehoods of the terrorists show them as nothing but weak and evil cowards. There
was then little hope for them ever to be good citizens capable of adopting a "live
and let live" attitude and to allow for the existence of people with views that differ from
themselves.
And while I say this, I admit
that these people didn't just appear randomly. They are the result of a culture
propagated by a group of malevolent and backward clergymen. Yes, this was a
culture destined to prevail among the destitute. That is why one finds that
those who support this culture try to lend it credibility by quoting the words of
the Islamic teachings and the Prophet Mohammed. But we all know that no word of
the Prophet or any by Allah were invitations for people to murder and
spill blood.
In Iraq, such people are
known as “disbelievers.” Yes! That is because they have disbelieved Allah and
his messengers and because they commit acts that Allah forbids. Some may say that
their operations are a reaction to what America is doing in the Islamic world.
I would reply to such people - and not in America’s defense - that America doesn't
fight "Muslims." On the contrary, America has helped build Muslim
countries, has supported liberation movements in Islamic lands and has alerted
us to the dangers of dictatorship. Yes - of course America benefits from doing
so, but part of what it benefits from is the building of a new world that
believes in democracy and coexistence - regardless of race or religion.
America helped rid us of the Soviets
in Afghanistan and joined hands with a majority of Islamic movements, supplying
them with money and weapons, as they did in Iraq and as they do today in Egypt,
Syria, Yemen and Libya. America didn't look at the religion of these groups,
but at their desire for freedom and to build a new community, which is something desperately
needed by all Arab societies.
When America stands against Iran's
nuclear intentions, it also opposed Iranian intentions toward its own people
and the people of the region. Iran tore Iraq apart and hasn't participated in resolving
its problems.
Iran remains determined to
maintain its hostile daily bombings of Iraq cities, is sullying the water
supplies from rivers, and is dumping sewage and salt into the Shat al-Arab waterway. The
Tehran government is an obstacle to Iraqi national reconciliation. It has
wasted many opportunities to improve the situation and continues to fabricate
reasons for preventing stability and peace.
This is why I say that America
is innocent of everything happening today, because the future is now in our own
hands. This is even true in regard to the cause of peace between Arabs and
Israel. America has tried as hard as it can to help find an agreeable solution
for both sides - and it remains serious about doing so. But some of us moronic
Arabs struggle to prevent a solution so we can remain in the spotlight. Because
Arabs know that without attention they would be finished. This is our problem because
we don't believe in peace, democracy and freedom. We have yet to accept that we
cannot succeed with the slogans and hopes of our past. I also believe that
within the PLO, there are faithful, honest, serious and realistic men like Abu Mazen. If we stood by him,
we could perhaps establish peace and stability.
September 11 contributed to
the creation of a new phase of world history, and I can say that we, the
majority of Arabs, have been greatly disappointed by the image that a few
extremists have painted - and of our own understanding of religion. Yet due to
a lack of understanding and knowledge on the part of some in the clergy and
their followers, it has become exceedingly difficult to counteract these crimes
and mistakes. The ignorance of Arab and Islamic peoples in dealing with such
problems, their incapacity to protect their religion and homelands, not to
mention Arab dictators who worsen the impact of these events, have all hindered
progress. Therefore, the Arab and Muslim people themselves are responsible for
the violation and destruction of sovereignty in their nations.
Another major cause of our difficulties
is that Arab nations can't rid themselves of the legacy of their past, which weighs
us down with long, pointless speeches about rights and leadership. Yet we all
know that this history is distorted and incorrect. It is largely a fabricated
history that makes it difficult to address the errors and distortions it
embodies. And so we continue to talk about political, social and economic
reform without allowing true reformers a role in creating a new reality.
Yes, the gravity of what
happened on September 11 is not only that it was committed by a criminal
organization, but that it clarified what such people would do to impose their
twisted religion. Then we knew the evil of this school of thought. The annals
of history are filled with similar ugly tales. September 11 revealed the inherent
hatred some carry for others - and toward anyone who is different. This alone
makes worthwhile the project to unite all forces of good in the Arab states with
the free world to oppose this type of criminality, terrorist behavior and evil.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
Confronted by this, we find
ourselves in the position of missionaries for freedom and coexistence. We do so
by defending freedom, peace and justice, and by consecrating a culture of
coexistence that rejects hate by defending every human right and the right of every
individual to safety, decency and social equality. This will require diligent
and continuous effort to change backward cultures which are subsumed by tribal
infighting.
In order to correct these errors,
we have to expose them, alert the nation to their existence and the danger of
maintaining them. In this process, we must commit to resolve all problems that may
arise. Our work continues to be undermined by certain clerics and media which
distort the reality of the situation. I say to them: The essence of our work in
fighting terrorism is in dealing with it as a culture, and by raising public
awareness about its risks and dangers. This will inevitably put us on a
collision course with mafia groups, mercenaries and religious parties that wish
to support terrorist organizations.
