1.8 Million Palestinian Citizens in Gaza face medical death

Jail sentences. Encounter deaths. And now, lack of medical facilities in Gaza curses the livelihood of Palestinians.

The vitriol of political diplomacy sinks in when one reads how thousands of Palestinian patients, suffering from the worst of diseases and medical abnormalities are unable to travel to Egypt, Jordan or Israel due to visa detentions. Back at home, the medical facilities in Gaza and West Bank are even more egregiously dismal.

The Palestinian Minister of Health in Gaza, Dr Bassem Naim, revealed how Gaza, in spite of being developed, depends on smuggling fuel for generating electricity, basically from Egypt. ‘When would electricity be available?’. Well, the answer defines or controls everything from operations, commutation, education and even water supply.

A leaked news from the secret meeting in Jordan involving Palestinian, Israeli and Egyptian intelligence states how they were devising ways of strangling Hamas . Stopping the fuel and energy supply to Gaza is one of the fundamental steps towards it.

Dr Bassem Naim stated how Egyptians also suffer. In North Sinai, for around 3-4 km, people wait for 24 hours for fuel, by being lined up in queues. For the past six months, Egyptians have become strict against this illegal smuggling. They have started controlling every tank from the entrance of Suez Canal, worsening the situation in Gaza.

Though, comparatively, Gaza suffers more than West Bank from humanitarian crisis. With 1.8 million people stuffed in 365 km, Gaza definitely is a prison. With Israeli drones operating all the time, besieged air and sea channels, human life in Palestine depends on dodging military, confining one’s space and appeasing the occupation. Everyday, there are 3-4 cases of burn, 45% of them being third degree burns. Most of these patients do not get proper state funding and hence, face premature deaths.

After the 13th September 1993 Oslo Accords, the Gaza citizens have been allowed to enter only three sea miles in the adjoining Red Sea. If they cross the limit, they are shot.

Even banks inside Gaza suffer from financial boycotts along with political isolation. Dr Bassem Naim exposed how he cant open a bank account for humanitarian funding for the hospitals in Gaza.

The borders are tightly closed. Gaza faces six gates with Israel and one gate with Egypt. Currently, only two of them are open officially. To travel through air,  Palestinians needs Israeli licenses, sometimes, months in advance. Only those who pass the security tests ends up having the permit. Mostly, Palestinians face a strict ‘no’.

Dr Bassem Naim states how the running cost of hospitals in Gaza amounts to $50 million but the state is not left with a single penny. He had to close dental clinics as there was no money to buy gloves. The Friday deaths in emergency cases during the prayer times have become a common phenomenon.

In 2008, Israel tried to suffocate Gaza strip with the help of Palestinian Authority. All the civil servants were asked to take forced sabbaticals. Otherwise, they would be fired.

Even 3 million kg of explosives were used by Israeli government against the citizens of Gaza, amounting to at least 2kg per citizen. Specimens of forbidden materials like uranium and cobalt have been found in the bomb attacks.

Thousands of Palestinians are still in jails. Israel has recently also adopted new models for arresting children.

Ultimately, twenty years of reconciliation have failed if deaths of innocent victims is the result of it. Dr Naim suggested that perhaps unifying institutions between Gaza and West Bank might help, ultimately leading to unification of government sector.

 

 

 

Would Obama administration protect Chen, the blind Chinese human rights dissident?

Ever wondered why Chinese authorities- the Communist Party of China (CPC) and even the PLA, never give press conferences? 2012, being the election year, is creating hullabaloo from everywhere from France to India; China remains quiet. The international community’s intelligence fails more when it comes to discerning about China than even Iran or North Korea. But the silence before the storm did end. And the man that did so, was  blind dissident Chen Guangcheng. 

The self taught lawyer was placed under house arrest for 4 years. He had gained fame and massive empathy after fighting against the inhuman trends used by Chinese government to retain ‘One couple, One child policy’. Be it sterilising, abortions or even vasectomy, the Chinese government left no stone unturned. In the province of Shandong, 500 km south of Beijing, the entire concept of social contract theory, liberty and right to life failed. While the atrocities of China in Tibet and Taiwan have been in limelight, these brutal cases of population control hardly received media attention.

