Imperialism And Resistance

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Bayynat

His Eminence, the Religious Authority Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, addressed a letter to the new American President Barack Obama at the beginning of his tenure. The following is the text of the letter:

Dear Mr. President, the esteemed head of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama,

It appears clear to the entire world that the United States has reached a position that enabled it to control much of the world’s politics and economy and security, thanks to many factors, namely the US ability to benefit from and utilize the experiences of other nations, which has promoted the American society due to cultural diversity and pluralism. The election of an Afro-American person to the presidency represents one of the cultural values that characterize the American society, and these values are destined to influence change in the broad parameters of US policies.

The slogan of change – which is the title of the new tenure – reflects a philosophy for mankind in life. This philosophy deems criticism and self-change as a sustainable and continuous movement, and thus, a stagnant, durable, and unchangeable state of mankind will limit our growth, while the entire world around us is progressing in thoughts and means.

Therefore, we believe that change cannot be partial or selective, as it must embrace all the aspects of human activity, whether be it individual or collective, and whether made by groups, parties, states, or nations. Change must also be a movement that addresses the deep roots of any issue, not only the surface, even in terms of the underlying philosophies of human thought that had existed at a particular time.

In this regard, we stress that each and every human invention is deemed as an absolute truth for its creator, and is thus based on the specificity of his culture. This means that human life should be governed by dialogue, namely in the march of mankind to seek truth.

In this letter, we would like to addresses a number of significant issues:

First:

The world economy has undoubtedly suffered a major setback which raises the need to review the global economic system, not only in terms of its means, but also its rules, premises, and philosophies. We believe that one of the major factors that lead to the collapse of an economy is the absence of moral restraints, which turns the market into a monster devouring everyone, even those who have produced it. Also – the market becomes uncontrollable, even by those who laid down its regulations.

When signs of a global economic crisis had loomed in the horizons, we repeatedly called for probing the rich elements of Islam, in terms of the harmony between economy and values and the balance between the individual andthe social. This can establish a serious global dialogue – based on scientific and critical efforts – to serve as a firm bridge for global cooperation and for narrowing down the differences between the East and the West and between Islam and positivism.

Second:

The United States of America has ignited ruinous wars in the Islamic world, and destabilized it with internal feuds. We are not going to address – at the moment – the reasons, nor will we tackle the elements of the Islamic and Arab impotency that paved the way [for these feuds and wars], but we would rather like to address the immoral and uncivilized aspects that governed the US approach for a number of critical and sensitive issues in the world. This necessitates a radical change, not a superficial one:

A-The war on Afghanistan was staged in reaction to the September 11 attacks which were condemned by the entire world, and we were at the forefront, because these attacks are inconsistent with our Islamic values. The Holy Quran mentioned a moral and civilized value of justice, on the basis that every human being bears the responsibilities of his actions, not those of others. God Almighty said in his Holy Quran: “…No soul earns [evil] but against itself, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another…”(06:164)

The perpetrators of the September 11 attacks are specific people or sides, while the flames of the war spread into many places, proving to many people that these events were only a pretext in order to stage a war, the purpose of which is to achieve strategic interests for the United States, through previously shaped plans to control the resources of the Muslim world, in a prelude to gain more cards in the US conflict with many sides and axes.

The following question arises in this context: Should we allow such a law to exist? In other words, is it justified for those assaulted by a person or a side to declare a war on all the members of the doer’s family, or the entire society to which this side belongs? The principles of law – which you know very well [addressing Obama] – maintain that the criminal alone should be punished for his crime, not any of his relatives who are not partners to the crime. If this were not the case , why don’t you justify – and we surely do not justify – for those assaulted by your army and oppressed by your policies – to kidnap and kill whoever belongs to your state? Isn’t this the same logic you act upon? As we present these facts, we aim at pointing out the nature of the crisis and problem that emanates tragedies, war, and destruction for mankind, particularly when the values of justice become absent, and are replaced by revengeful intentions akin to the tribal system back in the backward ages.

B-The United States waged a war on Iraq based on a deception as to weapons of mass destruction, and the United Nations Organization had opposed the American monopoly of the war decision at the time. This war placed Iraq and the entire region in the midst of a fire, the flames of which have reached your hands too. The question is: What are the restraints that must govern international policies so as to prevent another lie from spreading new tragedies worldwide, the ramifications of which might be uncontrollable this time? And who gives the right for any state, regardless of its magnitude, to appoint itself as a policeman for this world, and as a judge and executioner at the same time? Doesn’t this require from your country to change the way it deals with international law and paralyzes the function of the international organizations?

