This documentary, "The Pied Piper of Jihad," has been shown on al-Jazeera English "People and Power" program. It portrays Yemen as an ultimate destination for Western Muslims looking for Jihad.
The title suggests that those Western Muslims who come to Yemen are brainlessly following the Pied Piper -Anwar Al-Awlaki. Western Muslims I know came here for a simple life in a Muslim country, nothing more, nothing less.
The documentary was made by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and was first screened in Australia.
Notice that the reporter did not speak to any Islamic representatives in Yemen or foriegners here. They only interviewed Yahya Saleh, the Amna Siyasi (Political Security) chief, and nephew of the president. It seems that the programs main aim is to strengthen anti-Muslim fears already existing amongst the west and to make it harder for people to make hijrah to Yemen by labelling all muhajireen to Yemen as fanatics and potential terrorists
You cannot view this program on Al-Jazeera, but you can watch it on the ABC website.
Pied Piper of Jihad
Sunday 27 February 2011
Visiting the Demonstrators
I took the opportunity to go and see both demonstration camps. First I visited the pro-Government tent city in Tahrir Square.
There is a large police presence and a series of long tents with signs letting all know who they are - the sons of Amran, or the sons of Raima etc. The face of the president is plastered on all large flat spaces and vehicles. Trade and daily business continues although restricted in speed of movement caused by all the extra tentage and people in the square. One nice touch is the folkloric displays down in the car-park bus area where you can purchace all types of traditional arts, jewellery and clothing.
Taking a trip to the anti-Government camp is not as free due to their security concerns, as they have been attacked a number of times by government supporters and a number killed. There are walls of men at each entrance - Dairi street near Jeel al-Jadeed bookstore, the other side of Dairi street half way to City Mart, Mahkama street that heads to Tahrir and at the pedestrian gate of Sana'a University. The walls are 3 deep of shoulder to shoulder youths to check anyone wishing to enter, there are also women stationed at each entrance to check any female passers-by.
Once past the security cordon, you will find a tent city bigger than in Tahrir, and a slightly more cheerful atmosphere. You will not find any pictures of the president here. On the centre monument loud speakers are set up for speakers and rally cries. There is plenty of food available. I passed through after thuhr prayer time and so many people were crashed out in the tents chewing qat.
At the moment the rallies are being peaceful and the President has ordered supporters not to harm or bother the anti-Government protesters. This is an important step by the President not just to ensure peaceful protests but to show that he is allowing dissent and people to voice their opinions against the state,
It is unclear how long these protests will continue, some say another week, others say not until the President steps down.
There is a large police presence and a series of long tents with signs letting all know who they are - the sons of Amran, or the sons of Raima etc. The face of the president is plastered on all large flat spaces and vehicles. Trade and daily business continues although restricted in speed of movement caused by all the extra tentage and people in the square. One nice touch is the folkloric displays down in the car-park bus area where you can purchace all types of traditional arts, jewellery and clothing.
Taking a trip to the anti-Government camp is not as free due to their security concerns, as they have been attacked a number of times by government supporters and a number killed. There are walls of men at each entrance - Dairi street near Jeel al-Jadeed bookstore, the other side of Dairi street half way to City Mart, Mahkama street that heads to Tahrir and at the pedestrian gate of Sana'a University. The walls are 3 deep of shoulder to shoulder youths to check anyone wishing to enter, there are also women stationed at each entrance to check any female passers-by.
Once past the security cordon, you will find a tent city bigger than in Tahrir, and a slightly more cheerful atmosphere. You will not find any pictures of the president here. On the centre monument loud speakers are set up for speakers and rally cries. There is plenty of food available. I passed through after thuhr prayer time and so many people were crashed out in the tents chewing qat.
At the moment the rallies are being peaceful and the President has ordered supporters not to harm or bother the anti-Government protesters. This is an important step by the President not just to ensure peaceful protests but to show that he is allowing dissent and people to voice their opinions against the state,
It is unclear how long these protests will continue, some say another week, others say not until the President steps down.
