Mr George Bush, President of the United States of America,
For sometime now I have been thinking, how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena — which are being constantly debated, specially in political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hopes that it might bring
about an opportunity to redress them.
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Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger of
God,
Feel obliged to respect human rights, Present liberalism as a
civilization model, Announce one’s opposition to the proliferation of
nuclear weapons and WMDs, Make War and Terror his slogan, And finally,
Work towards the establishment of a unified international community – a
community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day
govern, But at the same time, Have countries attacked; The lives,
reputations and possessions of people destroyed and on the slight
chance of the … of a … criminals in a village city, or convoy for
example the entire village, city or convey set ablaze. Or because of
the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is
occupied, around one hundred thousand people killed, its water sources,
agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put
on the ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the
country pushed back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of
billions of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain
other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women – as
occupation troops – put in harms way, taken away from family and love
ones, their hands stained with the blood of others, subjected to so
much psychological pressure that everyday some commit suicide ant those
returning home suffer depression, become sickly and grapple with all
sorts of aliments; while some are killed and their bodies handed of
their families.
On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to
engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country.
Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with.
Of course Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to
topple him, the announced goal of the war was to find and destroy
weapons of mass destruction. He was toppled along the way towards
another goal, nevertheless the people of the region are happy about it.
I point out that throughout the many years of the … war on Iran Saddam
was supported by the West.
Mr President,
You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask
me how can theses actions be reconciled with the values outlined at the
beginning of this letter and duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ
(PBUH), the Messenger of peace and forgiveness.
There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no
legal representation, their families cannot see them and are obviously
kept in a strange land outside their own country. There is no
international monitoring of their conditions and fate. No one knows
whether they are prisoners, POWs, accused or criminals.
European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons
in Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction of a person, and him
or her being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any
judicial system. For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions
correspond to the values outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e.
the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values.
Young people, university students and ordinary people have many
questions about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar
with some of them.
Throughout history many countries have been
occupied, but I think the establishment of a new country with a new
people, is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times.
Students are saying that sixty years ago such a country did no exist.
The show old documents and globes and say try as we have, we have not
been able to find a country named Israel.
I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told
me that during WWII, which more than tens of millions of people
perished in, news about the war, was quickly disseminated by the
warring parties. Each touted their victories and the most recent
battlefront defeat of the other party. After the war, they claimed that
six million Jews had been killed. Six million people that were surely
related to at least two million families.
Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically
translate into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle
East or support for such a state? How can this phenomenon be
rationalised or explained?
Mr President,
I am sure you know how – and at what cost – Israel was established : Many thousands were killed in the process.
Millions of indigenous people were made refugees.
Hundred of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns
and villages were destroyed.
This tragedy is not exclusive to the time
of establishment; unfortunately it has been ongoing for sixty years now.
A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to kids,
destroys houses while the occupants are still in them, announces
beforehand its list and plans to assassinate Palestinian figures and
keeps thousands of Palestinians in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique
– or at the very least extremely rare – in recent memory.
Another big question asked by people is why is this regime being
supported? Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of
Jesus Christ (PBUH) or Moses (PBUH) or liberal values? Or are we to
understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands –
inside and outside Palestine – whether they are Christian, Muslim or
Jew, to determine their fate, runs contrary to principles of democracy,
human rights and the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so
much opposition to a referendum?
The newly elected Palestinian
administration recently took office. All independent observes have
confirmed that this government represents the electorate.
Unbelievingly, they have put the elected government under pressure and
have advised it to recognise the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle
and follow the programs of the previous government.
If the current
Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the
Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such position taken in
opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values
outlined earlier? The people are also saying why are all UNSC
resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?
Mr President,
As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in constant
contact with them –many people from around the Middle East manage to
contact me as well. They dot not have faith in these dubious policies
either. There is evidence that the people of the region are becoming
increasingly angry with such policies.
It is not my intention to pose
to many questions, but I need to refer to other points as well.
Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in
the Middle East regions is translated into and portrayed as a threat to
the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D one of the basic rights
of nations.
You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what
other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a
crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievements being utilised
for military purposes be reason enough to oppose science and technology
altogether? If such a supposition is true, then all scientific
disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine,
engineering, etc. must be opposed.
Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no
doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not
like to be lied to.
Mr President,
Don’t Latin Americans have the right to ask, why their elected
governments are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Or, why must
they constantly be threatened and live in fear?
