Why is the War in Iraq Continuing?

“Greed is the perpetrator to create wars, not make men free.”

Iraq Plans New Refineries

Mariam Karouny, Reuters

BAGHDAD, 16 November 2005 — Iraq plans to boost its fuel production with new oil refineries to counter crippling gasoline shortages and a thriving black market, Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr Al-Uloum said yesterday. A new refinery at Nassireyah in the south is planned to process 300,000 barrels per day and a plant at Hindeyah, south of Baghdad, will run 140,000 bpd, Uloum said. At least 10 international oil firms are in the race to build the $1 billion Hindeyah project, and the winners will be picked by the end of the year, he said. The refineries will take several years to build. “I have good news, (next month) we will lay the founding stone for the biggest refinery in the Central Euphrates,” Uloum said. Iraq has the world’s third largest known reserves of oil but decades of war, sanctions, under-investment and now widespread violence and sabotage have left it critically short of fuel. It has to import nearly half of its gasoline.

Oil officials say Iraq’s eight refineries are now operating at only 50 percent-75 percent of capacity, a rate of around 300,000 bpd, forcing the country to import most of its refined products. The three largest refineries are Baiji, Basra and Daura plants.

Further Reading:

New oil refinery seen for Karbala, talks with 3 US oil firms

Who discovered oil?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pentagon Telegram Discussed Iraq to Israel Oil Pipeline

June 16, 2005

In a telegram sent by a senior Pentagon official to a top Israeli Foreign Ministry official, the United States asked Israel to check the possibility of pumping oil from Iraq to the oil refineries in Haifa.

The Prime Minister's Office views the pipeline to Haifa as a "bonus" the U.S. could give to Israel in return for its unequivocal support for the American-led campaign in Iraq and had asked the Americans for the official telegram.

The new pipeline would take oil from the Kirkuk area, where some 40 percent of Iraqi oil is produced, and transport it via Mosul, and then across Jordan to Israel. The U.S. telegram included a request for a cost estimate for repairing the Mosul-Haifa pipeline that was in use prior to 1948. During the 1948 war the Iraqis stopped the flow of oil to Haifa and the pipeline fell into disrepair over the years.

The Israeli National Infrastructure Ministry has recently ubdertaken research which indicates that construction of the 42-inch diameter pipeline between Kirkuk and Haifa would cost about $400,000 per kilometer. The old Mosul-Haifa pipeline was only 8 inches in diameter.

Yosef Paritzky, the Israeli National Infrastructure Minister said the port of Haifa is an attractive destination for Iraqi oil and that he plans to discuss this matter with the U.S. secretary of energy during his planned visit to Washington next month.

He further added that the implementation of the plan depended on Jordan's consent and that Jordan would receive a transit fee for allowing the oil to piped through its territory. The minister noted, however, that "due to pan-Arab concerns, it will be hard for the Jordanians to agree to the flow of Iraqi oil via Jordan and Israel."

Sources confirmed that the Americans are looking into the possibility of laying a new pipeline via Jordan and Israel.

Currently, Iraqi oil is being transported via Turkey to a small Mediterranean port near the Syrian border. The transit fee collected by Turkey is an important source of revenue for the country but the oil line has been damaged by sabotage twice in recent weeks and is presently out of service.

In response to rumours about the possible Kirkuk-Mosul-Haifa pipeline, Turkey has warned Israel that it would regard this development as a serious blow to Turkish-Israeli relations.

But according to sources in Israel the American hints about the alternative pipeline are part of an attempt to apply pressure on Turkey.

Iraq is one of the world's largest oil producers, with the potential of reaching about 2.5 million barrels a day. Oil exports were halted after the Gulf War in 1991 and then were allowed again on a limited basis (1.5 million barrels per day) to finance the import of food and medicines. Iraq is currently exporting several hundred thousand barrels of oil per day.

Video Introduction

Bush's real agenda revealed in proposed law to privatize oil for US corporations.

Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations

A Palestinian boy sits on a wall as he looks at an Israeli soldier during an army operation in the West Bank city of Qalqilia, 28 April 2007. (Khaleel Reash/MaanImages)

3 May 2007

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)


A Palestinian civilian and a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, respectively.

Three Palestinian civilians were wounded by IOF gunfire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

A French solidarity activist was wounded by IOF gunfire in Bal'ein village, west of Ramallah.

IOF conducted 28 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

IOF arrested 55 Palestinian civilians, including six children and a woman.

IOF arrested a Palestinian civilian in the Gaza Strip.

IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.

IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.

IOF positioned at various checkpoints and border crossings in the West Bank arrested 13 Palestinian civilians, including two children.

IOF have continued to confiscate Palestinian land for the purpose of the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank.

Israeli settlers have continued to occupy a house in Hebron for the sixth consecutive week.

Israeli settlers attacked a family in Hebron.

Summery

France: Which Is More Important — Economic Growth or Social Justice?

5, May, 2007

by Iman Kurdi

The first televised presidential debate in 12 years took place last Wednesday between the two contenders for the French presidency. It lasted over two hours and was watched by over 23 million voters. The press soon dubbed it a duel. But who won?

Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal sat facing each other at a table with just 3 meters between them. Every detail of the performance had been hammered out in advance, from the temperature of the room, to whether or not they would shake hands (they did but on condition that the handshake could only be televised after the debate). It soon became apparent that they had been given clear consigns by their advisers to go against type: Royal was to show her masculine side, whilst Sarkozy was to highlight his gentle feminine side.

The result was a debate where Royal was combative, pugnacious, determined, angry, forceful, aggressive and strong, whilst Sarkozy remained placid, unflappable, calm, regal even. Perhaps because I am a woman, I preferred Sarkozy’s style. He looked so comfortable and assured, competent would be my word of choice. Royal in contrast irritated me — and that despite my willing her on to come out the winner. The bottom line is that Sarkozy communicates much more effectively than Royal: He is clear, he answers questions concisely and precisely, he keeps it simple. Royal is much more hazy, she mixes topics and speaks with emotion, she avoids numbers or precise proposals and instead focuses on lofty ideas and ideals. She has a vision of France, Sarkozy has a project for France.