C- The size of support and cover-up provided by your country for the Zionist entity has become known. This entity was established on the land whose people were uprooted by the power of iron and fire. The subsequent American policies have contributed to the loss of the Palestinian cause, despite the ratification of many Security Council resolutions. The last heinous episode took place in Gaza and was among the most atrocious crimes throughout history.

The following question arises: To what extent will the US policy change, and thus give an open eye for what is happening in Palestine, even regarding the concessions which the Arabs and Palestinians have made, only under the American pressures that took many faces and colors? Is it possible to see any American pressures applied on Israel to abide by the international law that it has overlooked throughout its entire history? There is also another question, particularly after your recent speech in which you announced the appointment of international envoys to the Arab and Muslim region: Will Israel continue to be the driving force behind the American policy towards our region, or will the United States hammer out its own policy instead? We truly understand the size of pressures applied by various groups inside your country on your policy. But we know – as you too do – that there is only one face of justice, one that is subjected to objective criteria as to the right possessed by any side, regardless of its social or political or economic size. Imam Ali [a.s] said: “A weak person is strong in my eyes until I get his right paid to him, and a strong person is weak in my eyes until I take the right from him.” God said in his Holy Quran: “…When you speak, then be just though it be against a relative” [06: 152].

D- The subsequent American policies have undermined the willpower of the Arab and Muslim people, through empowering and protecting unjust dictatorships that sought to fulfill the American interests, despite the willpower of the people. For instance, during the first Gulf war, your army had empowered the former Iraqi regime to curb the Iraqi public Intifada…

Therefore, anyone raising the slogan of change must think thoroughly and make courageous and honorable decisions in standing up for what is right.

Third:

It has perhaps become clear to you, more than ever, that the exclusion policy practiced by your subsequent administrations has aroused anti-American sentiments. This brings us to the historical inevitability that whoever oppresses and unjustly treats other nations – by excluding them and accusing them of countless charges, is actually establishing a prison for himself. This has appeared clear when your subsequent administrations hurled terrorism charges at everyone whose interests contradicted with your state ; to the extent of accusing the entire world of terrorism. Therefore, you must conduct a revision, through identifying the values that govern your policies. We assume that we only need to implement justice, so as to avoid slipping into the war of terminologies imposed by the nature of the conflict directed by this or that state in the framework of its interests. Otherwise, is it conceivable that a term that is instrumental in defining a state’s policies lacks a clear definition and clear-cut standards?

Fourth:

The problem mankind suffers from has started since the beginning of time, and pertains to the arrogance that justifies people’s alienation from righteousness and surpass of justice and tendency towards hegemony, domination, predation, and exclusion. Here arises a key question: Does your promised change aims at getting rid of the mentality that governs the policies of many superpowers, namely your country?

Fifth:

We are not expecting the new administration in the United States to carry out unfeasible change, but he who pledges to pursue a track that differs from the previous one, must be honest with himself and with the people. His words must be translated into actions, because after all, history will measure every person’s success or failure with the yardstick of his actions not words.

Finally, our hands – as Arabs and Muslims – remained extended over many decades; to the extent that many accused us of political naivety, because we kept hurling flowers at our executioners and murderers. We believe that the world will not prosper and flourish unless all nations and peoples cooperate on the basis of goodness, righteousness, and justice. But we are advocates of change, and our hand will remain extended for all those who call for the change that is accompanied with actions, not words, on the basis of righteousness, goodness, justice, and peace that rests on all these values.

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I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed devil. In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World and peace be on our Master and Prophet – the Seal of the Prophets – Abi Al Qassem Mohammad bin Abdullah and on his pure and chaste Household and chosen companions and on all prophets and messengers. Peace be on you O Messenger of Allah and Allah’s mercy and blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your son Al Hussein (pbuh). Peace be on you O Aba Al Hassan – O Leader of the believers – and Allah’s mercy and Blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your son Al Hussein (pbuh). Peace be on you Fatima – the daughter of Allah’s Messenger – and Allah’s mercy and Blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your son Al Hussein (pbuh). Peace be on you O Aba Mohammad Al Hassan and Allah’s mercy and Blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your brother Al Hussein (pbuh). Peace be on you O (Baqiyet Allah on Earth) Imam Al Mahdi and Allah’s mercy and blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your grandfather Al Hussein (pbuh). Peace be on the souls of the believers – the alive and the dead – and Allah’s mercy and blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your lord Al Hussein (pbuh). Peace be on you O dear truthful and faithful followers of Al Hussein and Allah’s mercy and Blessing. May Allah reward you kindly for the martyrdom of your lord and master Abi Abdullah Al Hussein (pbuh). 

