Arab Media Blind to Darfur

[Warning: Clicking on the link will take you to al-Jazeera's website. Be warned.] From Arab Media Blind to Darfur:

More than 200,000 people have died in the conflict in Darfur, with millions more turned into refugees, but for many in the Arab world, the humanitarian catastrophe may as well not exist.

Lawrence Pintak, a journalist and Arab media expert, says the problem with Darfur is that it does not fit the template of Arabs being the victims and other people the aggressors. Thus, the Arab media have largely ignored it.

"I think we are in a state of denial," says Jehad Khazen, a former editor of al-Hayat newspaper.

"People say 'the Arabs or Muslims - cannot do this - it did not happen' - but they did do this and it did happen - and they have to reconcile themselves to the fact."

Sudan Leader to Be Charged with Genocide

Via Sudan Leader to Be Charged with Genocide:

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will seek an arrest warrant Monday for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, charging him with genocide and crimes against humanity for a campaign of violence that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians in the Darfur region during the past five years.

The action by the prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina, will mark the first time that the tribunal in The Hague charges a sitting head of state with such crimes. Khartoum organized a local Arab militia, known as the Janjaweed, and conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that has left more than 300,000 people dead and has driven more than two million more from their homes. The Bush administration accused the government of genocide.

Darfur Rebel Movement Opens Israel Office

Via The MEMRI Blog:

Sudan Liberation Amy/Movement (SLA/M) leader Abd Al-Wahid Al-Nur has announced that Darfur refugees who received asylum in Israel recently opened an SLA/M office. He also praised the Israeli government for helping the refugees, and said that the SLA/M's vision was of a liberal, democratic Sudan that would normalize relations with Israel.

'Teddy bear' teacher gets to live

Gillian Gibbons got out alive, and apologizes to the murderous Muslim mob who wanted to throw her in front of a firing squad. From MSNBC via Jihad Watch:

A British teacher jailed after she allowed her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad was released Monday and then boarded a flight back to Britain hours after Sudan's president pardoned her, a British Embassy spokesman said. The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, said she did not intend to offend anyone and had great respect for Islam.

She was pardoned, as if she had committed murder. But she didn't commit murder; all she did was allow a Muslim student to name a teddy bear after his own namesake, Muhammad. This all makes sense if one believes the hype that Islam is not a conquering, imperialistic, territorial, barbaric and aggressive theosophy which has evolved into a "religion of peace", in spite of the overwhelming empirical historical evidence that it is not.

Now it's a teddy bear

Get the fire hoses. It's riot time and another outbreak of Muslim over-reactiveness. Something's got to control these thin-skinned freakazoids who are outraged - this time - over yet another inanimate object - this time, it's a teddy bear. Gillian Gibbons, a teacher, 54, is spending her second night in a Sudanese prison, accused of insulting Muhammad. She faces a public lashing or up to six months in prison if found guilty on charges of blasphemy. What did she do? She allowed her students to name a teddy bear "Muhammad." Thousands of Sudanese, many armed with clubs and knives, rallied Friday in a central square and demanded the execution of Gillian Gibbons.

"Shame, shame on the U.K.," protesters chanted.

They called for Gibbons' execution, saying, "No tolerance: Execution," and "Kill her, kill her by firing squad."

By firing squad.

Perhaps the crazed Muslim Sudanese can learn how by studying this graphic video of the Muslim Hamas homicidal maniacs executing their Muslim Fatah homicidal brothers by firing squad.

Sudanese Refugees to Study in Israeli Schools

From Sudanese Refugees to Study in Israeli Schools:

Seventy-six Sudanese refugees, ages four and up, will be integrated into the Israeli school system during the coming academic year, according to an announcement by Education Minister Yuli Tamir Sunday. The Sudanese children will be enrolled in Israeli grade schools and high schools despite the fact that their parents are in the country under refugee status, and without permanent housing.

More Muslim mythology

Keep moving folks, nothing to see here but more mendacity and stupidity from the Arab world.

What is it this time?

Sudan's defense minister, Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein, has accused "24 Jewish organizations" of "fueling the conflict in Darfur" last week in an interview with a Saudi newspaper. Hussein was interviewed during an official state-visit to the Saudi kingdom last week. "The Darfur issue is being fuelled by 24 Jewish organizations, who are making the largest amount of noise over the issue, and using the Holocaust in their campaigning," the Sudanese defense minister replied. We already know that lying is not prohibited in Islam and in fact, may be used as a weapon in order to defeat one's enemy.

The Arabic word, "Takeyya", means "to prevent," or guard against. The principle of Al Takeyya conveys the understanding that Muslims are permitted to lie as a preventive measure against anticipated harm to one's self or fellow Muslims. This principle gives Muslims the liberty to lie under circumstances that they perceive as life threatening. They can even deny the faith, if they do not mean it in their hearts. Al-Takeyya is based on the following Quranic verse:

"Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution (prevention), that ye may Guard yourselves from them (prevent them from harming you.) But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah." Surah 3: 28

Regardless of this verse, the fact of the matter is that the International Criminal Court recently issued warrants for the arrest of Ahmed Haroun, the minister for humanitarian affairs of Sudan, and Ali Kosheib, a leader of that country’s notorious janjaweed militia. The Sudanese government has refused to hand over the two for prosecution. Charges include murder, rape, torture and "imprisonment or severe deprivation of liberty." Severe deprivation of liberty is a euphemism for slavery. Egypt’s Al-Ahram Weekly observed not long ago that in Sudan, "slavery, sanctioned by religious zealots, ravaged the southern parts of the country and much of the west as well."

