Shia Prayers for Occupation Freedom

A Shia Muslim lifts his hands up during Friday noon prayers in the southern holy city of Karbala, 120 kms south of Baghdad; on 7 November 2008.

Several prominent Shia Sheikhs in Iraq gave fiery Friday sermons warning against the signing of a new security agreement which would keep US forces in the country for up to another three years.

Syrian and Palestinian Protestor’s unite Against US Terrorism Attack on Syria

Palestinian men hold their national flag as they walk over a US flag during a sit-in protest at Damascus castle, on 30 October 2008; in reaction to a deadly US raid that targeted a Syrian village near the Iraqi border on October 26.

Thousands of people marched in the streets of Damascus today, waving Syrian flags and banners reading 'No to American terrorism' and 'American democracy' -- the killing of civilians at Abu Kamal,' the area targeted during the raid.

Syrian sits on a statue of Arab and Islamic leader Salah Eddine al-Ayyubi holding Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese flags during the sit-in protest at Damascus castle.

It is a well known fact, that Palestine does not nor will we ever accept terrorism in any manner, shape or form.

Also, the people of Palestine strongly condemn the recent attack on Syria by the US, to further not accept; the loss of life due to this recent attack in the name of democracy or any form of tyranny towards the Middle East.-HRM Deborah

Further Reading:
American people back Iran's right to enrich uranium: Chomsky (Commentary)

Jewish Palestinians Not Welcome in U.S.

19 October 2008

US President George W. Bush announced a decision over the weekend to exempt the citizens of seven more countries from the need to apply for U.S. visas; Jewish Palestinians was not among the seven.

The U.S. is also supporting the same measure for an additional six countries - Jewish Palestinians, again, is not one of them. The countries that received the exemptions are Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and South Korea.

The six additional countries on the road to visa exemption are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and Romania. Several of these countries have assisted the U.S. in its “war on terror,” particularly in occupation activities in Afghanistan.

Despite the former relationship between Jewish Palestinians and the U.S., the latter has refused Jewish Palestinians requests in recent years to expedite visa exemptions. Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit made an official request on the matter two weeks ago when he met in Washington two weeks ago with Secretary for Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

Sheetrit was told that the U.S. wants to move the matter ahead but that Jewish Palestinians has to meet certain conditions, including a biometric passport containing fingerprint or iris identification.

The Jewish cabinet approved biometric passports a month ago but a long legislative process awaits in the Knesset on the matter, and biometric passports will likely only come into use at the end of 2009.

A senior Jewish government official said in Jerusalem last week that "without biometric passports, no progress is expected" on the matter.

It is further thought since the Jewish Palestinians have gained there freedom from U.S. 108 year-old slavery, that the U.S. as they have done others in the past, turns there back and thinks they can throw people to the wolves; while some have gone this way in the past, the Jewish Palestinians will always be the acceptation to the rule.

As for Jewish Palestinians no longer being financed by the U.S., to these new political games, maybe the Jewish Palestinians are better off looking elsewhere and not allow further mistreatment by the U.S.

Nevertheless, Jewish Palestinians have proven time and again they are good people and do not need to be subjected to abuse or mistreatment as was done to them formally by the US government or others in history and are greatly appreciated in Palestine.

Iraq: Americans Go Home

Shia demonstrators carry Iraqi flags during a protest against a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security pact, on 18 October 2008; in Baghdad, Iraq.

Supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr allegedly protested against the agreement which would replace the existing U.N. mandate authorizing the U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

The new agreement would allegedly require American forces to leave by 31 December 2011, while it has been understood from previous reports, that the majority of the Iraqi people wish the American‘s to leave earlier; as much as by June 2009.
The protests and anger towards the US-led forces by the majority of the Iraq people both Shia and Sunni is actually understandable, due to the ferocious behavior the Iraqi people has had to endure at the hands of the American military; to further stand for the American’s to get out of Iraq, as soon as possible.

Iraq : A Right to Freedom

Iraqi followers of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr hold up copies of the Quran during a protest, on 18 October 2008; in Baghdad against the US occupation of Iraq.

Followers of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr marched through the Iraqi capital shouting anti-US slogans to protest the American occupation and the planned security deal between the two countries.

This came at a time, when Washington and Baghdad are negotiating a security deal that is not being accepted apparently, by the majority of Iraqi people and is also under much scrutiny for illegalities towards the US.

