Date: 26th January 2007
Subject: Talk of the Neighbourhood.

This morning my aunty went down to do some early morning shopping in case a situation arises later in the day inhibiting us from leaving our home and buying some necessities such as bread, milk ... and chocolates :).

The talk of the neighbourhood she brought back was that the snipers shooting at students yesterday in the Universities, including in our neighbourhood, belonged to the Ishtiraqiyyeh, i.e. Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) run by the mountain warlord Walid Junblatt. Although it is not within our jurisdiction to assure such conclusions without proper evidence, it really is not all that surprising though. Mr Junblatt is responsible for much death and destruction in Mount Lebanon during his war with the Maronites. However Junblatt hasn't the height of warlord stature as Samir Geagea, notorious for his role in leading the Forces that, under the auspices of Ariel Sharon, committed the Sabra and Chatilla camp massacres, the Safra marina massacre, the slaughter of the family of Ex-President Tony Franjieh, and killing of Ex-PM Rashid Karameh.

The atmosphere in Lebanon feels as if the past 17 years since the end of the civil war was a time freeze, and the old warlords are back and ready to continue. A similar time gap existed between the 1958 and 1975 internal Lebanese conflicts. As the commoner says here 'Allah yustor' (God cover (the problems)).

   

Date: 25th January 2007
Subject: Thumbs up to Omar Karami.

A curfew has been called all over Beirut. Five tanks have just rolled past our road and an army checkpoint has been setup in front of our building. What a better time to write up a blog entry, as the family is sitting glued to the 'politics box' (alternative name to the idiot box, i.e. TV). Lebanon's television stations are current affairs oriented, with less emphasis placed on time wasting shows (generally speaking and depending on the station), than Western channels. Omar Karami just spoke live to a group of supporters and interested parties. He, like many Sunnis, including Ex-PM, the gentlemen and statesmen Dr Salim Hoss and renowned Sunni Shaikhs of Trablos (Tripoli), e.g. Dr Yakan, have spoken out against the ruling Siniora regime and its political and social fashion that is causing a split between Lebanese sects. Whether the regime is accomplishing such a disaster knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, the facts on the ground is that it's occurring.

The opposition is asking for a unity government, to unite the people of Lebanon, most of who abhor the current ruling administration. Siniora is refusing a unity government to reconcile the Republic and is refusing an open, free, just and democratic election. Although the government is in disarray, with both the President and the Speaker of Parliament describing Siniora's government as unconstitutional, especially since the biggest sect in Lebanon today (the Shia) are not represented in his cabinet after resigning in protest, Siniora refuses to step down for the virtue and unity of the country.

Information on Ex-PM Karameh can be found here (link), so there is no need to re-discuss his background. The focus here is on his communiqué and how it fits within the ordeals facing Lebanon today. The speech was articulate and personally touching; he deserves a weblog entry. The entry will be dedicated to a scholar of the last century who is fitting of highest praises, a scholar of scholars, a symbol, exemplar and a role-model of our time, the martyred Sayyid Muhammed Baqir As-Sadr.

Omar Karami's message echoed a letter from the martyred Sayyid Muhammed Baqir As-Sadr to the people of Iraq back in the early 80's. Accordingly, Mr Karami's discourse can be best elucidated by re-publishing Sayyid Sadr's letter below.

"O my dear people of Iraq! O you great ummah, in this difficult and turbulent moment and this juncture of your struggle, I would like to address all groups and sects, Arabs and Kurds alike, Sunni and Shi'a alike, because the calamity that has been inflected upon us knows no sectarian or ethnic divide; the calamity is universal. Therefore, a fighting stance, heroic retaliation and cohesion should be the living reality of all the Iraqi people. From position of responsibility in this ummah, I have spread no effort to sacrifice my well-being for the sake of the Shi'a and the Sunni in equal measure, as well as for the sake of Arab and Kurd equally. This stems from my belief in defending the message that unites them all and he faith that unites them all. I have lived my existence for nothing other than Islam, which is the road to salvation and the goal of all. I am with you, O my Sunni brother and son, just as much I am with you, O my Shi'a brother and son! I am with you both in the same measure you are with Islam, and in just as much as you bear this great flame to salvage Iraq and rid it of the nightmare of oppression, subservience and persecution. The despotic regime and its followers try to suggest to our noble Sunni sons that it is a matter of Shi'a and Sunni, so as to separate Sunni from their real struggle against the common enemy. I want to say to you, O sons of 'Ali and Hussain and sons of Abu Bakr and Umar! The fight is not between Shi'a and Sunni rule."

   

Date: 25th January 2007
Subject: Only Anti-Sectarianism can extinguish Beirut's fires.

