On May 19th U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a much anticipated speech on U.S. policy towards the Middle East and North Africa. In the Guardian, the speech was referred to as, "...his most important speech on the Middle East since Cairo in 2009, when he called for a new beginning in relations between the US and the Muslim world." Yet, in contrast to his speech in Cairo, this speech was intended to shed light on Washington's inconsistent response to the "Arab Spring" as well as providing a solution to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. As such, the speech dealt mainly with the Arab uprisings while positioning the US as a champion of these movements as well as reiterating the two-state solution to Israel's occupation of Palestine based broadly on 1967 borders.
Denial of Supporting Tyrants
The speech did not offer anything new for the relationship between America and the Muslim Ummah. What was presented was an implicit denial of supporting the tyrannical regimes as Obama spoke of his support for the people demonstrating on the streets in the Muslim lands. It was not too long ago that Obama and his administration were shaking hands and making deals with those very tyrants they have apparently disowned today. For example, two years ago when Obama gave his "landmark" speech in Cairo, he referred to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as "a force for stability and good in the region." Furthermore, during an interview this year while the protests were taking place, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden refused to call Mubarak a dictator.
Obama spoke of the oppressive rulers in the Muslim lands and the conditions that the Muslims living under their rule face: "It's the same kind of humiliation that takes place every day in many parts of the world -– the relentless tyranny of governments that deny their citizens dignity." What he failed to mention was that these very conditions were made possible by the political and economical support that the US has given to these rulers. For example in Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov and his government continue to receive millions in aid from the US despite the routine detention, torture and brutal subjugation of the Muslims living in the region.
U.S. Foreign Policy: Colonialism Continues
When we sift through all the rhetoric, we see that the American position towards the Middle East has not changed at all. On Palestine, Obama stated that, "a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples: Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people, each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace." The notion of a two-state solution was also mentioned in Obama's speech in Cairo, two years ago. This echoes President Bush's statement where he said during his time in office, "I said that Palestinians should not have to live in poverty and occupation and I laid out a new vision for the future – two democratic states, Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security." Clearly, Obama is maintaining Bush's policy for Palestine – which is giving most of the land of Palestine to Israel. With that in mind, it is important to recognize that for Obama, the main issue of concern is Israel's security as he stated "our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. "Our commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable". This of course echoes what he stated in January 2009 (after the Gaza Massacre): "America is committed to Israel's security. And we will always support Israel's right to defend itself against legitimate threats".
In Egypt, although Mubarak has stepped down and some members of his regime have been prosecuted, there has not been any real change thus far. The real power-broker in Egypt is the military and the heads of the army have maintained their allegiance to the U.S. Every year, the Egyptian Military receives $1.5 billion dollars in assistance from America. However, the relationship between the American government and Egyptian army is not limited to financial support. Rather they maintain a close relationship to ensure the country is run according to American interests. For example, Egyptian Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sami Annan was in Washington on January 24th 2011 – while the uprisings gained momentum – heading a high ranking military delegation. Omar Suleiman, the Vice President appointed by Mubarak (just before stepping down) was previously the head of the Egyptian intelligence services and worked closely with the CIA on many assignments including the rendition of prisoners detained and tortured in Egypt. As such, the change that Obama alluded to in his speech when he said, "...it will be the policy of the United States to promote reform across the region...both nations [Tunisia and Egypt] can set a strong example through free and fair elections..." is really lip service as the facts reveal the U.S. support the existing power structures in Egypt. As a result the Egyptian president changed but the tyranny will continue.
Continued Economic Enslavement
In Egypt and Tunisia, where the people have removed the dictators from their necks, the US plans to impose additional financial policies that will not help the economic condition of the people but ensure further US domination of those regions. Obama said, "We've asked the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to present a plan at next week's G8 summit for what needs to be done to stabilize and modernize the economies of Tunisia and Egypt." What Obama failed to mention about these institutions is that they make policy prescriptions to the borrowing countries as a condition for the loans. Specifically, the World Bank and IMF will demand Egypt and Tunisia to privatize any public institution (i.e. water, electricity, etc.) they want. The privatization of these institutions will allow foreign companies to purchase and control these assets. As a result the programs used by the IMF and World Bank will effectively transfer the control of vital resources into the hands of foreign-based corporations. The loans suggested by Obama is not something new; both Tunisia and Egypt have been given loans by the IMF and World Bank well before the uprisings began and the devastating consequences can clearly be seen. For example, in the 1990's the Egyptian textile industry was privatized as a condition for loans provided by the IMF. As a result the work force was cut in half and wages for factory workers were reduced to less than half the pay of their counterparts in Tunisia, and about a third of the pay of those in Morocco and Turkey. With more loans from the IMF and the World Bank, we can expect the level of debt in Egypt and Tunisia to increase and the economy to deteriorate even further.