And no matter how much I disagree with Sarkozy’s views on immigration and how much I sense in him a strong dislike for Muslims and Arabs — who after all make up the majority of “the rabble that he wishes to karcherise” — I can only agree with him when he speaks of economics. France needs the reforms he has in mind. It needs to liberalize its employment laws (the most restrictive in Europe), it needs to reduce its tax burden (the highest in Europe), it needs to reverse the brain drain, it needs to jump-start its economy. As commentator after commentator has pointed out, France needs its own Margaret Thatcher.

But Thatcher was elected after not before the winter of discontent. When she came into power, there was an unstoppable impulsion for change. Sarkozy is in an entirely different situation. If you look at how France reacted to the introduction of a simple piece of employment law — a job contract — and the way the country was almost brought down to its knees over it, you have to ask yourself how Sarkozy will be able to undertake more significant and extensive reforms. And when you look at the disastrous way Sarkozy handled the riots of 2005, you wonder whether Sarkozy is the man to do it. One thing is for sure: If he is elected and if he tries to turn his promises into action, he will have a mammoth fight with the unions on his hands. But can he beat them when most French men and women still hanker after the social security blanket they have grown up with?

Royal, on the other hand, promises good old-fashioned state intervention. Her solution to everything lies either in dialogue between social partners or in the state providing magic solutions through legislation. It is the nanny state par excellence. It cannot work. The reality is that France is in massive debt and cannot afford to artificially prop up its economy in the way that she proposes. But does it matter? Many voting for her, particularly those coming from the center, are voting for her because she appears a safe choice. She is unlikely to actually put in place even half of what she promises. What we would likely get is simply more of the same. And that is reassuring, whilst Sarkozy is frightening, a word that Royal has been keen to use about her rival in the closing hours of the campaign.

So I found myself veering toward Sarkozy as the winner of this much-hyped dual. Until that is he touched on issues close to my heart: Immigration and Turkish membership of the EU. Here my antipathy for the man returned and I breathed a sigh of relief as Royal spoke for me, spoke with respect and understanding, spoke for social justice and tolerance. And so I asked myself: Which is more important economic development or social justice? And can you have one without the other? The polls suggest the French public found Sarkozy more convincing. His lead has increased since the debate and Royal has been forced into a defensive desperate tone: “There is still hope” she said yesterday. There is always hope, but when hope is all you have left, it does not bode well.

Update:

Olmert congratulates French people on election of Nicolas Sarkozy


Tony Blair offers his congratulations to Nicolas Sarkozy following his victory in the French presidential election.

Murder rates on the rise

Murders (per capita) by country

January 02, 2007

Rocky Mount Telegram

After many years of decline, the number of murders climbed in 2006 in New York and many other U.S. cities, including Rocky Mount, reaching their highest levels in a decade in some places.

Among the reasons given: gangs, drugs, the easy availability of illegal guns, a disturbing tendency among young people to pull guns when they do not get the respect they demand and, in Houston at least, an influx of Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Rocky Mount police investigated 12 murders in 2006, the most since the record-setting year of 1995, when 16 homicides occurred in the city.

"There are a lot of guns on the streets, and people don't mind shooting," Rocky Mount Police Chief John Manley said.

Manley said drugs and the easy access to guns on the street factor greatly in the reason for the big jump this year.

In 2004 and 2005, there were 21 murders in the city, the biggest two-year total since 1999 and 2000.

Murder rates in three of North Carolina's largest cities changed little from 2005. Charlotte-Mecklenburg has had 83 murders in 2006, compared to 85 in 2005, said police spokesman Robert Fey.

There were 19 homicides investigated in Raleigh during 2006, where 21 is about average, said police department spokesman Jim Sughrue.

Winston-Salem Assistant Police Chief Louis Saunders said his department handled 20 murders, up from 16 in 2005, but down from 24 in 2004.

In New York, where the city reported 579 homicides through Dec. 24 – a nearly 10 percent increase from the year before – the spike is mostly the result of an unusually large number of ??reclassified homicides,?? or those involving victims who were shot or stabbed years ago but did not die until this year. Thirty-five such deaths have been added to this year?s toll, compared with an annual average of about a dozen.

At the same time, police department spokesman Paul Browne noted that last year?s total is only slightly higher than the 539 homicides in 2005 – the city?s lowest death toll in more than 40 years.

Browne blamed the rise in part on the availability of guns, particularly weapons from out of state. The city this year sued dozens of out-of-state gun shops that it says are responsible for many of the illegal weapons on the streets of New York.

In Chicago, homicides through the first 11 months of 2006 were up 3.3 percent compared with the same period in 2005, reversing a four-year decline. A police spokeswoman said gang violence has been a contributing factor.

In New Haven, Conn., there were 23 homicides, compared with 15 in 2004 and in 2005. Police Chief Francisco Ortiz said about half of this year?s killings involve young people settling disputes with guns instead of fists.

??They?re all struggling with this thing about respect and pride,?? Ortiz said. ??It?s about respect. It?s about revenge. It?s about having a reputation. It?s about turf, and it?s about girls.??

Houston police attribute the 15 percent increase in the homicide count to the influx of Katrina evacuees from the Gulf Coast.

??So we expect that to settle,?? Lt. Murray Smith said.

New Orleans, with its post-Katrina exodus, is the only major U.S. city that saw a sharp decline in the number of homicides. There were 154 in New Orleans as of last week, down from 210 in 2005.


Note:

The country with highest rape cases per capita, is the United States; as well as the total crimes's per country.

It has been mentioned that in the future as the murder rate goes up, that the street’s will run in blood like a river.

In the war torn countries, a little example of this is already evident.

1885 First Skyscraper

Chicago from Lake Michigan

The Home Insurance Building, erected at the northeast corner of LaSalle and Adams streets (on the site now occupied by the west portion of the Field building), is called the first skyscraper.

Nine stories and one basement were completed in 1885. Two stories were added in 1891. The architect, Major William Le Baron Jenney, created the first load-carrying structural frame, the development of which led to the "Chicago skeleton" form of construction and the big skyscrapers of later years.

