We must stand with Syria against the Zionists – An interview with Ahmed Rami

Ahmed Rami is well known throughout the world as an Islamic thinker, anti-Zionist activist and founder of Radio Islam in Sweden. He was born in Morocco in 1946 where he was an army officer. He came to Sweden in 1973 to seek political asylum after participating in a coup attempt against King Hassan II. I met him at a café to speak about the situation in Syria.

MO: Why is there so much attention on Syria right now?

AR: Yes you know the fall of Mubarak was a big setback for Israel and World Zionism at large. The uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt came as a surprises to them. When they realized they could not stop this wave of dissent, the so called “Arab Spring”, they decided to hijack it. The US and Israel and their allies are trying to use this energy, this new spirit of change, in their own interests. That is what we saw unfolding in Libya and now in Syria. That is imperialist power grabs in the garb of “popular uprisings”.

MO: So you wouldn’t call what is happening in Syria a revolution?

AR: Not at all. On the contrary it is a counter revolution. Syria is an independent country. There is not a single American, military base in Syria. The imperialists want to take over Syria and they use the language of a popular revolution, but it is far from it. This is only a language of deception to fool people.

MO: You talked about the language of revolution and I came to think of Al-Jazeera. This channel has in my view been used as a tool to incite unrest in Syria.

AR: Yes, very much so. Al-Jazeera is completely controlled by Zionists. Almost all of their commentators and experts are Zionists. I don’t trust Al-Jazeera at all. The difference between the Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar and Al-Jazeera is like the difference between resistance and occupation. Al-Manar is the voice of the resistance while Al-Jazeera is the voice of the occupation. Qatar is home to the largest American military base in the Middle East. Qatar is not an independent country. It is an American colony. And it is a dictatorship. Al-Jazeera reflects that, nothing else.

“Khomeini was the re-newer of the 20th Century” – Interview with Bosnian Sufi leader Shaykh Edin Baba

Shaykh Ali ad-Din Uryan-baba Ruhi ar-Rifa’i an-Naqshbandi al-Bosnawi was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1967. He is a professional writer and translator of books, has published two novels, two scientific works, one of them on the subject and entitled Bayramiyyah-malamiyyah Hamzawiyyah, as well as 14 other books, mainly about Islamic spirituality with historical, philosophical and mystical or esoterical background. He is from a traditional Sunni background and is currently the leader of the Sufi order Naqshbandiyyah Husayni-kolu and Rifa’iyyah, Seyyadi kolu in Bosnia. In the Sunni tradition mysticism is called “Sufism” and is associated with orders or brotherhoods (turuq), Shi’ites however prefer to speak of “erfan”. Shaykh Edin was a soldier during the war.

MO: Besides being a shaykh you are also a novelist. Please tell us something about your writing.

SE: Yes, I’m a professional writer. The main concern of my movels is not too far from my life concern: history in general, but still with a special reference to the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the people of this country; spiritual life and struggle in that – in my opinion – most important part of every human being; answers on some of so-called philosophical questions again closely related to the spiritual – ruhaniyyah – domain of life. They are writen in sort of combination of contemporary and very old Bosnian language, in a way slightly ex-centered, with unusual stories as a centra theme, and, by stile they are generaly compared with the most estimated classics in our language. If I may to say, they are writen for educated and informed elite, because there are plentiful informations, datas and suggestions and hints from all areas of my life concern, so you must be well informed to understand simbols and metaphoras used, they are very difficult to render into any language, localy concerned but could be interested for the public in East, as well as in the West. As I use to say whenever someone ask this kind of question, if I was able to tell this story and message in few sentences, you can be sure that I wouldn’t write hundreds of pages.

Quds Day conference in Stockholm

This years Quds Day was the thirtieth since its establishment by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, in 1979. All over the world millions of people took to the streets to express their solidarity with the Palestinians. Thirty years is quite an achievement and the rallies keep increasing in size as well as political and medial impact.

In Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, Quds Day was commemorated through a conference. Guests were invited from both the Sunni and the Shia community. The speakers spoke passionately of the struggle in Palestine. All speeches were in Swedish, which is rather unusual in Sweden were the Muslim communities in large parts retain an immigrant identity. Young activists of the Imam Ali Centre, were the event was held, have been striving hard to change this picture.

As the Swiss academic Tariq Ramadan, who is host of the “Islam & Life” program at Press TV, pointed out on this Friday’s episode, Quds Day is not just a day for Muslims, the issue of Palestine is a universal moral and human issue which should concern us all whatever faith we belong to.

Swedish student of the history of religions, Fahad Fadel, spoke on behalf of the Imam Ali Centre. He started by reciting a piece of lyrical prose depicting the plight of Palestinians. He then turned to the Muslims especially and rhetorically asked them how they could remain unmoved while watching such atrocities as those committed in Palestine. Fahad noted the obvious fact that not all Jews are responsible for what is happening and that there are many decent Jews, both ethnic and religious who oppose the Zionist project.