On the tenth day of Muharram, we offer our condolences to the one to be consoled Baqiyet Allah on Earth – the grandson of Al Hussein (pbuh) and the lord of our time (May Allah make his appearance soon) – and to all our religious authorities and scholars especially Ayatollah Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenai (May Allah prolong his life) and to all Muslims and believers on the day of martyrdom of the grandson of Allah’s Messenger. 

On this very day Al Hussein (pbuh) drew for all the generations to come all through time a way for jihad that will carry on in our nation until Doom’s Day. He opened a door for martyrdom that leads to the shortest way to Allah Al Mighty. His words and the words of his companions will remain reverberating in the ears, hearts and minds to confirm the school of the true Islam of Prophet Mohammad. Here is the word of that young man Ali Al Akbar: “Aren’t we righteous? So we don’t care whether we got stuck by death or death got stuck by us.” Here is the word of the companions who refused to “ride the camel of darkness” but rather said: “Do you want us to stay after your death. May Allah never make our life pleasant after your death O Hussein.” Each of them said: “I wish I could be killed then burned then scattered in air and then resurrected again then killed then burned then scattered in air for a thousand times. Still I won’t leave you O Hussein.” 

Now I address that great lady who lost her brothers, dear ones, sons and nephews in a few hours but still with patience and a content heart she sat by the body of her master and beloved brother Al Hussein to say but words of content and make a demand of satisfaction from Allah. After a few hours on this very day, Sayyeda Zeinab (pbuh) sits by the disjointed blood-shedding body and eyes the sky saying: “O Lord, accept from us this sacrifice.” Now I address their lord, the master of all martyrs Al Hussein (pbuh). These were his eternal words: “I will never pledge allegiance to you as the submissive do, and I will never succumb to you as slaves do. I can’t find death but happiness and life under oppressors but tedious. The bastard son of a bastard has put us before two choices: war or humiliation. Humiliation, how far! Neither Allah, nor his Prophet, the believers, the good hearted and the zealous honorable souls accept that we favor the obedience of the villainous to the death of the noble.” These words said by the leader, the serene woman, the young man and the companions form the true Islamic school to which we belong and are committed in our thought, culture, consciousness, conscience, struggle and love for martyrdom. 

Brothers and sisters, all this killing on Ashura which narration you heard early this morning was because Al Hussein (pbuh) refused to give legality to a criminal murderer ruler who sheds blood and violates the limits set by Allah and does not observe any sanctity in the religion of Allah and the nation of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his Household). All what was demanded from Al Hussein – due to his great status in the nation – was to grant legality to this rule through pledging allegiance in a couple of words. But Al Hussein (pbuh) refused not to be an accomplice in the crime and tyranny. He preferred martyrdom because he knew that his chaste blood and that of his household and companions will shake the throne of the tyrant and set the basis of consecutive revolutions. These revolutions will not allow the tyrants of Ommaya Family to establish their rule and authority at the expense of the religion of Mohammad (pbuh) and his nation. This is what really took place. In the name of Al Hussein (pbuh), revolutions aroused rapidly in more than one Islamic region until the revolution of the Abbasids took place. Apart from its true motives, the revolution of the Abbasids held Al Hussein’s name, blood and slogan. It was dressed in black for Al Hussein and it toppled a rule which they thought will never end. 

Brothers and sisters, today we are facing this Zionist entity which is based on raping lands, violating sanctities, shedding blood, killing children, ripping the wombs of pregnant women and committing massacres. The least of our obligations is not to recognize the sanctity of this entity. We must not give it legality whatever the consequences and sacrifices were. The protectors of this criminal entity in America and all over the world want our nation, peoples and governments to recognize the existence of Israel and give it legality even if under fire and iron. Yet the overwhelming majority of our nation still refuses and will carry on refusing that. 