As we were sitting waiting for a doctor's appointment two hours ago, in a hospital situated in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut which was hit the most by Israeli firepower during the July war, the electricity had cut out three times within an hour. In contrast, our district of residence, the power hasn't cut out for several weeks. On our way home, a main intersection leading into Western Beirut (Qasqas) was closed due to an eruption of violence between students backing Siniora's government, and those backing the opposition. The violence quickly spread throughout Beirut, such as other universities and main roads. The chauffeur turned on the radio so we may hear the latest news. The chauffeur told us he wasn't going to travel to our area, and basically dumped my mother and I on the side of the road uttering 'May God deliver you home in safety'. It was somewhat of a miracle that after a few minutes of waiting and having been turned down by several taxis to take us to our apartment, my aunty just happened to be driving past with her friends; recognising us, she picked us up and we headed home. Thirty minutes after arriving home through heavy traffic, the violence hit our area.

As I'm typing this weblog entry (4:30pm Beirut time Thursday), bullets are flying around us and below our building, in the Msaytbeh area of Western Beirut, 10 minutes away from the well known Rawche and Hamra streets. The family is sitting well away from the verandas in case of any stray bullets. On one side of the main street below us, is the suburb of Hay Al-Lija, made up of mostly lower class Shia where my parents grew up. The other side of the main street, where our building is located, is made up of mainly middle class Sunnis. It saddens me that the situation today, like throughout the history of Lebanon, we Lebanese speak of Sunnis, Shias, Maronites, Druze, etc, but unfortunately there is no other manner to present a realistic picture of the raison d'être behind the current situation, and the path that led the country to its present condition.

Lebanon was brought into today's situation by Siniora and his government, in coordination with the US and the Israelis, who wish Siniora to remain as the main powerbroker of the government, similar to their backing of Mubarak in Egypt and Abdullah in Jordan, even if it is at the distaste of the populace. Early, free and democratic elections, would pave the way to a government that is representative of the people thus diffusing the tense political atmosphere in the country. However Siniora is adamant to grip on to power. Such a crave comes at the price of a grievous population and only servers to feed friction. Humanity and its history has witnessed that ruling by force only leads to revolutions.

Invigorating the tension are regional conflicts exploited and fuelled by dim-witted individuals whom place emphasis on Shia vs. Sunni divisions. A systematic and vigorous campaign is being run to promote a fear of the Shia. King Abdullah of Jordan 'warned' of a Shia hilal (crescent) (link) that is hitting the Middle East. He meant Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The monarchists of Saudi Arabia are too portraying such a fear, as too is Fou'ad Siniora and his followers in Lebanon who run a covert scare campaign that Lebanon is going to be turned into a fascist Iran if the Shia are left unchecked.

Unfortunately such malevolent tactics are working. On the conscience of many laymen Sunni Lebanese not well versed in the political and psychological tactics of social anarchists that have fallen to such heinous surreptitious indoctrination, is that Nasrallah is Khomaini, and Hizbullah will be slapping Chadors on every Lebanese woman Taliban style and that the very existence of the Sunnis is under threat in Lebanon, particularly Beirut.

Delving into who is most to benefit from Lebanon's upheaval is a whole new discussion. It suffices to proclaim though that all major religious and political heads must work both openly and behind the scenes to bury the sectarian mentality present in this nation. Whilst this solution is well renowned, the means by which to reach such a goal remains illusive. May God bless Lebanon.

   

Date: 24th January 2007
Subject: Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon - Abdullah, Mubarak, Siniora

Lebanon's political formation is fast developing into a reminiscent of the Jordanian and Egyptian paradigm. An unpopular leader, backed by the US, Israel and Western Europe, remains at the helm at the contempt of the people. Lebanon's current Prime Minister Fou'ad Siniora, had taken over from then PM Omar Karameh, after the assassination of "Mr Lebanon" Rafiq Hariri. Karameh had voluntarily stepped down due to the political tension at the time, as he felt such a move would be of benefit to the country, a feat which Siniora refuses to replicate.

We woke up Tuesday morning in Beirut to find major roads around the country closed with dumped soil, stones and burning tyres. Although such forms of civil disobedience are personally seen as extreme and non-attractive (after all, our apartment was filled with the smell of burning rubber for a day), one must understand the antagonism and resentment felt by the majority of Lebanese against the current ruling government, and empathize with the actions the demonstrators are willing to take to bring down an unpopular regime.

If Lebanon was to hold fair and free elections tomorrow, 60-70% of the seats currently seized by the ruling government would be lost. The opposition enjoys a mix of sects, whose followers are in a constant struggle for unity amongst religious divides. Such head figures include the President, Emile Lahoud (Maronite), Ex-Military General Michel Aoun (Maronite), Son of assassinated President Tony Franjieh, Sulaiman (Maronite), leader of one of the many Democratic Parties and a popular alternative to Walid Junblatt, Talal Arslan (Druze). Lebanon's Shia make up for an estimated 30-40% of the country's population, virtually all of whom are represented by the populist Hizbullah, Amal Movement, or the other smaller parties that make up parts of Mu'arada (opposition).