Why Does the US Subjugate and Colonize the Ummah?
Although it is obvious that the U.S. is using rhetoric to cover its colonial foreign policy, the question is: why must they behave this way? We have seen successive U.S. administrations, whether democrat or republican, all working to subjugate the Ummah.
The answer lies in the fact that America has firmly embraced the secular aqeedah (doctrine), which separates between "church and state". Laws governing public affairs are legislated based on the whims and desires of human beings. Consequently, the secular aqeedah will motivate the individuals who adhere to this way of life (i.e. Capitalism) to seek material benefits at any cost. The Capitalists do not limit themselves to spreading secularism, but work to dominate other nations as it is in their benefit to do so. For example, between the 16th and 19th century, Italy, England, France, and other European nations embarked on campaigns to colonize the Muslim world to force the Ummah to adopt their way of life and to steal our resources. Since America upholds the same secular aqeedah as these other nations, it now also seeks to colonize and subjugate the Ummah – as is clear from its actions in Iraq, its support for Israel and, most importantly, its support and imposition of ruthless tyrants, like Karimov, Zardari, and Karzai, across the Muslim world.
The objective to dominate the Muslim Ummah was expressed in the "Carter Doctrine" in 1980 when then U.S. President Jimmy Carter stated in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan: "An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force." Carter established the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF) and gave it the responsibility for combat operations in the Gulf. Three years later, Ronald Reagan elevated the RDJTF, naming it Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM has been the main American presence in many military operations, including the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. With this understanding, it is clear that the objectives of American foreign policy run counter to those of the Muslim Ummah.
Khilafah: A Real Concern for Capitalism
The major concern for the Capitalists is that the Ummah believes that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has the sole right to rule. As Allah سبحانه وتعالى has revealed in numerous ayat:
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِ
"The rule (Hukm) is for none but Allah." [Yusuf, 12:40]
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
"And no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they refer to your judgment in all disputes between them then find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission." [An-Nisaa, 4:65]
This means that all our public affairs including economics, politics, the social system, the educational system and the judiciary are all governed by the commands and prohibitions from Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed to us in the Quran and Sunnah. The manifestation of these systems into one entity – the Khilafah State – will by Allah سبحانه وتعالى's leave outpace the Capitalist system by leaps and bounds. As it happened before, the Khilafah State will insha-Allah compete as a superpower. This is something that does not benefit the Capitalists and as a result they are trying to prevent the Muslim Ummah from working towards political unification. Consequently, the Capitalists will work day and night to ensure that the Muslim Ummah remains subjugated.
To the Capitalist Nations: Stop Meddling in Our Affairs
On numerous occasions we have witnessed Capitalist nations (such as America) interfere in our affairs. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has clearly forbidden Muslims from seeking assistance or support from non-Muslims:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِي
"Oh you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya' (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Auliya' of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Auliya'), then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the Zalimun." [Al-Maaida, 5:51]
Allah سبحانه وتعالى has also forbidden non-Muslims to have authority over the Muslims:
وَلَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا
"Allah will not allow the disbelievers to have an authority (sultan) over the believers." [An-Nisaa, 4:141]
Therefore in order to maintain obedience towards Allah سبحانه وتعالى we should not seek help from them and refuse by all possible means allowed in the Shara' any perceived help or assistance they may offer. As Muslims, it is our obligation to warn the Ummah from being seduced by any rhetoric that comes from Capitalist Nations. We must convey the Hukm Sharai' and show the facts as mentioned above to those that incline to such speeches.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى help this Ummah to see the Haqq (truth) clearly from the Batil (falsehood). May Allah سبحانه وتعالى help us to be loyal to Him and His Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم alone.
وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
"And Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not." [Yusuf, 12:21]
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