NB:
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Part 02/05
Part 03/05
Part 04/05
Part 05/05
will be updated soon.....
Sunday 28 March 2010
Friday 26 March 2010
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Sunday 21 March 2010
Foreign Embassies in Muslim Lands
Last week, the media reported that the United States is planning to build a massive embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. According to the Miami Herald, “the plan calls for the rapid construction of a $111 million new office annex to accommodate 330 workers; $197 million to build 156 permanent and 80 temporary housing units; and a $405 million replacement of the main embassy building.” This project is in addition to the reconstruction of the consular buildings in Lahore and Peshawar. Jonathan Blyth, director of external affairs at the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations in Washington, said in his comment about the project, “For the strong commitment the U.S. is making in the country of Pakistan, we need the necessary platform to fulfill our diplomatic mission. The embassy is in need of upgrading and expansion to meet our future mission requirements.” Khurshid Ahmad, a member of Pakistan's upper house of parliament for Jamaat-e-Islami said, “This is a replay of Baghdad. This [Islamabad embassy] is more [space] than they should need. It's for the micro and macro management of Pakistan, and using Pakistan for pushing the American agenda in Central Asia.”
Khurshid was referring to the gigantic US embassy in Iraq that opened in January of this year. According to FoxNews, the embassy is 104 acres which is approximately the size of 80 football fields! Like a small city in the United States, it includes a cinema, retail and shopping areas, restaurants, schools, a fire station, power and water treatment plants, telecommunications and wastewater treatment facilities and houses 1,000 employees in 6 apartment blocks. The International Crisis Group said about the embassy, “The presence of a massive U.S. embassy — by far the largest in the world — co-located in the Green Zone with the Iraqi government is seen by Iraqis as an indication of who actually exercises power in their country.”
The Muslim lands are littered with foreign embassies. While on the surface, these embassies may appear to be simple buildings upon which diplomats are housed, they are more often than not, used as a tool for foreign powers to gain access to the region, gather intelligence, spread secular-Capitalist values and exert political influence. As the role that these embassies play in the Muslim lands today becomes clearer, it is important to remember their involvement in abolishing the Uthmani Khilafah.
Role of Foreign Embassies in Destroying the Khilafah
When Britain and France lost hope in defeating the Islamic State through military force (i.e. the Crusades), they took a different direction and attacked the Islamic Ummah by using Western thoughts to shake her confidence in Islam. To achieve their aims, the Colonial powers turned towards an intellectual struggle. In 1625 they moved their base of operations from Malta to Beirut while also establishing a presence in Istanbul. The English and French embassies worked energetically with American institutions, such as the predecessor to the American University of Beirut (namely the Protestant College) in order to advance their objectives. The English and French embassies in Istanbul, Damascus, Beirut and Cairo worked actively in destroying the Khilafah. For example, between 1912-1913 the European embassies assisted in creating nationalist parties such as the Decentralization Party in Cairo and the Reform Committee in Beirut. Between 1915-1916, Jamal Pasha, the Commander of the Uthmani Army in Syria seized documents from the French consulate in Damascus, proving that some Arab youth were perpetrating treason against the Khilafah by acting on the guidance of France and on the orders of Britain. The foreign embassies in the Khilafah worked at all levels of society, especially on the political and intellectual mediums to attract the youth, military and government personnel to secular-Capitalist thoughts. This effort had its intended effect – the hearts and minds of some of the Muslims became enchanted with the secular-Capitalist culture, while the general population of the Muslims began to doubt the suitability of Islam in the current age. These efforts were an important factor amongst others that led to the destruction of the Khilafah in 1924.
Foreign Embassies in Muslim Lands Today
While it is clear that in the past foreign embassies have played a pivotal role in shaping the thoughts and ideas of many of the sons and daughters in the Ummah, the present day situation has not changed. For example:
• Azerbijan – In April 2005, the leader of the pro-government Motherland Party, Fazail Agamali, expressed his discontent with the US ambassador's trips to the country's regions, where he met activists of opposition parties. Faizal said, "This is not in line with the mandate of an ambassador, causes concern and brings about unpleasant talks and rumours."
• Egypt – In May 2006, Egyptian lawmakers accused the US ambassador Francis Ricciardone of interfering in Egypt’s domestic affairs. MP Kemal Ahmed quoted Ricciardone as saying, “The US has interests and pays money to the Egyptian government, which must work to achieve those interests.” The US embassy denied making these comments. However, in March 2005, David Welch, American Ambassador to Egypt announced that $1 million would be granted to Egyptian NGOs that had ideas for democracy-building activities. The grant was a part of the Greater Middle East Partnership Initiative by the US which proposed a more active US involvement in Egypt.
• Lebanon – Last month, the Head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary block, MP Mohammad Raad, said that US ambassador Michele Sison was meddling in the formation of the ruling majority election lists.