Al-Ahmar Boys Join the Anti-Government Camp
The big news out of Yemen concerning anti-Government activities is the action of Hussein al-Ahmar in support of anti-Government protesters. Hussein was the deputy speaker of parliament and an active member of the ruling party. Many have said that Hussein's actions are for his own interests and not for the people of Yemen.
He may have been prompted by recent crazy business from government security and intelligence agencies to assassinate Hamid, and had carried out surveilance on al-Ahmar houses in Sana'a for weak points for possible attack. There was some talk around of bombs to be delivered to these houses.
The amusing thing to note is that there were thousands at the rally in Amran governate where Hussein addressed the people in support of anti-government demonstrations and change. Tribe people are notoriously easy to buy and change sides to where the greatest benefit is. Perhaps al-Ahmar sees an opportunity to steer history of Yemen as their father the late Shaikh Abdullah Al-Ahmar did.
No big statements from AQAP on latest events in Yemen.
He may have been prompted by recent crazy business from government security and intelligence agencies to assassinate Hamid, and had carried out surveilance on al-Ahmar houses in Sana'a for weak points for possible attack. There was some talk around of bombs to be delivered to these houses.
The amusing thing to note is that there were thousands at the rally in Amran governate where Hussein addressed the people in support of anti-government demonstrations and change. Tribe people are notoriously easy to buy and change sides to where the greatest benefit is. Perhaps al-Ahmar sees an opportunity to steer history of Yemen as their father the late Shaikh Abdullah Al-Ahmar did.
No big statements from AQAP on latest events in Yemen.
Wednesday 16 February 2011
Al-Jazeera Coverage
Wind the clock back to when the Palestinian Papers were saturating the news coverage on Al-Jazeera English. It was not clear whether the purpose was to discredit the Palestinian Authority or to show that it is in fact Israel who is not a true peace partner or to rub salt in the wounds of the Palestinian people, and those close to the cause. Maybe all three. But really, was anyone suprised by any of the information in the leaks?
None the less, I became bored with the never ending analysis and "what do you make of these leaks?" asked to every Middle East boffin between here and Washington. Nothing will change for the Palestinian situation until the Arab world changes and stops supporting American foreign policy especially in regard to Israel. So to stop wasting my time I changed channel - to the BBC world service and was delighted to find out there would be a special program on that night about Yemen - Is it a failed state? Cliche!
The time came for the program to start when breaking news came in - the Tunisian President had stepped down a fled to Saudi Arabia. So now there was blanket coverage of the events before, during and after the Presidents demise. Palestinian Papers were filed away for a rainy day and no Yemen program.
I felt happy a dictator had fallen, but I wanted to watch my Yemen program. "Yemen needs an uprising if it is going to get any airtime now," I thought to myself. Then Tunis news was eaten up by Egyptian news. And then the domino effect, I think you get my drift.
So Yemen whose people have been demonstrating for years, is actually getting quite a bit of news time on Al-Jazeera and it feels that the broadcaster is almost encouraging, tempting further dictator demises, giving lots of coverage on protests in Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain and Libya. And especially the words of President Obama and Hilary Clinton encouraging the people of the Middle East to rise up against evil dictators, and that America supports the democratic aspirations of all people.
After all these decades of supporting these dictators America wipes its hands of them and is now tempting the people. I hope the people see the emptiness of the American words. America supports the democratic aspirations of Muslims towards kufr - disbelief. Don't let their words decieve you, and what makes you think they will stand by you once they have achieved their aims. Dispensable, the people of the Middle East are dispensible, always have been and always will be.
So what happened as after of the Palestine Papers...oh yeah, thats right, Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator stepped down. The Arab world started making big moves towards change and hope has been reborn...Maybe I and many others I know will stop being bored with Palestine coverage once new Arab governments ammend the foreign policies of old.
None the less, I became bored with the never ending analysis and "what do you make of these leaks?" asked to every Middle East boffin between here and Washington. Nothing will change for the Palestinian situation until the Arab world changes and stops supporting American foreign policy especially in regard to Israel. So to stop wasting my time I changed channel - to the BBC world service and was delighted to find out there would be a special program on that night about Yemen - Is it a failed state? Cliche!
