Iraqi Elections Advertisement

[newsX]

Have you seen this advert? The description alone is moving...:)


Al-Arabiya (Dubai), 01/02/05

An old man rounding a corner into an alleyway looks up and sees young, masked militants facing him down. A couple joins the old man. Slowly, more and more people join the old man.

Voiceover: On January 30, we meet our destiny and our duty. We are not alone, and we are not afraid. Our strength is in our unity; together we will work and together prevail.

Those joining the man now outnumber the militants. He nods and they move forward. The militants run away.

Written on screen: Don't worry about Iraq. We are its people. We will allow no one to deprive us of our rights. For the building of Iraq: Peace, freedom and democracy. The heroes of Iraq.

==========

I wish all Iraqis a prosperous future.

[newsX]

Here is a competing view from analyst, Daniel Pipes:

"Thoughts on the Forthcoming Iraqi Elections- The Iraqi elections are just four days off, so here are some concluding thoughts on this event:

I heartily endorse the U.S. government's goal of making Iraq a democracy. But I worry about the timetable to attain it. I expect that the elections to be held on Jan. 30, 2005, are premature and will set democracy back more than forward it.

Before they take place, the country needs to learn the habits of democracy and civil society – the rule of law, minority rights, voluntary associations, loyal opposition, and so on. Elections should begin with the legislative branch and at the municipal level. The interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, should be given a chance to take control of the country before ethnic and other fissures can rear their heads. Shi‘is need to get used to participating in power or else the tyranny of the majority looms as a real danger.

In all, I see this as a classic instance of American impatience. It's been a mere 22 months since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein; elections for chief of government should take place more like 22 years later."

http://www.danielpipes.org/

[Hashim]

These elections are a sham, organized and endorsed , and run by the americans, this is a mere show of a puppet government. The americans will never leave, even after their puppet regime is implemented.

[Ahmed Waheed]

Assalam . . .

"And when it is said to them: Make not mischief on the Earth, they say: We are only peace makers" (Surah al-Baqarah 2: verse 11)

This clearly does seem to apply to the americans.
May the Wrath of Allah be upon them . . . Ameen

Wassalam . . .

[Hashim]

May allah help the mujahedeen to resist the invading infidels!

[Ahmed Waheed]

Assalam . . .

Ameen

Wassalam . . .

[xp²]

Assalam . . .

"And when it is said to them: Make not mischief on the Earth, they say: We are only peace makers" (Surah al-Baqarah 2: verse 11)

This clearly does seem to apply to the americans.
May the Wrath of Allah be upon them . . . Ameen

Wassalam . . .

Perhaps you could present [45:14] of the Quran, and change your prayer for something better?

[Osman]

Yeah, I see. And after somebody does that can they please help me to decipher the meaning cos' I'm a bit slow . . . I've got the gist and I agree with xp2.

[newsX]

These elections are a sham, organized and endorsed , and run by the americans, this is a mere show of a puppet government. The americans will never leave, even after their puppet regime is implemented.

Whether it's a sham or not remains to be seen. Ayutullah Sistani did give his blessing by saying (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A41483-2004Dec6?language=printer):

"One vote is like gold, but even more precious."

...and many did turn out to vote, so the sham must be quite a large one, inclusive of one of the most powerful shia leaders. :)

But like Daniel Pipes, perhaps you agree that the elections come at a wrong time? Civil society must be put in place first, right?

For me, I feel uncomfortable that elections are run along ethnic lines of sunni, shia and kurdish. I feel that this is a recepie for future civil war, though I hope it will not turn out that way.

[newsX]

These elections are a sham, organized and endorsed , and run by the americans, this is a mere show of a puppet government. The americans will never leave, even after their puppet regime is implemented.

Sham or not, I only wish the best for the people of iraq, who have suffered enough.

Actually, don't you agree that most of the governments in the Middle East are 'puppets' of america? Next to Israel; Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia probably receive the most money and miltary hardware from the americans.

It is tempting to blame the americans, but I would resort to an age-old cliche: it takes two hands to clap. In this case, more of the blame should lie on the people and leaders who 'collude' with what you so elegantly term 'infidels'.

It is widespread. Arab leaders receve money under the table from americans and yet publicly condemn these same americans. Hypocrisy? Stupidity?

No, these leaders are only trying to draw attention away from their mischievious, brutal and cruel ways. What better way than to point their fingers toward America and Israel every time a calamity comes upon them? Unfortunately for some arab regimes, this propaganda has come back to haunt them. Radicals are wising up to their government's childish games. The radicals know that their governments have been lying to them all this while. The stated aim of Usama now is to topple the ruling family in Saudi Arabia, and the Sauds are terrified.

Surah al-Baqarah 2: verse 11 cuts both ways, in this case.

[syedhs]

Salam News-X,

You are absolutely true about the hipocrisy. And having the Iraq election will just add the hipocrisy list.

About the Iraq election, I have reservation. Although it seems that everything runs well via the paper, one should keep in mind that judging from history, USA govt ( I dont say american!) will only push things which are in their interest only. I think we are much safer with this assumption rather than believing that Iraq is truly paving the way to democracy etc etc etc.

[Ahmed Waheed]

Perhaps you could present [45:14] of the Quran, and change your prayer for something better?

Assalam . . .

Here is a more benificial version for a du'a (suplication).

May Allah remove the veil from upon their (american) eyes, and the seel from their mouths, and the blockage from their ears; so that their may return to the true path. And May Allah Guide them and all of us upon the straight path . . . Ameen

Wassalam . . .

[Ahmed Waheed]

Assalam . . .

:cool: So what do you think?

Wassalam . . .

[xp²]

Salaam,

It's very noble of you. I'll say ameen, and leave it to that for now.

Peace.

[Ahmed Waheed]

Salaam,

It's very noble of you. I'll say ameen, and leave it to that for now.

Peace.
Assalam . . .

:weightlif
I think we really could do with a stronger bit of iman. May Allah provide us with that . . . Ameen

Wassalam . . .