• Kenya – Last month, US ambassador Michael Ranneberger was accused by the Kenyan MPs of “behaving like a governor” by mobilizing the youth across the country and bypassing the MPs.
The Hukm Sharai on Relations with Other States
With the insurmountable evidence supporting the notions of plotting and interference by foreign embassies and ambassadors in Muslim lands, one may ask what the hukm sharai is regarding relationships between the Islamic state and with other countries. The Islamic State's relations with other states are built upon four considerations:
States in the current Islamic world are considered to belong to one state and therefore every effort should be expended to unify all these countries into one state.
States that have economic, commercial, friendly or cultural treaties with the Khilafah are to be treated according to the terms of the treaties.
States with which we do not have treaties, imperialist states and those states that have designs against the Khilafah are considered to be potentially belligerent states. All precautions must be taken towards them and it would be wrong to establish diplomatic relations with them.
With states that are actually belligerent states, a state of war must be taken as the basis for all dispositions with them. They must be dealt with as if a real war existed - with or without an actual armistice - between the Muslims and all their subjects are prevented from entering the State.
With respect to foreign ambassadors in Muslim lands, they are excluded from the rules of Islam being implemented upon them as they would be given diplomatic immunity in their role as an ambassador and for the mission that they were sent. This Islamic opinion is based on the actions of RasulAllah (saw) which is narrated by Abu Wa’il who said:
“This one [Ibnul Nawwaha] and Ibnu Uthal had once come to the Messenger of Allah (saw) as envoys of Musaylima the liar and the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to them: ‘Do you bear witness that I am the Messenger of Allah?’ They said: ‘We bear witness that
Musaylima is the Messenger of Allah.’ Upon this the Messenger of Allah (saw): ‘If I were to kill an envoy I would strike your necks.’ Since then, a tradition has been established stipulating that the envoy does not get killed.” [Ahmad]
This Hadith indicates that it is forbidden to kill the envoys that are dispatched from non-Muslim countries or subject them to any punishment related to their role as envoys. However, this is exclusively applicable upon those who have the capacity of an envoy, such as the ambassador. As for those upon whom the capacity of an envoy does not apply, (i.e. Consul, Commercial Attaché, etc) they would not have immunity because they do not have the capacity of an envoy. Furthermore, if the foreign ambassadors were to commit actions that go beyond the role of an ambassador such as murdering, stealing, propagating kufr concepts or trying to divide the Ummah, then they would be held accountable and a punishment determined by a judge would be issued upon them.
As for the foreign embassy buildings themselves, they operate today on the premise that the land upon which the buildings exist is a part of their land of origin. In other words, the US embassy in Pakistan for example, will be considered “American soil.” This implies that the laws from which the embassy originate will be implemented in that embassy. In the Muslim lands it is haram (forbidden) to have a set of rules or laws that take precedence to Allah’s (swt) Hukm Sharai based on His revelation:
"And whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are the disbelievers.” [TMQ 5:44],
“...oppressors.” [TMQ 5:45], “... transgressors." [TMQ 5:47]
As a result, it is haram to allow such foreign embassies to exist in our lands. The very thought of them should provoke our anger and outrage even more than the thought of bars selling alcohol in Muslim lands. When we read in the news about foreign embassies and ambassadors in our lands, we should remind ourselves of the roles they have played in destroying the Khilafah and the initiatives they currently lead to destroy any semblance of Islam in the Muslim lands. If we have family in the Muslim world that is employed by foreign embassies, we must discuss with them the Hukm Sharai. We should also explain the history and the current context of these embassies and ambassadors so that they will see them for what they really are and be aware of the ploys and tactics that are continually used to inflict damage on the Ummah.
May Allah (swt) allow us to see the truth for what it is and the falsehood for what it is.
“These are the Ayat of Allah, which We recite to you with truth. Then in which speech after Allah and His Ayat will they believe?” [TMQ 45:6]
Source: The Politically Aware Muslim
Friday 12 March 2010
The Khilafah’s Achievements
It should be remembered that the West originally launched their onslaught against the Ummah through a number of crusades beginning in 1095. The West understood then as it does now the power of Islam when it is embraced by people. Islam’s track record is unparalleled under the Khilafah, whilst there are many developments that can be listed, what follows are 5 such developments.
Defeating the Byzantines
Prior to Mu’awiyah all the Khilafah’s victories were with states landlocked with the Muslims, the Arabian peninsula, Western India, Persia, Iraq and central Asia, none of them ever warranted sea battles. The Ummah used camels and horses for strategic mobility across the dessert. The strategy being to move along the dessert coast and then retreat if the enemy was too strong. This severely hindered the Byzantine forces, who were a sea power, it however restricted Islamic expansion. Mu’awiyah however realised that the Byzantines would need to be defeated at sea to cause them any major blow.