The time came for the program to start when breaking news came in - the Tunisian President had stepped down a fled to Saudi Arabia. So now there was blanket coverage of the events before, during and after the Presidents demise. Palestinian Papers were filed away for a rainy day and no Yemen program.
I felt happy a dictator had fallen, but I wanted to watch my Yemen program. "Yemen needs an uprising if it is going to get any airtime now," I thought to myself. Then Tunis news was eaten up by Egyptian news. And then the domino effect, I think you get my drift.
So Yemen whose people have been demonstrating for years, is actually getting quite a bit of news time on Al-Jazeera and it feels that the broadcaster is almost encouraging, tempting further dictator demises, giving lots of coverage on protests in Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain and Libya. And especially the words of President Obama and Hilary Clinton encouraging the people of the Middle East to rise up against evil dictators, and that America supports the democratic aspirations of all people.
After all these decades of supporting these dictators America wipes its hands of them and is now tempting the people. I hope the people see the emptiness of the American words. America supports the democratic aspirations of Muslims towards kufr - disbelief. Don't let their words decieve you, and what makes you think they will stand by you once they have achieved their aims. Dispensable, the people of the Middle East are dispensible, always have been and always will be.
So what happened as after of the Palestine Papers...oh yeah, thats right, Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator stepped down. The Arab world started making big moves towards change and hope has been reborn...Maybe I and many others I know will stop being bored with Palestine coverage once new Arab governments ammend the foreign policies of old.
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Sana'a Demonstrations 2
As I sit here in the internet cafe, I can hear youths in the street calling people to come to the protests on the side of the Government. "Support Ali Abdullah Saleh, come now to the square," they chant - but in Arabic.
Of course I am staying well away from protests, except for these words I share with you here.
Protests in Yemen are not like protests elsewhere. Things were ugly yesterday, if the pictures on the news are anything to judge by, but I could imagine things getting very ugly. Most people have firearms, even women often have a small handgun stashed in their handbags. It is not anything unsual.
How it looks from my armchair (although I dont actually have a single chair in my house), if Ali goes a tribal struggle will ensure. An opportunity will open for AQAP which I would not rule out as a negative, if they are organised and principled, then why not! Then foreign interests will get aggitated and need to become very involved in regime change and AQAP rejection.
Who knows where this could go. But as for democracy...O people of Yemen, do not become intoxicated by false beliefs of freedom. Democracy doesn't mean freedom, it means following ones personal desires and following man made law above the laws given to you in your own language by Allah the Most High, Most Just.
Of course I am staying well away from protests, except for these words I share with you here.
Protests in Yemen are not like protests elsewhere. Things were ugly yesterday, if the pictures on the news are anything to judge by, but I could imagine things getting very ugly. Most people have firearms, even women often have a small handgun stashed in their handbags. It is not anything unsual.
How it looks from my armchair (although I dont actually have a single chair in my house), if Ali goes a tribal struggle will ensure. An opportunity will open for AQAP which I would not rule out as a negative, if they are organised and principled, then why not! Then foreign interests will get aggitated and need to become very involved in regime change and AQAP rejection.
Who knows where this could go. But as for democracy...O people of Yemen, do not become intoxicated by false beliefs of freedom. Democracy doesn't mean freedom, it means following ones personal desires and following man made law above the laws given to you in your own language by Allah the Most High, Most Just.
Reverse Hijrah
Hijrah for the sake of Allah is when a believer moves from a land of shirk and kufr to a land of iman to increase his iman. Reverse Hijrah is when a Muslim in a land of iman moves to a land of shirk and kufr to increase his duniya. This is not an official term but I will be using it to express this phenomenon.
