It's time to look beyond Obama

By Waseem Aslam- The inauguration of Barrack Obama was a true 21st Century world event, with live coverage being beamed all across the globe. Obama for many is not just a replacement for George Bush but a real sense of hope for the future - this includes many in the Muslim world.



A charismatic speaker who has a way with words, it is easy to see why so many are drawn to the new President of the Untied States. Add on top of that the fact that he is the first Black President then it is little wonder the world is in such awe of Obama.

It is however, imperative that Muslims across the globe look at Obama in the cold light of day and not with rose tinted glasses. Despite the fact that he has promised to close Guantanamo Bay (which was due for closure anyway) his attitude towards the Muslim world is little different to that of the Bush administration. It must not be forgotten he pledged to follow the Taliban into Pakistan and has pledged 100% backing for the state of Israel, both financially and politically.

Many of these issues require a more detailed discussion; however, one thing the Muslims who are dumfounded by Obamamania can learn from the man himself is the idea of self reliance. The core message of this campaign was for average Americans to help themselves and thus help America.

MAJEDS BLOG EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW- Rabbi speaks out: "Israel needs to be dismantled"

By Majed Iqbal and Waseem Aslam- Over 1000 men, women and children have been killed and over 5000 injured in Israel's brutal state terrorism over the last few weeks in Gaza. Attacks on UN Buildings, Schools, cutting off humanitarian aid and medical supplies and bombing civilian houses and even graveyards have been the scenes we have seen on our television screens and internet sites.



Despite the blatant aggression, many countries, including Arab regimes, have been silent in criticizing Israel in any way. In the midst of this Majeds Blog Team caught up with an outspoken Rabbi last week for an interview, who believes that Israel does not have the right to exist and needs to be dismantled.

Rabbi Cohen is one of many Orthodox Jews who completely sympathise with the cause of the Palestinians in their struggle against the Zionist State and has a spearhead group, Neturei Karta (Guardians of the City), who are involved actively in this matter.

ASIAN LEADER ARTICLE- Zionism is an Immoral and Illegitmate idea

The following interview was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper presenting a unique perspective on the state of Israel. One which is seldom heard of and is often muted deliberately and tarnished as 'unrepresentative'voices.



The full Interview can be read here on the blog and can also be read on the Look Asia website

ASIAN LEADER ARTICLE- Zardari awards Boucher for ’services’ to Pakistan

The following interview was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper looking at the new adventures of President Zardari of Pakistan on his shameless worship of American Foreign policy.



The full Interview can be read here on the blog and can also be read on the Look Asia website.

VIDEO- President Obama's Inaugration: The 'street view' from Pakistan

Despite the charm, charisma and passionate style of orchestrated Speech which Obama has been characterised with over his last months on the Presidential run-up scene, many have decided to see beyond the bravado.

The promises of 'Change' and a 'New America' have been met with warmth by Americans who have witnessed the Economic Downturn, international adventures in Foreign lands costing trillions of Dollars and an America which has lost international credibility and world standing.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4eaBc8qXuRA]

Other countries, especially where America has been interfering in the domestic affairs of their country have met yesterday's Presidential inauguration sceptically.

The Video above gives a snapshot picture of the street view from Pakistan on their views on Obama and whether they believe that a 'change' is inevitable with a fresh new face in the White House.

COMMENT: Dutch MP ordered to be Prosecuted after anti-Islamic Statements

By Majed Iqbal- After months of rhetoric only now the Courts move in for incitement of religious hatred against Dutch MP Geert Wilders. Will Denmark follow suit next charging the Editors of Jyllands Posten Newspaper who published and re-published later offensive cartoons of the Prophet of Islam??



How about Prosecuting Jack Straw for his remarks on the Muslim women's veil? Or Tony Blair for calling aspects of Islam as an evil-ideology? Or David Cameron for continuously calling to ban non-violent mainstream Islamic political parties like Hizb ut-Tahrir?

By painting the Dutch MP as some form of extremist on the European Political Scene, Mainstream politicians are trying to absolve themselves of having anything to do with such thinking.

Letter from a sister in Gaza

(Translated from Arabic)- Asaalam-u- Alaykum- My dear sisters and brothers I wanted to take this opportunity to send you a message from the sisters in Gaza. Please hear our situation and tell everyone that you know and dont know.



Our situation is dire but our eman is strong alhamdulillah, even though we have no water to speak of, and when we do it is polluted and we have no money to buy mineral water. When we find the money those that sell it say that it is too dangerous for them to travel out to get new supplies. We have no gas, and have not had for the last four months. We cook the little food we have on real fires that we have learned to prepare.

Our men have lost all of their jobs. They spend their days at home now. My husband can spend a day just going from place to place just for the basic need of water. He usually returns empty handed. There are no schools, no banks, hardly any hospitals open. You are constantly aware that you risk your life when you go out and when you are indoors. They give us a curfew between 1-4pm. We can go out, they say, in safety to get your supplies, but that is a lie. They have ofetn used that opportnity to add more shuhada to their list.