Mu’awiyah also realised the need for military bases and this was incorporated into his expansion policy. The first attempt at Egypt failed due to the then supply line being overstretched - the Fustat military base was 1500 miles away. Other bases such as Kufa and Basra were even further. In 670 the first full military base composed of garrisons, horses, camels, artillery, blades, swords and gunpowder was made in Qairawan (modern Tunisia) like all the other bases it developed into a famous city. Once Egypt was conquered a base was also set up there by the conquered Berbers themselves which matched the base set up Qairawan. This resulted in metalworking reaching a high standard, and the use and development of glassware and ceramics
As a result of Mu’awiya’s Economic and military policies and with a supply line supported by two huge military bases and a powerful navy the Berber turned Muslim Tariq ibn Ziyad in 711, from around Tangier (modern day Morocco), with an army of around seven thousand three hundred men crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and began the conquest of Spain and thereafter Europe.
Baghdad
When the Abbasids took over the Khilafah, they began a project of creating a capital city that would be revered around the world. The Abbasid caliph, Al Mansur assembled engineers, surveyors and art constructionists from around the world to come together and draw up plans for the city. Over 100,000 construction workers came to survey the plans and were distributed salaries to start the building of the grand city.
Baghdad was the first circular city in the world. Within fifty years the population outgrew the city walls as people thronged to the capital to become part of the Abbasids' Civil service and engage in trade. Baghdad became a vast emporium of trade linking Asia and the Mediterranean. By the reign of Mansur's grandson, Harun ar Rashid (786-806), Baghdad was second in size only to Constantinople. European towns, cities and settlements built walls to prevent raids from outlaws and armies but were typically vulnerable at four points; the corners. If enough pressure was applied at any of these points the wall would collapse and troops could flood through the breach. The Muslims solved this problem by building circular cities.
After the defences of the city were complete attention turned to how the Abbasids would feed the rest of the Ummah. The development of Agriculture under the Abbasids was a phenomenon; the scarcity of water had converted the barren Arab lands into a vast desert, which had never yielded any substantial agricultural produce. The scattered population always imported supply of food grains to supplement the dates and the little corn grown in their own lands. Agriculture in Arabia, had been very primitive and was confined to those tracts where water was available in the form of springs. Medina, with its springs and wells was the only green spot in the vast desert. The Abbasids dealt with this by first controlling the flows of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The Irrigation system in the land was greatly improved by digging a number of new canals, the largest flowed between the Tigris and Euphrates. This canal was called Nahr Isa (Isa canal) and was open to ships for transportation between Syria & Iraq. This led to navigation routes opening to India and Persian Gulf. The Abbasids reconstructed the existing canals, lakes, and reservoirs, which were first built under Hajjaj Bin Yusuf in 702. After this the swamps around Baghdad were drained, freeing the city of malaria.
House of Wisdom – Bayt al hikma
At the behest of the Caliph an observatory was built and numerous educational institutes which made literacy widespread were created. Other rulers such as Al-Mansur ordered plentiful resources to achieve the task. Translation became a state industry and the Muslim scholars succeeded in what is still regarded today as a truly incredible feat.
Observatories were set up in Baghdad and become an unrivalled center for the study of humanities and for sciences, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, zoology and geography. The scholars, scientists and specialists draw upon the translated works of previous civilizations such as the Persian and Greek works that included those of Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle and Socrates. Such works were accumulated and Baghdad become home to a great collection of world knowledge.
Uthmani Khilafah
The Uthmani’s came to eclipse all of the rival amirs and sultans across the Islamic lands and then were able to menace the whole of Europe, to the extent that the Kuffar were convinced that the Uthmani’s could not be defeated. A number of polices enacted by the Uthmani’s cemented their position in global politics at the time.
The Uthmani’s were one of the many bands of Turkmen horsemen who began to come into the Islamic lands as a result of the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. These Turkmen warriors, who had converted to Islam, were sent to the frontiers of the state by the Seljuks, who themselves were of Turkish origin. This was because they had excellent fighting skills and zeal, which the Seljuks wanted them to apply along the frontier with the Byzantines. The House of Uthman proved to be one of the most successful of these bands, taking many towns and villages from the control of the Byzantines, they then unified the other ghazis, or mujahideen, under their banner.
In 1432, Murad II (the 5th Sultan) introduced the devshirme or boy-tribute system which was an elite force of soldiers loyal only to the Sultan. According to this system, a tribute officer would set out across the Balkans and Greece, and from the villages a number of young boys, usually less than a handful from each village, would be taken for training. These were trained physically and put through an education system that would enable them to proceed into the state’s administrative system. Those who showed good intellectual aptitude would proceed on this track, while those who were not considered suitable for administrative tasks would be drafted into the janissaries, or other positions serving the Sultan, There were huge benefits to such a system Firstly, the Uthmani’s could constantly guarantee that the only basis for people to obtain posts in the Khilafah was the personal qualities that shone through under examination; they were literally the best of the best. Alongside that, the administrative system was only open to people via this system hence they had no ties with families within the Khilafah, hence it could be assured that any official, no matter what post he reached, would not be able to pass on all that he had earned, or try and get his son into power after him. This had the effect of not allowing the power to be cemented in the hands of anyone other than the Sultan. The importance of this system cannot be underestimated, from the time of Muhammad al Fatih in the 1450s, the 34 of the next 36 leaders, were converts to Islam, who had come through this system.
