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Friday 24 June 2016

BADR -- The First War of Islam (17th Ramadan).



17th of Ramadan
Battle of Badr
The First War Of Islam

When 313 Devotees Wrote The
First Chapter of Islamic History

(M. Javed Naseem)
              
      
وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَبَقُوۤاْ إِنَّهُمْ لاَ يُعْجِزُونَ 
“Let not the unbelievers think that they
can get the better (of the godly). They
will never frustrate (them)”.
(al-Quran 8:59)

Badr is the first major encounter between the newly-born nation of Muslims and the evil-living unbelievers (Kaafireen), the Quraish of Makkah. This was the one historic event that changed the course of history of not only the Arabia but of the entire universe.

At the dawn of Islam in Makkah, Muslims were killed, injured, tortured, robbed and persecuted. Eventually, they were expelled while some fled their homes and took refuge somewhere else. It is happening again today in every place where Islam has its foothold. Muslims are being massacred, their homes and homelands being destroyed and the survivors driven out as refugees. In the West, they are targeted and have become victims of discrimination and racism too.

The history of mankind tells us that it is the oppressed that conquer the oppressors in the end! That’s how Allah balances out the injustice, persecution, aggression, corruption, transgression and inequality. He helps the oppressed to break the shackles. The history of David and Goliath is being repeated – and we know the outcome very well! It’s a matter of time only.

وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ
وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ ٱلْوَارِثِينَ
“And We wished to be Gracious to those who
were being oppressed in the land, to make them
leaders (in Faith) and make them inheritors.”
(al-Quran 28:5)

The Battle of Badr has been referred to in the Holy Quran; and Allah called it a “Day of Furqaan”. The Arabic word ‘furqaan’ means to separate or to distinguish. It was the 17th day of Ramadan, in the 2nd year of Hijrah (7th of March, 623 A.D., some put it as March 17, 624 A.D.)) when the Almighty Allah separated/distinguished the Truth from Falsehood; the Light from Darkness; and the Guidance from Ignorance! He gave the believers a great victory and vanquished the hopes and aspirations of the disbelievers who wanted to wipe out Islam which had started gaining popularity.
Muslims were a tiny minority and were constantly persecuted by the politically powerful and financially strong Quraish. 
A few days before Ramadan, reports reached Madinah that a trade caravan of Quraish was returning to Makkah from Syria. The caravan was carrying not only merchandise but also weapons. It was estimated that the caravan had made a profit of 50,000 Dinars (pieces of gold). The weapons and the huge amount of money were to be used to equip an army to fight against Muslims. The caravan was led by Abu Soufyan, a Makkan stalwart and staunch enemy of Muslims at that time.
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), after consultation with his companions, decided to intercept the caravan. He appointed Abu Lababa as Governor of Madinah, and left the city for  Badr, a village in the south-west of Madinah. It was 8th of Ramadan. Scholars differ about their exact number (ranging from 305 to 319) but most of them agree on 313. About 80-90 of them were from Makkah (‘Muhajireen’) and the rest were ‘Ansar’ (locals) of Madinah. They settled and took up position in a valley which was known for its water wells. Muslims took control of a strategic well/water reservoir and blocked off some other wells. The enemy had to cross the valley, in front of Muslims, to reach the water wells.
The poor Muslims had no clue that they would never see the Quraish caravan, but instead have an encounter with 1000-strong Quraish army of Makkah.

Here’s a look at the background: Muhajireen (refugees or emigrants) were actually the victims of aggression and oppression; and were expelled by the Quraish leaders of Makkah. They were also forced to leave behind family members, their homes, properties and cattle/camel herds. They arrived in Madinah empty-handed. The Makkans confiscated their properties and cattle/camel herds. On top of it, Muslims were not allowed to fight back (in the beginning). They were very angry. They suffered the worst kind of persecution at the hands of Quraish of Makkah for 13 long years.

Eventually, when Allah’s permission came and Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) told them that they were allowed to fight back, they were looking for an opportunity to recover their losses. But Allah had a different plan for them.

