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.

[slideshow id=432345564266710214&w=426&h=320]

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.