The Uthmani’s also developed the janissaries, who were a standing infantry that would only admit into its ranks captured non-Muslims. These troops would be trained and then, after converting to Islam, they would be fully enrolled into the janissary order. The source for these troops was the captured nobles of the people the Othmani’s had defeated. For centuries onwards from this time, they were the only standing army in Europe, a professional corps of fighters always prepared and ready for battle. The upkeep for the janissaries was paid for through revenues that the empire was constantly collecting. This meant that the Uthmani’s would always have the advantage of being able to immediately deploy their forces, at no extra cost.
In contrast, the feudal states of Europe would have to impose hefty taxes on their peasant populations in order to generate the needed funds. The benefit of the standing army was that it acted to cement the power of the state’s legitimate authority. Europeans, their Kings, Dukes or other potentates would have to rely on their nobles to provide troops. If this would not be sufficient, they would have to hire foreign forces, or enter into pacts, treaties and other political agreements that could all in them selves lead to more of a threat than the menace of the Uthmani army itself. The Sultan could count on the fact that the janissaries had no loyalty to any one other than him. So the Khaleefah had no rivals or other centres of power to placate, because his authority in the Khilafah was absolute. This led to continued political stability in the Khilafah and gave the Khaleefah the ability to engage in long term plans to expand power. The success of such polices resulted in the conquering of Southern Italy, Hungary, Austria, Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, Ukraine, the Canary Islands, parts of Iceland and the largest island of the Bristol waters in England – Lundy.
Such was the perceived threat of the Uthmani Khilafah under the reign of Suleiman al Qanooni that ambassador Busbecq of the Austrian monarch Ferdinand I warned of Europe's imminent conquest: “On [the Turks'] side are the resources of a mighty empire, strength unimpaired, habituation to victory, endurance of toil, unity, discipline, frugality and watchfulness... Can we doubt what the result will be?...When the Turks have settled with Persia, they will fly at our throats supported by the might of the whole East; how unprepared we are I dare not say.” (Lewis, Bernard (2002). What Went Wrong? : Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response)
Uthmani-US Relations
In 1783 the first US navy boat started to sail in international waters and within two years was captured by the Uthmani navy near Algeria. In 1793 12 more US navy boats were captured. In March 1794 the US Congress authorized President Washington to spend up to 700 000 gold coins to build strong steel boats that would resist the Uthmani navy. Just a year later the US signed the Barbary Treaty to resolve the Uthmani threat. Barbary, was the term for the North African wilaya’s of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, under the rule of the Uthmani’s
The terms of the treaty were:
The treaty will cost the US a one off payment of $992,463
The American ships captured would be returned and the American Navy was to be given permission to sail in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
In return, the American government would pay $642 000 in equivalent gold.
The US would also pay an annual tax (tribute) of $12 000 in gold. The annual tribute would be calculated according to the Islamic calendar and not the
Christian calendar
$585,000 would be paid for the ransom of the captured American sailors
A state of the art steel ship would be constructed and delivered to the Uthmani’s, built in the US with all costs borne by the US in return for privileges. (The costs of masts, Yards, and heavy planks, were very costly and so difficult to procure, and then so exceedingly expensive to transport. Once delivered the US had actually paid thirty times their estimated price in the stipulations).
The treaty was written in Turkish and signed by President Washington, This is the only American legal document to ever have been concluded in a foreign language and the only treaty the Americans have ever signed that agrees to pay annual tax to another nation. This treaty continued until the Khilafah was abolished.
Conclusions
When the Khilafah was present and it applied Islam it was the world’s unrivalled power. This fact is not forgotten by the West and it remains a potent force which the world’s intelligence agencies spend day and night hypothesizing about. As a result of this various surveys, think tank reports and policy makers have all accepted that Muslims globally have rejected western values. A Gallup survey in 2006 concluded Muslim women tended to regard Western culture as morally corrupt and obsessed with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. This represents a glaring failure on the part of the West who has faced no challenge to its global supremacy since the fall of Communism.
On the 86th Anniversary of the destruction of the Khilafah, the Ummah globally should realise that the West has pulled out all its resources to halt the call for the Khilafah and the winds of change that have galvanized the Ummah. The Ummah needs to realise whilst the Western colonialists led by the US bleed to death due to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Ummah is actually in a position of strength. The attack on both of these nations is due in part to the failure of the Muslims rulers to stop the Islamisation of their countries.
