9/11: Ten Years After

“Today I do not honor terrorism, reinforce fear or plot revenge. No. I pause today to commit to less violence and more peace. I choose today to be a part of the healing instead of part of the destruction. I remember today that peace begins within and love is an action.”

Wayne Hicks

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“Was Bin Laden a crusader or lunatic” by Nkwazi Mhango

The world did not know the most vilified and hunted person, Osama Bin Laden, until August 7, 1998 when simultaneous bombs exploded in US embassies in Dares Salaam and Nairobi respectively. Over 200 innocent people were killed in these attacks.

Intelligence world took note of him and started devising the methods of dealing with him. The good or bad thing about Bin Laden is the fact that he’s not new to America and vice versa.

In essence, Bin Laden was the creature of the US created during cold war. Thanks to USSR invasion to Afghanistan, the US had to team up with Mujaheddin to defeat the then Soviet Union. In this courtesan marriage of convenience, everybody tried to use each other to attain his goals. This is when desperate Bin Laden, after being stripped off his Saudi citizenship, came into the big picture.

If anything, the US regrets its negligence for not disposing Bin Laden after using him in Afghanistan. So too, Bin Laden regretted to, blindly, render his service to the guys that have no permanent enemy or friend.

Thanks to the umbrella or covert of Islam Bin Laden used to use, he easily fooled many so as to have sycophants and sympathizers in the intelligence world, especially in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan where he lived and died. Living in Pakistan for long without being detected or dealt with speaks volume regarding this conspiracy and double standard.

Going back to Bin Laden hallmarks, though these attacks on America’s establishment in East Africa were conducted by Al Qaeda, the world, for the first time, knew of Al Qaeda and its leader and founder Bin Laden. But thanks to the minor status of the victims and locality of the embassies (Africa), Bin Laden was not taken seriously. He did not even become a legend.

One important link that connected Obama with this crime is the fatwa he had issued earlier saying that Muslims are duty bound to kill Americans and this would be translated as jihad.

Bin Laden became an icon-cum-devil-incarnate on September 11, 2001 when Al Qaeda struck one gain. This time America’s symbol of power and prosperity, the twin-tower-World Trade Center (WTC) in downtown Manhattan New York, became a target. What transpired is but dirty history and a scar on humanity. The anger that emanated from hither is too known everywhere.

In actual fact, the September 11 attacks gave Bin Laden a new look among the world. Those hoodwinked by his megalomania, that of fighting for Islam revered him, whilst those who knew his devilish megalomania hated him next to no one.

Now that Bin Laden is no more, was he a hero that deserved reverence or a mere lunatic that was supposed to be flashed out earlier than it took? Bin Burden, the thorn in a shoe for America is no more than a dark and lunatic history.

Though Bin Laden pretended to stand for Islam, there are those who doubted his legality and fitness as far as Islamic cause is concerned. They urged, how could a bastard as per Islamic law, fight for its cause? Islam allows a Muslim, under strict conditions of extreme fairness and equality to marry up to four wives.

Koran 4:3 “And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].”

Many eminent psychologists and sheiks agree that a human being can nary be fair by nature. Thus, whoever marries many wives, in other words, is going against Islam and the law of nature. No ontocratic possibility between these. Osama’s mother, Hamida al-Attas was a tenth wife of Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden.

Even if one looks at his last moment will find something fishy. Reports have it that one woman was killed along with Bin Laden. This woman is said to be one of Bin Laden’s guard. Why a woman? Wasn’t she his mistress knowing that if he brought his known wife or wives in, they would blow his cover? Is this Islamic?

Even if you look at his father’s hyper touted wealth, you’ll find it highly suspicious. For he had to befriend King Faisal to secure tenders. This means he did not use merit to win those tenders of building government buildings. Is this Islamic? For those conversant with how corrupt the Saudi regime is, will agree with me that what they do is contrary to what they preach and pretend to stand for, hype hypocrisy. One empirical fact is the kingdom. Islam presupposes that Muslims should be ruled under caliphates, not kingdoms or ayatollahs as it is in Iran.

More on unfitness of Saudi regime. Last year one of the grandsons of the King Abdullah, Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Nasir al-Saud, was jailed in Britain for murdering Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz on February 15. The media had it that the deceased and his killer had homosexual relationship. This is intolerable in Islam. But again, thanks to being the prince, even if his un-Islamic behaviour was known, nobody would punish him. But if this were committed by a commoner, he would face the noose of a hangman.

Who was Bin Laden actually? A lunatics just like Paul Kibwetere, who on 17 March 2000, killed over 500 followers at Kanugu in Uganda. This killer promised his victims that they would go direct to heaven.

He was a megalomaniac using the word of God, just like Vernon Howell (David Koresh) who on 28 February 1993 at Mount Carmel, US, killed over 20 followers by duping them that they would go to heaven.

True, many lunatics and con men and women use religion to dupe and rob people. Sadly though, all these famous lunatics like those mentioned above were not captured so as to have their brains examined. This would give us a clue as to how religious lunatic think so as to avoid future miseries.