At his point he could have mentioned Israel Shamir and Gilad Atzmon, two intellectuals of Jewish ethnic background who are known pro-Palestinian activists. Among the religious, Anti-Zionist Jews he could have mentioned Neturei Karta.

Fahad further stated that the Zionists want the Palestinians to despair so that they will agree to unfavorable peace deals. Even though the Zionists are the oppressors in Palestine, they distastefully continue to play victims to gain sympathy from the Western public. While the Palestinians, the true victims, have very meager means to resist, the Zionist regime has the unconditional support of the American Empire.

The double standards of the Western powers are flagrant and there for everyone to see. The Islamic Republic of Iran, a peaceful country, has been put under strict sanctions. Iranian civil aircrafts cannot even refuel at Arlanda airport in Stockholm! Meanwhile the colonizing, genocidal Zionist entity, which very existence is a crime, is provided with financial and military assistance.

Imam Khomeini showed the way, Fahad declared, when he closed the Israeli embassy in Tehran and instead opened a Palestinian one. The Zionist entity has to be delegitimized. He finally recalled the great Arab victory in 2006 when Hezbollah stood firmly against the ruthless Zionist killing-machine.

Abdalqadir Habib, a well known activist within the Sunni community, said that we, who live in Sweden and enjoy freedom, security and a good life, should not forget those who suffer from injustice, occupation and poverty, on this day especially the Palestinians.

The last talk of the conference was given by a speech by Ayatollah Muqtadai from the theological seminary in Qom. He spoke of the compassion of Imam Khomeini, how he was saddened by the fate of Palestine, and that is why he established this special day, the day of the oppressed, which is also a day of compassion. The ayatollah further noted that all Muslims are brothers and sisters and should care for each other and share both joy and sorrow. He then mentioned the will of Imam Ali, a saintly character within the Islamic tradition, to his two sons Hassan and Hussein. In this will of fare well advice he told them to be the friend of the oppressed and the enemy of the oppressor.

Over all the Quds conference in Stockholm was a success. The organizers managed to reach out to both Sunni and Shia communities. Next year I would like to see that they also made some efforts to include intellectuals and activists from mainstream Swedish society.

Mohamed Omar is a Swedish freelance writer. He works for Islam Times.

Qudskonferens i Stockholm

Fredagen den 26 augusti inföll den internationella Qudsdagen, en dag som infördes 1979 av Imam Khomeini för att väcka opinion mot den sionistiska ockupationen av Palestina. I ett islamiskt center i Stockholm hade man i detta syfte anordnat en konferens. Jag var där och skrev en kort rapport i tidningen Islam Times. Läs även mitt tal från Qudsdagen 2009.

Quds Day and the true meaning of political Islam

We are now in the Holy month of Ramadan – a time of reflection, contemplation and prayer, yes, but also of solidarity and activism. Ramadan is a time to reach out to those in need, the hungry and the oppressed.

This Ramadan we should think especially of the people of Somalia, suffering from both starvation and the oppression and cruelty of the Wahhabi militia Al-Shabab. Calamities and tribulations come and go, but there is one issue which stays with us Ramadan after Ramadan, year after year. That is the Palestinian issue. Palestine has become a symbol of oppression and a symbol of resistance.
As long as the occupation continues, resistance must continue – a noble, moral resistance based on principles of justice, mercy and moderation. The last Friday of Ramadan offers the world an opportunity to manifest its opposition to Zionist aggression.

Quds Day was introduced by the late Imam Khomeini, whose life and struggle had showed what a popular, organized mass movement under the right leadership could achieve. The Iranians managed, through determination and sacrifice, to establish a democratic, Islamic republic.

One of the aims of Quds Day is to revitalize resistance towards Zionist aggression and to unite and mobilize the global Palestinian movement. Quds Day also shows that “political Islam” or “Islamism” is not the same thing as violence, sectarianism and obscurantism. To be a politically active Muslim does not mean you endorse violence or sectarianism or fanaticism. Rather it means that you work for the betterment of your society, to strive to provide education, health care and food for all. It means to work for peace and justice, against aggression, imperialism and occupation.

Western media outlets, out of ignorance or malice, blur the concept by constantly referring to Wahhabi terrorists in Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia and other places who blow up mosques and kill innocent Muslim men, woman and children, as “Islamists”.
During lasts years Quds Day in Iran, Lauren Booth, sent a letter to her brother in law Tony Blair. She had participated in the rally and wrote: “Personally I’ve never understood this fear of ‘political Islam’ it seems to me that religious people should always be educated on world events rather than kept in ignorance …”

She had witnessed that “political Islam” was not the same thing as violence and sectarianism. Every year the Quds Day rallies shows the world what “political Islam” really means: education, engagement, solidarity.