All that remains now is for the Muslim armies to realise the Ummah is ready for change and for them to make this change a reality. The Muslims armies should remember that Sa’ad ibn Muadh رضي الله عنه gave the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم the necessary military and political support (nusra) as one of the chiefs of the key tribes of Madina. His support played a vital role in establishing Islam as a way of life. On his death the throne of Allah سبحانه وتعالى moved, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى truly elevated his status.
When Sa’ad ibn Muadh رضي الله عنه died, Jibreel عليه السلام came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: “Who was this good soul who died? The gates of the heavens were opened for him and the throne of Allah moved.” (Ahmed).
When his body was carried after the Janazah the Muslims carrying the body said, “We have not carried a dead body lighter than this.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied to them: “Nothing made his body lighter, but it was such and such number of angels (many angles) who descended and carried him along with you. Those angels had never before descended.” (Narrated in Tabaqat ibn Sa'ad).
Bukhari narrates on the authority of Jabir رضي الله عنه who said: “I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم say: ‘the heavens trembled at the death of Sa'ad bin Muadh.’
Source: Global Issues
Khilafah: A Wealth of Possibilities
The Ummah faces a number of challenges since the destruction of the Khilafah that would need to be overcome for change. Challenges such as poverty, development, healthcare as well as sustainable economic growth, distribution of wealth and industrial development have for long been the centre of debate and discussion between policy makers, intellectuals and government ministers. Unfortunately such a debate has skewed the discussion of change, and whilst many material obstacles need to be overcome by the Ummah, change from some perspectives remains a physiological barrier rather than material i.e. do the Ummah believe change is possible.
The birth of any nation would require those who espoused change and those that participated in its emergence to ascertain the nation’s strengths and advantages. Those elements considered necessary but absent would need the development of policies so they can be overcome.
Otto Van Bismarck oversaw German unification which set the nation on the path to industrial supremacy. Beginning in 1884, Germany established several colonies outside of Europe in order to overcome its shortage of mineral resources. Bismarck managed to achieve unification of the German lands which many had attempted for nearly a thousand years. Such unification meant German resources and minerals could all follow one unified policy and for once Germany could be domestically developed without facing any secessionist calls.
Similarly Japan by the turn of the 20th century had managed to develop its industries, however the rapid growth of the economy had made Japan painfully aware of its limited natural resources. Japan overcome such disadvantages through a programme of aggressive territorial expansion through conquering the Korean peninsula and surging deep into China in order to exploit labour and resources. In a similar manner the British Empire conquered foreign territories for export markets and utilised slave labour to overcome small workforce.
These examples show that all nations need some very basic ingredients to emerge as a powerful states and ones that can very quickly establish a prosperous standard of living for its people with secure borders. The development of infrastructure, defence industries and energy are fundamental for any nation, the possession of mineral resources would therefore be a strategic strength and a huge advantage for the emergence of a nation. The examples of Germany and Japan are examples of societies – rightly or wrongly, who overcame shortages of the key building blocks for a new nation.
When one looks at the potential of the Muslim Ummah, the Muslim lands do not just posses the key building blocks for a new nation, but over a beyond this reality the Khilafah would emerge a very powerful state due to the many strengths it will inherit that are present in the Muslim lands.
Allah (swt) said in the qur’an "Alif. Lam. Ra. This is a book which we have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darkness into the light by the permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy." [Ibrahim, 14:1]. The propagation of Islam is achieved through projecting an image of strength globally, so that those who have designs on the Ummah should consider the existence of its deterrent force so powerful as to render success in an attack too doubtful to be worthwhile. And Allah (swt) said "And prepare against them what force you can and horses tied at the frontier, to frighten thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them, whom you do not know (but) Allah knows them; and whatever thing you will spend in Allah's way, it will be paid back to you fully and you shall not be dealt with unjustly." [Al-Anfal: 60] All of this makes it essential for the Khilafah to field an advanced military and have a strong manufacturing base.
The Ummah globally number 1.6 billion, more importantly over 60% of the Ummah is below the age of 28. The importance of a large population is critical for domestic economic development and defence. The absence of a large pool of labour means the nation cannot be constructed or in many cases would take decades before it was able to become self sufficient. On the emergence of the Khilafah for the defence of its borders the Khaleef will have the capability to deploy armed forces of over 4 million personnel.
Alongside this the Ummah will inherit many of advantages. The geographical distribution of the Ummah and the Muslim lands means some of the world’s key strategic waterways and airspace will be Islamic periphery. 40% of the world’s oil passes through the Straits of Hormuz waterway that straddles between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Persian Gulf in the southwest. This fact alone makes it the most important waterway in the world. The Suez Canal is considered one of the world’s most important waterways as it links Asian markets to the Mediterranean and Europe. 7.5% of global sea trade transits the canal. Similarly Muhammad (saw) ensured that key trade routes in the Hijaz were under Islamic control, which severely weakened the enemies of Islam to manoeuvre and weaken the Ummah.
