September 2006

Today I was chilling with one of my dad’s friends in his office. The guy is a treasure chest of knowledge about Sudanese politics. We were discussing the latest news about Mohamed Taha’s beheading. There’s talk going around that he was Shia so I was wondering if he really was.

My dad’s friend then showed me an article in the Sudanese Arabic newspaper Al-Rai Al-am. The article contained a long interview with Mohamed Taha a while ago before he was brutally beheaded by Islamic extremists. In the article he says he isn’t Shia but reveals some other revealing and interesting information which I later double checked only to find out is true.

The NCP’s intelligence gathering and rule enforcement techniques were all learnt from Iran. Apparently after the NCP came to power, they seeked help from Iran to teach them how to maintain better control over Sudan and the Sudanese people. In the process the NCP slowly became influenced by the Iranian Islamic Revolution’s brand of Shia. Mohamed Taha in the article even said that there were some NCP members who took up Shia practices and promoted them.

It’s no wonder that a while ago when Bashir visited Iran, Khamenei declared his country was ready to share nuclear technology with Sudan.

Hmmm, should I be worried? Boooo I don’t. All I know is that my discontent with the Iranian regime has reached new high sky levels somewhere near the clouds.

I’ve always stood against UN troops coming into Darfur and supported the AU instead. To be honest with you all, I myself am now caught up in this dilemma and I don’t know where to properly stand in regards to it anymore. The latest updates in the situation have me all tensed up and on the edge of my seat. 10,000 people in Darfur protested against the UN’s plan to come in. Surprise to all of you who think all Darfurians will welcome UN troops with wide open arms. Many desperate ones want them but there are others who don’t.

To sum it up, let me present to you an updated version of my famous straight forward equations.

Darfur previously = Disaster

Darfur now = Worsening disaster

Darfur - AU troops = Big fat disaster

Darfur - AU troops + Sudanese troops = I have no freaking clue

Darfur + UN troops = Bigger disaster

Darfur + UN troops + Al Qaeda = HUGE disaster

Darfur + UN troops + Al Qaeda + Sudanese Islamists = One big ass GIGANTIC Disaster

Darfur + AU troops reinforced by UN & NATO = HUGE improvements.

SO… The solution is convincing the AU to stay and strengthening them. It might seem simple and unrealistic to some of you but it is the best solution. The UN troops will bring more misery UNLESS they really can fight well, provide protection for the innocent people in Darfur and maintain control over the region. Whatever happens, one thing is certain. Darfur will become another Iraq. On the other hand, instability in Khartoum is inevitable I’m afraid.

PS: Any Sudanese who’s not worried about these latest developments is a MORON!

Many of the things I predicted are now coming true. Iraqi style instability has arrived in Khartoum and a bigger one is to be expected in Darfur real soon especially if the UN steps in.

Sudan is currently mourning the death of beheaded editor Mohamed Taha. Yes, that’s right beheaded! This is probably the first time in the history of Sudan something like this happens. The man was kidnapped from his house and found later with his head next to his body. That’s murder Iraqi al-Qaeda style.

The beheading of a Sudanese editor who had angered some Islamists might mark the start of a gruesome new trend, commentators said on Thursday.

Mohamed Taha

Mohamed Taha whose decapitated body was found dumped on a dirt road on Wednesday had drawn protests from Islamic groups last year by reprinting a series of articles questioning the roots of the Prophet Mohammed.

“Something must be done before the abduction phenomenon develops into a practice,” said state-owned Sudan Vision, which printed in black and white in respect for Taha’s funeral due to take place on Thursday.

No one has claimed responsibility for his death and Sudanese are at a loss as to who committed the crime, which many call a first in the history of the nation.

Sudanese police said they had made some arrests but were no closer to solving the crime. All papers covered their front pages with pictures and stories of the brutal killing.

The semi-independent al-Watan paper warned this type of bloodshed rarely ended with just one crime. “When you open this evil door to hell and knives and bullets take the place of the pen, this means we are…. on the path to chaos.”

… The picture viewed by a Reuters witness of his body, hands and legs tied with his head lying next to his corpse, evoked spectres of similar crimes in Iraq.

Could it be possible that al-Qaeda has already infiltrated into Khartoum? I don’t know. All I know is that Iraq has arrived here and we now have our own version of jihady nuts.
People I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. It has begun.

Oh ya and by the way… If you think al-Bashir and his gang are the nastiest people ever, hold your breath. Believe me, you haven’t seen anything. Bashir sure is nasty but Turabi and his gang are by far way way nastier.

UPDATE: Mohamed Taha’s funeral witnessed a huge crowd that included politicians, people from the Sudanese press and journalism communities. Mohamed Taha, wherever you are right now I want you to know that I might not have agreed with your opinions but I certainly did respect your right to freedom of speech.Rest in peace brother and may the filthy bloody criminals who did this rot in hell.