It is obligatory for Muslims living in the lands of shirk and kufr to make hijrah to the lands of iman and the proof of this from the Book of Allah:
"As for those whose souls the angels take in a state of having earned Allah's anger; then the angels will say to them: "in what condition were you regarding your Religion?" They will say: "we were weakened by the great numbers and strength of the people of shirk in our land who prevented us from iman and from following the Messenger." They (the angels) will reply: "was not Allah's earth spacious so that you could leave your land and homes where the people of shirk dominate and go to a land where you could worship Allah alone and follow His Prophet?" So these people will find their abode in Hell, and what an eveil destination that is. Except for the weak ones from the men, women and children who were unable tomigrate or find a way to do so. As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them, and ALlah is ever One who pardons and forgives the sins of His servants" Surat an-Nisaa 97-99
In the case of reverse hijrah, there are three conditions on such travel.
1. That the person has knowledge to repel doubts.
2. That he isa person adhering to the Religion such that it will prevent him from following desires that are openly practiced in lands of shirk and kufr.
3. That he has a need to do so - this includes medical treatment and higher education.
Notice that tourism is not listed. It is not necessary for Muslims residing in lands of iman to travel to lands of shirk for tourism, when there are plenty of touristic places to visit within the lands of iman.
As for residing in the lands of shirk and kufr, one must safegaurd his or her religion and will not be corrupted or deviate from the correct path and to remain removed emotionally from the people of that land and not love them as this can corrupt one's iman. Allah the Most High says:
"You will not find a people who believe in ALlah and the Last Day having love for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger and contradict Allah's Commands, even if they be their fathers, or their sons or their brothers or their tribe." al-Mujaadilah 58:22
A Muslim living in the lands of shirk and kufr must be able to manifest the outward signs of Islam without being prevented. In my opinion this is not possible in all the large Western countries.
If a Muslim is residing in the lands of shirk and kuft he must be there to call people to Islam. This is a type of jihad and it is fard kifaya - that means that not everyone needs to do it, if one person is doing it then the rest of us are exempt.
Some scholars have said that it is permissible for a da'i (caller to faith) to reside in lands of kufr and shirk to study the conditions of the unbelievers and become aware of their state with regard to the corruptopn of their beliefs, false worship, degenerate manners and behaviour. I do not fully agree with this in this modern time we can see all of this on the vast media available to us.
It is also allowed for a Muslim to reside in the lands of disbelief to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of disbelief and an Islamic state and provide consular services to any citizens of that state residing there and to encourage them in their religious matters and behaviour. This helps repel evil and corruption that surround Muslims living in that land.
The categories covered here are all temporary living situations. Residing permanently amongst the disbelievers in their lands is never acceptable.
More to come on this topic soon.
It is obligatory for Muslims living in the lands of shirk and kufr to make hijrah to the lands of iman and the proof of this from the Book of Allah:
"As for those whose souls the angels take in a state of having earned Allah's anger; then the angels will say to them: "in what condition were you regarding your Religion?" They will say: "we were weakened by the great numbers and strength of the people of shirk in our land who prevented us from iman and from following the Messenger." They (the angels) will reply: "was not Allah's earth spacious so that you could leave your land and homes where the people of shirk dominate and go to a land where you could worship Allah alone and follow His Prophet?" So these people will find their abode in Hell, and what an eveil destination that is. Except for the weak ones from the men, women and children who were unable tomigrate or find a way to do so. As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them, and ALlah is ever One who pardons and forgives the sins of His servants" Surat an-Nisaa 97-99
In the case of reverse hijrah, there are three conditions on such travel.
1. That the person has knowledge to repel doubts.
2. That he isa person adhering to the Religion such that it will prevent him from following desires that are openly practiced in lands of shirk and kufr.
3. That he has a need to do so - this includes medical treatment and higher education.
Notice that tourism is not listed. It is not necessary for Muslims residing in lands of iman to travel to lands of shirk for tourism, when there are plenty of touristic places to visit within the lands of iman.
As for residing in the lands of shirk and kufr, one must safegaurd his or her religion and will not be corrupted or deviate from the correct path and to remain removed emotionally from the people of that land and not love them as this can corrupt one's iman. Allah the Most High says:
"You will not find a people who believe in ALlah and the Last Day having love for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger and contradict Allah's Commands, even if they be their fathers, or their sons or their brothers or their tribe." al-Mujaadilah 58:22
A Muslim living in the lands of shirk and kufr must be able to manifest the outward signs of Islam without being prevented. In my opinion this is not possible in all the large Western countries.