Whilst many in the Ummah live in severe poverty, this by no means is due to the absence of agriculture in the Muslim lands. In fact the facts on ground, with the right polices will make the Khilafah the worlds bread basket. Egyptian agriculture takes place in some 6 million acres of fertile soil in the Nile Valley and Delta, It has made Egypt amongst the worlds largest agricultural producers and is the worlds largest producer of dates, second largest producer of geese meat and the worlds third largest producer of buffalo and camel meat. Pakistan’s not only irrigates more land than the whole of Europe combined, but Pakistan is also the world’s largest producer of ghee (Clarified Butter), the 2nd largest producer of chickpeas, buffalo meat and milk, the 3rd largest producer of Okra vegetables, the 4th largest producer of apricot, cotton, goat’s milk and mangos and the 5th largest producer of onion and sugar cane. At the same time Turkey is the world’s largest producer of hazelnut, fig, apricot, cherry, quince and pomegranate. The Ummah already before the Khilafah the worlds breadbasket.
The Muslim lands also posses the world’s largest aluminium smelter in Bahrain, critical for industrialisation, the worlds largest open pit Gold Mine in Uzbekistan’s Qizilqum Desert, the worlds largest aluminium plant in Tajikistan, the world largest coal field in the Thar dessert in Pakistan and the worlds largest producer of tin – Indonesia.
The real question that needs to be asked is how is it possible for a people so rich and so plentiful in resources, to be so poor in reality? There is only reason for this and that is the rulers over the Muslim lands have never had any intention of making the right use of such huge wealth for their people. The Muslim lands posses all the necessary ingredients to take its own destiny into its own hands, it now just needs a ruler who fulfils the destiny of the Ummah. The Ummah has no need to colonise other peoples or engage in territorial expansion as Germany and Japan and the British empire did, as it has all the necessary ingredients within its own borders.
Source: Global Issues
Tuesday 9 March 2010
A Political Analysis of the Recent Iraqi Oil Auction
Between the 30th of June and the 11th and 12th of December of 2009, the Iraqi government auctioned off much of Iraq’s proven crude oil reserves.
Among the oilfields that went under the hammer were the giant Rumaila oilfield with an estimated contents of 17 billion barrels (peak production expected to be around 2.9 million barrels per day), the West Qurna oilfields 1 and 2 with an estimated contents of 8.6 billion barrels and 12.9 billion barrels respectively (total peak production expected to be around 4.4 million barrels per day), the Majnoon oilfield with an estimated contents of 12.6 billion barrels (total peak production expected to be around1.8 million barrels per day) and the Zubair oilfield with an estimated contents of 4 billion barrels (peak production expected to be around 1.1 million barrels per day).
The most striking outcome of the bidding process was that American oil companies were largely excluded from the deals struck. Only ExxonMobil (together with Shell) landed a deal with the Iraqi government to develop the West Qurna Phase 1 oilfield, and Occidental Petroleum is part of a deal between Eni of Italy and the Iraqi government for the Zubair oilfield. Most other contracts went to the oil companies of countries that were opposed to the American/British war in Iraq, most notably Russia and China.The Rumaila oilfield went to BP and CNPC from China; the West Qurna Phase 2 oilfield went to Lukoil from Russia and Statoil of Norway; and the Majnoon oilfield went to Shell and Petronas from Malaysia.
This outcome of the Iraqi oil auction is presented by some as a discreditation of the claim that the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 was about the Iraqi oil. Instead, it is said, the auction results prove that the invasion was, and has always remained, about bringing freedom and democracy to the people of Iraq. For most Iraqi oil deals went to Non-American companies.
The correctness of this assertion will be analysed below.
THE REALITY OF WARS FOR OIL
But of these two perspectives on crude oil, it being a tool for power and a tool for profit, clearly the first is by far the most important. Power establishes influence, and that can easily be used to establish profits.And crude oil is so much a tool for power that control over it can easily be used to establish profits far beyond the profits associated with the profits in pumping up the oil.That is why when it is said that wars are fought for crude oil, this should not be understood as meaning that wars are fought to enable certain businessmen rather than others to profit from crude oil.The meaning of the statement “wars are fought for oil” is that nations go to war with the intent to establish control over the flow of crude oil.
As such, the importance of the recent crude oil deals between the Iraqi government and certain oil companies does not lie in who exactly they allow to make a profit from the Iraqi crude oil. It lies in who is given control over the Iraqi oil.