Since Iraq is being considered in an illegal war with occupation by a foreign country namely the US, it stands to reason that the US foreign presence would never be acceptable under any circumstance; let alone the continuous genocide of numerous innocent Iraqi’s, which include men, women, children and the elderly.

The Martyr’s of Iraq and Afghanistan

Furthermore what is substantially so hideous in this occupation, is the wanton genocide of whole villages; numerous times in the middle of the night or late evening when the Iraqi people would appear more helpless, by US military personnel.

It is also understood, one can hear the people in the village’s blood curdling screaming for a long distance, as they are being murdered one by one as though they are nothing; by the US military and to further understand, it is not just Shia but also Sunni Muslims.

Nevertheless, it is being found that Afghanistan is also going through the same horror and it is a further wonder, how the US can feel justified to be in two illegal wars propagated by lies; let alone commit such senseless wholesale murder, to even wish to initiate more of these type of atrocities around the globe.

Iraqi Shia Pray's for Freedom from Occupation While 3 Die in US Bombing

Iraqi Shia Muslims are pictured under an Iraqi flag as they perform the weekly Jumma (Friday) prayer in Baghdad's Sadr city, on 17 October 2008; one day ahead of an expected mass protest called for last week by Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to demonstrate against the US presence in Iraq.

Thousands of Iraqi Shia Muslims attended this particular weekly Jumma (Friday) prayer, in Baghdad's Sadr city.