Chen Guangcheng and his wife, both in their 40s, have been in house arrest for Chen’s human rights activism. But last week of April, he somehow managed to escape by bluffing the Chinese guards that he was ill and hence, they had decreased the vigilance. With the help of his other activist colleagues, Chen travelled 500 kms north to the US Embassy in Beijing. Now, there are two loopholes in this narration. First, if Chen was in house arrest, how did he manage to communicate about his run off to his colleagues? Secondly, why was US embassy chosen?

Anyways, as the story goes on, Chen goes to the US embassy, talks with the embassy officials there and reveals about his four year long arrest. He also talks to Hillary Clinton who promises him that he and his wife would be getting protection from America. But justice is not that simple. Chinese dragon glared at Uncle Sam. US has no right to intervene in the political matters of China. Criticism started and the rivalries got difficult to contain. Sadly, the wrath of it all, was faced by Chen’s wife who was nearly beaten to death in her house after her husband escaped.

Chen on the other hand, was ‘suggested’ to leave the premises of US embassy as his story got international attention. US officials took picture of him, revealing how happy he was to go to the hospital. One of the embassy staff even mentioned that Chen was so pleased with American response that he exclaimed he could even kiss Hillary Clinton. The photographs were preserved, less like a souvenir but more like evidences for defense. Chen was consoled that he would be having officials at the hospital with him. There was nothing to worry. But that’s exactly when the story changed.

When Chen arrived at the hospital, he was all alone. He had no idea that his escape has caused so much of impact. He had no idea what his wife was going through. Now, there comes another loophole in the story. When Chen was in the embassy, how come, he did not communicate with his wife? He also had fellow colleagues in Shandong who would certainly know what was going on. Anyways, the US embassy stated that Chen did not seek refuge for protection but for medical emergency. Also, they stated that he wanted to head to the hospital and it was not the suggestion of US officials. What exactly happened, very few people know about.

This entire case of human rights has emerged during the election campaign time for Obama. So, would he provide safety to Chen or ignore him? The issue took graver position as Hillary Clinton would be in Beijing next week to talk about trade relations. China might simply back off in anger if Chen’s issue is given more attention. After all, US- China ties have been going through worst confrontational period due to the Syria and Iran issue. Another addition to it can further fire up the volatile issue.

Only time would tell if Chen, the human rights dissident gets justice or is his story simply forgotten?

What does it mean to be a Palestinian in Israel?

Palestinians trapped in Israel have a different life compared to those in Gaza and West Bank. But very often, their stories goes unheard.

The Palestinians in Israel right from 1948 suffer from marginalization, segregation and democratic illusion. Haneen Zoabi, the first lady to represent Palestinians in Israeli Knesset (Parliament),  revealed the depth of atrocities being carried out by the Jewish State.

She stated ‘Even calling ourselves Palestinians is derogatory. Hence, we are called as ‘Israeli Arabs’. In 2007, Palestinians have been termed as ‘strategic threat’ for Israel. A couple of decades after 1967, Israel was not very frightened with peaceful Palestinian protests. But the power of first and second Intifadah changed everything.

Land Confiscation by Jewish National Fund has become prominent. In the coming months, 8000 dumas of Palestinian land in South of Israel is going to be confiscated. Also, Israel promotes foreign workers instead of Palestinians. Right after 1948, rich and educated Palestinians were expelled from Israel so that they do not get a chance to promote their culture. Hence today, there is no cinema, clubs or vibrant nightlife in Israel.

Palestinian peasants are not allowed to grow certain crops. Milk and butter is rare for them. They are made dependent on Israeli market products to exist. Also, the mantra of hating Palestinians have been cultivated in the minds of the Israelis so that they can manufacture a certain idea of unity amongst themselves. Normal citizens are taught, right from their birth to be Zionist.

Haneen questions that in the past few years, Israel has grown obsessive with being called a democracy. This lunatic obsession states that Israel is insecure and hence, would do everything possible to attain the respect at international platform.

Like every politician Haneen does not just blame the Israelis for the plight of Palestinians but also states that even her own Arabs and Palestinians have a role to play. For example, Hamas and Fatah, both do not pay heed to the problems suffered by Palestinians inside Israel. Very often, their issues are ignored as an ‘internal or domestic problem’.

Haneen stated that ‘Negotiation can not be a substitute for struggle.’ When asked, where she gets her strength from, she simply replied ‘There are two options. One is to struggle hard while the other is to give up. For me, giving up is the most difficult part. Hence, I choose to struggle.’