Abu Soufyan somehow got the information about this ambush and changed the route but at the same time he sent a message to Makkan leaders to come to his rescue. The Quraish leaders of Makkah got furious and decided to teach Muslims a lesson. They sent an army of 1000 fighters to eliminate Muslims. They were equipped with war gear, 100 horses, 700 camels laden with war material and other supplies; and bands of chanters/drum-beaters.
Muslims, on the other hand, were not prepared for any armed confrontation as they did not have the means for it. The 313-men contingent had only two horses and 70 camels and little or no war equipment. Some of them had swords but no shields. To reach the valley near Badr, they had to walk or share the ride by two or three.
 
When the Quraish army reached Badr, they received a message from Abu Soufyan that the caravan had safely passed the region, therefore, they could return to Makkah. Abu Jahl was an arrogant leader of the Quraish. He refused to return to Makkah without victory.
A Muslim patrol party captured a waterman who confessed that he was part of the group supplying water to the Makkan army. It was a shocking news. When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) heard that the Quraish of Makkah had dispatched an army of 1000 men and they were just on the other side of the hill, he got worried and called a meeting to decide what to do next.
Muslims were a little worried and the Prophet (s.a.w.) kept invoking Allah. Later, he addressed them and while giving glad tiding of a victory, said:
“Allah has promised you one of the two, either the caravan or the army”.

وَإِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ إِحْدَى ٱلطَّائِفَتِيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَكُمْ وَتَوَدُّونَ
أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتِ ٱلشَّوْكَةِ تَكُونُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الحَقَّ
بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ
“Behold! Allah promised you one of the two
(enemy) parties, that it should be yours.
You wished that the one unarmed should be
yours, but Allah willed to justify the Truth
according to His words and to cut off
the roots of the unbelievers.”
(al-Quran 8:7)

Subhan-Allah! That’s how Allah works! The poor Muslims wanted to capture the trade caravan with its expensive merchandise and other goods; and camels/horses; and be content with it. This was referred to in the Quran as the ‘unarmed party’ of the enemy. The other party was ‘armed’ – the army of the Quraish of Makkah – which Muslims could not even dream of facing at that stage and level, let alone capturing or conquering it! Makkans were considered the richest and the strongest people in the region. But Allah wanted to justify the Truth, therefore, He created the circumstances too. 

On the night before the battle, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) made a very long and intense supplication (‘dua’) to Allah. He was praying under a tree, crying until the sun rose. He was standing up, raising his hands toward heavens. Some of the words he uttered:

“O Allah! I invoke You for Your promise of victory.
Here come Quraish full of vanity and pride. They
Oppose You and call Your Messenger a liar. O Allah!
If You decide that we be defeated today, and if this little
band of your believers perishes today, there would be
none left in the land to worship You!”

At that particular time, those 300-plus people were the only Muslims on the face of the earth and in the case of a defeat, they would be wiped out. When Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) saw this, he came to console the Prophet (s.a.w.). He held the Prophet (s.a.w.)’s hand in his hand and said: “That’s enough! Allah will certainly fulfill His promise He made to you.”

Allah’s re-assurance came and Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) felt the contentment and peace, satisfaction and confidence to stand up to the challenge facing them. His prayers were answered right then and there.

إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّى مُمِدُّكُمْ
بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
“Remember you implored the assistance of your
Lord and He answered you: "I will assist you
with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks."
(al-Quran 8:9)

The night before the battle, while Muslims slept, a heavy rain fell. On the morning of Friday, the 17th of Ramadan, 2 A.H., the two armies advanced and drew closer to each other. The rain had been heavier on the side of Quraish, making the ground soft and movement difficult. On the side of Muslims, however, the rain had packed the sand down hard, making it easy for them to march.

In the morning, after having examined the ranks, the Prophet (s.a.w.) then went to a shelter made of palm branches from which he could command the battle. Abu Bakr stayed with him, while Saad Bin Mu’adh, with several of the Ansaar, stood outside guarding the hut.

The battle started in the Arab tradition with the big warriors of Quraish, like Walid Ibn Utba, Utba Ibn Rabia, and Shaiba, coming out and challenging the opposition for duals. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) sent his uncle Hamza (r.a.a.), his cousin Ali (r.a.a.) and his companion Ubaida (r.a.a.) to fight the star warriors of Quraish; and they killed the Quraish heroes sending terror wave in the ranks of the Makkans. Ubaida (r.a.a.) was fatally wounded though and died later (being the first martyr of Badr). Then the troops attacked each other in regular fighting. By noon, the battle was over as Makkans fled the scene leaving dead bodies and material behind.