In this building, a steel frame supported the entire weight of the walls instead of the walls themselves carrying the weight of the building which was the usual method. After Jenney's accomplishment the sky was truly the limit so far as building was concerned. His first skyscraper revolutionized urban life because with higher buildings larger numbers of people could live and work in limited areas.

Further Reading:

Skyscraper

Note:

In my reading on skyscraper’s, that I did not take into account at the time is that it brought more people together in an isolated space, which would bring about the population explosion; since their would be more space then before for housing.

Did You Miss Yusuf Islam at Porchester Hall?

BBC Sessions streams

If you missed the BBC screening of Yusuf's one off concert at Porchester Hall, you can watch it now on the BBC website.

Just click here to watch the programme which includes beautiful performances of all the favourites old and new, and an in-depth interview where Yusuf discusses his life bo th in and out of the public eye. Click here...

ANSWER Condemns LAPD Attack on Immigrant Rights Movement

Stop Racist Police Violence! Fire Police Chief Bratton now!

The ANSWER Coalition unequivocally condemns the brutal, unprovoked Los Angeles Police Department attack on immigrant families, media reporters and camerapersons and others in MacArthur Park on May 1. The LAPD’s racism and violent nature has been displayed once again for the world to see.

We demand that Mayor Villaraigosa and all city officials take immediate action to bring the officers involved to justice. We also demand that the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners fire LAPD Chief William Bratton.

On May 1, tens of thousands of protesters participated in mass marches for immigrant rights in Los Angeles and around the United States. The march targeted by the LAPD was the second major action in the city that day. It marched from Vermont and 3rd to MacArthur Park.

By all accounts, the march was peaceful—that is, until the cops began their coordinated attack on the participants.

Soon after the thousands of marchers arrived at MacArthur Park, a police motorcade forced its way into a large circle of people who were enjoying the Aztec Dancers perform an Indigenous ceremony in Alvarado St. near the Southeast corner of the park. The cops pushed people, including Aztec Dancers and children, to the ground.

Next, cops on bicycles rushed through the crowd demanding people evacuate the area. They were followed closely by LAPD “shock troops” on foot, who forced people from the area by hitting onlookers with batons.

The crowd was obviously upset and highly concerned by the unprovoked and violent police attack. In an attempt to defend themselves, people responded by hurling empty water bottles and fruit at the police.

Contrary to LAPD Chief Bratton’s statement that their violence was in response to “certain elements of the crowd … [who] began to create a series of disturbances," it was really the other way around.

As this was happening at the east corner of the park, several hundred yards away on the other end of the park, dozens of cops in full riot gear cleared the street by pushing people onto the sidewalks.

The coordinated, military-style actions show a deliberate calculus used by the LAPD. This was a premeditated attack—a police riot. It is standard practice to repress mass movements and working people.

‘They were merciless’


The worst was yet to come. Less than one hour after the initial attack, the LAPD began its full assault on the marchers and all people in the park. Well over 100 riot cops, including 30 to 40 shooting pellet guns and rubber-coated bullets began attacking everyone in the park. They fired many times directly at people, many of whom could not get away from the police onslaught. Police also shot tear gas at the protesters.

One eyewitness to the LAPD violence was Ernesto Arce, ANSWER Coalition organizer and KPFK radio host. Arce, who was hit in the leg with a rubber-coated bullet during the attack, described the scene:

“Without warning, cops descended into a park full of families, homeless and handicapped individuals and street cart vendors. They were merciless.

“For the next 30 minutes, hundreds of activists and bystanders were shot, beaten by night sticks and run out of the park. The police had no intention of entertaining requests from people who were not able to move quickly enough. They were forcefully hit on the legs until they were immobile.

“The cops didn't only move people out of the perimeters of the park, they chased through the park firing at anyone who might have been an obstacle. I witnessed many people who were shot at from the back. Children and entire families were being violently pushed or beaten. An elderly woman cried out for help but few were willing to run back in the face of fast-approaching SWAT police.

“We were chased onto 7th street and forced at least 6 blocks west. The police tried to cordon off the entire area, but most protestors didn't stick around. It was frightening for even seasoned protestors.”

The cops shut down the organized rally. Many scheduled speakers did not get to speak. In addition, they overturned and destroyed the tables and displays of non-profits inside Macarthur Park. The LAPD claimed that they declared the legally permitted event an “unlawful assembly.” But no one heard an official order to disperse or face arrest. In fact, a Fox News reporter heard riot cops say, “Better hustle, it’s time to tussle,” as they moved in on people with batons and loaded weapons.

LAPD strategy

May 1 is International Workers’ Day. It started in the United States after police viciously attacked a demonstration of striking workers demanding better working conditions. The police killed several and wounded 200. They blamed the workers for the police violence.

The police strategy is still the same in 2007. This was displayed in L.A. as it has been many times before.

The LAPD’s May 1 attack brings to memory to the violent repression of demonstrators outside the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Similar tactics were used: firing rubber bullets and beating people without cause; chasing people on foot and in police vehicles, and then tackling and clubbing them; using military formations to intimidate and disperse crowds; and then blaming the victims for the aggression.

The police and Mayor Villaraigosa have promised investigations into the police assault in MacArthur Park. But what will come from the LAPD when its chief, Bratton, has already blamed those attacked and said they were throwing “missiles?”

What will come from a mayor who wants more police on the streets and has been an apologist for police brutality and murder—like the killing of Susie Peña—many times before? Already, Villaraigosa has assured Los Angeles and his wealthy backers that “order has been fully restored”—when it was the LAPD that broke the “order” in the first place.

Little will happen unless the movement demands justice.

Bratton should be fired. His first term as L.A.’s police chief is over, but he has applied for another. The Los Angeles Police Commission has 90 days to decide whether to reappoint him. His history of condoning police terror at the expense of working and oppressed people is clear.

Attacking the immigrant rights movement

When mass movements arise—like last year’s mass upsurge for immigrant rights—they often are met with repression in order to maintain the status quo. The immigrant rights movement mobilized millions to demand equality and legalization.

Now, the ruling elite want the movement to go away for good. A wave of racist raids and deportations has swept the country in recent months, aiming to strike fear into immigrant communities. The LAPD action on May 1 is part of that strategy.