Siniora lacks a large chunk of Sunni support. At the heart of his Sunni opposition are those hostile to the United States and Israel's greater Middle East model, an opposition that resonates across the Middle East. Media outlets globally en masse were publishing news of the rise in popularity throughout the M.E. of Hizbullah's charismatic leader Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah during Israel's July war, where for a month, it ran a demolition campaign against Lebanon. Nasrallah was compared to Egypt's Jamal Abed Al-Naser. Such popularity was cited as a threat to the Arab regimes that are backed by the US as part of its regional interests.

In a previous discussion on expressed-opinion (link), democracy was named as the victim at the behest of the US and its regional allies. Anyone who denies the intimate relationship between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and the US is overdue for an intense course in International Relations. The threat to Siniora (same applies to Mubarak and Abdullah) and their powerful backers lies in democracy; for if Siniora's government falls to the demand for democracy as is being demanded by the opposition today, the US loses another strategic outpost in the M.E. Siniora has a decision to make. It is clear the man is unpopular in Lebanon. He can either behave as a statesman and serve the wishes of the Lebanese people, or serve US and Israeli interests as are Mubarak and Abdullah.

   

Date: 15th August 2006
Subject: US - Shebaa to remain under Israeli Occupation

In an astounding declaration of arrogance and political bullying, the US (according to the Israelis) have assured Olmert that "Sheba is to remain under Israeli occupation "even if Annan's investigation determines that they belong to Lebanon."" in a Haaretz ran article titled "U.S. assures Israel it will not be forced to withdraw from Shaba" (link). In a previous article on this site, the following was stated concerning the Shebaa farms.

1. Syria says the Shebaa farms are Lebanese lands. Syrian officials may be asked this question at any time. No bets on whose claims Syria would defend.

2. Any map of Lebanon (e.g. [5]) predating the current crisis clearly illustrates Shebaa within Lebanon.

3. Shebaa inhabitants say they are Lebanese.

4. The Lebanese government has submitted several maps and proofs of Shebaa farms being Lebanese to the UN for which the UN has not acted upon.

5. For arguments sakes, we will presume the Israeli dispute that Shebaa farms are Syrian (although Syria affirms they belong to Lebanon). Being Syrian land, the Israelis shouldn't be there. If Israelis wanted peace, they should rightfully withdrawal in compliance with Resolutions 242 and 338.

How can Lebanon reclaim Shebaa when the US, using its veto power continues to shield the Israelis? And people blame Hizbullah at attempting to kidnap Israeli soldiers to use as bargaining chips to liberate Shebaa after all political avenues have been exhausted? Where is the justice?

   

Date: 15th August 2006
Subject: Olmert's and Bush's victory.

Olmert and Bush's victory declaration in respect to his hasty war against Hizbullah is amazing. One would think with victory came mass celebrations at home; quite the opposite. Even the veteran Peres is calling for an enquiry into just what went wrong in Lebanon, including the Israeli Defense Minister Peretz. The world's press has been quick to pick up on the IDF failures. A few good reads amongst the countless include:

TCS Daily - "Why Israel Lost" (link)

Independent UK - "Israel's verdict: we lost the war" (link)

Washington Post - "Olmert Accepts Blame For Operation's 'Failings'" (link)

Information Clearing House - "What the Hell Happened to the Israeli Army" (link)

Washington Post - "The Best Guerrilla Force in the World" (link)

The New York Sun - "As the War Stalls, Israel Is Beset By Recriminations" (link)

including and most notably the Israeli press. A quick browse through their articles is an indication of the inner turmoil facing Israeli politics. Asking Hizbullah what they make of the shaken Israeli political establishment, they'd be quick to point out a verse from the Holy Qur'an [105:2] "Did He not cause their war to end in confusion?". Hizbullah on the other hand has come out smiling. They weren't crushed nor are they divided; they hail their martyrs whilst their opponents weep, their support has grown and they still hold the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli public is asking their leaders, why with their 30,000 soldiers and all their tanks, planes, ships, satellite access and the latest military technology that makes them perceived as the strongest military in the ME self-dubbed the "invincible army", not to mention the US and Britain behind them politically, couldn't they crush 2,000 fighters armed with AK-47s and sixties rockets?

If the Israelis had seen a clear cut victory through a "Shock and Awe" campaign using airpower alone, the US diplomatic machine would have kicked in, delaying any UN resolution using the "waiting till we agree on wording and negotiations" card. This wasn't the case however. The time spent between the first resolution prank and the second, was a "we'll see what happens in the war" period for the US and the Israelis. Rising IDF casualty tolls, global uproar at Israeli barbarism was destroying its already ailing reputation and growing Knesset internal discord saw a new resolution chirped out quick smart.