Every year the Quds Day rallies in major cities all over the world, including Stockholm, the capital of my home country Sweden, shows that people of all faiths and all ethnic backgrounds can come together based on the universal values of peace, freedom and justice.

All Islamic schools of thought, Jews, Christians and others march together demanding with one voice an end to the occupation and the dismantling of the Zionist regime. To dismantle the Zionist regime and the system of apartheid does not mean harming the Jews as some propagandists claim. There will always be a place of Jews in Palestine – as citizens, not as occupiers.

In 2009 I spoke at the Quds Day rally in Stockholm. My fellow speaker was an Anti-Zionist of Jewish ethnic background: Lasse Wilhelmson. As a young man he had lived in Israel working at a kibbutz but since then he has changed his stance. Today he is a dedicated pro-Palestinian activist. My friend Lasse is an example of how a person can break away from tribalism and sectarianism based on universal values of peace, freedom and justice.

This is “political Islam” as it should be, this is “Islamism” as it should be, far from those ugly caricatures killing Muslims in Bagdad, Karbala and Najaf, caricatures which seem to have been dreamt up by the imagination of a rabid Islamophobe, but unfortunately they are real.

“Political Islam” is not obscurantism, fanaticism and sectarianism. Political Islam is first of all an intellectual movement with thinkers and writers such as the Turkish Sufi Said Nursi, the Iranian philosopher Morteza Motahhari and Imam Khomeini. The most important struggle is not armed and physical, but intellectual, economic, spiritual and political. As a poet, a thinker, a mystic, an eloquent speaker and a writer, Imam Khomeini is a role model to Muslim activists. Quds Day is his legacy.

Mohamed Omar is a Swedish freelance writer. He works for Islam Times.

The photo was taken at a Quds Day rally in Stockholm 2009.

Qudsdagen är en påminnelse om att vi inte får ge upp kampen

Lars Adelskogh är en framstående antisionistisk författare, översättare och föreläsare. Han har studerat slaviska språk vid Uppsala universitet och orientaliska språk vid Stockholms universitet. År 2002 utgav han boken En tom säck kan inte stå, vari han förklarar förintelserevisionismen. Vid den internationella konferensen om ”Förintelsen” i Teheran år 2006 överlämnades ett exemplar av denna bok som gåva till Islamiska republikens president dr Ahmadinejad. Adelskogh arbetade tidigare som lärare men avskedades för sina åsikters skull. Han har översatt Kevin MacDonalds bok The Culture of Critique till svenska (Kritikkulturen). Han är välkänd för unga muslimska intellektuella i Sverige för sin kunskap, sitt mod och sin vänlighet. Vi är nu i den heliga månaden Ramadan, och snart skall vi fira den årligen återkommande Qudsdagen, som instiftades av framlidne Imam Khomeini. Jag tog tillfället i akt att ställa några frågor.

Al-Nakba och två andra katastrofer

Den 15 maj är det nakbans minnesdag. Nakban, den stora katastrofen, är dagen då staten Israel utropades på mark stulen av palestinierna. Fem hundra byar avfolkades och raserades och över 750 000 palestinier tvingades på flykt. Ännu idag lever miljoner palestinier som flyktingar runt om i världen.

När vi minns nakban tycker jag att vi borde passa på att beakta två andra stora katastrofer, förutan vilka sionisterna inte hade kunnat erövra Palestina och den heliga staden Jerusalem – Al-Quds.

De två katastrofer jag vill berätta om är 1) det ottomanska nederlaget i första världskriget och 2) wahhabiternas erövring av Mecka och Medina.

Så länge det ottomanska riket bestod var Palestina skyddat. Thoedor Herzl, sionismens fader, försökte övertala kalifen Abd al-Hamid II om att tillåta ett judiskt nationalhem i Palestina, men kalifen vägrade.  ”Om Hans Majestät Sultanen gåve oss Palestina, skulle vi kunna bli starka nog att helt sköta Turkiets finanser”, lockade Herzl. Abdul Hamid svarade: ”… Riket tillhör inte mig utan det turkiska folket [ottomanerna]. Jag kan inte avdela något stycke av det. Må judarna spara sina miljoner! När mitt rike delas, får de Palestina för ingenting. Men det blir blott våra döda kroppar som delas. Jag accepterar ingen vivisektion.”

Våg av radikalisering

I en artikel i Expressen, ”Gaza har gjort mig radikal” den 9 januari 2009, tillkännagav jag min nya hållning som radikal muslim. Jag efterfrågade bland annat drastiska samhällsförändringar i Egypten och sade att jag stöder befrielserörelserna Hamas och Hizbollah.

