Sudan Crisis: Clinton, Lewinsky and that U.S. bombing
Over 100 people have been killed, and many more injured - may Allah grant them a full recovery. Interviewed from Khartoum, the BBCs Fergal Keane made the following observations
* Sudan’s military is made up of various factions
* U.S. pressure is via Saudi Arabia which has given $4billion to the government
* U.S. envoy Tibor Nagy was on his way to Sudan to meet its leaders
U.S. and U.K ambassadors meet military and opposition
The UK and US ambassadors in Sudan have met the military rulers and the opposition protesters in these critical days as Sudan tries to adopt a new political path after Omar Bashir. U.K. Ambassador Irfan Siddiq met Sudan's Rapid Support Forces commander. Influencing both sides is a tried and tested way that foreign powers use to influence the political situation in Muslim countries to their advantage.
Whatever their rhetoric about ‘democracy’, ‘civilian rule’ or ‘freedom’ - foreign powers have only one rule which is that their interests and influence must be maintained.
Those who agree to meet these foreign envoys actually give them influence over our affairs. Without local helpers\agents, foreign powers have little influence in Muslim lands.
For true independence, Sudan and other Muslim lands have to exclude the grubby hands of colonial powers in the ummah’s affairs. That is what we must expect from any sincere Islamic leadership.
يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ عَدُوِّى وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِالْمَوَدَّةِ
O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies as protecting friends, showing affection towards them [Sura Mumtahana 60:1]
U.S. bombing of Khartoum
It was at the height of the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky affair. A U.S. president faced calls for impeachment over sexual dealings with a White House intern. At that time, Clinton ordered the bombing of Khartoum’s Al-Shifa factory, the largest factory producing medicines in Sudan.
Yet, till the end, Omar Bashir had strong relations with the U.S. - despite their supposed rhetoric against him. He was a true servant discarded like tissue when no longer needed. Imagine if it had been Sudan that bombed a U.S. factory in Washington?
Be it Pakistan or Sudan, Muslim countries that have been bombed by the U.S. and their citizens have been killed, yet relations have been maintained with the U.S. while some of the leaders keep telling us that is a necessity. For them, slavery to the U.S. is a necessity.
Different factions in the military
This is normal. Whilst a particular faction might currently have the upper hand, it is usual that not everyone is on board with working with the U.S. or U.K. Some can see where that leads and will genuinely want to work for their people’s interests.
Ongoing struggle for change
Those seeking real change must continue to raise their voices within society and argue for the real Islamic change, the implementation of the Islamic Khilafah system, which Allah (swt) ordered us to live by
Warn of the dangers of allowing foreign powers to continue interfering in our affairs. Make dua that Allah makes the day soon when a sincere Islamic leadership, a Khalifah who loves Allah and implements the khilafah system finally gives these foreign powers their marching orders. Then we can trade and deal with those nations we choose, not those who have designs to control us.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ -
O you who have believed, if you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you and make your foothold firm. [Muhammad 47: 7]
Because of Allah’s promise, we have full confidence that in the end, after much struggle, we will one day see the re-establishment of Islam as a way of life in Muslim lands - and an end to colonial control over them.