US losing ‘war for hearts and minds’ of Muslims

[batmannow]

US losing ‘war for hearts and minds’ of Muslims

January 12, 2009 Monday Muharram 14, 1430
dawn news
By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON, Jan 11: The Gaza conflict appears to have widened the traditional divide in the United States between the left-leaning liberals and the mainstream politicians and has also dealt a severe blow to US efforts for winning the hearts and minds of Muslim masses.

For the past two weeks, anti-war groups have been holding protest rallies against the Israeli aggression almost daily. The biggest rally was held outside the White House on Saturday, which brought tens of thousands of people from across the United States.

Most of the participants were the same who come to all anti-war rallies. And the main organisers — Brian Becker, Cindy Sheehan, Ramsey Clark, Cynthia McKinney — are known anti-war activists.

What is new is the participation of a large number of Muslims and Arabs. Even a cursory look at the names of the organisations associated with these rallies show how the Gaza conflict has mobilised the Arabs and Muslims against the Israeli aggression.

The organisers of these rallies included the Muslim American Society Freedom, Free Palestine Alliance, American Muslim Task Force, National Council of Arab Americans, Al-Awda — International Palestine Right to Return Coalition, Council on American Islamic Relations, American Muslims for Palestine, American Muslim Alliance, US Palestinian Community Network, Iranian-American Friendship Committee and the Middle East Children’s Alliance.

And they were able to bring thousands of their supporters to the rally. Protesters waved Palestinian flags, wore keffiyeh — a traditional Palestinian headdress — and some even came in shalwar qamiz.

This marked a change in the attitude of the US Muslims and Arabs who traditionally stay away from political activities, preferring instead to focus on their businesses and professions.

“There goes Bush’s campaign to win Muslim hearts and minds,” said a protester who identified herself as a member of the group called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.
“If you also look at the huge anti-war rallies in the Arab world, you can see that the US has lost the war for hearts and minds,” she said.
“I came because there are innocent children dying daily in Palestine. The American people need to know the truth,” said 13-year-old Razan Ali, a Palestinian-American from New York.

The protesters also marched to the headquarters of The Washington Post to protest “its hard pro-Israeli line”, before heading to the offices of construction equipment giant Caterpillar and military contractor Lockheed Martin.

The organisers pointed out that each Israeli tank in the Gaza invasion was followed by a Caterpillar bulldozer to flatten thousands of homes. Lockheed Martin manufactures the F-16 fighter jets that Israel uses to bomb targets inside Gaza.

But such protests have had little impact on the mainstream politicians in the United States who remain solidly behind Israel.
While the Bush administration last week abstained voting for a UN Security Council resolution which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the US Congress overwhelmingly endorsed the Israeli plan for a military victory against Hamas.

The two moves gave Israel the support it needed to ignore the United Nations and continue its military strikes in Gaza.

Earlier this week, the US House of Representatives adopted a resolution, titled “Supporting Israel in Its Battle with Terrorist Hamas”, by 390 votes. Only five congressmen voted against it.
A similar resolution in the Senate, co-sponsored by Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, was passed unanimously.

 

[Al-zakir]

Not a surprise at all. Muslims are suffering all over the world because of USA's baised foregn policy.

 

[ajpirzada]

these protests dont do anything. muslim world needs to get united and come up with some policy to deal with any such issue collectively. may be strengthen OIC. its disappointin that despite having most of the world's energy resources we muslims still have got no say in international affairs. if one day arab world decides to stop their oil supplies, the next day u wont even see US supportin israel's agression against palestine. but its sad that all wat the muslim countries do is just give one statement and think they have done their part.

 

[ju87]

Interestingly enough, all of you on this thread sit in non-Muslim countries passing such comments. Hypocrisy.

 

[roopesh]

Interestingly enough, all of you on this thread sit in non-Muslim countries passing such comments. Hypocrisy.

well...most of us are hear to earn $ before our next generation ask about what $ means?

Does US care for muslim emotions on the first place. I believe none of the islamic countries are true frens of USA. Its like a wild tiger..no one likes after it loose the power

 

[Bane Blade]

Interestingly enough, all of you on this thread sit in non-Muslim countries passing such comments. Hypocrisy.

Muslims all over the world condemn these attack the movement here has caused the Scottish Parliament and Westminster to vote for a cease fire, claim Israels response was unjust and Labour officials have met with both Muslim Clergy in UK and the Jewish priests the people who sit outside of Muslim countries do the important job of spreading awareness.

 

[afriend]

these protests dont do anything. muslim world needs to get united and come up with some policy to deal with any such issue collectively. may be strengthen OIC. its disappointin that despite having most of the world's energy resources we muslims still have got no say in international affairs. if one day arab world decides to stop their oil supplies, the next day u wont even see US supportin israel's agression against palestine. but its sad that all wat the muslim countries do is just give one statement and think they have done their part.

I don't know why this has been made as a fight against MUSLIMS..!! All countries have muslims even USA have large number of Muslims..!!! Its not a fight against muslims but a fight against palestine.. all peace loving countries should come forward and condemn it..!!! This is one wrong notion that alquaida have propogated and took advantage off..!!! I think educated people should understand that..!!! And regarding OIC stopping oil supplies it will be counter productive, as most of these oil rich countries depend on the revenues of the OIL sales..!!! And it will also lead to a joint opinion of the world to turn against OIC and take control of their oil reserves..!!!