But the movement is still alive with potential. The April 7 protest in Los Angeles and now the May 1 protests around the country have showed this.

In the face of racist police violence, it is important that the people stay united to demand justice. We in the ANSWER Coalition demand justice, an end to racist police violence and full rights for all immigrants. Fighting against racism, immigrant bashing and police brutality must be a top priority for the anti-war movement and all progressive organizations.

Further Information

If siege is not lifted, PA may be dissolved, Abbas may resign

May 4, 2007

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Thursday that the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority is one of several future scenarios that will be discussed if the international siege on the Palestinian people continues.

In the first edition of a new newspaper, 'Palestine', which is published in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh stressed that there is no current thinking to dissolve the government and establish a new government. "The alternative would be the complete collapse of the Authority," he said.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters news agency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) told allies on Thursday he might resign in two months if Western sanctions on the Palestinian government were not lifted, a senior official said on Friday.

"In the next two months, if the siege is not lifted, then Abu Mazen may resign," the official, a leading figure in Abbas's Fatah faction, told Reuters.

Such a move would increase pressure on Western powers, which are keen to bolster Abbas as a counterbalance to Haniyeh, who was elected prime minister in 2006, representing Hamas.

Reuters said it is unclear "whether resigning is a serious option under consideration by Abbas or merely a negotiating gambit."

Abbas' resignation could lead to a violent confrontation between the rival factions, Fatah and Hamas.

"He is very frustrated at the continuation of the siege. He hoped by forming the unity government the sanctions would be eased. That is not happening. He is very frustrated," a Fatah official told Reuters.

Palestinian information minister Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi warned in Damascus last week that the collapse of the PA is possible.

He said in a press conference with Arab and international media that the alternative to the national unity government would not be another government but the collapse of the whole PA.

"The Palestinian government is a national unity government that does not accept division, discrimination and selectivity. It works as one team," Barghouthi said. "It will not accept the attempts to make the government fail."

Barghouthi demanded that the siege of the Palestinian people be lifted immediately because, "despite our success at making political advancements, the economic siege still exists." He also accused the Arab states of "not carrying out the decisions that they made after the Mecca agreement or in the last summit in Riyadh regarding the lifting of the siege of our people and providing financial support for the national authority."

He also demanded that aid be sent directly to the Palestinian ministry of finance, urging the world to end its silence and put pressure on Israel to release the salaries and money of the Palestinian people, which are estimated at around 600 million US dollars.

Remember Us?

الفلسطينية al-falasteenyia

Hundreds of thousands expected to demonstrate in Tel Aviv, demanding resignation of Olmert and Peretz

May 3, 2007

Bethlehem – Ma'an – Hundreds of thousands of Israelis from across the political spectrum will be heading this evening to Rabin Square in the center of Tel Aviv, to take part in a huge demonstration calling for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Minister of Defense Amir Peretz. The demonstration follows the release of the initial report of the Winograd commission, which harshly criticized the two men over last summer's defeat in Lebanon.

The demonstration was called for by a group of reserve troops, composed after the war on Lebanon, in cooperation with the organization of bereaved families.

The organizers have announced that no Israeli politicians will address the demonstration, described by Israeli media as "the most important [demonstration] since the first Lebanese war". Protestors will express their disappointment over the poor performance of the Israeli politicians, and their reluctance to bear the responsibilities given to them by the Winograd report.

Demonstrators have already started arriving at Rabin Square, the site of the famous demonstration which followed the massacres in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in southern Lebanon, which resulted in the resignation of then minister of defense, Ariel Sharon.


Prime Minister Olmert giving an address at a seminar held by the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem on Thursday, May 10, 2007. (AP)

Further Information:

100,000 attend rally in Tel Aviv, calling for Olmert and Peretz to resign

Olmert Comes Undone

Editorial: Olmert’s Choices

Rice postpones expected visit to Israel, PA due to Israeli gov't turmoil

Olmert: Resigning would be display of irresponsibility

Why Do You Dress Like That?"

Introduction

In these times, I keep meeting sister’s that feel that modest dress and the hijab is either a thing of the past or not for them.

While, to many times, I often do not remark to certain sister’s because of my appreciation for them, but I am posting the following article with the hope, inshaallah that the sister’s out there do understand that modest dress and the hijab is apart of who you are and that it should be worn and the why.