The criminal war waged today on our people in Gaza confirms this truth about Israel’s aggressive, racial and savage nature. This must be considered an additional and strong motive to carry on refusing to recognize this entity. 

Brothers and sisters, boycotting Israel and all forms of normalization with it while giving the true description for the crimes it’s perpetrating in Gaza today are the least and clearest obligations of rulers and peoples at this stage. Yesterday, the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez expelled the Israeli ambassador in a solidarity show with the Palestinian people. Still Venezuela is close to America. He took this step based on his humanistic and great revolutionary nature. He did that also to slap all the rulers who still welcome Israel’s ambassadors in their capitals and can’t even dare to think about expelling these ambassadors. What’s demanded from some Arab leaders today is to learn from a leader in Latin America how to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to what extent this show must go. 

Brothers and sisters, this criminal entity must be punished for its crimes and not to be rewarded with gifts and winnings for the children and women it’s killing from among Gaza’s people. I confirm to you that the peoples of our nation will punish this entity and its leaders for these crimes. For long rulers have been tolerant with Israel, but peoples can’t be tolerant with Israel. It’s the duty of Arab governments to be on the side of the people and resistance in Palestine and not a mediator between them and the occupier. Arab governments must help the resistance in achieving its goal which is to put an end to the aggression and to raise the siege and not to press on the resistance to accept the humiliating conditions set by Israel. Yesterday an Egyptian official said some good words protesting against the Security Council: Does the Security Council need more than 650 martyrs and 2500 wounded to settle the issue and act responsibly? This is good. I ask this Egyptian official: Does the Egyptian regime need more than 650 martyrs and 2500 wounded to open Rafah Cross point in a final and active form to assist the people of Gaza to remain steadfast and to gain victory? The very question you are asking the Security Council, I address to you. 

All what we are asking for is opening a cross point and not opening a front or waging a war. Some brethrens have reported to me yesterday that a group of Egyptian lawyers loyal to the regime has filed a suit against me personally in the International Criminal Court pursuant to the speech I delivered during the first Ashura night in which I called on the Egyptian leadership to open the cross point and on the Egyptian proud people and brave army to force the leadership to do so. Unlawfully this was considered a call for a coup d’etat while it was a humble call to open a cross point. Anyway and in all circumstances I am proud of this judicial suit especially that it was filed by those who were not shaken emotionally by all the Israeli massacres in Lebanon, Qana, Jabalyia, Palestine and also the Israeli massacres against the Egyptian brave prisoner soldiers. When such a suit is filed against me because of my solidarity stance with the oppressed, killed and persecuted in Gaza, I feel proud in this world and in the Hereafter when I stand before Allah the Al Mighty. Yet I like to tell you frankly that we did not dispute with and treat as enemy those who collaborated against us, accused, abused and were an accomplice in our blood from among the Arabs during July war. But we will dispute with and treat as enemy anyone who will collaborate against Gaza, its people and its resistance and anyone who will be a partner in their blood and who will close a door for its livelihood and salvation. 

Brothers and sisters, what we heard yesterday – there was much talk yesterday – from the Zionist Bolton in the US administration who is acting with despair and frustration points clearly to the true aim of the Americans and the Zionists – namely liquidating the Palestinian cause through separating decisively between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They want to put a decisive end for any talk about two states and to consolidate the state of Israel while handing the Gaza Strip to Egypt and handing to Jordan some parts of the West Bank which the Zionists may generously dispense with. This is the true US-Zionist scheme. All the previous talk about two states is a mirage, delusion and a fraud because when they come to defining the Palestinian state they don’t give the Palestinians a land on which a state may be formed. Then they come to say that two states can’t be formed. The solution is then to liquidate the Palestinian cause and to put an end to it. This necessitates first renewing the call for a Palestinian national unity by all its factions: Hamas, Fateh, Jihad and all the other factions because their project is all under threat of being liquidated. They’re working at liquidating them but they will not be able to God willing. So they are not trying to liquidate Hamas government, Fateh government, or the resistance of this or that faction. No they are aiming at the Palestinian cause and this necessitates renewing the call for all possible sorts of support to the resistance and the steadfastness in Gaza. 