(In the town of Badr, Saudi Arabia, the Martyrs of Badr graveyard)
Nicholson writes:
“But the importance of Mohammed’s success
(in the battle of Badr) cannot be measured by the
material damage which he inflicted (upon the pagans of 
Mecca). Considering the momentous issues involved, 
we must allow that Badr, like Marathon, is one of the 
greatest and most memorable battles in all history.”
(A Literary History of The Arabs, by A. Nicholson, 1969).

The battle of Badr claimed some big heads of the Quraish of Makkah; the most important among them was Abu Jahl, his brother and his son. Abu Jahl was considered as ‘Pharaoh for Muslim Ummah’. Umayyah Ibn Khalaf was another big notable killed in Badr. According to one narration, he was killed by his own ex-slave Bilal (r.a.a.). Abu Soufyan survived and returned to Makkah to prepare for another war. In total 70 Makkan fighters were killed and another 70 captured as prisoners of war.
On the other hand, from among the Muslims, 14 people were martyred. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his contingent returned to Madinah, a week before the end of Ramadan, glorifying and thanking the Merciful Lord for His help at Badr.

(Names of the 14 Martyrs of Badr are engraved on this 'Badr Memorial' in Saudi Arabia)
 
This was the first major encounter between Muslims and the Makkans. So, the Prophet (s.a.w.) consulted his companions on the subject of ‘prisoners of war’. There were all kinds of suggestions based on different sentiments. Abu Bakr suggested to pardon them and accept ransom for their release. In the end, the Prophet (s.a.w.) announced: “We will ransom the prisoners”.
According to some narrations, they were given the choice to accept Islam and win freedom; or to teach 10 Muslims ‘how to read and write’ and win freedom. Otherwise, the ransom amount was fixed at 400 Dirhams per prisoner.

Like many other ‘Firsts’ of the history of mankind, Badr also set the first example of the treatment of prisoners of war. Their lives were spared; they were treated humanely; they were provided with shelter and fed properly, even when some Muslims did not have food to eat and survived on dates and water.
                                                               
Sir William Muir, the famous British orientalist, known for his hostility towards Islam and Muslims, wrote:

“In pursuance of Mahomet’s commands, the citizens
of Medina and such of the emigrants who possessed 
houses, received the prisoners and treated them
with much consideration. ‘Blessings be on the men
of Medina’, said one of these prisoners in the later
days, ‘they made us ride while they themselves
walked. They gave us wheaten bread to eat
when there was little of it, contenting
themselves with dates’.”

(The graveyard of the Martyrs of Badr in Saudi Arabia)
The Battle of Badr is a constant reminder to the Muslims that if they fear Allah, the way Allah should be feared; and if they obey Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.), the way they should be obeyed, Allah’s help is guaranteed!

وَٱذْكُرُوۤاْ إِذْ أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ
أَن يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ فَآوَاكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُم بِنَصْرِهِ وَرَزَقَكُمْ
مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“Call to mind when you were a small (band),
despised through the land, and afraid that men
might despoil and kidnap you. But He provided
a safe asylum for you, strengthened you with
His aid, and gave you good things for
sustenance, that you might be grateful.”
(al-Quran 8:26)

(Excerpts from my book “The Way (Sunnah) Of The Prophet (s.a.w.)”, chapter “Muhammad (s.a.w.) At War – Badr.”)

***********

Saturday 18 June 2016

THE WORLD IS EVIL: The Hereafter Is The Real Life!



The World Vs The Hereafter
All Prophets Warned Of
The Love Of This World

(M. Javed Naseem)


“O you who believe! What is the matter
with you that, when you are asked to go
forth in the cause of Allah, you cling
heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the
life of this world to the Hereafter?
But little is the comfort of this life,
as compared with the Hereafter.”
(al-Quran 9:38)

When we talk about the relationship between the Creator and the Creation, God and Man, there is only one basis to judge it: How honestly, sincerely and faithfully we discharge our obligations! We were clearly told that this world is temporary and we are given an opportunity during its short tenure to work on the Hereafter – the real life. It’s very unfortunate that most of us never understood (didn’t want to understand) the purpose of this journey from point-A to point-B. We are supposed to travel light but we are accumulating more and more heavy baggage.