The Israelis weren't the ones to suffer the biggest blow though; it was the US political elite. Lebanon's Daily Star sums up the views of Lebanon's middle class ("Lebanon's middle class is disillusioned with America") noting that Lebanese educated middle class are asking Washington: "Why have you forsaken me?" as Lebanon's existence is bombed to smithereens (link). Muslims globally are putting aside their Shia Sunni split and supporting Nasrallah, deemed a voice of the people who himself calls for Shia Sunni unity. The US has also lost many friends in the Arab world, critical for US interests in the region. Most notably, Arab leaders who favoured submitting to the Israelis are made to shame and ridiculed as feeble finger-puppets. Global leaders too, whilst perhaps not vocal out of fear of US backlash through economic and political targeting, are well aware of the excessiveness and injustices dished out by the Israelis against Lebanon. Particularly the Israelis low-blow moves at trying to defeat Hizbullah by attacking civilians and destroying Beirut, rather than facing them in the south of Lebanon.

   

Date: 8th August 2006
Subject: Follow up (Hizbullah military intelligence under-estimated?)

A blog entry made here yesterday titled "Hizbullah military intelligence under-estimated?" asked the following question concerning Hizbullah's UAVs "How many reconnaissance missions had these UAVs undertaken undetected? Are they being used in the current conflict to pick out military targets?" New information has emerged from the IDF published through Forbes Magazine alleging the IDF shot down one of Hezbollah's UAV drones (link). "The Israeli air force shot down a Hezbollah drone for the first time Monday, sending its wreckage plunging into the sea, the army said. Israeli media reported that the unmanned aircraft had the capacity to carry 90 pounds of explosives, nearly as much as the more powerful rockets Hezbollah has been firing into Israel. Unlike the rockets, the drone has a guidance system to for accurate targeting." It would seem the shot that hit Kfar Giladi killing 12 IDF soldiers wasn't just a lucky shot after all.

   

Date: 7th August 2006
Subject: Arab leaders reach epitome of hypocrisy.

Racing to distance themselves from the US backed demolition of Lebanon by the Israeli military, pro-Israeli Arab leaders have thrown a public 180 flip in the face of growing domestic outcry in respect to Lebanon's destruction. Most notable have been the Governments of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. "Egypt! Jordan! Saudi Arabia! Nasrallah has bested you all," they chanted in the Cairo square" (link) really summed up the feelings on Middle Eastern streets.

If those Arab leaders thought that their hypocrisy might lift the integrity of their reputation, they've got it all wrong. Quite the contrary, "leaders" who persistently flip-flop their stances influenced by foreign and/or public opinion raze any remnants of honour.

   

Date: 7th August 2006
Subject: Hizbullah military intelligence under-estimated?

Not much is known in respect to Hizbullah's intelligence of the Israeli military. But various events, two within the past couple weeks, has raised speculation on the extent of Hizbullah's knowledge regarding Israeli forces. Just yesterday, Hizbullah striked at the heart of an Israeli reservist squadron in Kfar Giladi preparing to enter Lebanon (link) killing twelve soldiers in the deadliest attack against the IDF since the war began. Was it just a "lucky shot"?

Jonathan Cook is a freelance writer and resident of Nazareth. He made the following comment in his article "Israel, Not Hizbullah, is Putting Civilians in Danger" (link).

I live in northern Israel in the Arab city of Nazareth. A week into the war we were hit by Hizbullah rockets that killed two young brothers. The attack, it was widely claimed, was proof either that Hizbullah was indiscriminately targeting civilians (so indiscriminately, the argument went, that it was hitting fellow Arabs) or that the Shiite militia was so committed to a fanatical war against the Judeo-Christian world that it was happy to kill Nazareth's Christian Arabs too. The latter claim could be easily dismissed: it depended both on a "clash of civilisations" philosophy not shared by Hizbullah and on the mistaken assumption that Nazareth is a Christian city, when in fact, as is well-known to Hizbullah, Nazareth has a convincing Muslim majority.

But to anyone living in Nazareth, it was clear the rocket attack on the city was not indiscriminate either. It was a mistake -- something Nasrallah quickly confirmed in one of his televised speeches. The real target of the strike was known to Nazarenes: close by the city are a military weapons factory and a large military camp. Hizbullah knows the locations of these military targets because this year, as was widely reported in the Israeli media at the time, it managed to fly an unmanned drone over the Galilee photographing the area in detail -- employing the same spying techniques used for many years by Israel against Lebanon.

One of Hizbullah's first rocket attacks after the outbreak of hostilities -- after Israel went on the bombing offensive by blitzing targets across Lebanon -- was on a kibbutz overlooking the border with Lebanon. Some foreign correspondents noted at the time (though given Israel's press censorship laws I cannot confirm) that the rocket strike targeted a top-secret military traffic control centre built into the Galilee's hills.

