[Oman-L] demonstrations

Fri, 26 Oct 2001 13:47:05 EDT

--part1_a5.1d718bd5.290afb99_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

In response to Peter B Rowland question regarding demonstrations in Oman, I 
would like to remind everyone that there were demonstrations against war in 
many Arabic and Islamic cities as well as some European capitals and I 
believe in other parts of the world.

I understand the demonstrations in Oman were carried out by students of the 
Islamic (Sharia) college who were expressing their dismay with the prospect 
of war in an Islamic country where civilian lives are put at risk. I believe 
that those students feelings are akin to many other peace loving people 
around the world who are against wars and the killing of more innocent 
people. 

What happened on 11 of September was horror beyond any imagination and 
nothing justifies such gross atrocities and loss of human life. It is 
deplored by all Arab/Muslim countries and Arab/Muslim people, save for Iraq 
(for obvious reasons)! However, even the enormity of this criminal act of 
terror cannot be put right by waging war against helpless people. There are 
many in the region who think that this is a knee-jerk reaction and a lust for 
revenge to safe face and credibility of the world's most powerful nation. 
They see it, therefore, as an unjustified war which would only prolong the 
suffering of this poor country, and creates more destitute and angry people 
willing to take revenge ever increasing the cycle of terror. Demonising 
people and societies will only compel them to go that way and we all suffer 
as a consequence. 

To many the objectives and targets of this war are not clear nor is the end 
result. People are very apprehensive about the somewhat vague, war mongering 
unfortunate statements of 'western' leaders, the constant change of the goal 
post and the possible wide spread of the war against other so-called 
'terrorist' states. Many people do not trust or believe in the many nebulous 
and convoluted promises of western leaders and recall the similar promises 
made during the Gulf crisis, which came next to nothing when the war was 
over. They see that since WW1 western leaders not only did not fulfil their 
many promises but have constantly betrayed their Arab allies. The only 
promise that the west has made in the region and continue to support was the 
Balfour declaration which has only been a main source of suffering, conflict, 
instability and terror in the region. There is a whole baggage of historical 
mistrust and misconception.

There are many people who think that the evidence against ben Laden is 
suspicious and there are many things that don't fit or stack up. Moreover, 
people question that, even if Ben Laden was the culprit of this awful act, if 
there is no other way to bring him to international justice short of 
terrorising the whole country? Terror committed by a state does not make it 
legal or more plausible. Perpetrators should be brought to justice but the 
ends don't justify the means. The majority of the people are against terror 
of all sorts and kinds and believe that not only terror should be eradicated 
but so should its sources and reasons. There is a strong belief that war and 
the build up of the international coalition should have been less military 
and more human to eradicate poverty, inequality, injustice, the lack of 
education and the lack of opportunity and the uncertainty of the future. The 
war aims should have been to give those disparate and less privileged people 
in Afghanistan and around the world a chance and a glimpse of hope for a 
better life not more destruction and more killings.

An US-made Osama bin Laden and Taliban were/are ostracised by many Arabic and 
Islamic countries and only very few disparate people followed him. However, 
although hardly anyone approves of his means and methods many people identify 
with his cause and approve of his main objectives of:

1-Israel withdrawal of Palestine
2-US forces to leave Arabia. 

Let's face it, Ben Laden or no Ben Laden there is no reason why Israel 
continues to occupy Palestinian/Arab lands defying international law and 
constantly humiliating the Palestinians and the Arabs. Occupation and 
domination is a main source of terror and Israel is viewed in the region as a 
terrorist state (created by terror and continues to do so) which is supported 
by the US/west. When Arabs are attacked with American arms they see this as a 
US conspiracy against them. Arabs do not hate Americans nor westerns but hate 
their uneven policies in the area. Islam is not against the west and people 
who portray this clash of civilisation are plainly wrong.

If the presence of US forces are viewed with suspicion in the region then a 
formula could easily be found for an 'over the horizon' protection. In fact 
the reason for Gulf state's protection would be less wanting if US policies 
were more enlightened, accommodating and even. This should not be viewed as 
succumbing to terror but doing the right thing is always right, Ben Laden or 
not. Recent events should focus our attention.