“These are the people who buy the life of
this world at the price of the Hereafter.
Their penalty shall not be lightened
nor shall they be helped.”
(al-Quran 2:86)

We are going crazy in the race for material goods and benefits. We get so blinded by the pressure from TV, from the left and right that we ignore all rules and regulations; we violate all codes of ethics and manners of conduct. We just want to grind our own axe at all costs without thinking beyond the present temporary gain.


“What is the life of this world but play
and amusement? But best is the home in
the Hereafter, for those who are righteous.
Will you not then understand?”
(al-Quran 6:32) 

And then we talk proudly about Islam. We judge others on all the high standards of Islam, in every walk of life, but don’t apply those standards to our own lives. Are we exempt? Why and under what authority?

Nobody is exempt from the Laws of Allah, not even the Prophets and the Messengers of the Almighty. On the contrary, they were the best role-models for the rest of the mankind. They led by example and showed us how to live by the Book without violating the rights of others – especially the rights of Allah.
All Prophets promoted the life of the Hereafter because that was the principal message of Allah.

“… But the home of the Hereafter is
is best for those who do right.
Will you not then understand?”
(al-Quran 12:109)



“The Love of the world is the basis of every evil.”
--  Jesus Christ

"Those who have much wealth (in this world) 
will be the least rewarded (in the Hereafter) 
except those who do …” – Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one."  
(Bukhari, Book 55, Hadith No.652)

Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (r.a.) (or Jesus Christ), said:
“Don’t make the world your guide (leader) because it will enslave you.”

“Deposit your treasure (of good deeds) with the best Guardian (Allah) so that you don’t run the risk of losing it. The treasures of the world (wealth) can be stolen, wasted or lost by some calamity, while the treasures of Allah are free of those dangers.”

The World Is Evil: Jesus Christ

The world is full of evil and one big element
of evil is that people disobey God in the world.
Another proof of its evil is that you cannot win
the Hereafter unless you lose the world.
Always bear in mind that the love of the
world is the basis of every evil. The worldly
desire of a short time can cause you the pain
and punishment for ever (in the Hereafter).
-- Jesus Christ

“Some people want the world, whereas the world itself wants some people. Those who strive for the Hereafter, the world wants them to keep them away from God. And those who want the world, it runs away from them, till they die chasing their worldly desires.”


“The love for the Hereafter and the love of the world cannot live together in the same heart, just like the fire and water cannot be combined in one pot.”

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) Said:

Narrated Abdullah bin Abu Aufa: A man displayed some goods in the market and swore by Allah that he had been offered so much for that (that which was not offered), and he said so, so as to cheat a Muslim. On that occasion the following Verse was revealed: “Verily! Those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter” (al-Quran 3:77). (Bukhari, Book 34, Hadith No.301)

“But verily the reward of the Hereafter
is the best, for those who believe, and
are constant in righteousness.”
(al-Quran 12:57) 

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet (s.a.w.) delivered a sermon and said, "Allah gave a choice to one of (His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter. He chose the latter (the Hereafter)." Abu Bakr wept. I said to myself, "Why is this Sheikh weeping, if Allah gave choice to one (of His) slaves either to choose this world or what is with Him in the Hereafter and he chose the latter?" And that slave was Allah's Apostle himself. Abu Bakr knew more than us. …
(Bukhari, Book 8, Hadith 455)

Narrated Anas : The Prophet used to say, "O Allah! Our Lord! Give us in this world that, which is good and in the Hereafter that, which is good and save us from the torment of the Fire." (al-Quran 2:201).  
(Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith No.47)


“And there are men who say: Our Lord!
Give us good in this world and good
in the Hereafter, and defend us from
the torment of the Fire!" 
(al-Quran 2:201)

Narrated Anas: The most frequent invocation of the Prophet (s.a.w.) was: "O Allah! Give to us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire." (al-Quran 2:201).  
(Bukhari, Book 75, Hadith No.398)

Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib: Allah's Apostle said, "When a Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and that is what is meant by Allah's Statement: "Allah will keep firm those who believe with a Word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter." (al-Quran14:27).
(Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith No.221)