SLIDESHOW- Children call upon Muslim Armies in London March

After over three weeks of deafening silence from the Muslim and Arab rulers on the gaza massacres, it was now time for the muslim children in Britain to stand side by side their young brothers and sisters who have totalled over 350 in deaths in the last three weeks.

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The march went to the Arab embassies challenging them and accounting them for their silence and voicing openly for their states to release their armies and help their muslim brothers and sisters and children in Gaza.

'Another' cheap point scoring exercise on Gaza Issue by Rochdale Politician

By Majed Iqbal-New allegations that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is leading to an 'acute sense of anger and despair felt in Rochdale' 'and 'could do great damage to race relations in communities like Rochdale', aired by Parliamentary Candidate Simon Danczuk are being met with raised eyebrows by Rochdale Muslims.



In a meeting with Bill Rammell MP, the UK Minister for the Middle East, Mr Danczuk warned the that the Gaza conflict is creating a huge sense of grievance and injustice in Muslim communities and that Britain must step up the diplomatic pressure on Israel to achieve a ceasefire.

Last week Paul Rowen MP attempted to come into the limelight on the Gaza Issue with his open letter trying to make a 'stand' after a muted two weeks and now the Muslim community was being greeted with words of despair from the Parliamentary candidate for Rochdale.

Simon Danczuk's statements feed off the impressions he got at a recent Gaza Event in Rochdale where a jammed packed audience raised concerns at the ongoing massacring in Gaza. Many people raised their opinions on what could be done to stop the escalating situation.

Comments like "If the world could unite against Nazism, Apartheid and see their end then why cant the world put a stop to Zionism which is embodied in the principle foundation of the Israeli State?"

Other comments voiced their concern on how the world and the UN issued sanctions on Iraq and then invaded Iraq with a regime change and why it was now not possible to do the same for Israel as the same actions are being conducted by them?

COMMENT- Zardari confers Prestigious award to Boucher for 'services' to Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- President Zardari decided to begin the new year of 2009 by rubbing further salts in the wounds of the people in Pakistan. US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was given the prestigious civilian award Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam for his 'services' to Pakistan.



These services include meddling in the affairs of the government of Pakistan , use of Pakistani airspace to bombard the border areas in air raids which have killed thousands of innocent civilians and displaced further tens of thousands from their homes in FATA, setting up of over 50 FBI offices to monitor and detain those who question the actions of the government as detailed in the Amnesty International latest report where over 550 have been reported missing, and for playing a pivotal role to bring a change in government through the removal of the previous Presidnet, Pervez Musharraf.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan to Joe Biden and Quaid-e-Azam Medal to Richard Boucher praising their unflinching support to Pakistan in helping the country in recent years through diplomatic channels

Soon after receiving the award Boucher insisted that US air attacks against Pakistan would continue.

POEM- My Child......................

By Yasmeen Ahmed

I see images of you everyday,
images that are, and will remain imprinted on my heart forever.
I cannot escape them, even if I were to try.
I see you, stood firm with a mere stone in your hand,
bravely confronting the oncoming tanks.
Your oppressors laugh and see it as a foolish act...
but my son, your stength comes from your unwaivering Emaan.
It is they who are the fools.



I see images of you everyday,
images that are, and will remain imprinted on my heart forever.
I cannot escape them, even if I were to try.
I see you stood motionless, with a blank look on your face,
staring at the rubble,
the rubble which was once....
your home.
Deafening bombs, brutally sent by cowardly invaders,
Cowards who have invaded....
....your home.....your land....your mind.....your heart.....and your tranquility.

VIDEO-World wide protests highlight 'huge gulf' between population and Muslim Rulers

Demonstration after demonstration in the Muslim world and even outside of are clearly highlighting a huge gulf between the rulers of Arab countries and their populations.

[youtube=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-DpgKQRn8]

Whilst the Arab rulers spend three days in New York arguing over the text of what the final statement of a declaration should be, Muslims worldwide are spitting on these Western backed dictators and calling for the Muslim Arab armies surrounding Israel to realise their conscience and move for the sake of protecting their brothers and sisters in Gaza.

The video highlights some of thee sentiments expressed by a 13 year Arab girl who passionately demands that the rulers get off their thrones and release their armies.

Rochdale Politicians score cheap points on Gaza Issue

By Majed Iqbal- When one Reads between the lines of the Open letter on Gaza submitted by the Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, he has actually done no different to what the rest of the British media and Politicians have done- That is to condemn Hamas and blame them for the cause of the issues in the current crisis.



Peace in that area cannot be brokered with a war-mongering and rogue state like Israel.

Where is the United Nations that placed sanctions on Iraq for over 10 years when Iraq allegedly did not comply with UN resolutions, starving millions of vital medical supplies who suffered from depleted Uranium used by Allied forces?

Israel has NEVER abided by any of the UN resolutions passed on it- Where are the sanctions on Israel by the international community who backed the UN on Iraqi sanctions in the late 90's???

The MP's request for the EU, UN and US to place any pressure on Israel will fall on deaf ears as none of these blocks have any vested interests in doing so. History is witness to this each time demonstrating from their un-relenting praise and support for the Israeli State.