There are hundreds of similar military installations next to or inside Israel's northern communities. Some distance from Nazareth, for example, Israel has built a large weapons factory virtually on top of an Arab town -- so close to it, in fact, that the factory's perimeter fence is only a few metres from the main building of the local junior school. There have been reports of rockets landing close to that Arab community.

I still remember watching the conference held with Hizbullah's Secretary General Hassan Nasrullah beamed across Lebanese TV after the Israelis publicly announced that UAV drones had infiltrated past Lebanon's southern border (1 and 2). He jokingly offered to sell the Lebanese Army one of the UAVs. This raises some interesting questions. How many reconnaissance missions had these UAVs undertaken undetected? Are they being used in the current conflict to pick out military targets? Furthermore, has Syria and Iran handed over any intelligence to Hizbullah also comes into question. Similarly, how were Hizbullah able to firstly locate Tannenbaum (link), and secondly lure him to Beirut where he was caught and later used as part of a prisoner exchange for Lebanese and Palestinians long held in Israeli prisons? Has Israeli arrogance caused it to fall into the classic trap of under-estimating your opponent?

   

Date: 7th August 2006
Subject: The victim stereotype perishes.

If there's one notion since WWII that the Hizbullah Israeli war has altered, is that the world no longer perceives or holds the mental typecast that Israel is the "victim". The witnessed blitz and destruction across the whole of Lebanon at the hands of the Israeli military juggernaut has been replied with echoes of "monstrous". This adds a whole new dimension to the way the Palestinian Israeli war is viewed. If the Israelis within three weeks of relentless onslaught against Lebanon is shocking, one can only imagine what the Palestinians have faced over 60 years.

   

Date: 7th August 2006
Subject: Draft Resolution an Insult to Lebanon and the Lebanese

Precipitating the memories of the Middle East past under French and British colonial oriental imperial rule, the US and French took it upon themselves to draft a humiliating resolution (link) on Lebanon's behalf. The result was no surprise. As Israeli Justice Minister "Ramon said on Army Radio that the draft resolution was good for Israel, but that it still had military goals to meet" (link). The same Justice Minister had previously been quoted as saying "Everyone in southern Lebanon is a terrorist and is connected to Hizbollah" (link).

As most media sources have already outlined, the draft resolution ignores several key elements.

1) Does not address the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
2) Does not address Shebaa Farms.
3) Does not address Lebanese prisoners.
4) Does not address Israeli incursions into Lebanese sovereign territorial borders.

Unless these fundamental issues are addressed, we will just be led back to square one. The resolution must be fair and just and not used as a method to gain the Israelis the political upper hand so it may declare a pre-mature artificial victory. Perhaps France and Malaysia would have been a better duo to draft the resolution. No doubt Orientalism mentality is still ripe in Western thinking.

   

Date: 7th August 2006
Subject: Restart.

After over a year of neglecting the site and in light of the current invasion of Lebanon, I've been prompted to shift some priorities and begin to revitalize this site.

   

Date: 11th June 2005
Subject: Lebanon's Political Corruption.

From ex-Prime Minister, Salim Al-Hoss 3 days ago: (link)

"Lebanon is one of the most politically and socially corrupt countries in the world, whose corrupt leaders take refuge in their sectarian communities"

Unfortunately Dr Hoss is correct, although only slightly exaggerated. According to Transparency International (TI) (link), Lebanon's about three quarters down the list, at #97 out of 145. Transparency in any country is of upmost importance, from the political to the economic arena. Yet it's very difficult to implement in any short period of time, particularly when corruption has become a social norm.

"TI has produced a Special Edition of its Corruption Fighters’ Tool Kit exclusively dedicated to youth anti-corruption education." (downloadable from here). Good book, sadly though, it'd take some convincing of the Lebanese government to allow such material to be taught. School education is the last thought on their mind in the current political climate there. If there's one thing the Middle East can learn from the West, it's anti-corruption behaviour.

Dr Hoss is one of the small number of men on Lebanon's political stage who has the right to speak out against corruption. It can be said "There's nothing on him, his hands are clean" so to speak, and during his time in government, he has shown his valour not to give in to normal corrupt customs. Such Lebanese political officials are few and far between.

Perhaps corrupt leaders can take Imam Ali(as) as a role-model. After lawfully and rightfully taking reigns as the fourth caliph, He(as) overturned many corrupt mechanisms that had infiltrated Islamic society at the time. His example is unsurpassed. The Economist quoted the Imam (as) in a well thought out article (link).

Knowledge. "If God were to humiliate a human being," wrote Imam Ali bin abi Taleb in the sixth century, "He would deny him knowledge." Although the Arabs spend a higher percentage of GDP on education than any other developing region, it is not, it seems, well spent. The quality of education has deteriorated pitifully, and there is a severe mismatch between the labour market and the education system. Adult illiteracy rates have declined but are still very high: 65m adults are illiterate, almost two-thirds of them women. Some 10m children still have no schooling at all.

