The Saudi Imperative

[muse]

Sell oil, infuse venom
Gulmina Bilal Ahmad



Pakistan has been in a state of war for some time now; a war fought in the name of God between people who, ironically, believe in the same God. What is more ironical is when this internal conflict in Pakistan is given directions from abroad by someone who holds the position of a custodian of this sacred faith. Swat, the land of lush pastures once, saw a flood of violence and blood. A year has almost passed since the Pakistan Army and now another flood cleared the area. I grieve that perhaps troubles have taken a fondness for this place.

In the past I have written about the influx of Wahabiism and the external support for it. Maybe, it got labelled as yet another conspiracy theory in some minds but very recently one of the most circulated Arab dailies (Arab News, July 31, 2010) in their editorial piece ‘Devastating floods’ have asked the Taliban to halt violence in the flood-struck areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Does this ring any bells anywhere? To even suggest to someone to refrain from a certain activity requires that you enjoy a sagacity of authority over that person or organisation and have an assurance that your control will be acknowledged. In layman terminology, this depicts the presence of a connection between the adviser and the actor. In case there is the presence of a connection and the sense of authority, does that mean that the banned outfit is getting some sort of logistical or fiscal support from somewhere, just a notion?

The other thing provocative about this editorial piece is that when you suggest, advice or appeal — as a cover — to an organisation of such motives, you are actually acknowledging it to be a hierarchal organisation. In Pakistan, we know this outfit as a mafia, which has led to a bloodbath of innocent civilians when they did not bow down to its indoctrination. Without accusing anyone, I am still forced to think of a nexus between Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Arab world. It is not a surprise that the whole crusade was and is still led by an ‘Arabian Prince’. The Wahabi philosophy of hate sustains it.

Pakistan never faced a scarcity of hate-mongers, something that the outside world realised a long time back. It is not that alone; it is hate initiated on political and other motives. After the recent disgraceful terrorism acts on religious places in Pakistan, the buzz has been that it is the Wahabi version of Islam that is always aggressive and bigoted towards other sects in Islam. There has been some news about a possible funding for spreading Wahabi literature in Pakistan, Indonesia and some other countries. Some Wahabi followers advocate the idea of demolishing shrines, as these places are the ‘centres of shirk’. By the way, shirk means associating partners with God Almighty. This is a very severe clash between different schools of thought in Islam where one claims these shrines to be the places of spiritual learning and healing while the other calls them places of shirk.

The severity of the above-mentioned issue has created this unvarying ‘tug-of-war’ like situation where the stronger sect tries to dominate the weaker sect. Since one particular sect is pumped by steroids of ‘oil money’, they buy loyalties and manipulate them to gain prominence. I believe the need here is to understand one simple point that not everyone in this world can be converted to your faith and people too would always like to choose what they want for themselves. Good or bad, that is not your headache. In case one still does not understand, then let me remind you that there is no compulsion in religion. This very religion that they sponsor bans a follower from killing a person for any reason, religious difference being none of them.

The other night while hopping through the different news channels to hear something as a bedtime story, I paused upon this debate between two very famous anchors. They were discussing the fact that Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) has led humanitarian work at all disaster-struck places. Whether it is the recent floods or the plane crash catastrophe in Islamabad, members of this organisation have been at the forefront of such relief work. Is the banned outfit looking for easy ways to glorification or are we being fooled into believing that everything that glitters is gold? The particular audience for whom the only source of political knowledge is the debates on TV ends up believing this ‘glorification’. Here the responsibility falls on the media to depict the truth that has been cloaked under the so-called ‘humanitarian’ activities. Ever heard about creating a ‘sympathy vote’?

History repeats itself and in Pakistan history is forced to repeat itself rather quickly. We made the same mistake in 2005 of glorifying the humanitarian activities of religious outfits and see where that has landed us. A public opinion poll in Punjab gives the astounding realisation that most people think that the purpose or the motive the Taliban are fighting for is justified but the means or methodology is wrong. This is a notion that can hamper the counter-terrorism efforts to a great extent. This differentiation is limiting our condemnation. This slow poisoning or intoxication will lead us to a painful death as a society. The effort by one particular sect to marginalise all other sects of the same faith and turn them into minorities in their land will lead to mayhem and the only way out of this is breaking the shackles of silence.

The writer is an Islamabad based freelance consultant and can be reached at coordinator@individualland.com

 

[banned]

The Saudi when look back into history do not find any part of Golden islamic period associated with achievements of their tribal mafia. Rather they were known as a nuisance and Ottomans mastered the art of keeping them in check. This also undermines their legitimacy over controlling two holy mosques as their estate (jagir). So the clever royal family has embarked upon a consistent campaign of re-branding Islam with Al-Saud royal dynasty. History and artifacts or Islamic civilization are systematically destroyed under pretext of "idolatry". The entire Makkah and Media mosques are riddles with names of Saudi royals. State media constantly spews a campaign of propaganda showing Saudi rulers in background with Makkah/Medinia development in foreground. As if all this was not enough, a forigen arm of Saudi charities serves the purpose of funding mosques and madrassas preaching Saudi sanctioned religious doctrine. The Saudi foreign missions are engaged in two way business. Indoctrinating people and engaging them to flush their rival influences going to any length including terrorism in these attempts.

The Saudis wish to see themselves as the powerhouse of Islamic empire much like the Ottomans and Persians did for seven centuries. The subject of Ottomans and Persians in Islamic history is still a source of embarrassment to Saudis who do not teach it in their official history. But rather an official version of history branding Ottomans as heretics who indirectly contributed to birth of Israel by letting Jews take refuge in Istanbul. The Persians have been on their hate radar since pre-Islamic times. Not chance barred here to demonize them.