Though Bin Laden has taken many blames, the US too has its share. So too is double faced ally Pakistan that used to receive billions of dollars aimed at tracking down Bin Laden and his gang, but still sheltered him. Now that the world is under one order, it should abolish its double standard policies of exploiting others.

Now that Bin Laden is gone, will peace prevail? Hopefully yes if we study what happened to Red Brigade or what happened after the apprehension of Carlos the Jackal.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“Is this Islam or Barbarism?” by Nkwazi Mhango

The recent ban on bras and beard shaving in Somalia by Somali terrorist groups cannot go unquestioned. The reports that we have is that the warring Islamic gang of Hezb-ul Islam banned women from wearing bras. So too, men are not allowed to shave their beards except trimming their mustaches. Likewise, schools were banned from using bells. Instead, they are to clap hands to gather and alert students! What a backward move to this failed state? Why the ban? Using the said things is un-Islamic as per these terrorist groups.

With shock and dismay, I read news that men in Somali capital were given 30 days to mandatory grow beards and trim their mustaches. So too, I was shocked to learn that the same terrorist group Hezb-ul Islam ordered women not to wear bras. More so, these morose terrorists banned people from watching the just ended world cup matches in South Africa! The act they termed as madness! Whimsically, this current razzmatazz sort of fundamentalism puts Islam up a gum tree. The edict to this effect read as: “Men are ordered to grow their beards and trim their mustaches and anyone found violating this law will face consequence.”

Interestingly though, many people are querying, what’s the hidden agenda behind all this in the name of Islam that we have known for many centuries? Are those behind this brand truly educated in Islamic matters or they are just quacks seeking bread under the cover of Islam? And why other so-called Muslim nations have kept mum, while the gavel of the mad is descending down to their religion? We wonder, because for long we came to know the so-called Muslim countries for their noises whenever Islam is touched especially by the West. Are they silent simply because this time around who wrongly touched Islam is their colleague? Other hypocrisy and it‘s contrary to Islam tenets.

“There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.” (Quran, 2:256) .

Strictly speaking, religion must comply with time and be always up to date. Consenting to backward-looking type of Islam is not doing Islam good. Doing this, apart from making Islamic draconic, it makes it archaic and barbaric. It hugely undermines Islam and all those that are being this megalomania should know that in the first place.

Many still wonder, what is the logic of all this violation of human rights?  What rises eyebrows is the fact that the same so-called ‘Islamic guardians’ are turning a blind eye to piracy that is becoming an anathema in the region. Who knows? Like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda that have always survived thanks to dealing in drugs, maybe even the same benefits from piracy. That’s why it has comfortably coexisted with piracy. This if anything, is but hypocrisy and cowardice. Why use religion for political gains in lieu of standing on political rostra with a solid political agenda?  

Many mad so-called Islamists are making much noises that some countries must be ruled by Islamic law. But they fall short of any precedent to this effect. How many countries did prophet Mohammad leave behind that were ruled by the Quran as they want to rule us now? The answer is convincingly simple and clear. None!

We have heard a lot of noises of people condemning some European countries for banning the burka. But we have nary heard any condemning this neo-nihilism hidden behind Islam. Many so-called Muslim countries are not happy with the move to ban burka. But the same are comfortable with their resistance for churches to be built in their countries! If they can force western women to wear veils when they visit their countries simply because their culture wants that, what is wrong for the West to force them to wear as per western culture when they visit, or live in western countries?

Somali terrorists are lucky. Thanks to being wanted, they don’t travel abroad. Had they, it’d make more sense for one to order them to shave their beards and see how it feels to be forced to do something you don’t like.

The other day I heard somebody saying that the cross is the symbol of curse. Therefore whatever resembles it is un-Islamic. But when I told him to urge his Islamic academicans to burn the use of aeroplanes, he saw how stupid his contention was and thus retracted. It time to engage all those that think they can bring a new brand of Islam today. Western countries should treat the same whoever treats them with contempt.

Hither comes the leeway of negotiating human rights with all so-called Muslim countries that are abusing them. No culture is better than another save in the eyes of the beholders. Arabic culture is good for Arabs and the likes just like the western one is to the westerners and the likes. Human rights are as paramount equal like a human himself. No human is better than another. We all are equal before God and law. Quran says: “O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous.” (Quran, 49:13)

Today Arab countries, which in essence call themselves Islamic countries, wonder how western countries can allow prostitution, the same way western country view polygamy that’s legal in Islam.

Going back to the ban in Somalia, is this brand of nugatory-Islam, Islamic or barbaric and type of  sheer maniac? Isn’t it a cult? Is this Islam or barbarism?

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

The decade that was…

In comparison with the span of time, ten years really isn’t that long, however a lot can happen in that time. The last ten years have brought lots of significant changes to my life. I got a new job, moved twice to different cities, got divorced and remarried, had a son and met through blogging some amazing people from various parts of the Diaspora. Through it all I have come to appreciate and enjoy my life more and more.