Due to her audacity and frankness, the Israeli parliament is currently looking for political issues through which they can strip her off from the Knesset. With 1000 voters for her Balaad party, Haneen Zaobi tries to avoid revealing the tensions behind her smile as a disguise.

Why Saudi Arabia has emerged as a haven for foreign diplomacy against Syria?

Before the second ‘Friends of Syria’s meeting was going to be held in Istanbul on 1st April, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was busy globetrotting in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The aim was to enhance diplomatic efforts against Bashar al Assad, fact that has become the burning topic of G-8 Summit, BRICS meeting and Arab League’s propaganda.

Interestingly, apart from Turkey which hits the limelight for garnering support against Assad, Saudi Arabia has evolved into a new haven. Hillary Clinton met Saudi King Abdullah and the Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal. Apparently, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been arming the rebels of Syria against the Army- a fact that was confessed after these nations mustered the courage to accept it internationally. Another objective of Hillary Clinton was also to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council-US strategic cooperation forum. Turning away from Syria, this aimed to target Iran and its nuclear power ‘development’. Behind the disguise of bilateral and regional issues, exists the Joan Of Arc narrative to declare ‘Iran and Syria’ as the new axis of evil.  Somewhere perhaps, President Bush might be having the last laugh.

This Friday Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is going to hold diplomatic talks with Saudi’s King Abdullah about ‘Iran’ and “Syria’. Both Turkey and Saudi Arabia are predominantly Sunni Muslim majority countries. While Turkey has revolutionised its identity for the sake of joining the EU, Saudi Arabia stands to be audaciously dominating the population of its kingdom, denying them liberties and democracy.

Theories of international relations state that democracy enlargement does not mean ‘regime change’- the aim of US and Western allies. Endorsing a proxy government, endowing ‘popular’ democracy rather than ‘Representative democracy’ is not the right deal. Perhaps, all these leaders should learn from Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez who has implemented grassroots reform and never forgot the main cause that made him win- the fight for the better livelihood of the poor.

Eventually, the entire episode in Syria, even after the acceptance of the 6 point peace plan in Syria, is nothing but a manipulated game, or perhaps an already fixed cricket match. The peace plan puts no pressure on Assad to abdicate and hence, it does not change anything. The constitution was put to referendum and Syria is going to have its parliamentary elections soon. Kofi Annan, who never questioned the illegal NATO bombing in Bosnia is suddenly looked up as a ‘Messiah’ just because he admitted to BBC that Iraq invasion by US was illegal. Mind you, he was not looking for second term as UN Secretary General then as he was during the time of Kosovo.

In a nutshell, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are just flaunting their imperialist agendas under the mask of Islam which might not give them anything in the end. Certainly, not the lives of innocent civilians who are dead in Syria. A number that rose to 9000 according to UN, recently.

Book Review: Nationalist Voices in Jordan- The street and the State

Reading ‘Nationalist Voices in Jordan‘ is similar to watching the history rebuild itself in a dramatic yet educating manner.      Dr. Betty S. Anderson, an associate Professor of Middle East History at Boston University, has explained how Hashemite regime literally formulated Jordan’s history. Jordan is described as a weak country that struggles to find its own identity and is also dependent on developed countries for foreign aid.

Dr. Anderson acknowledges why Hashemites faced a powerful opposition movement in 1950s by Jordanian National Movement. And then she follows the trail of investigating why JNM failed, in fact, destroyed itself, altogether. As she presents her analysis, it is often defended by previous works of well known intellectuals such as Partha Chatterjee, Homi Bhabha, John Roberts, Gregory Starrett, etc.

Taking an academic stand, the book stresses how, decade after decade, students were taught how Jordan to stood at the epicenter of a potential reunion of divided Arab countries because of Hashemite leadership. Also, in Jordan and Palestine, the debates about ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ domains played out on the ground in the 20th century because political activity came hand in hand with Nationalist discourse.

Initially, an opposition movement ‘Transjordan for Transjordanians’ failed to construct itself. Support for the Hashemites and British gained due to the institutions they built- the bureaucracy, army, schools, clubs as well as services like transportation and electricity. A reciprocal relationship was established between land reform and peasants.