If a Muslim is residing in the lands of shirk and kuft he must be there to call people to Islam. This is a type of jihad and it is fard kifaya - that means that not everyone needs to do it, if one person is doing it then the rest of us are exempt.
Some scholars have said that it is permissible for a da'i (caller to faith) to reside in lands of kufr and shirk to study the conditions of the unbelievers and become aware of their state with regard to the corruptopn of their beliefs, false worship, degenerate manners and behaviour. I do not fully agree with this in this modern time we can see all of this on the vast media available to us.
It is also allowed for a Muslim to reside in the lands of disbelief to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of disbelief and an Islamic state and provide consular services to any citizens of that state residing there and to encourage them in their religious matters and behaviour. This helps repel evil and corruption that surround Muslims living in that land.
The categories covered here are all temporary living situations. Residing permanently amongst the disbelievers in their lands is never acceptable.
More to come on this topic soon.
Monday 14 February 2011
Yemen Protests - Advice for Foreigners
DON'T GET INVOLVED!
It may be tempting to go down to the protests even just for a look at something exciting and interesting, but I would advise you strongly against it. Stay well away from protest areas such as the front entrance of Sana'a University and Tahrir Square.
The police will have no mercy with you and as foreigners, expecially if you are Muslim and even moreso if you are Western and Muslim, it is very likely that you were already being monitored before this latest unrest.
If you were to be arrested with the anti-government protesters you'll likely be treated as a foreign spy and if you were to be amongst the pro-government protesters you'll likely be treated as a foreign spy.
It may be tempting to go down to the protests even just for a look at something exciting and interesting, but I would advise you strongly against it. Stay well away from protest areas such as the front entrance of Sana'a University and Tahrir Square.
The police will have no mercy with you and as foreigners, expecially if you are Muslim and even moreso if you are Western and Muslim, it is very likely that you were already being monitored before this latest unrest.
If you were to be arrested with the anti-government protesters you'll likely be treated as a foreign spy and if you were to be amongst the pro-government protesters you'll likely be treated as a foreign spy.
Saturday 12 February 2011
Christian Missionaries at Sana'a University
They wear hijab, nice clothes and carry backpacks and you can find a number of them at Sana'a University.
They speak with sickening sweetness to butter you up before they unleash their Christian torrent on you.
Upon meeting one, I pretended to not speak English well by speaking broken English with a strong accent. We small talked about the traffic and weather and after ten minutes the nasty questions about Islam and Islamic culture started to emerge seemingly innocently by the questioner.
"Why can men marry more than one woman?" or "Why can't women rule a nation". Mostly they ask about the issues they see as being unjust to women.
They try to break down a Muslim's faith and create doubts in their minds first. They are well versed in Quran and Sunnah and they know the answers to the questions they ask. They may spend weeks doing this, targeting the weeker seeming student in the crowd, they woo them with their polite manners and generosity. They make that person feel special and get their attention and then theys start letting out Shaytan bombs.
They, the Christians, say they are in Yemen to help the Yemeni people but if that were true they'd respect the culture of Yemen and that we are Muslim. (Appart from a small Jewish community)
And how is it that some of them have been in Yemen for more than a year, working as volunteers, not earning any money yet they have no problems getting the visa. I know how hard it is for the foreign students to get visas and these are the Muslims who respect Yemen and the culture!
"And when it is said to them do not make mischief in the land they say: We are only peacemakers but they perceive not. Indeed they are the ones who make mischief but they perceive not."
Al-Baqara 11-12
MashaAllah the Yemeni people are kind and want to be welcoming to these foreigners, but they should not waste their time with these missionaries when they could be helping their own people and nation, and those foreigners who accept Islam.