VIDEO- The War on Gaza in Context

The Short video below helps in summarising the history of oppression by Israel, the current war on Gaza and the betrayal of the Muslim rulers. It helps to build the correct context of this conflict which for some the timeframe lasts for the last two weeks only. In reality the same scenes as Gaza have been replayed in the last 50 years in various incidents conducted by Israel.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=C0eg24nhyME]

The video builds the case against the crimiality of Arab regimes and their complicity in the massacres taking place now and historically. The video helps builds the picture for the correct form of Political activism required for this conflict.

ASIAN LEADER Article- Israel’s offensive in Gaza: Blessed by Arab Rulers

The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper which highlighted how Arab governments surrounding Israel are working to defend it despite its offensive in Gaza where hundreds have been killed.



the full text of the article can be read HERE. The article also can be read online on the Look Asia website. CLICK HERE to read it

ASIAN NEWS Letter- Gaza Massacre: Write to your MP? Are you serious?

Letter submitted to the Asian News Website

By Majed Iqbal- The war crimes in Gaza committed by the Israeli state have bought about mass anger internationally. Locally in Rochdale there has been similar resentment at aggression committed against Gazans with their homes and lives destroyed and even sacred institutions like mosques which have been targeted by the Israeli War machinery.



I have been blitzed with text and Emails on a daily basis showing real concern by people on these issues and offering action points to be 'effective' as a voice on these issues

In looking for practical actions many of us in Rochdale have demanded that we write to our MP who in turn can air these views in parliament on behalf of residents of our town. It bemuses me as to how by doing this any change can happen to the situation in Gaza?

Britain has had an entire history of Supporting Israel and was the driving power in its creation. Til this date, Britain has played an active role in consolidating and strengthening Israels position in the Middle East lagging behind American initiatives for the region.

Majeds Blog writes to Ambassadors of Muslim Embassies in the UK

Majeds blog has been active in writing to the UK Ambassadors of Muslim Countries to highlight the frustration and disgust on their muted response to the Israeli massacres in Gaza. The following letter templates below to the Egyptian, Syrian and Iranina Embassy are available for you to use to copy and paste and send off to the UK embassies of these countries such that voices from the UK clearly highlight that such a massacre was impossible without Arab governments collusion and silence.



EGYPT- Mr. Ambassador, I am outraged by the actions of the Egyptian government in permitting and supporting the massacre conducted in Gaza by the Israeli army.

It was reported in the Haeretz newspaper(1) that prior to this massacre the Foreign Affairs Minister and the designated Acting Prime Minister of Israel Tzipi Livni came to Cairo to inform President Hosni Mubarak that it had decided to attack Gaza.

Why has the Egyptian government colluded with the Israeli government in this massacre?

It was reported in the Gulf News(2) that the Egyptian government closed the Rafah crossing into the Gaza strip as the Israel air strikes were being conducted.

Why has the Egyptian government exacerbated and prolonged the pain and suffering for the Muslims in Gaza?

Egypt alone has 450 000 regular troops to Israel's 180000(3), and comparable levels of tanks and aircrafts.

Why has the Egyptian government done nothing to defend the people of Gaza?

Slideshow- Demonstration to Mobilise Armies to defend Gaza

Over three thousand people demonstrated onSunday 4th January 2009 calling the Arab armies to defend Gaza and the innocent people who continue to be terrorised by the occupying Israeli army. The demonstration started from Paddington Green and travelled through Edgeware Road and concluded with a number of speeches at Marble Arch.

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Many speakers, including Mohamed Ali, CEO of Islam Channel, Mozzem Beg, the former detainee of Guantanamo and Dr Abdul Wahid from Hizb ut Tahrir, the Islamic political party who were the organisers of the demonstration urged the Muslim armies and governments to help the Muslims of Gaza. After months of a siege that starved hundreds of thousands, the Zionist occupiers of Palestine have killed over 300 men women and children in a wave of missile strikes on Gaza and have seriously injured thousands. Where are the Muslim rulers? Where are the Muslim armies? Where is the governement that will respond to the ongoing massacre of Muslims in Gazza and across the globe?

Israel's offensive in Gaza- Blessed by Arab Rulers

By Majed Iqbal- Minute to minute reporting, live coverage, updates and pictures from a territory otherwise known as the world's largest prison, Gaza have hit our screens at the beginning of 2009 showing Israel's offensive on the area with claims that Hamas, the people's choice and democratically elected government of Palestine, had broken a truce for a ceasefire with Israel and ordered for a military incursion into the area.



The strip, home to 1.5 million people, has been already suffering shortages of power, food and medical supplies due to a two-year blockade imposed by Israel on the area and was now turning into a war zone with people fleeing their homes as airstrikes began to deafen the cries of the crippling Gazan Territory.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni defended the Israeli assault in Gaza, saying on America's Sunday morning talk shows that Hamas, not Israel, "is the one who needs to be condemned by the international community."

Livni said that until Hamas recognized Israel's right to exist and ceased rocket attacks against Israel, they remained terrorists who needed to be acted against.

Aerial bombardment by Israel has destroyed mosques, Schools and hospitals raising the death toll to 531 people killed and over 2500 injured across 11 days and with more than 80 deaths since the ground offensive began three days ago.