The government of Sudan and allied Arab militia, called Janjaweed, are implementing a strategy of ethnic-based murder, rape and forcible displacement of civilians. The victims of the ongoing war crimes are non-Arab African people who have lived in the Darfur region for centuries.

To be sure, there is no doubt that Islam's selective indignation and projection (mostly toward Israel) on the matter of terror and mass murder is hypocritical. The same Muslims that complain that Arabs are victimized by Israel are totally silent with regard to the Arab Muslim extermination of mostly indigent Africans in Sudan.

Maybe because there are no Westerners or Israelis to be blamed, the crisis in Darfur, in northwestern Sudan, has commanded little international attention - until now. But the proof is in the pudding because the latest word out is that Ahmed Haroun and Ali Kosheib didn't work for any Jewish organizations and they are Janjaweed inspired Muslims and - well, 'nuff said.

For more information on what else Islam says, see this.

Arabs Pile into Darfur to Take Land "Cleansed" by Janjaweed

From Arabs Pile into Darfur to Take Land "Cleansed" by Janjaweed:

Up to 30,000 Arabs from Chad and Niger have crossed into Darfur in the past two months, prompting claims that the Sudanese government is trying systematically to repopulate the war-ravaged region. The Arabs, who arrived with all their belongings and large flocks, were greeted by Sudanese Arabs who took them to empty villages cleared by government and janjaweed forces. The arrivals have been issued official Sudanese identity cards and awarded citizenship. Analysts say the Sudanese government is making it "virtually impossible" for displaced people to return home.

NY Pension Fund Linked to Rogue Nations

From NY Pension Fund Linked to Rogue Nations:

The New York State pension fund has $12 billion invested in companies that do business with nations identified by the State Department as sponsors of terrorism. A report released Sunday by state senator Jeff Klein found that 16% of the $140 billion fund is invested in companies that do business with Syria, Iran, Sudan, and North Korea. Klein is sponsoring legislation dubbed the Terror Free Investment Act, calling on the state comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, to divest the pension fund from companies that do business with state sponsors of terrorism. DiNapoli announced last week that he would use the state pension fund to pressure the Sudanese government to end the genocide in Darfur, taking steps that will eventually include divestment if companies refuse to pull out of Sudan.

Sudan’s Genocide Continues

Via CSI:

A fact-finding team followed-up the Save Darfur Rally in Washington D.C. (April 30) with a visit to Juba and the borderlands of Southern Sudan and Darfur (May 3 - 11). In Juba, they met with President Salva Kiir of Southern Sudan. They then investigated the plight of displaced Darfurians and Dinka returnees - especially from Darfur - interviewed liberated slaves, and delivered 2,000 survival kits and 20 tons of sorghum seed.

Conclusions

Despite agreements signed by the Government of Sudan, the genocide process continues in both Northern and Southern Sudan.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Black Sudanese are in danger of dying this rainy season (May-September) because of continuing violence, and the lack of food, shelter, seed, clean water and medicine.

Tens of thousands of Black Sudanese remain enslaved in Darfur and neighboring Kordofan.

Promised "peace dividends" have not been delivered by the United States and other nations to Southern Sudan, and are therefore not likely to be delivered to Darfur in the immediate aftermath of the signing on May 5 of a peace agreement between Khartoum and one rebel faction in Darfur.

The fledgling Government of Southern Sudan is a potential source of stability for Sudan. But its institutional development has been stymied by U.S. policy - e.g., the failure of President Bush to meet with Southern Sudan’s President Salva Kiir. (The pledge made by President Bush to Sudan Campaign activists on April 28 to meet with President Kiir raises hope of a positive shift in U.S. policy.)

Recommendations

The U.S. Government and non-governmental donors should cut strangulating bureaucratic red tape and deliver emergency food, seed, survival kits and medicines to vulnerable displaced populations. (Seed must be delivered within three weeks, after which it will be too late to plant in the borderlands of Darfur and Southern Sudan.)

President Bush should meet President Salva Kiir to establish a rainy season emergency humanitarian aid program and to hasten the delivery of promised "peace dividends", including help to strengthen Southern Sudan’s national institutions.

President Bush should initiate long overdue action to secure the liberation and repatriation of Sudan’s forgotten slaves.

Contact: Joe and Sherry Madison – (202) 373 1445, Simon Deng – (917) 698 5440, Dr. John Eibner – (805) 777 7107, Liora Kasten – (617) 426 8161.

Palestinian Sheikh Calls on Allah to Kill Every Single Israeli and American

At a mosque in Sudan, the Acting Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Sheik Ahmad Bahr, calls for Israel and America to be annihilated and for Allah to kill every single Israeli and American citizen. (Courtesy of MEMRI TV.)

