We must revise our world strategy

I came back from Ummrah (the pilgrimage to Makkah) this week. While I was there, what struck me was the diversity of people around me. Everywhere I turned, I saw such distinct cultures, ethnicities, languages, and Islamic attire, but what brought us all together in this pilgrimage, was our faith in Islam. It's an amazing sight to see hundreds of people praying side-by-side, bowing down to God in total unison. It is such a powerful sight, which speaks of the great potential and unity that can exist between Muslims. Unfortunately, while the great potential is there, the reality today requires serious and tireless work to realise that potential.

For while there are over a billion Muslims in the world today, both Arab and non-Arab, in spite of our numbers, we are powerless in the face of the attacks waged in the past 11 days by the Jewish state of Israel.

US President George W. Bush tells us that the US understands Israel's right to defend itself. I think no one disagrees with the principle that every people and nation have the right of self-defence.

But we have to draw the line, between self-defence and terrorism, because in the past several days, more than 650 human beings - men, women and children - were killed by Israel. Is that not terrorism?

The shameful silence of most Western nations is a clear indication of the double standard that exists in the world order today. Can you imagine the reaction and outrage if more than 600 Americans or Israelis were killed? Is the life of a Palestinian regarded as less worthy?

We are bombarded every day by images in newspapers of dead bodies of children dripping with blood. But we are told this is part of Israel's right to self-defence.

I want to remind you of the context in which this is happening, because all too often history is forgotten. Hamas and its extremist ideology didn't emerge out of a vacuum, Hamas formed a democratically elected government, and we must ask ourselves why was an extremist government elected in the occupied Palestinian territories?

Remember the context, Palestinians since 1948 have been living under occupation, a life defined by checkpoints, military blockades and frequent deprivation of the most basic of human rights. And the Israeli government has consistently shown its disregard for peace negotiations with its expansionist policies through its growing colonies.

There was a ceasefire between Hamas and the Israelis for several months prior to Israel's attack, then the Israelis' imposed a blockade on the Palestinians, depriving them of basic human rights, essentially strangling them to a slow death. The UN urged the Israelis to stop the blockade, as Gaza was on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. Then Israel begins its massacre in Gaza under the guise that this attack is to stop Hamas' rocket attacks.

Is killing more than 650 human beings, women and children among them, and injuring nearly 3,000 (and as I write this the number is growing), going to make Hamas a more moderate government? Is that going to stop the rocket attacks? Is it going to push forward the peace process? Is it going to give the Jews more security?

Extremism

If the extremism of Hamas' government is not acceptable, then what must be addressed are the harsh circumstances and the brutality of life under occupation, which is an incubator for extremist ideologies and militancy in Palestinian territories.

Israel's consistent dependence on military solutions will only serve to radicalise further groups such as Hamas and future groups that will take the place of Hamas.

I believe history has proven that violence breeds violence. The intifada started with stone throwing, but the Israelis were so brutal in their response that the people living under occupation were driven to such desperation that they were willing to blow themselves up.

As long as there is an extremist Jewish government in Israel which believes in terrorising Palestinians into submission, their will be extremist militant groups such as Hamas.

In South Africa, in the 1960s Umkhonto we Sizwe (spear of the nation) was the militant arm of the African National Congress led by Nelson Mandela, a once renowned terrorist.

Eventually the Afrikaans government sat down and negotiated with Mandela and his group because there was no other option but to find a way to live together. Negotiations can reform movements and nations.

Most Arab and Muslim countries have demanded an immediate ceasefire, the removal of the blockade, the supply of humanitarian goods. And back to the negotiating table.

What Gaza tells us about ourselves is that we as Arabs and Muslims must revise our strategy with ourselves and the world. Our unity must be deeper than memberships in organisations. Because when 57 countries cannot enforce a ceasefire, then we know there is a lot of work to be done.

True unity translates into a force to be reckoned with. As Arabs and Muslims, we must practically work towards real unity, built on our common aspirations of developing our societies, and our region and on human rights.

As people our destinies are interlinked at one level or another. We are all Gaza.

Najla Al Awadhi is a member of the Federal National Council.

?And did you actually think that throwing shoes and insulting Western leaders would be an action without consequences?? That was in Iraq, this article is on Palestine. These are two different places, so much for your knowledge in world politics. Now I ask you ? ?How naive are you??
Mansoor Iqbal
Houston,USA
Posted: January 08, 2009, 18:31

"The shameful silence of most Western nations is a clear indication of the double standard that exists in the world order today." And did you actually think that throwing shoes and insulting Western leaders would be an action without consequences? How naive are you?
J E Kepler
Curtice, Ohio,USA
Posted: January 08, 2009, 14:38

Look at how a small group of people are doing the attack while no one has a strong strategy to retaliate. This is because they have already played a game in our land, which is divide and rule. They are now enjoying the benefit of this game. All the Arab countries should stand up and ask them to leave our land.
Sabir Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2009, 13:47

Any killing of innocent people is wrong in the eyes of God. Nationality makes no difference because all life is sacred.
Haroon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2009, 11:14

I appreciate your article. It is very well articulated. The article has made valid points. I read the Gulf Times daily to keep up to date for a different perspective from the main stream West press. Violence perpetuates itself when the factions and states fail to find a compromise and they blame each other to the point of perpetuating the viloence. Albeit there needs to be an effort on all the players to find a solution....that obviously has many challeges. Without being completly cynical I dont have a lot of faith in the process. I guess my question to you just in the context of this article is.........How is it posssible for a pseudo "super power" ie; Israel to accept a truce, ceasefire or other when the charter of Hamas is to elimintae their existance? What are your thoughts? Your honesty is appreciated. Steve
Steven Guptill
Seattle,Washington, USA
Posted: January 08, 2009, 10:55

This editorial reflects the true picture of Arab nations and their inabilities. Immediately after any attack on Palestine, if Arab nations have the courage to stun the world, then Israel would definitely think twice before launching any attack. In reality, Arab nations think more than twice before even raising a finger for fear of the US. Shame on us.
M Mohammad Shafi
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: January 08, 2009, 09:41