Narrated Abu Dhar: While I was walking with the Prophet at the Hurra of Medina in the evening, the mountain of Uhud appeared before us. The Prophet said, "O Abu Dhar! I would not like to have gold equal to Uhud (mountain) for me, unless nothing of it, not even a single Dinar remains of it with me, for more than one day or three days, except that single Dinar which I will keep for repaying debts. I will spend all of it (the whole amount) among Allah's slaves like this and like this and like this." The Prophet pointed out with his hand to illustrate it and then said, "O Abu Dhar!" I replied, "Labbaik wa Sa'daik, O Allah's Apostle!" He said, "Those who have much wealth (in this world) will be the least rewarded (in the Hereafter) except those who do like this and like this (i.e., spend their money in charity)."
(Bukhari, Book 74, Hadith No.285)


When we disobey Allah, we practically reject Allah and His Commandments. And that is a punishable crime. It’s very unfortunate that we don’t understand the severity of this crime. We can lose this world as well as the Hereafter!

"As to those who reject faith, I will
punish them with terrible agony in this
world and in the Hereafter, nor will
they have anyone to help."
(al-Quran 3:56) 

*********

Friday 10 June 2016

WHO IS THE GREATEST? - R.I.P. Muhammad Ali!



R.I.P. Muhammad Ali
World’s Greatest Fighter
Could Not Fight The Destiny
  
(M. Javed Naseem)


From Defeats He Learned 
Who The Greatest Was!


The man who stood for what he
believed in, sacrificed his career
(and suffered) for justice and truth.


“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville (USA) are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No, I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here.


I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality.


If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.” -- Muhammad Ali


The melody lingers on and on!
Muhammad Ali has become a legend
And so was the melody-king of the East
Muhammad Rafi. A rare picture:

(Legend Muhammad Ali with Asian legend and melody-king Muhammad Rafi)
(American legend Ali with British legend 'The Beatles')
Muhammad Ali Was
A Man of Conviction,
A True American Hero!

(Muhammad Ali's special place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
In the Chapter “Modesty Is A Virtue” of my book, ‘A Wake-up Call’, published in 2010, I quoted excerpts from the book “More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes”. I repeat them here:

(Muhammad Ali Avenue in Newark, New Jersey)
(A walkway to Madison Square Garden in N.Y.City is temporarily named 'Muhammad Ali Way')
Here is a true story from our modern times. Everybody knows Muhammad Ali, the ex-heavyweight         boxing champion of the world. An incident took place when Ali’s daughters (Laila and Hanna) arrived at his place wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the true account as narrated by one of his daughters:

(Muhammad Ali with his daughter and world (women) boxing champion Laila Ali)
“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us (great sense of humor!). We exchanged as many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

(Muhammad Ali with American Muslim leader late Malcolm X)
(Muhammad Ali with Martin Luther King Jr.)
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said:

“Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds?  Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered by layers and layers of rock. You have got to work hard to get to them.”
He looked at me with serious eyes and said:
“Your body is sacred. You are far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

(From the book: ‘More Than A Hero’: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.)
(Muhammad Ali with Nelson Mandela)
*********

Friday 3 June 2016

26-THINGS ABOUT ISIS - War Against ISIL Is A Lie - Part 2/2



“War Against ISIS Is A Lie”
The Big Lie Has Become The Truth
(Part 2/2)

26-Things about the Islamic
State (ISIS) that Obama does
not want you to know about

Global Research, pub. May 23, 2016)


**************************************
The endgame is “regime change” in Syria
and the fragmentation of Iraq. ISIS is being
used to destroy Iraq and Syria as nation
states. The ‘terrorists’ are the foot-soldiers
of the Western military alliance.
Counter-terrorism mandate is a fiction.

**************************************

In this article, we address 26 concepts which refute the big lie. Portrayed by the media as a humanitarian undertaking, this large scale military operation directed against Syria and Iraq has resulted in countless civilian deaths.
It could not have been undertaken without the unbending support of the Western media which has upheld Obama’s  initiative as a counter-terrorism operation.  

The Historical Origins of Al-Qaeda

****************************************
Osama bin Laden, America’s bogyman and
founder of al-Qaeda was recruited by the CIA
in 1979 at the very outset of the US sponsored
Jihadist war against Afghanistan . He was only
22-years old and was trained in a CIA
sponsored guerilla training camp.