The reality of the Iraqi oil deals The contracts recently agreed between the Iraqi government and various oil companies differ markedly from what is the standard in the oil industry. Usually, governments and oil companies agree to so-called “Production Sharing Agreements (PSA)”. Under a PSA the government gives the oil company the rights to a certain share of the proven crude oil reserves, in return for pumping up (extracting) crude oil.The oil company can then do whatever it wants with its crude oil. Governments usually grant the oil company a share of the crude oil in the range of 30 – 70%.
The contracts in the case of the Iraqi crude oil, however, are “Service Contracts (ST)”. Under the ST an oil company is only contracted by the government to perform the service of pumping up the crude oil. For each barrel it pumps up, the oil company is then awarded a remuneration fee. But ownership of the crude oil remains in the hands of the government.The remuneration fees for the big fields that have been auctioned off are all fairly close to what the estimated cost is for operating fields in the Saudi-Iraq area ($1.00 – 2.00).The operators of the Rumaila and Zubair oilfields will receive $2.00 per barrel if they are able to significantly increase production.The operators of the West Qurna Phase 1 oilfield will receive $1.90 per barrel.The operators of the West Qurna Phase 2 oilfield will receive $1.15 per barrel.And the operators of the Majnoon oilfield will receive $1.39 per barrel.This means that the oil companies will have quite a struggle to make a profit on these deals. And if they are able to generate a profit at these remuneration rates, then these profits will be taxed by the Iraqi government at 35%.
The ST’s the Iraqi government has agreed with various international oil companies have left the control over the Iraqi oil firmly in the hands of the Iraqi government.The oil companies can lay no claim on the Iraqi oil whatsoever, as they merely have been contracted by the Iraqi government as service providers.
Also, these ST’s have as a consequence that by far the largest slice of the profit in pumping up crude oil will go to the Iraqi government.They will pay the oil companies no more than $2.00 for the service of pumping up the crude oil that in the market today is worth around $65, and they will tax whatever profits the oil companies are able to make.
America has only strengthened her positions through the Iraqi oil deals It is quite clear, therefore, that through the recent auctioning of the Iraqi crude oil America has strengthened her position in Iraq.
America has full control over the Iraqi government, which means that through the established ST’s America has maintained full control over the Iraqi oil industry. Even though it will be run by primarily non-American oil companies. The ST’s between the Iraqi government and the international oil companies are structured in such a way, that control over the physical commodity crude oil remains in the hands of the Iraqi government, and thereby America.
Under these ST’s even the profits resulting from production of the commodity remains in the hands of the Iraqi government, and thereby America. The fact that through the ST’s the Iraqi oil industry is opened for investment for the first time in decades brings an important additional benefit for the American economy. Most services companies in the oil & gas industry, the companies that supply the oil production companies with the rigs, pipes and pump stations, are American. The top three in the industry, Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes, are all based in Houston,Texas, and should be expected to profit greatly from the renewed activity in Iraq.
At the same time, through allowing foreign oil companies to enter into Iraq, America will have built some goodwill with these other nations.The ST’s will give to the other capitalist nations the idea that America is “sharing the pie” and isn’t greedy.As far as the greater public is concerned the same kind of public relations can be build on the ST’s.The people can now be led to believe America was honest and sincere in its intention of bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq all along, and was not interested in the Iraqi oil.
Questions may be asked as to why, if the American intentions were only to deceive, did the international oil companies play the game and accepted the terms of these deals.The answer is that from the fact that America sought to establish benefit through the ST’s, it is not necessarily the case that the other countries and their oil companies lose a benefit through them.The oil companies are still likely to see important benefits in these deals, although they leave little profit margin, such as gaining a foot in the Iraqi door, through which they could work for getting more profitable deals in the future (large parts of Iraq are as of yet unexplored).Also, the oil companies could have accepted the terms of these deals hoping they will be able to renegotiate the terms at a later date.
Source: Khilafah Magazine
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Saturday 6 March 2010
The Rise of Global Governance
The desire to rule the world has been a part of the human experience throughout recorded history. Alexander the Great led Greece to dominance of the known world, only to become the victim of Rome's quest for world dominance. The Roman Empire, built on bloody battlefields across the land, was swallowed up by the Holy Roman Empire, built on the fear and hopes of helpless people. History is a record of the competition for global dominance. In every age, there has always been a force somewhere, conniving to conquer the world with ideas clothed in promises imposed by military might. The 20th century is no different from any other: Marx, Lenin, and Hitler reflect some of the ideas which competed for world dominance in the 1900s. The competition is still underway. The key players change from time to time, as do the words that describe the various battlefields, but the competing ideas remain the same.
One of the competitors is the idea that people are born free, “totally free and sovereign,” and choose to surrender specified freedoms to a limited government to achieve mutual benefits. The other competitor is the idea that government must be sovereign in order to distribute benefits equitably and to manage the activities of people to protect them from one another. The first idea, the idea of free people, is the idea that compelled the pilgrims to migrate to America. The U.S. Constitution represents humanity's best effort to organize and codify the idea of free people sovereign over limited government. It is a relatively new idea in the historic competition for world dominance.