We may not individually have the power to deport these people for their corruption but once we have given them the message of Islam and explained it, and if after that they continue in their ways we should separate ourselves from them. As with the example of Ibrahim (as) and his father and people and as well as Nuh(as) when he was commanded to leave his son because of his disbelief
O Muslims - Don't love the kufar. Don't forget that until they accept Islam and enter into it sincerely they are your and my enemies.
They speak with sickening sweetness to butter you up before they unleash their Christian torrent on you.
Upon meeting one, I pretended to not speak English well by speaking broken English with a strong accent. We small talked about the traffic and weather and after ten minutes the nasty questions about Islam and Islamic culture started to emerge seemingly innocently by the questioner.
"Why can men marry more than one woman?" or "Why can't women rule a nation". Mostly they ask about the issues they see as being unjust to women.
They try to break down a Muslim's faith and create doubts in their minds first. They are well versed in Quran and Sunnah and they know the answers to the questions they ask. They may spend weeks doing this, targeting the weeker seeming student in the crowd, they woo them with their polite manners and generosity. They make that person feel special and get their attention and then theys start letting out Shaytan bombs.
They, the Christians, say they are in Yemen to help the Yemeni people but if that were true they'd respect the culture of Yemen and that we are Muslim. (Appart from a small Jewish community)
And how is it that some of them have been in Yemen for more than a year, working as volunteers, not earning any money yet they have no problems getting the visa. I know how hard it is for the foreign students to get visas and these are the Muslims who respect Yemen and the culture!
"And when it is said to them do not make mischief in the land they say: We are only peacemakers but they perceive not. Indeed they are the ones who make mischief but they perceive not."
Al-Baqara 11-12
MashaAllah the Yemeni people are kind and want to be welcoming to these foreigners, but they should not waste their time with these missionaries when they could be helping their own people and nation, and those foreigners who accept Islam.
We may not individually have the power to deport these people for their corruption but once we have given them the message of Islam and explained it, and if after that they continue in their ways we should separate ourselves from them. As with the example of Ibrahim (as) and his father and people and as well as Nuh(as) when he was commanded to leave his son because of his disbelief
O Muslims - Don't love the kufar. Don't forget that until they accept Islam and enter into it sincerely they are your and my enemies.
Sana'a Demonstrations
It was announced that every Thursday there would be demonstrations at Tahrir Square, but last Thursday the square was occupied by a folk handicraft festival and the Thursday before that hundreds of tribesmen from tribes loyal to the government were bused in to occupy the square so that anti-government demonstrators were blocked out.
Instead there was a large gathering of tens of thousands of protestors in the streets in front of Sana'a University. The week before that they filled the streets all the way back to the Science and Technology University girls section and pink was the theme colour.
The President announced that he would not stand again for election in two years time and he would not pass the presidency to his son. He also announced tax cuts and pay rises for soldiers and government employees.
Allegedly an assassination attempt was made on the leader of the Islah opposition party, but the full story is unclear. Both parties say, "he started it".
Today, the first day of the new Egypt the streets in Yemen are quiet, but all the talk is about similar things happening here. There are always plenty of police on the streets, so nothing unusual there, but I did see many police wearing photo ID.
It seems inevitable that the demonstrations will continue as the Yemeni people feel emboldened, energised and full of hope.
Keep an eye on us in Yemen, that goes unsaid, I am sure there are many eyes on Yemen!
Instead there was a large gathering of tens of thousands of protestors in the streets in front of Sana'a University. The week before that they filled the streets all the way back to the Science and Technology University girls section and pink was the theme colour.
The President announced that he would not stand again for election in two years time and he would not pass the presidency to his son. He also announced tax cuts and pay rises for soldiers and government employees.
Allegedly an assassination attempt was made on the leader of the Islah opposition party, but the full story is unclear. Both parties say, "he started it".
Today, the first day of the new Egypt the streets in Yemen are quiet, but all the talk is about similar things happening here. There are always plenty of police on the streets, so nothing unusual there, but I did see many police wearing photo ID.
It seems inevitable that the demonstrations will continue as the Yemeni people feel emboldened, energised and full of hope.
Keep an eye on us in Yemen, that goes unsaid, I am sure there are many eyes on Yemen!
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