We Are Not Hatefull People

Unlike some countries in the region, we Sudanese are different and not like how many Westerners imagine. Here’s an account of an American who visited Sudan and below is some of what he has to say:

There is resentment from the people towards the American government obviously. However they never mix that resentment and directed towards American citizens for they know that the actions of the American government don’t represent those of the citizens. They know that well because the actions of the Sudanese government also don’t represent those of the kind and well meaning Sudanese citizens.

5 Responses to “We Are Not Hatefull People”

1. Andrew Brehm on May 26th, 2006 8:00 am

   Since the American government (congress) is a democratic one, it does indeed represent the American people.

   But I am curious: what particular actions of the American government, on behalf of the American people who elected the representatives who make the law, create resentment among the Sudanese and why?

   And why are Americans as a people absolved from whatever crimes their elected government commits? I don’t see the disconnect between a people and its government, unless the government is a dictatorship.

   But the senate and lower house of the US are elected by the people, and it is they who make the laws that the president, be he a Democrat or a Republican, enforces.

   Contrary to popular thought, the lunatic neo-conservative right-wing extremist fringe consists of well over half the representatives in congress and well over half the voters in the US.

2. Anonymous on May 26th, 2006 8:55 am

   “Since the American government (congress) is a democratic one, it does indeed represent the American people.”

   Ah thank God you brought it up. The truth Andrew is that you might see this as a simple thing to understand but others including myself view it differently. The majority of the popualtion in Sudan is illiterate and uneducated. They don’t understand the “inner workings” of the American system. In my previous post “America You’re Making A Mistake You Might Regret” I explained that most people in the region don’t understand the concept of democracy. If Sudanese people realize and believe what you have said things might probably change and I might have to change the title of my post.

   Still though I like many others don’t really find your statement completely accurate. It’s more complicated than that. In my opinion the government doesn’t realisticaly represent all of the people. It represents the ones who voted for a candidate that won. For example if you look at the Iraq war, you’ll obviously realize that it was started without UN approval and that until this day a large number of Americans still oppose it and hold demonstrations demanding troop withdrawal. Also look at Bush’s low ratings. All those are indicators people are not happy with the performance of their government. Moreover don’t forget that many American citizens don’t participate in the voting process when it’s elections time.

   What you said btw is also the same argument brought up by Muslim extremists to justify the murder of non-combatant American citizens. They believe it’s justified to kill an American citizen as the citizen supposedly contributes by electing an “evil” government.

   As to the actions carried out by the American government… well Al-Shifa pharmaceuticals factory bombing, America’s relaxed attitude on the Palestinian Israeli conflict, the war in Iraq, war on terror (perceived to be against Islam) and most importantly the many conspiracy theories of how America wants to control Sudan.

   It would benefit you to know that All over the Arab Muslim world including Sudan, people believe something strongly… Israel is America and America is Israel… People see the 2 as one… so for example if Israel carries out a crime America is somehow also responsible for it since America is a big supporter of Israel…

   Frankly I personally I’m not a fan of the Israeli government and neither do I like Hamas’s tactics… I might write a post about it in the coming weeks to share my views.

   I wrote this post in a hurry so I apologize for not elaborating. I’m having my last exam this Monday so you know… lots of things to do =)

   -Drima-

3. Andrew Brehm on May 26th, 2006 9:32 am

   It’s EVEN more complicated than that.

   Congress is a compromise. It represents all sorts of opinions. Representatives of swing districts tend to be moderate (as they need votes from both camps), representatives of R or D districts are more R or D.

   Actual laws passed by congress are compromises between the opinions represented by congress. There are people who oppose the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, and there are people who wanted much more than just invade Iraq. The actual decision represents the democratic compromise. That’s how it works.

   “What you said btw is also the same argument brought up by Muslim extremists to justify the murder of non-combatant American citizens. They believe it’s justified to kill an American citizen as the citizen supposedly contributes by electing an “evil” government.”

   That’s because they completely ignore that the Qur’an forbids the killing of civilians regardless of how a particular war started.

   Targeting civilians is a war crime not because these civilians are innocent (they are often not (but children always are)) but because it was found that two sides can fight a war without using certain tactics while getting the same results as if both sides had used these certain tactics. Thus both parties will be better off at the end.

   Muhammed knew this. Whether G-d told him or he made it all up doesn’t change the fact that hew knew.

   Many in the west think that Muslims ignore this simple revelation because they are savages. I personally think that self-proclaimed “holy warriors” ignore it because they are not true Muslims.

   Ironically, a real Muslim, an actual follower of Muhammed, someone who really believed in the Qur’an being the word and law of G-d would agree with religious Jews that Israel is Jewish land (the Qur’an refers to G-d telling Moses that this was so), that suicide is a sin, that attacking civilians is forbidden for a Muslim, and that Muhammed must not be idolised (as happened during the cartoon episode).

   Except for the last bit, the Qur’an says all of these things. The part about not idolising Muhammed is deduced from the law that one must not idolise per se.

   (I read an English translation of the Qur’an.)

4. Drima on May 27th, 2006 1:16 am

   “Actual laws passed by congress are compromises between the opinions represented by congress. There are people who oppose the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, and there are people who wanted much more than just invade Iraq. The actual decision represents the democratic compromise. That’s how it works.”

   Andrew thanx, I appreciate you breaking it down in a simple yet precise way that I haven’t been able to grasp… More or less I understand what you have said but still… if you look at the American population, there are many who didn’t and still don’t support the war in Iraq… Yes it’s true, the system is based on compromises but the final outcome is the product of different relevant perspectives… I’m just putting it in terms of let’s say a “social” perspective (if that’s the correct term) and not a political one. (Excuse me for my crude English)… You’re right in terms of how the system works it isn’t complicated at all. In fact it’s simple and pretty straight forward… In the post I was talking about Sudanese people feeling hostility towards American citizens so I’m just laying down this argument from a perspecitve where “emotions” come heavily into play… Moreover values of hospitality are much higher in the list than let’s say “patriotic” values where I come from… Instead of trying to figure out the “evil” within the individual, Sudanese people prefer to look past the “ugliness” and establish a good friendship full of mutual respect and tolerance… Islamic values also have a great effect on the people too. In my opinion Sudan is one of the few Muslim countries in the region that hasn’t been influenced by radicalism and fundamentalism… Note something though… Sudan is a huge country with a very diverse population so my opinion is mostly based on my experiences of living in the north, Khartoum to be more precise…

   Andrew I must say that my discussions with you have opened up my eyes to things I didn’t notice before…

   I like the fact that you examined Islam and even bothered to read the Quran… I thank you for that… Believe it or not for a non-Muslim, you know a lot more and understand Islam better than many Muslims out there… You have my admiration…

5. Andrew Brehm on May 28th, 2006 8:46 am

   Yes, I read your reply. Will come back later. Must eat now.

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