Interestingly, these platforms later led to vigorous debates and culmination of JNM. Also, the question of Jordanian national identity became more complex when Palestinians teams with Jordanian colleagues to form JNM.

For a very long time- boundaries, politics and strategies defined the citizenry of Jordan. Dr. Anderson describes how under Britain’s guidance, Abdullah relied on Palestinian officials to run his government. Over the years, the Muslim Brotherhood grew in Jordan, but just as a side-kick of Hashemite regime that applied opportunistic tactics to voice against the JNM.

JNM failed in 1957 due to inner differences and frequent conflicts between the political leaders. The internal politics was also weakened through involvement of countries like US, Britain, Egypt and Syria. Even the Ba’th Party finally split in 1960s.

The book does not discuss ‘Black September’ and the change in circumstances that finally led to King Hussain’s hatred for Palestinians. Also, Dr. Anderson does not use interview pieces from common Jordanians who could have provided a better insight into their daily lives and how it has changed over the years. The foreign relations of Jordan are not exposed, apart from the role played by the British right from its germination.

In the end, Dr. Anderson exposes how Jordan has turned into a perfect example of how a colonial state with foreign leadership can be transformed into a nation.

Arab League in Iraq, BRICS Summit in India and Kofi Annan in China: New Failures for Syria

Political diplomacy and democracy enlargement touches new boundaries with the Arab League, BRICS and UN Envoy Annan, all discussing about ‘Syria’ this week.

Recently, President Bashar al- Assad agreed to adopt the 6-point peace plan forwarded by UN -Arab League Envoy Annan. No doubt, it was an intelligent move, as the statement is not a UN resolution, it does not demand Assad’s departure and no immediate date has been mentioned when this plan should be implemented. One can witness history repeating itself when the US Senators start the chorus of arming the opposition in Syria and UN Humanitarian Chief Navi Pillay states that there is ample evidence to arrest Assad. The same happened in the case of Libya when ICC issued arrest warrants against Colonel Gadaffi while David Cockburn revealed that both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch do not have evidence. No doubt, its not a conscientious choice to support Assad. But then again, we have to realise that at present, he is the one who is actually controlling Syria. If he goes away, who will take the responsibility that Libya does not shatter into a civil war.

Arab League Summit in Iraq

As far as the Arab Summit is concerned, its more of a long awaited opportunity for Baghdad to enter the limelight again. Unfortunately, only seven out of the 22 member states are attending the meeting. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have declined to join it. In fact, the Emir of Kuwait is the sole representative from Gulf countries to be present in Iraq. Sectarian issues are predominant here. Grudges against Sunni Arab majority being dominated by the Shiite government is unacceptable to Qatar. Nothing is more evident than the fact that Iraq’s PM Nouri al-Maliki has a lot of struggle to go through. No doubt, just like the ‘Friends of Syria‘ conference that took place in Tunisia last February, this Arab Summit is also not going to yield any specific results. Syria is no longer a part of Arab league and its Foreign Ministry is not going to accept any decision marked in this conference.

BRICS Summit in New Delhi

Talking about BRICS and how all these countries should really kick off an enigmatic and prudent head start in Syria’s case, everything turns sarcastic immediately. This week, Yeshi, a Tibetian revolutionary set himself on fire in New Delhi. Tibetans have been protesting against China’s embark to India as police officials jail them in. So, on one hand, India is trying to play the role of a saint by talking the measures that should be taken to ease of the burden of Syrian opposition rebels. But look whats happening inside New Delhi itself? Its neither retributive nor restorative justice being imparted to Tibetans.

Kofi Annan in China

Turning to UN envoy Kofi Annan, it seems, quite superficially that here comes a man who can make transparent changes. This week, he was in Beijing to talk with Chinese PM Wen Jiabao. Well, China agreed to support the peace plan but is not very clear whether it means complete commitment till the very end or just a casual backing of the peace plan. Annan also visited Russia and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev raise the same noble concerns. Sadly, diplomacy does not work by paying high profile visits. It concerns me why Vladimir Puntin and Kofi Annan did not meet and if they did, why no press conference has been launched for it. Russia indeed is a crafty situation. Well, Russia might be taking slow cautious steps just as Syria did in recognizing Russian Federation after the collapse of USSR.