Muslim women face many challenges in western society, especially in wearing the veil. This short videos shows some challenges that muslim women face, their view of the veil, and their view of Islamic issues in general. It shows how the veil is regarded as a symbol of purity and liberation in religion, and celebrates happiness rather than oppression. This is a great video, showing perspectives from muslim women students.

~~~~~~~~~~

A common-sense answer

In my Introduction to Islam, I briefly dicussed the issue of hijab, the Islamic dress for women. In that article I made a couple of points:

1) The Western culture seems to be obsessed with a very narrow ideal of feminine beauty, and women are derogated if they do not match this ideal. Many women spend hours each day picking just the right outfit and styling their makeup and hair before they will even step out of the house. Any feminist will tell you this obsession with women's beauty and sexuality is bad for women and should be ended. Isn't modest dress a good way for a woman to get off this merry-go-round and to tell people that they will have to judge her by her intelligence, personality, and character, not her appearance?

2) When men dress to be respected, they wear a business suit that covers them to throat, wrist, and ankle, and they keep their hair simple and plain. When women dress to be respected, shouldn't they also cover to throat, wrist, and ankle, and make sure that their hair is not a decoration? Clearly, men are not expected to play the "beauty game". If women want equality with men, shouldn't they take the same attitude to dress that men do?

These are reasons that hijab is appealing to women, any why a woman might choose to dress like that even without looking at the religious aspects.


A religious answer

A Muslim woman wears hijab for the simple reason that God has commanded it in the Quran and Sunna. As Muslims we make the testimony "Muhammad is the messenger of God". The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would not be a messenger if he did not come with a message, and his message is the Quran. Therefore, we are really saying "The Quran is the message of God". Our faith in God motivates us to obey God's message and that is why we follow what God has commanded in the Quran.

The Quran also tells us to obey the Prophet Muhammad (Surah an-Nisa verse 59), to take what he allows and refrain from what he prohibits (Surah al-Hashr verse 7), to follow his judgments (Surah an-Nisa verse 65), and to abide by his decisions (Surah al-Ahzab verse 36). It also tells us that some of its verses are ambiguous in meaning (Surah Ali Imran verse 7), and that the Prophet Muhammad will explain the meaning of the revelation (Surah an-Nahl verse 44). All of this is the domain of the Sunna. The Sunna records what the Prophet Muhammad said, did, and silently allowed. It shows us how he put the Quran into action. It tells us what he commanded, allowed, prohibited, judged, and decided. And it informs us how he explained the Quran. The Sunna is an important and necessary source of Islamic law.

So what do the Quran and Sunna have to say about women's dress? There are two verses that deal with this question. They are Surah an-Nur verse 31 and Surah al-Ahzab verse 59.

Surah an-Nur verse 31 reads:

And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms, and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to God together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful.

Surah al-Ahzab verse 59 reads:

O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around them; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle.

These verses contain a total of seven commands for women. Three are related to behavior, which are:

"to lower their gazes"

"to guard their private parts"

"not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known of what they hide of their adornments"

Lowering the gaze refers to not looking at what is forbidden to be seen of men or of other women. According to the Sunna, "what is forbidden to be seen of men" refers to the region from the navel to the knees, while "what is forbidden to be seen of other women" refers to the region from the upper chest to the knees. Guarding the private parts means that the private parts should not be seen or touched except by the spouse. Again, the "private parts" of a woman are from her upper chest to her knees, so this is what should only be seen and touched by her husband. Striking the feet on the ground refers to a practice of the pre-Islamic Arab women that they would walk in such a manner that their ankle bracelets would jangle. More generally, it refers to any kind of posturing that gives knowledge what is hidden.

Note: Surah an-Nur verse 30 commands men to lower their gazes and guard their private parts. As well, the provocative way of walking mentioned for women is a kind of "showing off". The Sunna indicates that "showing off" for men includes wearing gold, silk, or entirely red garments, and letting the garments trail conceitedly on the ground. So in fact, both men and women have been given similar commands in regard to modest behavior and avoiding "showing off".

In addition to the commands about behavior, there are also four commands for women in regard to dress:

"not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it"

"to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms"

"not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers..."

"to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves"

The commands "not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it" and "not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers..." are actually two parts of the same command, which is "not to display their beauty beyond what is apparent of it except to the people listed in the verse". So what does "what is apparent of it" mean? This is one of the passages in the Quran that is not clear, and that the Prophet Muhammad needs to explain. His explanation, as given in the Sunna, is that it refers to the face and the hands. Thus, this command means that when they are around men who are not related to them, women should cover everything but their faces and their hands. This is the basic rule of hijab. Obviously, since the hair is not part of the face or the hands, the hair must be covered, so that is why Muslim women cover their hair.

The Quran has also mentioned extending the headcovering (khimar) to cover the bosom. According to the historical records that have been preserved, the pre-Islamic Arab women wore a headcovering called "khimar" which was like a kaffiyah. It covered part of their hair, but left their forelocks, ears, necks, and upper chests uncovered. Thus the command "to extend their khimars to cover their bosoms" involved drawing the khimar securely around the circle of the face and fastening it under the chin so that the ends fell down towards the bosom. This would cover all of the hair, the ears, the neck, and the upper chest. And this is where the headscarf comes from. Muslim women have already been commanded to cover their hair, ears (considered part of the head), necks, and upper chests because none of these are part of the face or the hands, and they are specifically commanded by this clause to use a headscarf (khimar) to accomplish the covering of these parts.

The final command relating to dress is the outergarment (jilbab). Since most people wear coats or other outergarments outdoors, it is not surprising that Muslim women are commanded to wear very modest outergarments outdoors. The jilbab is the very long coat, which covers from the shoulders to the ankles.

Putting it all together:

1. Around her husband, a woman can dress how she wants, because there is no restriction on what a husband can see or touch

2. Around children, other women, and her close male relatives, a woman must cover her "private parts" which is the region from her upper chest to her knees

3. Around non-related men, a woman must cover everything but her face and her hands. This includes a headscarf that covers her hair, ears, neck, and upper chest; clothes that cover her to throat, wrist and ankle and that obscure her figure; and socks and shoes to cover her feet

4. Outdoors, a woman must wear a long coat or similar outergarment that covers her fully

As you should be able to see from the above, the Quran and Sunna provide clear, explicit instructions regarding the dress of the Muslim woman. Here are two photographs to illustrate:

Indoors/Outdoors

How to wear Hijab

Part 1

Part 2

