[Oman-L] demonstrations

Mon, 29 Oct 2001 05:04:43 +0100

salaami 2 all, Abdulla,
well thought off, very deep and I agree some of the basic analysis.
good work,
regards
Abdallah

> ----------------------------------------
> From: <BaaboodA@aol.com>
> Sent: Fri Oct 26 19:47:05 GMT+02:00 2001
> To: <oman-l@oman.org>
> Subject: Re: [Oman-L] demonstrations
> 
> 
> 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
> > 
> > 
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> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 

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