Believe it or not the war is winning Ben Laden more sympathy and support 
which he did not have before. People see him and the Taliban as the underdog 
or David v. Goliath. He is so far winning the public relations war and if the 
war continues and with it civilian causalities he is bound to get more 
sympathy and support. The coalition seem to have run out of options and ran 
out of more targets to hit and according to the BBC Taliban defences have not 
been that badly weakened. I believe the Pentagon is floating a public tender 
for new ideas as to what to do next!
Well, how about the US, having opted for military action, should now try to 
get Ben Laden and bring him to international justice ASAP with less suffering 
and damage to the people of Afghanistan? How about embarking on a public 
relations exercise to win the heart and soul of the billion or so Muslim 
people (and other third world people)? How about an even-handed policy in the 
Middle East and help sorting out the Arab-Israeli conflict and the creation 
of a Palestinian state? How about spending the money not on arms building but 
on health, education, economic growth and alleviating poverty, injustice and 
inequality in the world and being more understanding to cultural diversity 
instead of global domination?

regards
Abdulla

In a message dated 24/10/2001 20:51:48 GMT Daylight Time, 
rowland@dataxinfo.com writes:

> Subj:[Oman-L] demonstrations
> Date:24/10/2001 20:51:48 GMT Daylight Time
> From:    rowland@dataxinfo.com (Peter Rowland)
> Sender:    oman-l-admin@oman.org
> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:oman-l@oman.org">oman-l@oman.org</A>
> To:    oman-l@oman.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I was surprised to see demonstrations in Oman in respect of the Afghanistan 
> "war" on "western" television and would like to learn more about the 
> reasons and feelings of the Omanis that took part and willing to let me 
> know directly and off list.
> 
> I am not interested in the views or opinions of expatriates.
> 
> Peter B Rowland
> The Vallets Annexe
> Whitfield Estate
> Hereford HR2 9BA
> 
> Telephone +44 (0) 1981 570779
> Mob: +44 (0) 7710 657 876
> Fax: +44 (0) 1981 570646
> Email: rowland@dataxinfo.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Oman-L mailing list
> Oman-L@oman.org
> http://oman.org/mailman/listinfo/oman-l
> 
> 
> 
> 

--part1_a5.1d718bd5.290afb99_boundary
Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

<HTML>In response to Peter B Rowland question regarding demonstrations in Oman, I would like to remind everyone that there were demonstrations against war in many Arabic and Islamic cities as well as some European capitals and I believe in other parts of the world.
 
 I understand the demonstrations in Oman were carried out by students of the Islamic (Sharia) college who were expressing their dismay with the prospect of war in an Islamic country where civilian lives are put at risk. I believe that those students feelings are akin to many other peace loving people around the world who are against wars and the killing of more innocent people. 
 
 What happened on 11 of September was horror beyond any imagination and nothing justifies such gross atrocities and loss of human life. It is deplored by all Arab/Muslim countries and Arab/Muslim people, save for Iraq (for obvious reasons)! However, even the enormity of this criminal act of terror cannot be put right by waging war against helpless people. There are many in the region who think that this is a knee-jerk reaction and a lust for revenge to safe face and credibility of the world's most powerful nation. They see it, therefore, as an unjustified war which would only prolong the suffering of this poor country, and creates more destitute and angry people willing to take revenge ever increasing the cycle of terror. Demonising people and societies will only compel them to go that way and we all suffer as a consequence. 
 
 To many the objectives and targets of this war are not clear nor is the end result. People are very apprehensive about the somewhat vague, war mongering unfortunate statements of 'western' leaders, the constant change of the goal post and the possible wide spread of the war against other so-called 'terrorist' states. Many people do not trust or believe in the many nebulous and convoluted promises of western leaders and recall the similar promises made during the Gulf crisis, which came next to nothing when the war was over. They see that since WW1 western leaders not only did not fulfil their many promises but have constantly betrayed their Arab allies. The only promise that the west has made in the region and continue to support was the Balfour declaration which has only been a main source of suffering, conflict, instability and terror in the region. There is a whole baggage of historical mistrust and misconception.
 