President Bush Vetoes War Spending Bill

May 1, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush has carried out his promise to veto war funding legislation that would have set a timetable for withdrawing US forces from Iraq. The measure would have required an October first start date for removing troops.

Bush vetoed the bill immediately upon his return to the White house from a visit to the headquarter of US Central Command. It oversees military operations in the Middle East, including Iraq.

In a live address to the nation from the White House, Bush said it "makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing." He said the legislation would have set "a date for failure" and would have imposed impossible conditions on military commanders.

Bush also said the bill is loaded with billions in non-emergency spending.

The president accused Democrats of trying to make a political point. Still, he's said he's ready to work with both parties to fashion legislation he can accept. Bush said he plans to meet with a bipartisan group of lawmakers tomorrow.

Where Did the Day Go?

Time will pass rapidly

(Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad)

Time will be shortened so that years will be like a month, a month like a day, a day like an hour. [ This perception of seemingly dwindling amount of time is very apparent, especially in the First world countries.]

Have you ever mentioned to yourself or perhaps someone around you that their just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day or how fast the week went? Just seems like the day is to short to get everything done that you planned.

What brought this mind, was I had to stand in a line this morning and this was mentioned to me by a lady standing in line in front of me.

What is most interesting this seems to be a main stay topic these days, for people with their overly busy lives.

The Signs of Judgment

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Signs Before the Day of Judgment

Surely, knowledge of the Hour is with Allah alone.Holy Qur’an 31:34

In light of the common links between Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions and teachings, it is interesting to look at what is said regarding the Day of Judgement and the signs of its approach. Judeo-Christian sources mainly consist of the Book of Daniel, Ezekiel, and the Book of Revelations, as well as some scattered sources within other books of the Old and New Testaments.

Islamic sources include the Qur'an and the multiple volumes of the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), called ahadith. There are many similarities between what these great traditions say regarding the signs of the Day of Judgement. Even a minimal exposure to Judeo-Christian signs of the End of Time is enough to see that many of the same prophesies exist in the Islamic tradition.

However, the differences are important to point out. Much of the Judeo-Christian teaching regarding these signs are based on frequent reinterpretations of vague Scripture. Whereas the signs enumerated by Islamic sources are quite clear and concrete, with little, if any, room for interpretation. In addition, the vastness of the material available within the Islamic tradition points to the finality of Allah's Message. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Last Messenger sent to humanity, said that Allah has never sent a messenger who did not warn his people about al-Masih ad-Dajjal (the AntiChrist). And it only follows that Allah would give the Last Messenger the most information relating to this subject, as his followers will be the ones experiencing these signs.

What follows is a small sample of the signs which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) enumerated for us. They have been divided into minor and major signs...

The Minor Signs:

The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Ahmad)

Books/writing will be widespread and (religious) knowledge will be low (Ahmad)

Adultery and fornication will be prevalent (The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that this has never happened without new diseases befalling the people, which their ancestors had not known.) (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Al-Haythami)

When fornication becomes widespread among your leaders (The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that this will happen when the people stop forbidding evil) (Ibn Majah)

Adultery and fornication will be performed in the open

The consumption of intoxicants will be widespread (Bukhari & Muslim)

Women will outnumber men......eventually 50:1 (Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad)

Killing, killing, killing (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Ahmad)

People will beat others with whips like the tails of oxen (Muslim) ?The Slave Trade

The children will be filled with rage (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

Children will be foul (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

Women will conspire (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

Rain will be acidic or burning (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

Children of fornication will become widespread or prevalent (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

When a trust becomes a means of making a profit (at-Tirmidhi, Al-Haythami)

Gains will be shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor (at-Tirmidhi)

Paying zakat becomes a burden and miserliness becomes widespread; charity is given reluctantly (at-Tirmidhi & Al-Haythami)

Miserliness will be thrown into the hearts of people (Bukhari)

Episodes of sudden death will become widespread (Ahmad)

There will be people who will be brethren in public but enemies in secret (He was asked how that would come about and replied, "Because they will have ulterior motives in their mutual dealings and at the same time will fear one another.") (at-Tirmidhi)

When a man obeys his wife and disobeys his mother; and treats his friend kindly while shunning his father (at-Tirmidhi)

When voices are raised in the mosques (at-Tirmidhi)

People will walk in the marketplace with their thighs exposed

Great distances will be traversed in short spans of time

The people of Iraq will recieve no food and no money due to oppression by the Romans (Europeans) (Muslim)

People will hop between the clouds and the earth

A tribulation will enter everyone’s home (Ahmad)

The leader of a people will be the worst of them (at-Tirmidhi)

Leaders of people will be oppressors (Al-Haythami)

People will treat a man with respect out of fear for some evil he might do (at-Tirmidhi)

Men will begin to wear silk (at-Tirmidhi)

Female singers and musical instruments will become popular (at-Tirmidhi)

When singers become common (Al-Haythami)

People will dance late into the night

When the last ones of the Ummah begin to curse the first ones (at-Tirmidhi)

People will claim to follow the Qur'an but will reject hadith & sunnah (Abu Dawood)

People will believe in the stars (Al-Haythami)

People will reject al-Qadr (the Divine Decree of Destiny) (Al-Haythami)

Time will pass rapidly (Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad)

Good deeds will decrease (Bukhari)

Smog will appear over cities because of the evil that they are doing

People will be carrying on with their trade, but their will only be a few trustworthy persons

Wealth will increase so much so that if a man were given 10,000, he would not be content with it (Ahmad & Bukhari)

A man will pass by a grave and wish that he was in their place (Bukhari)

Earthquakes will increase (Bukhari & Muslim)

There will be attempts to make the deserts green

The appearance of false messengers (30 dajjals) (Bukhari)

Women will be naked in spite of being dressed, these women will be led astray & will lead others astray (Muslim)

The conquest of Constantinople by the Muslims (Ahmad)

The conquest of India by the Muslims, just prior to the return of Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon both of them)(Ahmad, an-Nisa'i, at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

When people begin to compete with others in the construction of taller buildings (Bukhari)

There will be a special greeting for the people of distinction (Ahmad)

The Euphrates will disclose a treasure (The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that whoever is present should not take anything from it) (Bukhari & Muslim) [?Oil]

Two large groups, adhering to the same religious teaching will fight each other with large numbers of casualties (Bukhari & Muslim)