”Under dessa dagar har jag suttit helt knäckt framför teven och sett hur Israels masslakt på barn, kvinnor och gamla fortgår, medan despoterna i Arabvärlden mumlar, bortförklarar eller skyller på de förtryckta för att de gör motstånd. Några av dem, som Hosni Mubarak, är med stor sannolikhet medsvurna i komplotten mot Gazaborna.”

”Despoterna i Arabvärlden fruktar Hamas, eftersom de fruktar demokrati. Klyftan mellan folket och dess ledare, USA:s lakejer, vidgas för varje minut. Islam är en tro som kräver ställningstagande mot förtryck och orättvisor. Att vegetera och navelskåda är oförenligt med vad islam kräver av oss. Det är min insikt. Och det är därför jag blivit en radikal muslim.”

”Om demokratin segrade i Egypten, skulle Muslimska brödraskapet ta över direkt. Vad som behövs i Egypten är en ledare av samma kaliber som iraniernas Khomeini, han som 1979 ledde den triumferande resningen mot USA-agenten Reza Pahlavi. En sådan ledare skulle öppna Rafah-övergången och skicka in hjälp på en gång. Khomeini är en förebild för de islamiska motståndsrörelserna.”

Den 2 februari 2011 fick jag visst medhåll från en representant för Muslimska brödraskapet. I programmet Sahar på iransk teve sade Kamal Helbawy att Egypten ”behöver en ledare som Imam Khomeini”. Den islamiska revolutionen i Iran var en enastående händelse islamvärldens 1900-talshistoria. Vänsterdebattören Andreas Malm, som inte hyser någon vidare sympati för islamismen, allra minst khomeinismen, erkänner ändå revolutionens betydelse.

Lauren Booth blir muslim

Tony Blairs svägerska, journalisten Lauren Booth, har omvänt sig till islam. Hon är alltså syster till Cherie Blair, Tony Blairs hustru. Omvändelsen skedde i september under ett besök i staden Qom i Iran. Hon befann sig i Hazrat Ma’asumehs gravmoské när hon plötsligt drabbades av Gud såsom av en ”injektion andlig morfin”.

”It was Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy,” uppger hon i en intervju för den brittiska tidningen The Mail[1]. Lauren Booth arbetar för den iranska tevekanalen Press TV. Även före sin dramatiska omvändelse var hon sympatiskt inställd till islam och var aktiv i Palestinafrågan. Hon hade rest till Palestina och den fasta och självklara gudstro hon mötte där gjorde intryck på henne.

Islam är vår ideologi – intervju med Mousa Almallahi

Mousa Almallahi är redaktör för nyhetssajten Arabnyheter. Det är en populär sajt som läsas av många arabisktalande i Sverige. Hans telefoner ringer stup i kvarten. Läsare från världens alla hörn hör av sig med åsikter och förslag. I den svenska Palestinarörelsen är han ett känt namn. Under en ledig stund går han med på att besvara några frågor.

MO: Hur kom det sig att du blev journalist?

MM: När jag var barn älskade jag att läsa. Jag var på ständig jakt efter böcker. Jag läste Hana Mina, Najib Mahfouz, Abbas Muhammad al-Aqqad. Särskilt tyckte jag om Al-Aqqad, han är den bäste arabiske författaren enligt mig.

Det första jag skrev var recensioner av mina favoritböcker. Vi fick det som uppgift i skolan. Jag minns att jag recenserade Al-Aqqads serie Al-Abkariyyat, det vill säga ”Genier”. Det var en serie biografier om stora män ur den arabiska historien.

Jag föddes 1966 på Västbanken, på en ort som heter Bardala, men min familj flydde därifrån under sexdagarskriget 1967. Vi kom till ett läger i Jordanien. Jag var bara två år då.

Jag har ingen formell utbildning som journalist utan är självlärd. Min första journalistiska artikel handlade om livet i flyktinglägren. Jag skrev om lidandet, om de usla levnadsvillkoren, förnedringen. Man sov i tält. Ibland blåste det starkt om nätterna, tälten rycktes loss och familjerna låg där och frös under bar himmel. Det var Palestinafrågan och flyktingarnas situation som fick att vilja skriva, jag ville berätta, jag ville förändra.

MO: Hade du någon förebild?

MM: Jag hade flera. Författaren Ghassan Kanafani, som judarna mördade, och förstås Al-Aqqad, men också Sayyid Qutb från Egypten. Qutb var litteraturkritiker och poet, inte bara islamisk ideolog. Jag beundrar fortfarande Qutb för hans levande språk, hoppfullhet och starka övertygelse. Jag tycker mycket om boken Al-Ma’alim fi Tariq som gav unga muslimer självförtroende. Han visade dem att islam var stor, aktuell och hade svar.