The Protests that occured recently have been crushed by the Sudanese dictatorship.

Opposition political parties had planned a demonstration against a rise in fuel prices.

In the last week, the Sudanese government have arrested dozens of opposition figures.

This was a show of force from all arms of Sudan’s security forces - riot police with their shields and teargas canisters, the army with guns, and everywhere plain-clothes security officers.

Mounting opposition

On the face of it, this protest was about a recent rise in fuel prices.

But it is also the frontline of an increasingly bitter struggle between the Khartoum government and an alliance of opposition political parties.

Several demonstrations in the last few weeks have been banned and then violently disrupted.

>>What was once about fuel has turned into a question of freedom of expression.<<

Well at least they used teargas this time. In the past they sometimes spilled hot boiling water and sizzling cooking oil from the back of trucks and onto the protesting crowd. Great improvement huh? :p

Hat tip: Sudan Watch

UPDATE: More and more protests are planned. This is going to get worse. The past one was crushed and this latest peacefull one was also crushed. Some innocent non-rioting civilians were brutally beaten up together with the rioters.

UPDATE: I was laughing so hard when I read the last parts of this article.

President Omar el-Bashir strongly criticized the demonstration, saying that “the spoilers and agents are exploiting freedom and democracy.”

Addressing a mass rally in the eastern city of Kassala on Wednesday evening, el-Bashir said that raising prices was aimed at building the country.

LOOOL!

I’ve been very busy with studies and other stuff lately. I apologize for my hurried posts and the annoying spam filter. It’s been bugging the hell out of me.
My previous one about dragging America and the West into a “hostage situation” might have confused some of you. Regular readers to this blog will know that’s not where I really stand. The post was just merely a thought from a different perspective.

There is a considerable number of Sudanese people who believe this is all a trick to get the US to lift sanctions. In the post I tried to examine how that could be possible. It was basically kind of “thinking out loud”.

My real thoughts and stance are mentioned in previous posts like this one.

I’ve been wondering a little more lately. Below is an article I wrote in a hurry. In it I mention some of my most recent thoughts. You’ve got to examine a problem from all perspectives right? Anyways it’s just a thought, that’s all.

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The latest maneuvers by the ruling NCP in regards to Darfur have been jaw dropping. Their decision to expel the AU troops and their continuing stubbornness over accepting UN troops have put us all on the edge of our seats.

The NCP isn’t stupid (okay fine it is). It’s increasingly becoming desperate and paranoid. They’re slowly but steadily dragging the international community and especially the United States into a “hostage situation”. The United States and international community don’t realize this. Or do they?

Darfur has received a lot of media attention in the West. Off course this media attention isn’t anywhere when compared to the huge, sometimes undeserving attention given to Iraq or Iran for instance. Nevertheless, many in the West now know what Darfur is about.

Many organizations in the United States are increasingly pressuring the Bush administration to do something about the ugly situation. With the deteriorating conditions in Iraq and the slow recovery of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the Democratic American Left has been getting very frustrated. Moreover and most importantly the Republicans fear they might be on the verge of losing control of Congress to the Democrats.

Omar Hassan al-Bashir and his NCP will accept the UN troops I predict (and I hope) but not now. Not yet. I believe they’re trying to take the Darfur situation to a very high-climax. We might already be witnessing this climax. Once that is done, the West will be put in a very uncomfortable position.

The West and America will have two choices. Either they can sit back and watch, or get up and do something. If America sits back and watches, the Bush administration will face more pressure. Moreover the Democrats will use Darfur to rally more support against the Republicans. If Bush and the West get up to do something, that “something” better be good.

I believe Sudan will have a stronger bargaining position when the climax reaches sky high. A demand will be made before accepting UN troops. The NCP will request the lifting of sanctions imposed on Sudan. That’s all. There will be no other choices or options provided. At this point the United States will be in a nasty position. What will the Bush administration do? Will they give in to Bashir’s demands or will they do things their own way? Will they negotiate for the sake of the 3 million innocent people in Darfur or will they “bust in” like SWAT teams do in Hollywood movies?

We’ll see what happens.

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I’m frustrated and so pissed off. Moreover what’s pissing me off even more is the relaxed attitude of many Sudanese I see around me. I guess some of us Sudanese have gotten used to all the suffering and we’re becoming immune to its depressing effects. Sigh!

Man, can you believe this crap?! Hezbollah is operating openly in Venezuela! In VENEZUELA! There’s even a Hezbollah Spanish website. Crazy right?

Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit

Sudan recently announced the expulsion of AU troops because the AU is planning to transfer the mission over to the UN.

Sudan to AU -> you’re FIRED!

International community to Sudan -> *Sipping on coffee. That’s a wrong decision.