Eventually, Syria is not Somalia where anarchy persists and the private sector adopts careful and meticulous moves to sustain the economy. The Syrian economy, or perhaps more, the common everyday livelihood of a Syrian has been effected by the US and EU imposed sanctions. Leaving the economy aside, one after another, all the foreign moves like Arab League Summit, the BRICS Summit and even Kofi Annan’s visit would not reap any results and are completely helpless. Well, perhaps this is exactly the right time to ask oneself, anyways ‘what exactly is the result we are searching for’.

Kofi Annan’s peace plan’s weakness inspite of Russia and China’s support

On 20th March, Russia stated that it was ready to support France’s presidential statement to UN, procuring Kofi Annan’s peace plan. Suddenly, both Russia and China who had shielded Syria by vetoing against 2 UN resolutions, have changed their alignment.

On the other hand, Kofi Annan who met Assad last month could not create immediate results. In fact, the terms and conditions of his diplomatic talk with Assad have not been made public. Well, I wonder if they would have anyways received more importance than the sudden email leads of Assad and his cosmopolitan wife. These emails storming the news media, perhaps have become a new face of ‘information propaganda war’.

Without meticulous analysis, a common man watching Syrian news is revealed that Assad has been getting guidance from Iran and his father-in-law in London to squash the rebels. Similar to it was the leaked Barbara Walter’s interview preparation when Assad was shown to learn how to give an interview infront of the American public.

Kofi Annan’s peace plan

Turning back to Kofi Annan’s peace plan, it includes 6 points like, both the sides should end violence, daily pauses for humanitarian assistance, release of political prisoners and access to journalists, freedom of assembly for protest and above all, the Syrian government and opposition should work in good faith. Well, the peace plan is a statement and not a resolution that can be legally binded. It portrays nothing but another feeble attempt from the side of West to conquer the Middle East.

‘Different dance for China and Russia’

What disturbs more is that both China and Russia are changing sides. This swift change was perhaps visible from the very time Moscow stated that it would not be granting asylum to Assad. Well, Russia cares for Tartus, its military and its arms trade. It was surprising that it was Tunisia’s president Moncef Marzouki who stated asylum for Assad, not just once but three times, eventually declining his offer. As far as China is concerned, it is anyways known for its ‘transactional diplomacy‘ which involves globe trotting all over the world with a fat checkbook in hand. Both Russia and China are quasi allies, after all, they both were communist blocs, hungry to export their revolutions, all around the world. Their security dilemma and hatred for the West has bought them closer, but how will this relationship affect Syria?

Lessons from Libya, Egypt and Tunisia

On the other hand, perhaps no one is learning from Libya. The NATO unilateralism in Libya has segmented the country between demands of federalism rising amid Benghazi and Tripoli. The Interim government has yet not pursued the war crimes. The Truth and Reconciliation commission is a farce, nothing else. Though, all TRCs have their own problems.

Like the one in South Africa only heard the grievances of 20,000 victims in the anti-aparthied struggle while others were simply forgotten. At the same time, even UN is not forcing these commissions to investigate human rights abuses.

While Egypt is now marching towards Presidential elections and Muslim Brotherhood has finally stated that they would have their own nominee, also. But the government is still ruled by the military and the parliament is just a ceremonial institution. This has made is very difficult for Egypt to obtain a $3.2 billion loan from the IMF.

Turning to Tunisia, the country seems to follow the Turkish model of democracy and rule of law, as it celebrated its Independence day from France in 1956 on 20th March. Tunisian presidents and foreign ministers are engrossed in talking about Libya, setting firms in Italy, petrol prices and welcoming Turkey’s President.

‘Syria’s revolution spills’

Also, Syria’s turmoil will not be limited to its own geopolitics. Lebanon, right now, who played the role of silent supporter for Syria, is facing the consequences. The shells fired in Syria has already started hitting the Lebanese border village of al-Qaa, where severally Syrian refugees are currently hiding. Similarly, the Libyan revolution did spill to Mali while the Egyptian to Sudan. Therefore, with the kind of geopolitical importance that Syria has, the chess board might utterly change, if its revolution gets exported.

‘Turkey and Syria: Is a military confrontation near?’