Click here for more information.

Following are excerpts from a sermon delivered by Ahmad Bahr, acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, which aired on Sudan TV on April 13, 2007.

Ahmad Bahr: "You will be victorious" on the face of this planet. You are the masters of the world on the face of this planet. Yes, [the Koran says that] "you will be victorious," but only "if you are believers." Allah willing, "you will be victorious," while America and Israel will be annihilated, Allah willing. I guarantee you that the power of belief and faith is greater than the power of America and Israel. They are cowards, as is said in the Book of Allah: "You shall find them the people most eager to protect their lives." They are cowards, who are eager for life, while we are eager for death for the sake of Allah. That is why America's nose was rubbed in the mud in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Somalia, and everywhere.

[...]

America will be annihilated, while Islam will remain. The Muslims "will be victorious, if you are believers." Oh Muslims, I guarantee you that the power of Allah is greater than America, by whom many are blinded today. Some people are blinded by the power of America. We say to them that with the might of Allah, with the might of His Messenger, and with the power of Allah, we are stronger than America and Israel.

[...]

I tell you that we will protect the enterprise of the resistance, because the Zionist enemy understands on the language of force. It does not recognize peace or the agreements. It does not recognize anything, and it understands only the language of force. Our Jihad-fighting Palestinian people salutes its brother, Sudan.

[...]

The Palestinian woman bids her son farewell, and says to him: "Son, go and don't be a coward. Go, and fight the Jews." He bids her farewell and carries out a martyrdom operation. What did this Palestinian woman say when she was asked for her opinion, after the martyrdom of her son? She said: "My son is my own flesh and blood. I love my son, but my love for Allah and His Messenger is greater than my love for my son." Yes, this is the message of the Palestinian woman, who was over seventy years old – Fatima Al-Najjar. She was over seventy years old, but she blew herself up for the sake of Allah, bringing down many criminal Zionists.

[...]

Oh Allah, vanquish the Jews and their supporters. Oh Allah, vanquish the Americans and their supporters. Oh Allah, count their numbers, and kill them all, down to the very last one. Oh Allah, show them a day of darkness. Oh Allah, who sent down His Book, the mover of the clouds, who defeated the enemies of the Prophet – defeat the Jews and the Americans, and bring us victory over them.

Divestment Would Form Critical Mass Against Sudan Genocide

From Divestment Would Form Critical Mass Against Sudan Genocide:

This month the Texas Legislature will consider a measure withdrawing the investments of two state pension plans in firms that do business with Sudan. Meanwhile, a divestment movement is snowballing. Eight states, six cities, and 42 universities, including Harvard and Stanford, are withdrawing investment from firms doing business with Khartoum. This is the movement that Texas would join. More than a statement of protest, it has the potential to leach Sudan's government of some of the money it uses for genocide.

Iran Accused of Promoting Shiism in Sudan

From Iran Accused of Promoting Shiism in Sudan:

Sunni Islamists in Sudan have accused Iran of trying to spread Shiite Islam in the country. The Sudanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood presented authorities in Khartoum with evidence of Teheran's attempts to convert locals to Shiism. Sunni groups have denounced what they say is a "Shiite peril" and the opening of several Shiite mosques in Khartoum. They have asked authorities to close down the Iranian embassy's cultural center. In Algeria earlier this month, authorities suspended 11 teachers accused of spreading Shiite propaganda among their pupils.

See also (MEMRI):
Sheikh Qaradhawi: Increasing Infiltration of Shi'ite Islam into Sunni Egypt May Lead to Civil War

U.S. Admits Arafat Murdered American Officials

From U.S. Admits Arafat Murdered American Officials:

After 33 years, the U.S. State Department has finally declassified a document admitting it knew that the murder of two U.S. diplomats in Sudan in 1973 "was planned and carried out with the full knowledge and personal approval" of PLO leader Yasser Arafat. In the attack on March 1, 1973, eight members of the Black September terrorist organization, part of Arafat's Fatah faction, stormed the Saudi embassy in Khartoum on Arafat's orders, taking hostage and then murdering U.S. Ambassador Cleo Noel, Charge d'Affaires George Curtis Moore, and Belgian diplomat Guy Eid.

Full Text: The Seizure of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Khartoum

The Arab media's indifference to the violence in Sudan

Folks, MEMRI has provided a translation of the commentary by the former editor Abd Al-Rahman Al-Rashed, of the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, wherein Al-Rashed decried the Arab media's indifference to the violence in Sudan.

"They are not the victims of Israeli or American aggression; therefore, they are not an issue for concern. This is how an approach of indifference towards others outside the circle of conflict with foreigners, and of permitting their murder, is spread as you read and write about the Darfur crisis and consider it an artificial issue, or one unworthy of world protest.

"Is the life of 1,000 people in western Sudan less valuable, or is a single killed Palestinian or Iraqi of greater importance, merely because the enemy is Israeli or American? According to estimates by U.N. delegations inspecting what is happening in the [Darfur] region, 300,000 Sudanese are in danger of liquidation because of the ongoing war there."

Mideast 'indifferent' to Sudan massacre