Brothers and sisters the experience of July 2006 War and the experience of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza Strip so far through its miraculous wondrous steadfastness have put a decisive end and must put a decisive end to all dispute around the defense strategy whether here or there. This arrogant army which is one of the most powerful armies in the world and which owns the most powerful air weaponry in the region failed to achieve its goals against a resistance humble in capacities but great in its faith and will within a limited and besieged geographic spot. This stresses that the choice of public armed resistance which is based on faith and determination and which is embraced publicly is the best and most powerful choice for confronting the most arrogant armies in the world if it wants to occupy the territories of any country. What’s taking place adds to the clarity of our view and way. 

Can you see brothers and sisters that even the Security Council, international resolutions and the international community are not only unable to protect the Palestinian people in Gaza but also failed to condemn the massacre which was perpetrated in a school which belongs to one of the United Nation’s bodies as it failed in the past to condemn Qana Massacre in which more than a hundred martyrs were killed in one of the United Nations headquarters. Similarly they failed to condemn Qana’s Second Massacre. How can the Security Council which fails to condemn massacres perpetrated by Zionists against women and children protect a people or do justice to a cause? 

Brothers and sisters, what is taking place today concerns us all. I know that the internal eyes are looking at you and the region’s eyes are looking at you. We are all in a critical historic stage. I tell you we don’t know the dimensions of the project and the extent of collaboration. We must act taking into consideration all possible possibilities. We must always be conscious and cautious. We must observe the situation closely. We are ready for whatever scenarios. Yesterday also Olmert was quoted as saying to the French president: today is the turn of Hamas and tomorrow that of Hezbollah. I tell Olmert who failed and was defeated in Lebanon: you won’t be able to exterminate Hamas and you won’t be able to exterminate Hezbollah. 

For days and weeks and even before the aggression on Gaza and after it, we started hearing threats. `This wants to destroy us in days and that in hours. This threats us overtly and that covertly. I tell them: we won’t be weak. We won’t be frightened. We won’t give up. Your warplanes will not frighten us, not even your threats. We are ready for all possibilities. We are ready for any aggression. I won’t repeat what I said in the past. If you treaded our land, villages, neighborhoods and houses, I tell you in a simple word: the Zionists will discover that their war in July was a pleasant ride compared to what we have prepared for them in case of any new aggression. 

We will not flee the field or throw our arms. Our resistance will remain a title for our history, sacrifices and the blood of our martyrs. I hoped that instead of all the voices which were heard in Lebanon or the mediators with Israel which reassured Israel on the borders with Lebanon, we’ve heard one voice answering the Israeli threats to Lebanon, the resistance in Lebanon and to Hezbollah in particular. Why don’t we hear any response when the Zionists speak out, but when some talk about possibilities, some make haste to offer a free reassurances at a time when Zionists are slaughtering our people in Gaza and threatening our people in Lebanon? 

Brothers and sisters, on the tenth day of Muharram and before all these challenges, we need most Al Hussein’s spirit, insight, wisdom, content and patience in the fate set by Allah, steadfastness, steadiness, jihad and love for martyrdom. As we were in the past decades with Al Hussein in every position, we are still ready to offer our souls as our brethrens and leaders had offered their souls as martyrs. We are ready to offer our children and dear ones as martyrs for the sake of what we believe in and for defending a noble dignified life. After all these years in which experiences have proved the rightness of our path and logic and the truthfulness of our choices, we add our experience to our belongingness and the present state to the conscience and say: peoples, generations, women and men do repeat day and night their well known slogan. They can’t be defeated. They can’t be scared by any threat as long as their voices repeat again and again: Here we are O Hussein. 

Israel is our enemy. It’s the enemy of our nation. It will remain our enemy even if some made peace with it. America is the maker of Israel and its sponsor. So it’s our enemy and the enemy of our nation and it will remain our enemy even if some made peace with it. 

We end our gathering today. I thank you again for your massive, truthful, faithful and defying attendance. Let our enemy hear our voice and know that we are and will always be the nation which when put between two choices: war or humiliation, its logic, mentality, conduct, stance and slogan will always be: Humiliation, how far.

“Today… we are witnessing the model of a new Karbala. What is taking place today helps us more to understand history. Karbala’s reality is that a few believers had refused humiliation and yielding to tyrants. Those believers were to choose between humiliation and disproportionate confrontation that may lead to martyrdom, so they chose martyrdom. Imam Hussein peace be upon him created this model and said his famous words: We shall never be disgraced. It was not a matter of emotions, it was rather a matter of humanitarian and ideological commitment. This is the school of Prophet Mohammad peace be upon him in Karbala,” Sayyed Nasrallah explained.