Meanwhile, in a very discreet manner, Turkey has started establishing a buffer zone at the Syrian side. 500 soldiers have already arrived to look over the current scenario and the migration of refugees. Well, this entire plan, without the knowledge or prior consent of the Damascus regime can lead to military confrontation if Turkey does not play the right cards. The entire situation puts Turkey in a very unconformable situation because it has to also seal its border from the influx of Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) along with the Syrian refugees. Right from last year August, Turkey has been conducting air strikes against the Kurdish camps in Iraq. Few leaked reports have stated that Syrian regime employs Kurdish militia to maintain control over the northern regions- a reason well enough to anger the Turkish Armed Forces.

Russian Navy and Syria’s future?

Recently, there has also been another rumour that a Russian navy has landed a tanker in Syria on its Tartus port. It involves ‘anti-terrorism’ marines to further squash the rebels.  Well, the Damascus regime has currently negated the rumour. Nevertheless, just like the ‘Friends of Syria’ meeting in Tunisia last month, the Kofi Annan Peace Plan seems to fall flat. With Damascus regime being tight lipped, its even difficult to predict the consequences. The May elections predicted by Bashar al Assad would be the next important issue to look at.

Book Review: Seeking Mandela-Peacemaking between Israelis and Palestinians

Shimon Peres, after meeting Mandela in 1993 wrote, ‘Two persecuted people, the black South Africans and the Jews, celebrate a new future.’
Starting with this arresting analogy, the book ‘Seeking Mandela- peacemaking between Israelis and Palestinians’ tries to test if the ideology of ‘One Man, One Vote‘ can ever operate in Israel/Palestine Conflict.

This is the fourth co-authored book of the couple Heribert Adam and Kogila Moodley. The writing is in-depth, flawless and portrayed in a very appealing manner. The authors give a political, psychological, emotional, physical and above all, spiritual peep into the daily lives of the people involved in the conflict. The book does not limit itself to just Israel, Palestine and South Africa but touches India, Latin America, United States European countries, while detailing its various case studies.

The authors believe that Israel Palestine conflict is further worsening as both sides are involved in moralising, theologising, medicalising and personalising the conflict. They also expose other issues including Palestinians being politically seduced to act as traitors, existence of refuseniks from Israeli military who disobey to follow the mandatory conscription in the occupied territories. The question if Hamas and Fatah adopt ‘civil disobedience’ and ‘non-violence’ as their key mantras like Mahatma Gandhi did in India’s freedom struggle is also raised. But the real narrative and interview pieces of the victims reveals the abysmal reality, since the Israel-Palestine conflict has already passed that point.

As both South Africa and Israel are colonial settler societies, the book states that the South African model of post conflict reconciliation may inspire revision of certain workable policies. The Truth Commission and its flaws are heavily criticised, like the absence of academics or members of anti-ANC party in the 17 member body.

It is also revealed that increased polarisation with Israel/Palestine could spill over into inter-group relations in South Africa, especially between the Muslim Judicial Council And Jewish Board of Deputees. Though, both South Africa and Israel have fostered relationships because of the growing urge in SA politicians to teach peaceful conflict resolution techniques and hosting of international conferences in post-apartheid state.
A brief history of South Africa is also included in the book which allows the reader to develop a relationship with the country, further understanding its foundations. But is just acts as a tool intelligently used by the authors to differentiate South Africa from Israel.

Both these countries are also different in terms of economic power balance. Israeli economy can function without Palestinian labour but the same was not true in South Africa. Black population was necessary, giving rise to migration from the Bantustans.  Over and over, the authors state that Israel/Palestine conflict would never end till a third party intervention takes place. Both Adam and Moodely have done a brilliant job by stating the views of well know historians, journalists, academics, political leaders, army generals and even innocent civilians. Every page is educating though eventually, the entire hypothesis falls flat when they both suggest that there’s no need to seek Palestinian Mandela as his presence would not solve the issue.

Why did the US soldier kill 16 Afghans?

On 12th March, Jon Snow wrote a blog on ‘The remoteness of modern war‘ where he discusses the war in Afghanistan.

He states, ‘It is when a soldier goes berserk and kills 16 Afghans, nine of them children, or a when direct hit steals six British lives from an “impregnable” armoured vehicle, that war lurches back into awareness.’