 There are many people who think that the evidence against ben Laden is suspicious and there are many things that don't fit or stack up. Moreover, people question that, even if Ben Laden was the culprit of this awful act, if there is no other way to bring him to international justice short of terrorising the whole country? Terror committed by a state does not make it legal or more plausible. Perpetrators should be brought to justice but the ends don't justify the means. The majority of the people are against terror of all sorts and kinds and believe that not only terror should be eradicated but so should its sources and reasons. There is a strong belief that war and the build up of the international coalition should have been less military and more human to eradicate poverty, inequality, injustice, the lack of education and the lack of opportunity and the uncertainty of the future. The war aims should have been to give those disparate and less privileged people in Afghanistan and around the world a chance and a glimpse of hope for a better life not more destruction and more killings.
 
 An US-made Osama bin Laden and Taliban were/are ostracised by many Arabic and Islamic countries and only very few disparate people followed him. However, although hardly anyone approves of his means and methods many people identify with his cause and approve of his main objectives of:
 
 1-Israel withdrawal of Palestine
 2-US forces to leave Arabia. 
 
 Let's face it, Ben Laden or no Ben Laden there is no reason why Israel continues to occupy Palestinian/Arab lands defying international law and constantly humiliating the Palestinians and the Arabs. Occupation and domination is a main source of terror and Israel is viewed in the region as a terrorist state (created by terror and continues to do so) which is supported by the US/west. When Arabs are attacked with American arms they see this as a US conspiracy against them. Arabs do not hate Americans nor westerns but hate their uneven policies in the area. Islam is not against the west and people who portray this clash of civilisation are plainly wrong.
 
 If the presence of US forces are viewed with suspicion in the region then a formula could easily be found for an 'over the horizon' protection. In fact the reason for Gulf state's protection would be less wanting if US policies were more enlightened, accommodating and even. This should not be viewed as succumbing to terror but doing the right thing is always right, Ben Laden or not. Recent events should focus our attention.
 
 
 Believe it or not the war is winning Ben Laden more sympathy and support which he did not have before. People see him and the Taliban as the underdog or David v. Goliath. He is so far winning the public relations war and if the war continues and with it civilian causalities he is bound to get more sympathy and support. The coalition seem to have run out of options and ran out of more targets to hit and according to the BBC Taliban defences have not been that badly weakened. I believe the Pentagon is floating a public tender for new ideas as to what to do next!
 Well, how about the US, having opted for military action, should now try to get Ben Laden and bring him to international justice ASAP with less suffering and damage to the people of Afghanistan? How about embarking on a public relations exercise to win the heart and soul of the billion or so Muslim people (and other third world people)? How about an even-handed policy in the Middle East and help sorting out the Arab-Israeli conflict and the creation of a Palestinian state? How about spending the money not on arms building but on health, education, economic growth and alleviating poverty, injustice and inequality in the world and being more understanding to cultural diversity instead of global domination?
 
 regards
 Abdulla
 
 
 In a message dated 24/10/2001 20:51:48 GMT Daylight Time, rowland@dataxinfo.com writes:
 
 
 <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:[Oman-L] demonstrations
 Date:24/10/2001 20:51:48 GMT Daylight Time
 From: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;rowland@dataxinfo.com (Peter Rowland)
 Sender: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;oman-l-admin@oman.org
 Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:oman-l@oman.org">oman-l@oman.org</A>
 To: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;oman-l@oman.org
 
 
 
 
 I was surprised to see demonstrations in Oman in respect of the Afghanistan 
 "war" on "western" television and would like to learn more about the 
 reasons and feelings of the Omanis that took part and willing to let me 
 know directly and off list.
 
 I am not interested in the views or opinions of expatriates.
 
 Peter B Rowland
 The Vallets Annexe
 Whitfield Estate
 Hereford HR2 9BA
 
 Telephone +44 (0) 1981 570779
 Mob: +44 (0) 7710 657 876
 Fax: +44 (0) 1981 570646
 Email: rowland@dataxinfo.com
 
 
 _______________________________________________
 Oman-L mailing list
 Oman-L@oman.org
 http://oman.org/mailman/listinfo/oman-l
 
 
 
 </HTML>

--part1_a5.1d718bd5.290afb99_boundary--