The United Nations in their "Arab Human Development Report 2002" (website, download), the UN listed a total of 14 of His(as) sayings (pages 96 and 119) as advice for the Arab world. They were:

1. "No vessel is limitless, except for the vessel of knowledge, which forever expands."

2. "If God were to humiliate a human being, He would deny him knowledge."

3. "No wealth equals the mind, no poverty equals ignorance, no heritage equals culture, and no support is greater than advice."

4. "Wisdom is the believer's quest, to be sought everywhere, even among the deceitful."

5. "A person is worth what he excels at."

6. "No wealth can profit you more than the mind, no isolation can be more desolate than conceit, no policy can be wiser than prudence, no generosity can be better than decency, no heritage can be more bountiful than culture, no guidance can be truer than inspiration, no enterprise can be more successful than goodness, and no honour can surpass knowledge."

7. "Knowledge is superior to wealth. Knowledge guards you, whereas you guard wealth. Wealth decreases with expenditure, whereas knowledge multiplies with dissemination. A good material deed vanishes as the material resources behind it vanish, whereas to knowledge we are indebted forever. Thanks to knowledge, you command people's respect during your lifetime, and kind memory after your death. Knowledge rules over wealth. Those who treasure wealth perish while they are still alive, whereas scholars live forever; they only disappear in physical image, but in hearts, their memories are enshrined."

8. "Knowledge is the twin of action. He who is knowledgeable must act. Knowledge calls upon action; if answered, it will stay; otherwise, it will depart."

1. "He who has appointed himself an Imam (ruler) of the people must begin by teaching himself before teaching others. His teaching of others must be first by setting an example rather than with his words, for he who begins by teaching and educating himself is more worthy of respect than he who teaches and educates others."

2. "Your concern with developing the land should be greater than your concern for collecting taxes, for the latter can only be obtained by developing; whereas he who seeks revenue without development destroys the country and the people."

3. "Seek the company of the learned and the wise in search of solving the problems of your country and the righteousness of your people."

4. "No good can come in keeping silent as to government or in speaking out of ignorance."

5. "The righteous are men of virtue, whose logic is straightforward, whose dress is unostentatious, whose path is modest, whose actions are many and who are undeterred by difficulties."

6. "Choose the best among your people to administer justice among them. Choose someone who does not easily give up, who is unruffled by enmities, someone who will not persist in wrong doings, who will not hesitate to pursue right once he knows it, someone whose heart knows no greed, who will not be satisfied with a minimum of explanation without seeking the maximum of understanding, who will be the most steadfast when doubt is cast, who will be the least impatient in correcting the opponent, the most patient in pursuing the truth, the most stern in meting out judgment, someone who is unaffected by flattery and not swayed by temptation and these are but few."

Here is just one of His(as) stories; the candles.

A candle burnt by his side, as he sat down meticulously recording all the revenue and the expenses of the treasury.

Just then Talha and Zubair appeared.

They aspired to some positions of authority in Ali's (a.s.) rule and had come to strike a deal. If Ali (a.s.) gave them a place of distinction, they would in turn pledge their full support. Ali (a.s.) knew of this.

Just as they sat down, Ali (a.s.) put out the candle and lit another one.

Talha and Zubair exchanged a glance of surprise and then one of them said:

"O Ali, we have come on some important business. But why did you extinguish the first candle?"

Imam Ali (a.s.) replied: "That was a candle bought of Treasury funds. As long as I worked for the Treasury, I used it. Now you have come for some personal work, so I use the candle bought of my personal fund." Talha and Zubair left him without saying another word.

How depressing, that the so-called "muslims" have reached such a state, that non-muslims have to remind them of the ways of the great Imam Ali (as).

   

Date: 11th June 2005
Subject: Children are Our Future.

Lebanon's Daily Star published an excellent piece on disabled children in Lebanon (link). The talent emerging from the schools mentioned is extraordinary. Girls and boys graduate around the age of 12, speaking two or more languages, usually Arabic and English/French, and amongst the highest achievers in the country. They're taught basic etiquettes (which really is a must in any primary school as a foundation for a civil society), such as the importance of hygiene and tidiness, responsibilities of children towards parents and family, eloquence in speech, etc, during their religious education.

   

Date: 11th June 2005
Subject: UN Envoy.

A UN Envoy is to be sent to Lebanon to confirm that all Syrian intelligence officers have left the country (link). The UN Envoy really has a tough job ahead of them (read why). How they will confirm it will be very interesting. Their only hope for proving Syria's presence is if Lebanese working with those agents were to give the inspectors inside information. Even then, the credibility of any report which states "credible sources have told us..." so and so, will be under scrutiny.

   

Date: 2nd June 2005
Subject: Disarming Hizbullah.