Wild animals will be able to talk to humans (Ahmad)

A man will leave his home and his thigh or hip will tell him what is happening back at his home (Ahmad)

Years of deceit in which the truthful person will not be believed and the liar will be believed (Ahmad)

Bearing false witness will become widespread (Al-Haythami & Ahmad)

When men lie with men and women lie with women (Al-Haythami)

Trade will become so widespread that a woman will be forced to help her husband in business (Ahmad)

A woman will enter the workforce out of love for this world (Ahmad)

Arrogance will increase in the earth (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

Family ties will be cut (Ahmad)

Men will begin to look like women and women will begin to look like men

The Major Signs:


Although they appear here in no particular order, it is important to point out that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that these last, major signs will follow each other like pearls falling off of a necklace...


Masih ad-Dajjal (The AntiChrist)

The Mahdi (The guided one)

The appearance of Masih al-’Isa (Jesus Christ), the son of Mary (peace be upon him)

Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog)

The destruction of the Ka’bah and the recovery of its treasure

Emergence of the Beast

The smoke

Three major landslides (one in the East, one in the West, and one on the Arabian peninsula)

The wind will take the souls of the believers

The rising of the sun from the west

The fire will drive the people to their final gathering place

Three blasts of the trumpet (fear & terror, death, resurrection)

Source

Note:

I had been asked by a brother to show the information that I have and while I have a more detailed account of some the events that will occur, I felt this was a good a representation that I could give with the blog format that we have.

Something, I did not realize until I mentioned and produced the warning’s through a few example’s of the minimal signs, that at this time that it would perk so much interest.

I will do my best in the future, when I figure out a way to more represent some of the information here in detail; to produce as I can.

Something else, I did find most interesting, is Allah told the Prophet (PBUH) about the creation of the airplane and the spaceship, at a time when these vehicles wasn’t even a dream.

On a final note, I need to bring to ones mind, is these events and that which follows in the destruction of humanity in the final time’s doesn’t just affect Muslims, but the who of mankind.

Links:

Signs of the Last Day (Video Presentation)

Dust is the Bed

A Warning: Not True to Islam

Allah Curses Intoxicants of any Kind

Can't U See

Can't Take It With You

It May Seem Like Midnight before the Dawn

We Are All Born Muslim

Is Smoking Haraam (Forbidden) in Islam?

Where Did the Day Go?

Why Do You Dress Like That?"

1885 First Skyscraper

Murder rates on the rise

Why is the War in Iraq Continuing?

What is Acid Rain and Smog?

“You can destroy yourself by your own deed’s and only you can make it right. Remember, Allah knows and see’s everything; even if you try to hide.”

The Nuclear Community: We got, Iran a No Have?

Iran standing firm in nuclear dispute

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani attends a news conference after meeting Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad, April 29, 2007. REUTERS/Sabah Arar/Pool


May 1, 2007

By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer

Iran accused the United States and other world powers of being the true nuclear threats Tuesday at a meeting hamstrung by Tehran's opposition to language calling for full compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Amid closed-door talks aimed at ending the impasse, France criticized Iran for defying a U.N. Security Council demand to freeze uranium enrichment, a potential pathway to nuclear arms, and urged Iran to "comply with its international obligations."

The conference, which began Monday and lasts two weeks, is intended to help prepare for a full review of the treaty in 2010.

Iran opposed wording in the meeting's agenda that mentions the "need for full compliance with the treaty." The agenda must be adopted by consensus before delegates can move on to more substantive issues.

If Iran digs in its heels, it could force the meeting to adjourn to a later date. Alternatively, delegates could take up agenda items not contested by Tehran, giving time for a compromise.

Tehran remained unbowed.

"We cannot go along with this kind of agenda," Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, the chief Iranian delegate, told The Associated Press, complaining the agenda text "highlights a particular position" over other issues crucial to strengthening the treaty.

Iran was dispatching a senior official from Tehran to argue its position Wednesday, diplomats at the meeting told the Associated Press.

A senior diplomat from a nonaligned nation, which usually supports Iran in showdowns over its nuclear program, said Tuesday that even nonaligned countries were puzzled by Iran's move. Another diplomat said Cuba, Egypt and South Africa — all traditional Iranian allies — were urging Tehran to modify its stance.

Several diplomats expressed surprise at Iran's position, noting Tehran has always maintained its nuclear activities — including a program to enrich uranium that has led to U.N. sanctions — are in compliance with the treaty.

But another diplomat familiar with the issue said Iran was worried about being bullied and considered the text "an additional provocation." He said Iran's assertiveness also could reflect its belief that it was seeing signs of compromise from the West on its refusal to freeze enrichment totally.

All the diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.

In comments to the meeting, Soltanieh took aim at the U.S. and other nuclear weapons states, describing "their thousands of nuclear weapons ... and their possible use as the most serious threat to the very existence of humankind."

The United States seeks "to rationalize the development and stockpiling of a new generation of tactical nuclear weapons and their use in conventional conflicts," he asserted.

Again rejecting a U.N. Security Council demand that Tehran halt uranium enrichment program, Soltanieh said Iran "will not stand still in the face of intimidation and threats, and will never give up its inalienable rights."

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty calls on nations to pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons in exchange for a commitment by five nuclear powers — the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China — to move toward nuclear disarmament. India and Pakistan, known nuclear weapons states, remain outside the treaty, as does Israel, which is considered to have such arms but has not acknowledged it.

Both Iran and North Korea have tested the 37-year-old treaty's effectiveness. North Korea pulled out in 2003 and went on to develop a nuclear bomb. Iran argues it has a right to pursue uranium enrichment under the treaty.

Chief French delegate Jean-Francois Dobelle, in a statement to the meeting, urged Iran "to comply with its international obligations," adding that any revision of the treaty "should deal with and respond to the challenge raised by the continuation of the Iranian nuclear program."

Alluding to Iran — which the West accuses of hiding behind the nonproliferation treaty to develop a weapons program — Dobelle said: "It is not acceptable for a small number of states ... to breach their obligations, while at the same time claiming the benefit of their rights."

Officials from some 130 of the treaty's 189 signatory countries are attending the conference, excluding North Korea.

No hearing for Guantanamo inmates

April 30, 2007


There are about 385 detainees still at the Guantanamo Bay prison [AP]

The US Supreme Court has sided with the Bush administration and declined to hear an appeal by two Guantanamo detainees facing a military tribunal hearing.

Salim Ahmed Hamdan and Omar Khadr, who are facing terror charges, are seeking a review of their confinement in the federal court.

Justices David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer said they would hear the appeal but it takes four votes for the nine-member Supreme Court to do so.

The court had ruled that the military tribunals should run first before the two men can bring an appeal.