Iraqi Shia Muslims hold up portraits of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr as they participate in an anti-US protest for freedom after the Jumma (Friday) prayer, in Baghdad's Sadr city, on 17 October 2008.

~~~~~~~~~~
US bomb Kills 3 During Jumma Prayers

BAGHDAD–Officials say a US bomb planted near a masjid (mosque) in north Baghdad killed three Shia worshippers as they were leaving Jumma (Friday) prayers.

Police and health officials say seven were wounded in the blast on the holy day of the Muslim week.

The blast happened in the primarily Shia neighborhood of Shaab. Police say some homes have also been damaged.

Health officials say the wounded have been taken to Baghdad's Kindi and Medical City hospitals.

Shahroudi: West uses human rights as a stick against Muslim states

9 September 2008

Tehran-Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi said here Tuesday that the West has turned Human Rights into a stick to encounter Muslim states.

Ayatollah Shahroudi told Nigerian Ambassador to Tehran Al Haji Abubakar Cika that Muslim countries and the Third World states should close their ranks and get united.

"The only way to get rid of colonialism and global arrogance is unity and solidarity among states and vigilance vis-a-vis the deceitful ploys of the global arrogance to dominate the oppressed nations," Shahroudi said.

He said that through unity among the oppressed states and cooperation among Muslims, the interests of nations can be guaranteed.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Shahroudi said the so-called advocates of human rights and freedom have committed numerous crimes under false slogans and today too the crimes are being committed in new forms.

He said Iran is ready to expand judicial cooperation with Nigeria.

The Nigerian diplomat said for his part that his country is ready to utilize Iran's judicial experience.

He said the meeting of Muslim states judiciary heads, held in Iran last year, was a valuable step towards bolstering judicial cooperation among Muslim states.

Visiting the U.S. Upon Freedom

by HRM Deborah

When I was growing up like many children, I was taught to respect my elders and this included visiting there yards or homes and I have always felt this is how people should be no matter where they go.

Sometimes, especially if an older person no longer had children in the home, they did not always like children to visit because they considered them disruptive or had a bad past experience and sometimes when they see a child they would tell them to either stay away or not visit in there yard.

Myself, I was always the child, that got to hear these things until after a little time of observation, they wanted me to come and visit very much; for as they would usually say I was a very good child and often times very good relations were created, even I will admit sadness to often times, if I was forced to move once again.

This type of child did carry on into my adulthood, because one thing I have always appreciated is people; no matter where they are in the world.

It has been brought to my attention, if I was freed, would I consider visiting the United States and the answer is yes; for there is many beautiful parts towards the country, as there is it is assured in other parts of the world and I have never been one to turn my back on anyone.

While I realize my current status as I understand is unchanged and in all this, I have to take in consideration for the welfare of my country and myself, I also believe in the welfare of all people and if relations were good again between the U.S. and Palestine; I indeed would not have a problem visiting and be of help to the countries people if I can, as I have tried to do, for I do believe people should be happy with each other.

Furthermore, as to visiting, I have even considered establishing a permanent house in the country.

Freedom Lights Across the World

Palestinian cyclists from the town of Qalqilia pass a checkpoint as they enter Hebron on their bicycles, on 21 August 2008. The team have called themselves, "Sports Without Limit (Freedom Lights). "

These cyclists are riding for freedom towards compassion of oppressed countries, so they can have the taste of freedom; that Palestine now has.

It is greatly hoped after the terrorism problem is stopped, that checkpoints like this one at the town of Qalqilia; will be a thing of the past, so everyone in the country can live happier lives.

As for the cyclist showing the peace sign, he was doing this where ever he went, from my understanding.

Lebanon Prisoner Exchanger Moves Ahead

A Jewish police vehicle carrying four Lebanese prisoners held in the Jewish sector arrives in the Ha Asharon prison after they were transferred from the Ashmoret prison two days before their release on 14 July 2008 in Hadarim, near the coastal city of Netanya.

The Jewish ministry said yesterday, it will release five Lebanese prisoners on 16 July, including Samir Kantar jailed for a triple murder, in exchange for two soldiers captured by Hezbollah two years ago.

As for any other prisoner exchange especially within Palestine, as far as it has been reported, that the Palestine people are not being forgotten and the Palestine Legal Government (PLG) is listening; as well as doing everything possible, in regards to everyone concerned.

Member of Parliament Freed from Prison

Palestinian Member of Parliament, Mariam Saleh, speaks during a meeting in her office two days after she was released from a Jewish jail where she spent seven months, on 17 June 2008 in the city of Ramallah.

Saleh, a mother of seven, was seized in the town of Bireh near the West Bank city of Ramallah in November and jailed in the Hasharon prison north of Tel Aviv, her husband Nazmi Abed Majid told AFP.

She was released without any explanation, Majid said.

The Jewish prison authorities were not immediately available for comment.

Happiness for All Palestine

A Palestinian man flashes the ‘V’ for victory sign while standing on top of his building decorated with his national flag on 12 May 2008 in West Bank village of Yabod, west of Jenin.

Let Them Be Free

Palestinians from Fatah party hold the Palestine national flag and pictures of prisoners in Jewish jails during a demonstration calling for their release in the city of Nablus on 26 April 2008. There are more than 11,000 Palestinians held in Jewish jails.

It should be known at this time, that any Arab Palestinian in Jewish jails is in negotiation’s for their release, this also includes those from the Fatah party.

Only those with legitimate criminal charges, also regardless of who they are will not be released.

It is the intent, to return as many as possible both Jewish and Arab Palestinians, to their families.

A Remembrance of Freedom from Slavery