On this, the last day of the decade, I will highlight year by year, a couple significant events which at least changed my world.

2000: The largest non-event that happened to begin the new decade: Y2K! We were told to expect the apocalypse when the clocks hit “0-0-0”. Computers would crash, planes and satellites would then fall from the sky, traffic lights would go haywire causing multiple accidents, we would be without electricity, heat and water. There was to be worldwide panic followed by widespread lootings and killings. We were encouraged to hoard food, water, batteries and get rid of our condoms… so we could immediately begin to repopulate the planet. I was assigned to a uniform detail and sat in a basement with a riot team ready to be deployed to protect life, property and restore order. I ended up playing Euchre ’til 6 in the morning, while my family and friends partied like it’s 1999!

2001: 9/11 happened and changed the world as we know it. It lead to a new assignment and a couple relocations for me. Selfishly, it also made it more of a hassle for me (and all of us I suspect) to travel by plane than increase my (our) confidence in the safety of air travel.

2002: I moved from Toronto to Windsor.
           U.S. and other allied forces invasion of Afghanistan begins on 01 March.   

2003: Tampa Bay Buccaneers whip the Oakland Raiders 48-12 in SuperBowl XXXVII on 26 January. The Raiders haven’t recovered since.  
           The U.S. and the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” invades Iraq on 20 March.

2004: The Madrid Spain, train bombings on 11 March.
            Re-election of George W. Bush.   

2005: London, England subway and bus terrorist bombings on 07 July.
           Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans and the Gulf Coastal region causing death and mayhem.     

2006: On 31 January my father died.
           On Friday 05 May, my partner was murdered.
           On 28 July I got married.
           In October, I move to our nation’s capital, Ottawa.

2007: The birth of my son.
           The genesis of the AfroSpear.

2008: Election of 1st African-American president of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

2009: H1N1 global pan(ic)demic. 
           Death of Michael Jackson.
           Nigerian terrorist attempts to blow up plane, now justifying even more racial profiling of Black people travelling by air. I’m done travelling by plane for a while! 

2010: We made it! Happy New Decade!

Deciphering the Mohammed Trial

This article: Deciphering the Mohammed Trial by STRATFOR, is the most indepth commentary I have read so far on the issues surrounding the decision by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to have the 5 terrorists involved in the 9/11 plot, including the mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, moved from Guantanamo to New York for a civilian criminal trial. 

Added note: Let’s all agree that this will be nothing more than a political “show trial”, in the tradition of what occurs in places around the world where the system of justice is a farce, such as Russia, China, Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, etc. When one listens to the comments of Holder and to a lesser extent Obama, these “defendants” are not afforded the right of being “presumed innocent until proven guilty”, the foundation of the American judicial system. In fact it has already been stated by the administration that not only are they guilty, but if by the remotest of possibilities they are acquitted, they will be re-arrested on other charges or held on immigration warrants!

“Will piracy save Somalia?” by Nkawzi N. Mhango

Piracy is an early wake-up call to the world!

This April witnessed the hijacking, and later, the release of American Cargo ship Maeserk Alabama ’s Captain Robert Philips. When the pirates, in the horn of Africa, stormed the ship, the crew members fought back. But, in the end, Philips was offered to save other members.

There ensued a four-day standoff as efforts to rescue Philips were under way after he jumped overboard to no avail. Nonetheless, the second time he did, things happened as the American snipers took on the pirates. Three were killed and one apprehended. This was taken as victory against pirates. But is it really?

No secret. Apart from being a lucrative business now, piracy is there to stay if Somalia remains a failed state. But who made Somalia a failed state? We need to answer this question before jumping into simple solutions and condemnations. If Afghans can grow hashish for a living, what’s wrong with Somalis using their waters to make a living? Though all these are crimes by nature, necessity and double standard are the only things to blame alongside these vices. 

Under Jaalle Mohamed Siad Barre, Somalia inclined to China . Barre wanted to build Somalia based on scientific socialism. Though for Barre this was a good thing to do, just like other countries that did not bend before the west’s vested interests, he had to face the consequences politically and economically. This couple with corruption, dictatorship and western machinations weakened his regime so as to ultimately being toppled in 1991 by Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s army.

Control of Somalia was of great interest for both US and Soviet Union by then. This created tension within Somalia, especially on Barre himself. Because it’s difficult, even next to impossible to serve two masters at a time. Thus, later on, Barre rived his relationship with an already weakening Soviet Union as he switched gears to the west. The story is very long anyway.

English translation of al-Zawahiri’s message to President-elect Obama

In the Name of Allah, and all Praise is due to Allah, and Prayers and Peace on the Messenger of Allah and on his family, Companions and allies.

Muslim brothers everywhere: Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His blessings. As for what comes after:

Barack Obama has won the presidency of the United States of America, and on this occasion, I would like to send several messages.