****************************************

 1. The US has supported al-Qaeda and its affiliated organizations for almost half a century since the heyday of the Soviet Afghan war. 

Jihadists Trained By CIA
2. CIA training camps were set up in Pakistan.  In the ten year period from 1982 to 1992, some 35,000 jihadists from 43 Islamic countries were recruited by the CIA to fight in the Afghan jihad.
“Advertisements, paid for from CIA funds, were placed in newspapers and newsletters around the world offering inducements and motivations to join the Jihad.”


US Supported Terror Network
3. Since the Reagan Administration, Washington has supported the Islamic terror network.
Ronald Reagan called the terrorists “freedom fighters”. The US supplied weapons to the Islamic brigades. It was all for “a good cause”: fighting the Soviet Union and regime change, leading to the demise of a secular government in Afghanistan.


Univ. of Nebraska Published Jihadist Textbooks
4. Jihadist textbooks were published by the University of Nebraska. “The United States spent millions of dollars to supply Afghan schoolchildren with textbooks filled with violent images and militant Islamic teachings.”

Osama Bin Laden
5. Osama bin Laden, America’s bogyman and founder of al- Qaeda was recruited by the CIA in 1979 at the very outset of the US sponsored jihadist war against Afghanistan . He was 22 years old and was trained in a CIA sponsored guerilla training camp.
Al Qaeda was not behind the 9/11 Attacks. September 11, 2001 provided a justification for waging a war against Afghanistan on the grounds that Afghanistan was a state sponsor of terrorism, supportive of Al Qaeda. The 9/11 attacks were instrumental in the formulation of the “Global War on Terrorism”.


The Islamic State (ISIL)
6. The Islamic State (ISIL) was originally an al-Qaeda affiliated entity created by US intelligence with the support of Britain’s MI6, Israel’s Mossad, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Presidency (GIP), Ri’āsat Al-Istikhbārāt Al-’Āmah ( رئاسة الاستخبارات العامة).

Truth Behind Syrian Insurgency
7. The ISIL brigades were involved in the US-NATO supported insurgency in Syria directed against the government of  Bashar al Assad.

NATO-Turkey Recruited for ISIL
8.  NATO and the Turkish High Command were responsible for the recruitment of ISIL and al-Nusrah mercenaries from the outset of the Syrian insurgency in March 2011. According to Israeli intelligence sources, this initiative consisted in:
“a campaign to enlist thousands of Muslim volunteers in Middle East countries and the Muslim world to fight alongside the Syrian rebels. The Turkish army would house these volunteers, train them and secure their passage into Syria. (DEBKAfile, NATO to give rebels anti-tank weapons, August 14, 2011.)


Western Forces in ISIL
9. There are Western Special Forces and Western intelligence operatives within the ranks of the ISIL. British Special Forces and MI6 have been involved in training Jihadist rebels in Syria.

US-EU Military Contractors Trained Terrorists
10. Western military specialists on contract to the Pentagon have trained the terrorists in the use of chemical weapons.
“The United States and some European allies are using defense contractors to train Syrian rebels on how to secure chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, a senior U.S. official and several senior diplomats told CNN Sunday. ( CNN Report, December 9, 2012)

Beheading Was Part of US-Training
11. The ISIL’s practice of beheadings is part of the US sponsored terrorist training programs implemented in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Criminals Recruited For ISIL
12. Recruited by America’s ally, a large number of ISIL mercenaries are convicted criminals released from Saudi prisons on condition they join the ISIL. Saudi death row inmates were recruited to join the terror brigades. 

Israel Supported ISIL From Golan Heights
Jihadist fighters have met Israeli IDF officers as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu. The IDF top brass tacitly acknowledges that “global jihad elements inside Syria” [ISIL and al- Nusrah] are supported by Israel. See  image below:


“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon next to a wounded mercenary, Israeli military field hospital at the occupied Golan Heights’ border with Syria, 18 February 2014″

ISIL Being Used to Destroy Syria & Iraq
14. The ISIL are the foot soldiers of the Western military alliance. Their unspoken mandate is to wreak havoc and destruction in Syria and Iraq, acting on behalf of their US sponsors.