The court's action follows its April 2 decision not to step into related aspects of the legal battle regarding other Guantanamo Bay detainees.

In June, Hamdan won a landmark US Supreme Court ruling which led to a repudiation of the Bush administration.

Illegal system

The court had found the initial military tribunal system created to try terrorism suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to be illegal.

The ruling prompted George Bush, the US president, to seek congressional approval last year for tough interrogation and prosecution of terrorism suspects under a new military tribunal system.

The new law also took away the right of the prisoners to challenge their confinement before US federal judges.

The Supreme Court in early April rejected, for now, appeals by two different groups of Guantanamo prisoners.

Their challenge to the law was similar to the one brought by lawyers for Hamdan and Khadr.

There are about 385 detainees still at Guantanamo.

The first prisoners arrived more than five years ago after the US began what Bush called the "war on terror" in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.

Source

25 Palestinian civilians kidnapped as Israeli army invades several West Bank areas

May 1, 2007

25 Palestinian civilians were kidnapped by Israeli army as the later conducted pre dawn invasion in several part of the West Bank on Tuesday.

Photo by RJI - File 2007

Ten of the civilians kidnapped by the army on Tuesday were taken from the city of Nablus in the northern part of the West Bank. A massive Israeli force invaded the city and the nearby Balata and Asker refugee camps, troops opened fire randomly at residents' homes and cars, soldiers also searched a number of homes all over the city before leaving and taking ten men to unknown location.

Among those kidnapped were; Mahier khattab, 17, Raed Yousif, 25, Amied Al Nator, 27.

Elsewhere also in the northern part of the West Bank Israeli troops attacked and searched a number of homes in the village of Qafien located to the north of Tulkarem city, during the search soldiers kidnapped for men form the village among them were Nabel Harshah, and Anan Sudah.

Abd Al Haleem Marab'a, 24, was kidnapped by Israeli forces when he was stopped at a military checkpoint out said of Qalqilia city in the northern part of the West Bank.

Also on Tuesday at dawn, three Palestinian civilians were taken form the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. Troops stormed and searched residents homes in Bethlehem city and nearby Assakra village, troops left the city after searching a number of homes and kidnapping Ali Shawara, 55, Wissam Al Hirami, and Ahmad Salah.

Source

Palestinians start preparations to commemorate the “Nakba”

May 02, 2007

Woman crying after displacement, 1948

Ali Samnoudi – IMEMC

The National Committee for Commemorating the Nakba Day (cataclysm) along with several national and Islamic factions in the occupied territories, the Refugees’ Affairs Department, the Palestinian Coalition for the Right of Return, the Popular campaign Against The Wall, the Palestinian Agricultural Relief, and the Network of non-governmental Organization started their preparations for commemorating the 59th anniversary of the Nakba, next week.

During its Monday meeting at the Executive Office for Refugees, with the participation of various organizations, the committee determined the agenda for commemorating the Nakba day in every Palestinian area, and the central activity in the northern West Bank city of Ramallah.

Omar Assaf, media coordinator for the Committee presented the steps that have been conducted in order to guarantee the participation of all public and governmental institution and all sectors in the Palestinian society.

He also presented the prepared letters and statements that would be submitted to the various media agencies, and to address the local media agencies in order to organize seminars on the case of the refugee.

The committee will also present a document on the Nakba to the Palestinian Ministry of Education to include it as part of its educational curriculum so the students could mark the event.

Assaf also stated that the expanded meeting will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m with the Refugees institutions, Non-governmental and National institution and various organizations. The meeting will be held at the Commerce Chamber in Ramallah.

Jamal Jom’a, Secretary of the Popular Committee Against the Annexation Wall said that united efforts of all committees and national institutions are needed to commemorate the Nakba, while taking into consideration that the Palestinian are approaching June 5, which marks the fortieth year since Israel occupied the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

Dr. Wasel Abu Saif, spokesperson of the National and Islamic factions said that the commemoration of the Nakba day will stand up to the challenges that the refugees are facing.

Wajeeh Atallah, coordinator of the Palestinian Coalition for the Right of Return, stated that the activities will be carried out in every Palestinian area in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and in the refugee camps in Diaspora.

Mohammad Oleyyan, from the Department for Refuges Affairs, said that the activities will also include special programs regarding the Palestinian refugees in Iraq and the repeated attacks they are subjected to.

Ismail Farrag, representative of the Popular Committee in the Refugee Camps, stated that the program needs a financial balance which must be provided, especially as the plan includes visiting refugee camps in the occupied territories.

A financial committee was formed in order to be in charge of the expensive and other related issued during the commemoration day.

--------

By the end of the 1948 war, hundreds of entire villages had not only been depopulated but obliterated, their houses blown up or bulldozed. While many of the sites are difficult of access, to this day the observant traveler of Israeli roads and highways can see traces of their presence that would escape the notice of the casual passerby: a fenced-in area, often surmounting a gentle hill, of olive and other fruit trees left untended, of cactus hedges and domesticated plants run wild.

Now and then a few crumbled houses are left standing, a neglected mosque or church, collapsing walls along the ghost of a village lane, but in the vast majority of cases, all that remains is a scattering of stones and rubble across a forgotten landscape

Full information about the Nakba, and the totally wipes out and destroyed villages, please follow the link:


Related Link(s): http://www.alnakba.org

Prince Harry to Get a Cup of Iraqi Tea?

Prince Harry to be sent to Iraq

Harry, a second lieutenant, is a tank commander trained to lead a 12-man team [Reuters]

April 30, 2007

The British army's top general says he has decided Prince Harry will go to Iraq.

But General Richard Dannatt, the army chief of staff, stressed the decision would be kept under review and urged the media to stop speculating about his deployment.

"The decision has been taken by myself that he will deploy in due course," Dannatt said.

He spoke after newspaper reports cited unidentified senior military officials as saying an army review was likely to lead to Harry being banned from the battlefield, although he could still do a desk job.

"I would urge that the somewhat frenzied media activity surrounding this particular story should cease in the interests of the overall security of all our people deployed in Iraq," Dannatt said.

Clarence House, Prince Charles' London office, would not comment on Dannatt's statement.

Harry, a second lieutenant, is a tank commander trained to lead a 12-man team in four armoured reconnaissance vehicles.

If deployed, he would become the first royal to serve in a war zone since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands war against Argentina in 1982.

Threats

The defence ministry has said the prince could be kept out of situations where his presence could jeopardise his comrades.

Iraqi fighters have threatened to kill or kidnap the 22-year-old prince, including claims his photograph had been widely circulated among fighters.

Military leaders accept that the third in line to the throne would be an attractive target for fighters and that his presence could lead to a surge in attacks on British forces.

After graduating from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst last year, the younger son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana said he wanted an opportunity to serve his country.