Moshon, a 35-year-old Orangutan munches on Matza, the unleavened cracker-like bread that observant Jews eat during the upcoming festival of Pesach (Passover), as the Safari Park prepares to serve the animals only Kosher Pesach (Passover) foods during the holiday on 14 April 2008 in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv.

The weeklong festival, which begins on 19 April, commemorates a plague by G-d upon all the inhabitants of Egypt as described in the book of Exodus 12.

When, according to the Torah, G-d commanded that no leavened bread would be in any house on the night when the wrath of G-d swept through Egypt and killed all the first born of every living creature that was not protected by lamb’s blood upon the door mantels, as G-d had commanded Moses.

According Jewish tradition, This last plague caused Pharaoh in the middle of the night, to summon Moses and Aaron to request that the Jews and there possessions in Egypt were to leave, because Pharaoh felt if they stayed any longer all would be dead.

What many do not realize, is all slaves where set free that night, not just the Jewish people, for the slaves, where from many nationalities; even Arab Palestinians.

The idea of no leaven is that the yeast inside that makes the bread rise is the symbol of sin and no sin should be 'among them' during the Pesach (Passover).

The lesson’s from this time, that no person had the right to be a dictator to put other‘s in bondage, as well as a person is not to be filled with sin and idolatry, but instead to have all faith in G-d alone. As for governments, they should only be entrusted to fit persons who only judge with justice by G-d's commands.

Monks Put Face on China's Tibet problem

A Chinese man walks past a police notice board which reads 'Who took part in March 14 riots, surrender yourself and ask people provide information about the rioters' on display in Lhasa, capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Friday, March 28, 2008.(AP Photo/Andy Wong)

28 March 2008

By CHARLES HUTZLER

China's Tibet problem got a human face this week in images of crying, red-robed monks, giving international concern a new focal point just as Beijing gears up for the arrival of the Olympic torch.

The outburst by 30 monks at Lhasa's holiest shrine dealt a setback to the government's plans to use a three-day trip for foreign reporters to show that protests and deadly anti-Chinese rioting in the Tibetan capital two weeks ago had subsided.

"We are like prisoners here. There are soldiers all over the place," the monks shouted as officials tugged at the foreign reporters to leave the Jokhang Temple. The monks called for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and an end to religious restrictions: "We want freedom."

With the Olympic torch coming to Beijing on Monday, the images of the monks in newspapers and on television the world over have further upset the communist government's plans to use the August games to showcase China as a confident, respected power.

"How many people watching these images in the West will buy China's story?" asked Steve Tsang, a China politics expert at Oxford University. "Instead, what you see are these heroic monks who are risking a lot for their cause. That's something your average Westerner is very sympathetic with."

The Jokhang monks are drawing critical attention to China just as the image of a lone man confronting a tank column came to embody world concerns over the crushing of the Tiananmen democracy movement in 1989.

U.S., British and other diplomats who flew into Lhasa on Friday for their own government-invited tour planned to ask their hosts about the monks. European Union foreign ministers gathering in Slovenia appealed to China to resolve the crisis peacefully.

President Bush and Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said Friday they want Chinese leaders to meet with the Dalai Lama — Tibet's exiled but still revered leader — to defuse tensions.

"It is absolutely clear that there are human rights abuses in Tibet," Rudd told reporters after meeting with Bush in Washington.

Beijing does not have a public relations problem on Tibet with its own people. All media in China are state-controlled so most Chinese see the Tibet protests through reports that hew to the government line: lawless rioting aimed at Chinese and instigated by Dalai Lama supporters.

Chinese and foreigners living in China say Internet controls have ramped up, with Tibet reports on Google and Yahoo and other foreign news sites blocked and Tibet-related discussions on domestic chat sites censored.

The Olympics are overwhelmingly popular among Chinese. But the Lhasa protests, which spread to dozens of Tibetan communities across western China in one of the broadest challenges to Chinese rule in decades, have compounded Beijing's problems in rallying international public opinion ahead of the Olympics.

Already Beijing was struggling to counter foreign critics on human rights, media restrictions and China's relations with Sudan, where the Darfur region has been the site of a bloody conflict since 2003.

"They're not quite as skilled with the serve-and-volley as they could and should be. It's a skill they need to learn," said David Wolf, a business communications consultant in Beijing. "The question is: Are they going to learn quickly enough? It's crash course time."

Jitters over the situation in Lhasa were evident Friday — the last day of the foreign reporters' visit — and throughout the government tour.

Police closed lanes in the old Tibetan city leading to a mosque for Friday prayers, allowing only worshippers and residents in. The mosque and many Muslim-owned shops were targeted by rioters, apparently out of resentment for their prominence in business.

Officials took the reporters to interview injured soldiers and Chinese who were attacked or whose businesses were burned during the rioting. All of them had been screened and previously interviewed by state media. Reporters who attempted to report independently were followed.

At the same time, the fact that the trip happened at all was a sign that Beijing wants to appear responsive to international concerns.

Officials accompanying the reporters agreed to a request to interview Tibetans detained for rioting. They also tried to spin Thursday's Jokhang outburst, saying it signaled government tolerance.

"China is more open. You can see that in the Jokhang. The monks told you things that are not identical with the government," said Zhang Lizhong, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official posted to Lhasa to deal with visiting foreigners.

Yet the government also seemed intent on laying blame for the rioting on the Dalai Lama and his supporters without addressing grievances by Tibetans over the influx of Chinese migrants and, as with the Jokhang monks, religious restrictions.