The rift in US-Afghanistan relationship started mushrooming after the Quran burning incident by NATO. Soviet style rallies and protests carried on for a week, demanding apology and eradication of the soldiers. Unlike his stand in Libya after NATO bombed civilian tanks, President Obama did apologise. It does not matter for the Pathans/ Pasthuns anymore because their radical indifference and nonchalance has been catalysed by stupendous momentum from such enraging acts of the west. Sectarian violence and civil war, and above all, the usage of Afghanistan to devastate Al-Qaeda soon after the country was breaking out from USSR’s clutches, leaves an indelible memory of pain. An opprobrium.

But the recent, almost paroxysm of epilepsy in which a US soldier killed 16 Afghans, nine out of whom where children, speaks another story.

This incident did not happen in response to answering back the ‘barbaric’ Afghans after their showed the mettle to protest against NATO. Rather, it goes back to the very moment the respective US Soldier was forced into mandatory conscription service. An average cosmopolitan American, patriotic and not just loyal to his American identity, took the risk. Life in Afghanistan is difficult, and different from life in a colonised country. This soldier knows nothing of Shia-Sunni strife, Pathans and their Taliban links, Al-qaeda and its locations, customary laws, culture and above all language. For him, Afghanistan is barbaric and he carries the burden of cleansing the blemish. Something similar to what Europeans believed when they captured Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 1652. Benn Morris defends such attitude, stating ethnic cleansing is better than genocide against yourself.

Now, armed with flawless hi-tech arms and ammunition, this US soldier, ignorant but brave, has been given the order to shoot anyone/anytime, if he feels danger. There is a difference here. He can shoot when he ‘feels’ danger rather than when he ‘faces’ it. Tightly grouped in his units, he shares loyalty to other soldiers, their safety and perceptions. War becomes the pornography of violence for him. Just like teenagers play with fast, animated war games, his deployment gives him the same adrenaline rush. No one questions him. No one orders him. The Afghans are anyways ‘illiterate‘, ‘poor‘ and ‘meaningless‘ creatures for him. Life becomes abstract and so does its values and principles. That US soldier, initially did not know that he would cause deaths of several innocent civilians. He also did not know that one day, he will reach to a point when it wont matter to him. One day, one of his own soldiers would die after being killed by Pathans/Taliban. Second day, perhaps the IED would explode exactly where he stood, saving him in the nick of time. Blood, vomit, alcohol will be all he sees. And slowly life and death, would prove unnecessary to care about.

When one reads newspapers, one knows about the figures involved in such a mad spree. How many died and who killed whom? But it is never publicly mentioned about the psychological condition of the soldiers. We will be shocked to know how many of them suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. The life they would live after they are sent back to US would not only change them, but also their relation with their country. Many veterans and retired soldiers find it hard to be patriotic after they witness how diplomacy actually functions.

Modern warfare and cold peace are still struggling to find answers to such a phenomenon. Perhaps, one day, we might have one.

Sharia Law and democratisation of Islam by Said Ferjani

In spite of the fact that ‘Sharia Law’ is not known by many of us, it somehow exudes unknown fear and abstract ambiguity. The law in itself is so technical and in-depth that even those who follow political Islamic news would find it quite difficult to decipher.

To erase this ignorance, Said Ferjani, from Ennada Party of Tunisia spoke about ‘Shariah Law and Democratization by Islam’

 Ferjani stated that the concept of democracy had initially evolved in Athens. Though, he did mention that every religion does follow certain principles of democracy, here and there. But it was not strictly practised as an ideology in Islam. Islam needs to make democracy more systematic.

Explaining on how Islam would direct a flawless system of governance, Ferjani mentioned three main pillars of Sharia Law. He narrated these below mentioned verses (translated in English) from Quran which further support his ideology.

1. Children of Adam have been honoured and diginified. They are all human beings. Every human is a value in himself. Its necessary to cherish humanity. So, Sharia law gives every human being the preference and hence, no injustice would be done to him.
2. God has created no particular order that should be followed to worship him. But in order to have the religious worship accepted, men have devised their own ways. Hence, the Sharia law gives importance to knowledge and freedom. These are the most important aspects needed to actually worship God. This is because God does not want people to worship him. He has his own angels. But without knowledge and freedom, nothing matters and even the most served thing would have no value.
3. The most beloved people amongst us are those who benefit other people and work for others. The great must always help the poor. Hence, people who are crooked are the enemies of Sharia itself.

As Sharia Law follows these principles it can never go wrong in governing its own people.