To put it nicely, it's not going to happen. If it did, heck I, and millions of others would be very surprised. During the 25th of May commemoration of the withdrawl of the Zionist troops that occupied southern Lebanon till 2000, Secretary General of Hizbullah Sayyid Hasan Nasrullah made one thing clear, no one dare touch Hizbullah's arms (link). Sayyid Nasrullah has a reputation of integrity to mean what he says. All his speeches are closely studied and analysed by Mossad Intelligence Services. If Hizbullah was to be disarmed, it would have to be by force, and no one is willing to take such a disastrous measure. How are Lebanese politicians dealing with their Hizbullah counterparts?

Sa'ad Hariri replied (Read Interview) "After the elections, we can sit with Hizbullah and negotiate a peaceful way like we did in the past. The only difference between Hizbullah and other militias is that Hizbullah is a resistance against Israeli occupation. Part of Lebanon is still occupied." when asked about disarming Hizbullah, also saying that they have half a million followers in Lebanon. Aoun had taken a similar approach, i.e. through negotiations. Realistically looking at it, Hariri's replies were only to satisfy the listener, he knows well it's not going to happen.

Similarly, from Junblatt. (link)

WALID JUMBLATT: Hezbollah is the Lebanese resistance movement, okay, and they have been one of the pillars of independence, getting the Israelis out. Okay. They have a huge credit, so we have to dialogue with them, we have to speak to them. We cannot ignore them.

MATTHEW CARNEY: In terms of disarmament?

WALID JUMBLATT: I'm not in favour of disarming them now. We'll see if it's necessary to disarm them or not. We'll see. After all, we don't want to follow an Israeli agenda. We're not following Israeli orders. We'll see with them if their weapons are necessary for the protection of Lebanon or not. We'll see.

Bush knows this too. Check this out for a Bush statement. "We view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, and I would hope that Hezbollah would prove they're not by laying down arms and not threatening peace" (link). Truly unbelievable! So, if Hezbollah was to lay down their arms, they won't be a terrorist organization anymore? And what ever happened to "we do not negotiate with terrorists?" Most South Lebanese view Hizbullah as their security against Israel. They have proven their efficiency to create a balance of power against Israel's occupation, and most Lebanese politicians recognise them as a legitimate political entity, but there are differences on whether or not they should keep their arms. Disarming them, many would feel, would shift the balance of power back Israel's way, and allow them to make threats once again.

The problems facing Sharon/Bush include:-

1) Hizbullah operate only within Lebanon (the accusations of the Argentine attacks were proven to be false).

2) Hizbullah have 12 seats in Lebanon's parliament, which is set to increase with the latest elections.

3) Europe haven't listed them as a terrorist organization.

4) They have over half a million diehard supporters in Lebanon (for a country of 4 million).

With these points in mind, it's no wonder Bush is opting for peaceful negotiations. Mind you, a forceful approach (even an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities), would prompt Hizbullah to let loose their declared 12,000 rockets (link).

   

Date: 2nd June 2005
Subject: Opposition, what opposition?

With the Syrians "out" and Beirut "elections" over, it's time to get to the real nitty gritty of Lebanese politics. When Aoun returned to Lebanon after 15 years in exile, many had envisioned an independent Lebanon heading in a new and positive direction lead by the "opposition". However, what exactly is the "opposition" (or mu'aaradha in Arabic) today? Three months ago, it was black and white, the Pro Syrian vs. Anti Syrian camps. However, in a rush to win parliament seats, opposition members have done deals with the pro-Syrian camp, and vice versa. Welcome to Lebanese politics. Let's have a closer look at some of these deals.

Aoun vs. Junblatt (aren't they supposed to be on the same team?) (Read Story) The first paragraph says it all.

Aoun and GeaGea (They were at war at one stage of the civil war) (Read Story)

Hizbullah and Walid Junblatt (remember Junblatt was seen as an opposition figurehead, and Hizbullah staunchly pro-Syrian) (Read story)

Aoun has also done deals with Hizbullah and Michel Murr.

I guess one positive look at it, is that sectarian divisions don't seem prevalent. What ever the deals, and who ever the parliament seats are allocated to, we can safely make some opinions.

1) The nicely dressed warlords still rule the government.
2) It's like watching a school play where everyone wants a position or they won't be popular at school, so it's important to get that seat any way possible and make the cut.
3) Nothing's changed in Lebanon.

As a side note, here's a funny picture received in an e-mail comparing Junblatt to Mr Burns from the masonic Simpsons, a hillarious cartoon show. Junblatt (most spell it with an m although in arabic it's with an n), was a nervous wreck after Hariri's assassination. He had stayed home for a couple weeks barely venturing out. He has a reputation of always switching sides.

  

   

Date: 30th May 2005
Subject: Lebanese Elections.

The first in a series of four Lebanese election days saw 26-28% turn out for the available parliamentary seats in Beirut districts. The figures are quite shameful. But again, what incentive would "Beirutis" have to vote if Hariri's Bloc (which went uncontested) was going to win anyway?