US Senator McCain Meets Jihadist Terrorists
15. US Senator John McCain has met up with jihadist terrorist leaders in Syria. (see picture right).


US Covertly Helping IS
16.  The Islamic State (IS) militia, which is currently the alleged target of a US-NATO bombing campaign under a “counter-terrorism” mandate, continues to be supported covertly by the US.  Washington and its allies continue to provide military aid to the Islamic State.

US-Allies Not Bombing ISIL
17. US and allied bombings are not targeting the ISIL, they are bombing the economic infrastructure of Iraq and Syria including factories and oil refineries.

Caliphate Project Is A US Agenda
18.  The IS ‘caliphate project’ is part of a longstanding US foreign policy agenda to carve up Iraq and Syria into separate territories: A Sunni Islamist Caliphate, an Arab Shia Republic, a Republic of Kurdistan.

GWOT To Promote Islamophobia
19. “The Global War on Terrorism” (GWOT) is presented as a “Clash of Civilizations”, a war between competing values and religions, when in reality it is an outright war of conquest, guided by strategic and economic objectives.

CIA Sponsors Terrorists in Africa & Yemen
20. U.S. sponsored al-Qaeda terror brigades (covertly supported by Western intelligence) have been deployed in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Yemen.

(The book "America's War on Terrorism" by Michel Chossudovsky.)
These various affiliated Al Qaeda entities in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa  and Asia are CIA sponsored “intelligence assets”. They are used by Washington to wreak havoc, create internal conflicts and destabilize sovereign countries.

Boko Haram, Al-Shabab, LIFG, AQIM, JI Supported by Western Intelligence
21. Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al Shabab in Somalia, the Libya Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) (supported by NATO in 2011),  Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),  Jemaah Islamiah (JI) in Indonesia,  among other Al Qaeda affiliated groups are supported covertly by Western intelligence.

US Supporting Uighur Insurgents in China
22. The US is also supporting Al Qaeda affiliated terrorist organizations in the Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region of China. The underlying objective is to trigger political instability in Western China.
Chinese jihadists are reported to have received “terrorist training” from the Islamic State “in order to conduct attacks in China”. The declared objective of these Chinese-based jihadist entities (which serves the interests of the US) is to establish a Islamic caliphate extending into Western China. (Michel Chossudovsky, ‘America’s War on Terrorism’, Global Research, Montreal, 2005, Chapter 2).

Terrorists R Us
23. The Terrorists R Us! While the US is the unspoken architect of the Islamic State, Obama’s holy mandate is to protect America against ISIL attacks.


Terrorists Acts in The West Are Staged
24. The homegrown terrorist threat is a fabrication.  It is promoted by Western governments and the media with a view to repealing civil liberties and installing a police state. The terror attacks by alleged jihadists and terror warnings are invariably staged events. They are used to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
In turn, the arrests, trials and sentences of “Islamic terrorists” sustain the legitimacy of America’s Homeland Security State and law enforcement apparatus, which has become increasingly militarized.
The ultimate objective is to instill in the minds of millions of Americans that the enemy is real and the U.S. Administration will protect the lives of its citizens.

Demonizing Muslims
25. The “counter-terrorism” campaign against the Islamic State has contributed to the demonization of Muslims, who in the eyes of Western public are increasingly associated with the jihadists.

You Can’t Question War-on-Terror!
26. Anybody who dares to question the validity of the “Global War on Terrorism” is branded a terrorist and subjected to the anti-terrorist laws.
The ultimate objective of the “Global War on Terrorism” is to subdue the citizens, totally depoliticize social life in America, prevent people from thinking and conceptualizing, from analyzing facts and challenging the legitimacy of the inquisitorial social order which rules America.
The Obama Administration has imposed a diabolical consensus with the support of its allies, not to mention the complicit role of the United Nations Security Council. The Western media has embraced the consensus. It has described the Islamic State as an independent entity, an outside enemy which threatens the Western World.

The Big Lie has become the Truth. 
Say no to the “Big Lie”. Spread the message.
The truth is ultimately a powerful weapon.
Please help us continue. We rely on the support of our readers.
For Peace and Truth in Media, Michel Chossudovsky


(Compilation: M. Javed Naseem)

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