"This incident started on March 10, and everyone knows March 10 is the day in 1959 that the Dalai Lama instigated a rebellion," Drubkang, a lama who heads Tibet's government-backed Buddhist Association, told reporters. "So this was premeditated."

It's a message that's a tough sell for Western publics that tend to see the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama as a spiritual figure of moral authority.

On Friday, the Dalai Lama reiterated that he supported Beijing's holding of the Olympics but decried state media's depiction of the protests, which has dwelled on violence against Chinese.

"The state media's portrayal of the recent events in Tibet, using deceit and distorted images, could sow the seeds of racial tension with unpredictable long-term consequences. This is of grave concern to me," he said in a statement from his base in exile, Dharmsala, India.

To many, the monks' outburst reaffirms what Bush, Rudd and other Western leaders have said — that China should open talks with the Dalai Lama to ease tensions in Tibet. It's a demand Chinese leaders have resisted so far.

"For people, in this case the monks, to disrupt a press conference, it's extremely bold and very unusual," said Rebecca MacKinnon, a journalism professor at Hong Kong University. "It shows how angry people are."

Bush No to Criminal Games

23 February 2008

by HRM Deborah

U. S. President George W. Bush offer’s money for relief to the Palestinians under the shadow’s of humanitarian aid.

The catcher is, only if his peace plan is allowed to go through, at the cost of genocide to all Palestinian citizens, for the sake of the Zionist state.

As the head of the legal government of Palestine, I say no still to Bush’s peace plan towards the genocide of all Palestinian’s and as for U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visiting Palestine, she can just stay in the United States.

As for Palestinian’s, we are tired of Bush's threat’s, genocide by Mahmoud Abbas and Ehud Olmert and intimidations against Palestinian lives’.

Furthermore, for Bush to actually be behind the humanitarian crisis to begin with, just show’s where he actually stands on the issue of peace in the region.

Finally, as to where I stand on the issue of peace in Palestine, I wish for real freedom and lasting peace for all citizens in Palestine regardless of their religion and I firmly believe in accomplishing this in an honorable way, not by criminal activity.

End Gaza Siege

by Ben Heine

THE SIEGE MUST END NOW!

THE OCCUPATION MUST END NOW!!

PALESTINE MUST BE FREE!!!

Palestinian Royal Political Hostage

17 February 2008

by HRM Deborah

For three generations my family have been political hostages in the United States and if one wonder’s how this occurred, when the war finally did break out after the assassination of my Great Grandmother. As it is my understanding an invitation when Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was President; for my family to come to the United States to be allowed to live in the manner and custom they were use to with the assurance of safety from the war in Palestine as long as it was to occur.

However, when my Great Grandfather arrived with his three daughter’s and a son, it turned out not to be the case. It must be understood at this time my grandmother was Queen of Palestine after the loss of her mother at the hands of the Zionist.

Romanov royal family

The invitation by Roosevelt from what I know, came about because their was to many assassination’s occurring to other members of my family and it was felt to be important to save us so we would not end up like Nicholas 11 and family in Russia in 1918. This was why, the invitation was accepted.

As those before her, my Grandmother married someone from Palestine and had five children of her own; which included five sons and a daughter, which the daughter became my mother; myself, being the third generation born in exile.

What actually occurred when my Grandmother came to the United States her family and all future generations became political hostages in this country.

None of the three generations has had regular status as American citizens; we have been all classified as Palestinian Nationals living in exile.

As a political hostage curtails, I cannot travel outside of the United States, or live a normal life even as a citizen in the country would normally be able to do in most facet's. Otherwise, I have had no freedom to live a normal life; but the contrary.

It must be understood that since my family has been in this country we have done everything we could to be good productive people living in the United States. Their has been several member’s of my family that have made major contributions to the art’s, inventions, and many charitable endeavors for the betterment of not only the United States, but the world.

It is always been a firm belief, that all people have the right to freedom and live a normal life, that no one in this life should have to live out their life in a type of prison situation. I do hope that the government of this country, find it in their heart’s to grant my freedom so that I may live a normal productive life, to be able to live the rest of my life in a quite peace and with the solace in my heart and there‘s, that they finally did a very kind endeavor.

Finally, it must be understood on my part, I do thank the United States for allowing us to escape what could very well have occurred in Palestine towards my family at the hands of the Zionist occupation. I have no animosity towards what occurred towards them after my family arrived in the country, but I ask only, to please make everything good again between them and the royal family of Palestine.

Till the last Drop of Our Blood

We as Palestinians, "till the last drop of our blood is on Palestinian land or Palestine is free."

Inside Myanmar: The Crackdown

Birtley witnessed the brutal crackdown onprotests by the Myanmar government [Al Jazeera]

9 October 2007

Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley spent nearly two weeks undercover in Myanmar filming the massive popular uprising against the country's military rulers.

He was on the streets of Yangon as monks led the people in an open show of defiance.

And as the only foreign television news correspondent in the former capital he witnessed the brutal crackdown by the army.

Often in disguise and posing as a tourist, Birtley came under fire with the protestors and worked under the constant threat of arrest by the Myanmar authorities.

In this 30-minute programme featuring scenes of the clampdown never aired before, he speaks to the ordinary people and the monks of Myanmar about the uprising and their hopes and fears for the country's uncertain future.

He looks at the social and economic problems currently gripping a country once so prosperous.

Part 1

Part 2