The people of Africa
are hardworking, creative and talented. They can play an important and
valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and contribute to
its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in large
parts of Africa are preventing this from happening. Don’t they have the
right to ask why their enormous wealth – including minerals – is being
looted, despite the fact that they need it more than others?
Again, do
such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ and the tenets of
human rights?
The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many
questions and grievances, including : the coup d’etat of 1953 and the
subsequent toppling of the legal government of the day, opposition to
the Islamic revolution, transformation of an Embassy into a
headquarters supporting, the activities of those opposing the Islamic
Republic (many thousands of pages of documents corroborates this
claim), support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran, the shooting
down of the Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian
nation, increasing threats, anger and displeasure vis-à-vis the
scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all
Iranians are jubilant and collaborating their country’s progress), and
many other grievances that I will not refer to in this letter.
Mr President,
September Eleven was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is
deplorable and appalling in any part of the world. Our government
immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators and offered its
condolences to the bereaved and expressed its sympathies.
All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good
standing of their citizens. Reportedly your government employs
extensive security, protection and intelligence systems – and even
hunts its opponents abroad. September eleven was not a simple
operation. Could it be planned and executed without coordination with
intelligence and security services – or their extensive infiltration?
Of course this is just an educated guess. Why have the various aspects
of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched their
responsibilities? And, why aren’t those responsible and the guilty
parties identified and put on trial?
All governments have a duty to
provide security and peace of mind for their citizens. For some years
now, the people of your country and neighbours of world trouble spots
do not have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of healing and tending
to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American people – who
had been immensely traumatised by the attacks – some Western media only
intensified the climates of fear and insecurity – some constantly
talked about the possibility of new terror attacks and kept the people
in fear. Is that service to the American people? Is it possible to
calculate the damages incurred from fear and panic?
American citizen
lived in constant fear of fresh attacks that could come at any moment
and in any place. They felt insecure in the streets, in their place of
work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the
media, instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace
of mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity?
Some believe that the
hype paved the way – and was the justification – for an attack on
Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media. In media
charters, correct dissemination of information and honest reporting of
a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the
disregard shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main
pretext for an attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was
repeated incessantly – for the public to, finally, believe – and the
ground set for an attack on Iraq.
Will the truth not be lost in a
contrive and deceptive climate? Again, if the truth is allowed to be
lost, how can that be reconciled with the earlier mentioned values? Is
the truth known to the Almighty lost as well?
Mr President,
In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses of
governments so that their governments in turn are able to serve them.
The question here is what has the hundreds of billions of dollars,
spent every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the
citizens?
As your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country,
people are living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and
unemployment is a huge problem. Of course these problems exist – to a
larger or lesser extent – in other countries as well. With these
conditions in mind, can the gargantuan expenses of the campaign – paid
from the public treasury – be explained and be consistent with the
aforementioned principles?
What has been said, are some of the
grievances of the people around the world, in our region and in your
country. But my main contention – which I am hoping you will agree to
some of it – is : Those in power have specific time in office, and do
not rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history and
will be constantly judged in the immediate and distant futures.
The
people will scrutinize our presidencies.
Did we manage to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or
insecurity and unemployment? Did we intend to establish justice, or
just supported especial interest groups, and by forcing many people to
live in poverty and hardship, made a few people rich and powerful –
thus trading the approval of the people and the Almighty with theirs’?
Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them? Did we
defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on
them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish
prisons and incarcerated some of them? Did we bring the world peace and
security or raised the specter of intimidation and threats? Did we tell
the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented an
inverted version of it? Were we on the side of people or the occupiers
and oppressors? Did our administration set out to promote rational
behaviour, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations, justice,
service to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human
dignity or the force of guns. Intimidation, insecurity, disregard for
the people, delaying the progress and excellence of other nations, and
trample on people’s rights? And finally, they will judge us on whether
we remained true to our oath of office – to serve the people, which is
our main task, and the traditions of the prophets – or not?
Mr President,
How much longer can the world tolerate this situation? Where will this
trend lead the world to? How long must the people of the world pay for
the incorrect decisions of some rulers? How much longer will the
specter of insecurity – raised from the stockpiles of weapons of mass
destruction – hunt the people of the world? How much longer will the
blood of the innocent men, women and children be spilled on the
streets, and people’s houses destroyed over their heads? Are you
pleased with the current condition of the world? Do you think present
policies can continue?