UN’s Kofi Annan described Sudan’s decision to expel AU troops as not “entirely positive”. Not “entirely positive”??! How about STUPID?!

Sudan to AU -> Wait wait please wait. AU troops, you can stay but on 1 condition.

Don’t transfer the mission to the UN.

AU to Sudan -> Okay okay, we’ll stay but on 1 condition.

Approve the UN force first.

Conditions conditions conditions. Bla bla bla. There’s nothing new except “bla bla bla”.

I’m increasingly becoming worried. The Darfur region is on the verge of disaster. Hundrends of thousands of people could die and that’s a conservative estimate. The UN is worried about far more people. It’s worried about 3 million! I don’t think the AU will stay and I think something is being cooked. When it comes to comments over Sudan’s consent of UN troops, the UN’s words are mild while America’s tone is firm. My blood is boiling and the unpleasant anticipation is bugging me. God, imagine how all the Darfurians feel.

I have a small message to the butchers responsible for all of this.

“BURN IN HELL!”

PS: Whatever happened to that “great plan” by the League of Clowns ops I meant Arab League to continue supporting the AU mission in Darfur??

UPDATE: I so wish I can blog more and provide you with a well written analysis on the dangerous developments happening in regard to Darfur. I’ve got so many things I want to say and get off my mind but I’m really busy with studies this week. I’ll be a little more free in the next hopefully.

What I want to say is already mostly mentioned here and here. They’re really good posts and you should read them if you have time. The only thing they lack is a “Sudanese touch”

I’m in a bad hating mood today.

The Israeli government announced that it plans to build 700 new homes in 2 settlement blocks in the occupied West Bank. Lovely! This is just exactly what we need. So WTH is this supposed to be? Slowly claiming back what’s “rightfully” yours? Raaaight, I know I know. It’s your “ancestoral land”. Well guess what? I don’t give a damn and frankly I’m tired of debating who’s land it is. I don’t care if the land belongs to Jews or Arabs.

You see, the problem is that both of you have your own “accurate” version of history and we all know how both those histories are so different, sorry “similar” and biased ops I meant true. The past is the past and I don’t really care much about it.

Israel today exists whether we like it or not. Kicking all Israelis out and telling them to leave is unrealistic and wrong. Moreover suicide bombing the hell out of innocent Israelis is just sick, disgusting and pure filthy. On the other hand, Israelis talking peace while at the same time continuing to build more settlements on land that isn’t theirs, are a bunch of arrogant hypocrites.

Israelis and pro-Israel people reading this, save that “whatever we do, they’ll still be crazy and violent” argument to yourself please. It’s irrelevant. I don’t care what the result of withdrawing from Gaza was and I’m not interested in it or any other previous results.

Building settlements on Palestinian territory = stealing land. It’s wrong and it’s super wrong. Period! You can criticize and say whatever you want to say but justifying this latest move as okay and saying no problemo is one very big gigantic problemo in my opinion. More stuff related to this here, here and especially here.

Whatever, thieves!

UPDATE: Pffff alright deep breath. I have nothing more to add.

I’m interrupting my short break to blog about this heart breaking news.

Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.

First it was Naguib Mahfouz and now it’s him. I really liked this guy and his TV show. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to speak English in an Aussie accent. R.I.P dude =(

There’s a fine and clear line dividing all the different ideologies, religions and or theories out there. It’s more powerful and effective than electric barbed wires, thick tall walls, military spy satellites or radars and is the cause for them all. Nations’ borders change and will keep on doing so until the end of time so let that be a known fact of life. It’s what makes it interesting. There is nothing more powerful keeping us all un-united than the different ideologies that we all possess and that keep us clashing. Individualism without tolerance is a recipe for disaster. The world will never settle unless the process of diffusion completes and equilibrium sets in. I however think that is nothing but a distant and naïve figment of my imagination.

PS: Sorry, I’ve been busy lately. I’ll be back in a day or two. Anyways, enjoy contemplating. Laterz

The kidnapping of 2 Fox journalists in Gaza is already old news. Most Muslims I’ve met acknowledge that it did happen but when news of their forced conversion to Islam at gunpoint came out after they were released, things changed. Add to that Jill Carol’s story.

Some of my friends now tell me they’re sick of American propaganda against Islam and all the lies. Well guess what? I’m sick of propaganda against Islam too but this is certainly not propaganda. Not every “bad thing” you read is propaganda. I don’t doubt that the forced conversion happened and saying otherwise is self-denial in my opinion so please stop it.
Muslims, we must face the reality that there are a bunch of other loony Muslims out there doing some crazy sick stuff.

