August 17, 2006
The killing fields of Lebanon
By Akhtar Payami Is the world conscience in deep slumber? No, it is not. The massive anti-Israeli demonstrations all over the world testify to this fact. The sympathies of the global population are with the Lebanese who have been victims of aggression for a long time now.
It is not accidental that Israel launched its genocidal attack against Lebanon. And if the Israeli population has any conscience left, it must be troubling it all the time. The mere kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers could not have ignited the fierce war, which has by now claimed hundreds of Lebanese lives and destroyed many more households, not to mention the infrastructure which has been damaged beyond repair.
The Israeli government is wary of Hezbollah because they are fighting for a just cause. It is not a religious war neither is it a crusade, as President George W. Bush would love to call it. Faith is not involved in it. The liberal and politically conscious Jews also support the cause of the Palestinian people whose land has been usurped by Israel.
The protest against the use of force in Lebanon has been taking place all over the world. Many European countries and American cities have strongly and without any reservation demanded an end to the senseless army operation against the people of Lebanon.
So it is clear that the world has positively responded to the call of the Lebanese people. However, the agonising truth is that the reaction of the 57 Muslim countries has not been positive. We have painfully watched how the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has tried to sweep the issue under the carpet on one pretext or the other.
First, it was suggested that it would be difficult to contact and invite all Muslim countries to attend an emergency meeting of the OIC. Later, however, the OIC leaders realised that the stake was rather too high and if they faltered again and did not comprehend the gravity of the situation, history would not forgive them. So the meeting was convened and a much-watered down resolution was finally adopted. But has it in any way lessened the agony of the victims? The answer would be a resounding no.
The effectiveness and the strength of Muslim countries have been tested many times. If the concept of the elusive Ummah has any reality, it must come to the aid of the Muslims in times of peril. H.S.Suhrawardys comment during the Suez Canal crisis might have sounded a bit unkind and satirical, but it was not very far from the truth. Numbers alone cannot give muscle to a group of fragile people who fail to stand up unitedly against a common enemy.
Palestinians have made it clear that they no longer adhere to the old policies which were essentially anti-Israel. In fact, it was an article of faith for them to strive for the wiping out of the Jewish state from the map of the world. That determined resolve does not exist now and they have finally come to the conclusion that Israel, too, has the right to exist.
However, it must desist from illegally occupying the Palestinian land. The world community has made several attempts to solve this intricate problem. The Oslo Accord was one of them but the subsequent events have proved beyond doubt that Israel cares little for world opinion.
The Iranian stance on the Lebanese problem has come about as a consequence of the consistent Israeli intransigence and its unhelpful attitude towards resolving the crisis.
Pakistanis have always adopted a firm and unflinching attitude towards Palestine. The Indian Muslims have always supported the cause of the oppressed people of Palestine and they have never accepted the Israeli contention that it has the right to usurp Palestinian land. They have lived with this legacy for many years. However, when the Palestinians themselves have changed their stance, the Pakistanis, too, have to adapt themselves to the harsh reality. If the Palestinians are prepared to accept the existence of Israel, they also should be prepared to endorse their wisdom.
However, any haste may be suicidal as not very long ago the rulers had circulated a feeler about Pakistans plan to have a formal relationship with Israel. It was an ill-timed move which was rebuffed by the people. Now that Israel has embarked on a policy of mass murders of the Lebanese people, we should follow the path of wisdom and do not tread a suicidal course. Israel should also realise that, after all, might is not always right. Vietnam is a living example of this reality.
Unfortunately, United Nations has not lived up to the expectations of the people despite Secretary General Kofi Annans explicit views on Lebanon. The Hezbollah as well as the Israeli warmongers must reach a durable ceasefire accord to defuse the explosive situation and ensure durable peace in this troubled region.
ABDUL WAHID OSMAN BELAL
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
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