The other idea, the idea of sovereign government, is not new. Historically, the conqueror was the government. The Emperor, the King, the conqueror by whatever name, established his government by appointment and established laws by decree. Variations of this idea emerged over time to give the perception that the people had some say in the development of law. The Soviet Union, for example, held elections to choose its leaders; but the system assured the outcome of the elections as well as the ultimate sovereignty of the government. During the 1700s, the first idea was ascendant as evidenced by the creation of America. During the 1900s, the second idea has again become ascendant as evidenced by the emergence of global governance. This report identifies and traces some of the major forces, events, and personalities that are responsible for the rise of global governance in the 20th century.
More reading: http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/NWO/Global_Governance_1.htm
One of the competitors is the idea that people are born free, “totally free and sovereign,” and choose to surrender specified freedoms to a limited government to achieve mutual benefits. The other competitor is the idea that government must be sovereign in order to distribute benefits equitably and to manage the activities of people to protect them from one another. The first idea, the idea of free people, is the idea that compelled the pilgrims to migrate to America. The U.S. Constitution represents humanity's best effort to organize and codify the idea of free people sovereign over limited government. It is a relatively new idea in the historic competition for world dominance.
The other idea, the idea of sovereign government, is not new. Historically, the conqueror was the government. The Emperor, the King, the conqueror by whatever name, established his government by appointment and established laws by decree. Variations of this idea emerged over time to give the perception that the people had some say in the development of law. The Soviet Union, for example, held elections to choose its leaders; but the system assured the outcome of the elections as well as the ultimate sovereignty of the government. During the 1700s, the first idea was ascendant as evidenced by the creation of America. During the 1900s, the second idea has again become ascendant as evidenced by the emergence of global governance. This report identifies and traces some of the major forces, events, and personalities that are responsible for the rise of global governance in the 20th century.
More reading: http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/NWO/Global_Governance_1.htm
Wednesday 3 March 2010
Distruction of Kihlafah: The Black day (March 4th) of Sri Lanka & the Global Muslims' History
Item # 01: How the Khilafah was destroyed..? Picture Format
http://www.hizb.org.uk/hizb/resources/issues-explained/how-the-khilafah-was-destroyed.html
Item # 02: How the Khilafah was destroyed..? Youtube Video
Item # 03: Tragedy of the Muslim world since 1924
Item # 03: Press Release
London, UK, March 3rd 2010 – Today marks 86 years since the colonialist agent Mustafa Kamal (top right photo) abolished the Islamic Khilafah state in Turkey. Since then, the Muslim Ummah has endured division, occupation, economic stagnation and foreign domination. However, thanks to Allah (swt), evidence points to an unstoppable momentum for change and a greater call for the Shariah, Islam, and Khilafah.
Commenting on this important anniversary, Media representative of HTB said, “Since 1924, we have ended up divided into more than fifty weak and insignificant states whose rulers have systematically colluded with colonial powers against their own people, as our brothers and sisters have been massacred in Palestine, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, and elsewhere. Without the Khilafah, we are without a shield, exposed to the most vicious colonialist attacks.“
“However, things are changing across the Muslim world and the signs of Islamic revival are there for all to see. The Ummah can see the failure of global Capitalism as the financial crisis unleashed a disaster upon humanity. The Ummah has seen the false promises of ‘freedom and democracy’ exposed in the prisons of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.”
"Re-establishing the Khilafah in the Muslim lands is a collective obligation on this Ummah. In addition to this, many can now see what the absence of this Islamic institution has meant. It is an astonishing fact that the Muslim world possesses approximately 20% of the world’s population, over 60% of the world’s oil reserves and 55% of gas reserves, approximately 37% of the world’s gold reserves, and almost 25% of the world’s defence personnel. Yet, weak, divided and colonised as it is, it possesses little political influence and has no leadership to harness these bountiful resources."
"The Khilafah is the alternative to corruption and tyranny in the Muslim world and it is only the Khilafah that can take power away from the feudal landowners and tyrant rulers, implement a real rule of law, produce economic prosperity for the many and not the few and ensure political decisions on the future of the Muslim world are made in places like Cairo, Istanbul and Islamabad, not London or Washington. It is time we work to re-establish the Khilafah and blow away the suffocation of the past nine decades.”
“Hizb ut-Tahrir is now leading the global call for the Khilafah. The Muslim Ummah has embraced the party and its call is heard all across the Muslim world from Palestine to Islamabad to Jakarta. It is now time for this Ummah, with Hizb ut-Tahrir, to give the final push to remove the corrupt regimes that are the only obstacle to a new leadership and vision for the Muslim ummah.”
Prophet Muhammad (saw) said “Then there will be a rightly-guided Khilafah upon the ways of the Prophethood” [Ahmad] HTB
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