Anyways, so my friends continued with their denials until I told them to watch this video. Some got convinced and others said the journalists converted willingly. Buahaha, ya sure willingly. Just accept it. Why can’t you? Do you realize that when you deny such things you become part of the problem. Plus, the journalists got released and even said themselves that they were forced to convert at gunpoint.

Muslims, we need to face reality. I mean hey, do you think I like all these new terms like “Islamofascism”, “Islamikaze”, “Islamonazis” etc. ? I don’t, but it’s not like they just simply popped out of nowhere and for no reason. They popped out and hit the mainstream because loony terrorists are doing sick acts in the name of Islam.

Instead of being in self-denial, we need to wake up, face the reality and speak out against crazy extremist Muslims. The blame game is wrong. Media bias exists and US foreign policy might not be pleasant but don’t deny the “in your face” facts. Extremist and literal interpretations of the Quran must be fought. They’re the root cause. Please don’t deny it.

This is outrageous. What the hell are they thinking?

Sudan has decided to expel African Union force from the troubled Darfur region. The decision is taken by Khartoum twenty-four hours after the adoption of a UN resolution on Darfur peacekeeping mission.

According London based Asharq Al-Awsat, the Sudanese government has decided this measure after the Approval for UN takeover of the AU in Darfur.

Sudanese president had warned the AU against any support to the UN takeover.

I told you these guys were mad and paranoid. They would do whatever is possible to stay in power and avoid rotting in jail for their sick war crimes. The build up of Sudanese troops is increasing in Darfur and they’ve already started launching a major offensive against the rebels.

The plan is simple. They’ll kick out the AU troops, they’ll spread their own troops to destroy the rebels and they’ll regain back control of the whole Darfur region. Brilliant isn’t it? But wait! That’s not even the best part.

… thousands of troops and janjaweed militias backed by Antonov planes that have been carrying out bombing missions have taken control of three villages north of el Nasher, Kulkul, Bir Maza and Sayeh… “They are bombing villages without any regard for civilians

These bloody butchers are nuts! War will mean a dangerous environment for all the aid agencies working in Darfur. Without them, hundreds of thousands of innocent people could die.

Earlier this week the U.N.’s top humanitarian official, Jan Egeland, warned that “a man-made catastrophe of an unprecedented scale” loomed within weeks in Darfur unless the Security Council acted immediately.

Egeland said there could be hundreds of thousands of deaths if aid operations — already at grave risk because of rising numbers of attacks against aid workers, dramatically reduced access to those in need, and massive funding shortfalls — collapsed.

Wait! There’s another lovely development (Arabic link) that’s going to put a big smile on your face. The United States announced that Sudan’s permission for allowing UN troops in Darfur isn’t needed.

People, brace yourselves for war. It has begun!

Dear Sudanese readers, it’s time for you to decide where you’ll stand if/when this does happen. I stand with the UN troops!

I’ve been wanting to discuss this for a long time but every time I wanted to, I would always forget.

As you all know, the Quran contains verses that describe Jews as pigs and apes. Many so called Islamic scholars have used them to justify their pathetic arguments which claim that Jews are descendants of apes and monkeys. Moreover it’s the negative interpretations of those same verses that are also one of the reasons for the widespread anti-Semitism in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Indeed they’re very controversial.

Many Muslims have misunderstood those verses thanks to ignorant interpretations by some so called Islamic scholars. Many others also have no idea they even exist because they’ve either never touched a Quran in their lifetimes or never read one properly.

Let me put this thing to rest (although I realize some of you will never let it rest). Long ago my father explained those verses to me. In order to understand them you need to have a good idea about adverbs in the Arabic language. The words pigs and apes aren’t literal. They’re a mere description. Moreover they don’t refer to all Jews in all times. They only refer to a group that disobeyed God and committed blasphemy. As a result God described them by equating their qualities to apes and pigs. Did I already mention they don’t refer to all Jews?

Let me provide you with an example to help you understand what I’m trying to say. In Arabic we sometimes use the names of animals to describe peoples’ qualities. If a man is brave, we describe him by saying “he is like a lion” but if he’s really really brave, we say “he is a lion”. In this case saying “he is a lion” doesn’t literally mean that this man is a lion. It’s just a way of describing his extraordinary bravery.

Someone who blogged about this and discussed it in an even better way is Ali Eteraz. He’s an American Pakistani Muslim and his blog is fast becoming one of my favourites. Check out what he has to say.

it meant that the people being referred to had expressed the qualities of an “ape” and the qualities of a “pig.” Given the fact that in classical Arabic an ape was someone impulsive and a pig was someone stubborn

UPDATE: I must admit that a great many Muslims view and sadly interpret those verses in a literal way. This post might seem out of touch with reality and naive to some of you but that’s how I sincerely view the meaning of the verses. Extremist and literal interpretations must be shed. They’re wrong and racist. The reform is going to be long and excrutiating but I’m hopefull.