Perhaps one of the controversial winners from Hariri's list is Gibran Tueni (link to his website). A journalist/manager of Al-Nahar newspaper (link) and renowned opposer of just about everything Syrian, he is often criticized by many Lebanese for his extremist views.

Next Sunday will see South Lebanon go to the polls, with Hizbullah and the Amal Movement predicted to be the big winners. Hizbullah in particular is set to expand its political influence in Lebanon, which is a major worry for the Bush/Sharon administration. How do you deal with a "terrorist" group when it's a legitimate political entity and enjoys massive support, including from men such as Saed Hariri and Walid Junblat?

   

Date: 30th May 2005
Subject: Delay.

Please forgive the delay in updating the site, the last couple weeks has been pretty hectic. Hopefully there won't be anymore intrusions any time soon.

   

Date: 17th May 2005
Subject: Ronaldo in Ramallah.

Helping Palestinian children relieve the misery...for a while.

   

Date: 17th May 2005
Subject: Kuwaiti Reforms.

Kuwait has just allowed Kuwaiti women the right to vote; and about time too. What kind of voting rights is yet to be seen though. Various Arab states make a mockery of their "elections", allowing only certain hand-picked candidates to run for seats.

Parliamentarian opposers to the new amendments argued that giving such rights to women contradicts Islamic Shari'a Law. Oh Please! I challenge any so-called "muslim" to come forth and show me evidence of such utter nonsense. Show me any hadith or verse from the holy Qur'an you wish. Whilst you're at it, I'd like to see evidence of women not allowed to drive, if they were allowed to ride camels at the time of the Prophet (sawa), I think they're allowed to drive cars. What a joke.

Meanwhile, a young Saudi woman has received her doctorate at the age of 20 in London (read story). Her life ambition is to become the first woman Energy Minister in Saudi Arabia. All the best to her. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come. This cultural (not religious) based mentality of female oppression in the Arab world has to end.

   

Date: 16th May 2005
Subject: Iran and Nukes.

All we hear in the news lately in respect to the nuclear issue with Iran is talks are being delayed, Iran may restart enrichment activities, negotiations are continuing, etc, etc. Is this the same buying time tactic Israel uses with the Palestinians? What you find Israel doing is talk, talk and more talk. "Peace" negotiations and treaties, this and that accord, road maps, halt and resumption of settlement building, yada yada (excuse the French). In the meantime, whilst all this talk (and that's exactly what it is, baseless talks with no intention), 50 years later, Palestine has just about been eaten up. Pockets remain, which are separated by the new wall. These maps (1 and 2) speak for themselves. So maybe Iran's just talking till finally they got the bomb.

   

Date: 14th May 2005
Subject: Shebaa Farms, Hizbullah and Israel.

So there's been a little escalation of violence on the border of occupied Palestine and Lebanon. Close to the Lebanese elections, such an escalation gives a little reminder to the Lebanese of the success of Hizbullah at ousting Israel from South Lebanon, that they're armed, and they're a force to be reckoned with.

   

Date: 14th May 2005
Subject: Muslim Outrage.

The (probably true) allegations of the desecration of the Qur'an at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba hasn't helped the U.S. propagate itself as a Muslim loving nation. Maybe Bush should come out publicly and kiss the Holy Qur'an. After all, he did wear a Yarmulke (Jewish skull cap) as he prayed at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, and also showed respect by taking his shoes off when entering the mosque at the Islamic Center of Washington.

Maybe the interrogators at Guantanamo gave up using pornographic images to taunt prisoners so they had to up the tempo by resorting to such satanic acts as the desecration. Porn use seemed to have backfired when the Muslim British prisoners, now released, laughed it off and asked the guards for more cause it had been a while since they seen any women. The other tactic used is female interrogators becoming naked and touching the prisoners. How ironic. People pay for that kind of rubbish, and here the U.S. military is using it as a torture method. If they really wanted to break the prisoners down mentally, maybe they should show them naked pictures of George Bush or Madeleine Albright. Now THAT'S mental torture.

The interrogators can be assured of one thing, and that's every Muslim who's heard of the desecration, will ask God to curse the perpetrators. 8 people in Afghanistan have been killed when security officers opened fire on those protesting the U.S. actions. Hundreds rallied in Jakarta. Flash backs of Abu Ghuraib.

   

Date: 12th May 2005
Subject: Information.

Any interests deemed worth discussing will usually entail a weblog entry. Interests are broad so expect almost anything within the framework of topics presented on this site.

Where appropriate, news and articles of various sorts related to the subject will be saved onto this server as reference and a link provided in the corresponding weblog entry.

   

Date: 12th May 2005
Subject: Inauguration.

First weblog entry.

Imam Ali (as) "When some blessings come to you, do not drive them away through thanklessness."