If billions of dollars spent on security,
military campaigns and troop movement were instead spent on investment
and assistance for poor countries, promotion of health, combating
different diseases, education and improvement of mental and physical
fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation of
employment opportunities and production, development projects and
poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation between
disputing states and distinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and
other conflicts were would the world be today? Would not your
government, and people be justifiably proud? Would not your
administration’s political and economic standing have been stronger?
And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing
global hatred of the American governments?
Mr President, it is not my
intention to distress anyone.
If prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Ishmael, Joseph or Jesus Christ (PBUH) were with us today, how would
they have judged such behaviour? Will we be given a role to play in the
promised world, where justice will become universal and Jesus Christ
(PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us?
My basic question is
this : Is there no better way to interact with the rest of the world?
Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of
millions of Moslems and millions of people who follow the teachings of
Moses (PBUH). All divine religions share and respect on word and that
is monotheism or belief in a single God and no other in the world.
The holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on an followers of
divine religions and says : [3.64] Say : O followers of the Book! Come
to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve
any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught. With Him and
(that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah, but if
they turn back, then say : Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The
Family of Imran).
Mr President,
According to divine verses, we have all been called upon
to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine prophets. To
worship a God which is above all powers in the world and can do all He
pleases. The Lord which knows that which is hidden and visible, the
past and the future, knows what goes on in the Hearts of His servants
and records their deeds. The Lord who is the possessor of the heavens
and the earth and all universe is His court planning for the universe
is done by His hands, and gives His servants the glad tidings of mercy
and forgiveness of sins . He is the companion of the oppressed and the
enemy of oppressors . He is the Compassionate, the Merciful . He is the
recourse of the faithful and guides them towards the light from
darkness . He is witness to the actions of His servants , He calls on
servants to be faithful and do good deeds, and asks them to stay on the
path of righteousness and remain steadfast . Calls on servants to heed
His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds. A bad ending belongs
only to those who have chosen the life of this world and disobey Him
and oppress His servants . And A good and eternal paradise belong to
those servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their lascivious
selves.
We believe a return to the teachings of the divine prophets is
the only road leading to salvations. I have been told that Your
Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (PBUH), and believes in the
divine promise of the rule of the righteous on Earth.
We also believe
that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great prophets of the Almighty.
He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has been
quoted in Koran as well; [19,36] And surely Allah is my Lord and your
Lord, therefore serves Him; this is the right path, Marium.
Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all divine messengers.
The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and
the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and
give dignity to all His servants. He has given greatness to Humans.
We
again read in the Holy Book : The Almighty God sent His prophets with
miracles and clear signs to guide the people and show them divine signs
and purity them from sins and pollutions. And He sent the Book and the
balance so that the people display justice and avoid the rebellious.
All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other, in the Good
Book as well.
Divine prophets have promised : The day will come when all humans will
congregate before the court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are
examined. The good will be directed towards Haven and evildoers will
meet divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day, but
it will not be easy to calculate the actions of rulers, because we must
be answerable to our nations and all others whose lives have been
directly or indirectly effected by our actions.
All prophets, speak of
peace and tranquillity for man – based on monotheism, justice and
respect for human dignity.
Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by
these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect
for the dignity of man, belief in the Last Day, we can overcome the
present problems of the world – that are the result of disobedience to
the Almighty and the teachings of prophets – and improve our
performance?
Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes
and guarantees peace, friendship and justice?
Do you not think that the
aforementioned written or unwritten principles are universally
respected?
Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine
return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to
preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets?
Mr President,
History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not
survive. God has entrusted The fate of man to them. The Almighty has
not left the universe and humanity to their own devices. Many things
have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of governments. These
tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events are
determined by Him.
Can one deny the signs of change in the world today? Is this situation
of the world today comparable to that of ten years ago? Changes happen
fast and come at a furious pace.
The people of the world are not happy
with the status quo and pay little heed to the promises and comments
made by a number of influential world leaders. Many people around the
wolrd feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity and war and
do not approve of and accept dubious policies.
The people are
protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots and
the rich and poor countries.
The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.
The people of
many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural
foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally
dismayed with the fading of care and compassion. The people of the
world have no faith in international organisations, because their
rights are not advocated by these organisations.
Liberalism and
Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals
of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight
can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology
and thoughts of the liberal democratic systems.
We increasingly see
that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point –
that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the
teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My
question for you is : Do you not want to join them?
Mr President,
Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in
the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all
things.
Vasalam Ala Man Ataba’al hoda
Mahmood Ahmadi-Najad President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
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