Muslims continue to destroy the image of Islam

I was going to write in regards to the female students of a Pakistani madrassah who raided a brothel and kidnapped its owner, however I came across a post on a message board that echoes my sentiments perfectly, if not more effectively. The news article can be read here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6502305.stm?ls

"Prostitution should be eradicated (though I doubt it ever can) through education, state assistance and a change in attitude from these very zealots.These girls are so eager to shut down the brothels but would they be as eager to take a repentant prostitute into their homes? Would they be as eager to let her live in their home as they are to take a roof off her head? Do you think by closing down a brothel these women will somehow evaporate into the ether? No they wont, they'll move onto the streets where they will be in an even worse situation.

Rather than do something for the 'good' of society like setting up a 'refuge' these idiot zealots go around smashing and yapping which is easier because after they've finished smashing and yapping they can return to the comfort of their middle class homes and to the love and security of their families.They should be arrested for assault and trespass."

Exposing the Western media, the US, and Israel is all well and good, but I truly believe Muslims must also look at themselves in the mirror and not be afraid to criticize those who claim to be religious and oppose their right-wing tendencies. Their intentions may be right, but their methods are more often than not worthy of condemnation.

Iran Defending its Sovereignty

Iran's recent capture of British soldiers treading into Iranian waters comes at an important time. Whether the British expedition into the Iranian side of the Persian Gulf comprised a threat is besides the question. Similarly, whether the British sailors were actually in Iranian waters is irrelevant. The important factor to consider is the message that Iran is sending; particularly to the US - If we believe or suspect a nation is conspiring against us or inhibiting our sovereignty, we will take action.

The key word is "suspect". Iran is only mimicking the US strategy of preemptive action against nations that it believes pose a threat. It is the US that has justified war through artificial, imagined, and feigned scenarios, and it is the US that has killed thousands of civilians due to the fake paranoia it facilitates in order to maintain its hegemonic superiority. Yet the difference with Iran is that its paranoia is warranted. Why? Iran faces the wrath of two nuclear powers in the US (and its British lackey) and Israel and sees a neighbouring country rich in petroleum reserves being ravaged to no extent.

Iran also knows that it is constantly under surveillance through US satellites, reconnaissance drones, and CIA operatives. It would be naive to assume otherwise. Iran can very easily thwart these spying efforts, but it also knows that any attempts to directly defend its sovereignty would amount to a declaration of war. The US is patiently waiting for any impetus to strike at the heart of Tehran. All they need is one excuse to dupe their masses into clamouring for war - again.

This is why Iran has strategically chosen Britain as bait. The British sailors aren't linked to the US military and the capture does not amount to an attack on the US, while at the same time the message the action sends is loud and clear. Furthermore, the British cannot launch an invasion into Iran by themselves because they simply do not have the capability to do so. Nevertheless, the capture could prove to be costly as the US government spin doctors in collaboration with independent PR firms could justify preemptive actions against Iran under the pretext of "coming to the aid of the civilized allies in the face of evil."

However, the Bush administration is also having its fair share of headache with both houses of Congress over the Iraq war, and proposing an attack on Iran would exacerbate the situation. Regardless, we have seen what has happened when "rogue" regimes stand up to US hegemony (i.e.: North Korea) and those that cannot (i.e.: Iraq).

"Americanada"

As the US continuously remains bogged down in Iraq, Canadians continue to do the same in Afghanistan. US troops claim to target “insurgents” who really are normal everyday Iraqis fighting the occupation. Canadians continue to do the same by claiming to have wiped out “Taliban” who are mostly normal everyday Afghanis fighting the non-UN mandated Canadian occupation. Just like the US has created death squads (which it calls armies) composed of ex-convicts, thugs, and bandits; Canadians are doing the same in Afghanistan to promote the illusion of “progress”.

Just like the US imprisons innocents, based on suspicion alone, in offshore gulags, Canada does the same in what is referred to as “Guantanamo North”. As the Bush regime destroys his economy by widening the gap between rich and poor, Canada threatens to do the same with its new federal budget. When did Canada become the 51st state?

At least the US has its own twisted reasons to go to war – access and control of Iraqi oil reserves to maintain their fledgling hegemony in the face of growing global competition. What is Canada’s reason for continued warfare? Is it for the approval of a state where dissent is now akin to treason? Or is it for the approval of an administration that is despised by its own people? Harper once mentioned that he’d support the Canadian occupation of Afghanistan even if it meant risking his leadership. I beg Harper to continue beating the war drum if it means freedom from the clutches of his government.