The Saudi regime has been the root cause of derailment behind several Islamic countries due to their liberal financing of hard line Islamic parties. From quagmire of Afghanistan to terrorism in Pakistan, Philippines, Jundallah in Iran and attacks on Shia minority of Bahran has trails of Saudi money connected to it.

 

[T-Faz]

It is a well known fact that since Bhutto developed ties with the Middle East, especially the Saudi's, started utilizing the extremist elements within Pakistan.

Sectarian violence was non existent within Pakistan before his period and once Bhutto initiated relations with the Arabs, they supported their favorites to such an extent that they were able to depose the leader himself. Hard lobbying came for Zia from Arabs who otherwise would have never been considered for the top role.

It is imperative that we rid ourselves of this burden of Muslim brotherhood. Its now the time to realize this before it is too late. Look how the arabs have used Afghanistan and they themselves have not suffered an ounce of what Afghanistan has gone through. Al Qaeda is an Arabic organization and many of the useless sheikhs like to fund groups within other Muslims countries to promote their sect.

 

[muse]

T Faz

It's only Pakistanis who think in terms of "brotherhood" - the Arbi is no brother to anyone, not even to other Arbis - Banned has highlighted what drives the seeding of Muslim societies with Saudi venon - in particular their war against Iran - Pakistan, Mashallah, is very resilient state, but now real cracks have appeared in her social fabric - I'm not referring to the political "demands", now it has come to dealing death, openly, with out remorse, as if it is just business.

We have been warning of the Saudi threat for some time and it will take some time for people to recognize it for what it is, but in the meantime the Saudi venom will claim many innocent lives - somehow the Saudi has to be held accountable, and to be honest if not by us, then by who else? It is upon they unleashed their curse, it is upon them, it is to be paid back.

 

[T-Faz]

^^^^^^

Well said Sir,

If only the people of our nation realise this as soon as possible, we have been suffering from this induced venom for some time and it is really pushing our country to it's edge.

It should also be noted that after the creation of Pakistan, Arabic nation went to India instead of Pakistan as they did not expect Pakistan to survive. We have better friends in the Turks and Iranians, these Arabs have been nothing but detrimental to our society.

Such external influence is very disturbing as our illiterate populace can be easily manipulated, especially in the name of religion.

Hopefully better judgement shall prevail and we realise just like the Turks that these people will backstab you in a blink of an eye.

And it shall be paid back in full. No one harms our country and gets away with it.

 

[desiman]

It is a well known fact that since Bhutto developed ties with the Middle East, especially the Saudi's, started utilizing the extremist elements within Pakistan.

Sectarian violence was non existent within Pakistan before his period and once Bhutto initiated relations with the Arabs, they supported their favorites to such an extent that they were able to depose the leader himself. Hard lobbying came for Zia from Arabs who otherwise would have never been considered for the top role.

It is imperative that we rid ourselves of this burden of Muslim brotherhood. Its now the time to realize this before it is too late. Look how the arabs have used Afghanistan and they themselves have not suffered an ounce of what Afghanistan has gone through. Al Qaeda is an Arabic organization and many of the useless sheikhs like to fund groups within other Muslims countries to promote their sect.

which Butto are you talking about lol sorry im kinda lost

 

[NWO]

I think you guys should be a bit careful when using words like Arabs and Saudi interchangeably. When you say Arab, its sounds like your generalizing an entire ethnicity for the actions of a few.

I may be overacting or something, but I thought I might point that out.

 

[Cityboy]

which Butto are you talking about lol sorry im kinda lost

i guess he is zulfikar bhuto, father of benzir bhuto

 

[Undivided Kashmir]

Nothing in this world comes for free.

Pakistan wanted free / Cheap Oil and funds from the Arabs and the Arabs in turn wanted their version of Islam in pakistan.

 

[banned]

Nothing in this world comes for free.

Pakistan wanted free / Cheap Oil and funds from the Arabs and the Arabs in turn wanted their version of Islam in pakistan.

Free cheap oil was offered from Iran and Bahrain also offered finance for energy. The Saudi came later to country the Iranian. They expected us to give them the bomb becuase they were aware of our secret nuke dealings with Iran. However, the WOT came up and project collapsed even before its initiation.

 

[banned]

I am thinking to write a blog about Saudi roots to sevral conflict and secratarian violences around the first because I have witness their wahabi rise first hand and feel it could be a valuable insight. Whose with me, leave a thanks to this post.

 

[banned]

The Gulf nations particularly Saudis do not consider is as friends as well out border proximity with Iran pours could water on any expectation of engagement in future conflict. Their vision about Pakistan is another "iron hand" if muslim world on the lines of Turkey and Iran. So behind all their smiles and generous aid to their favourite religious groups is abosolute hate and strategies to destabilize Pakistan. Saudis and upto an extent for UAE's sole intrest lies in India and Pakistan is nothing but a hurdle in between. We should strengthen our ties with Turkey, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt more than oil rich gulf states.

When it comes to investment, preferntial trade and man power hiring all the compass point north towards India even thought the Saudis know lot of Indian spies collaborating with Mossad have been sneaked into their vital business of banking and security but when it comes time for protecting a corrupt oil monarch it is PA and SSG which is called upon. Talks a lot about hypocrisy.

 

[nightcrawler]

I can bet that if Pakistan now tested an ICBM USA will make Saudis to alienated completely from Pakistan & they can't do otherwise & why should they .......................