14 Safar, 1431,A.H (29 January. 2010) Vol.3: No 89

Welcome to The Pointer Express, The Views Expressed in this newspaper are not necesserily the official view of the Islamic movement in Nigeria.

Systematic crackdown on student activists continues in California

Brutal police crackdown on protests by students attending the University of California (UC) which took place in December 2009 has now shifted to a new level. According to reports by the World Socialist Web Site on January 23 “University of California, Berkeley (UCB) students Angela Miller and Zach Bowin have been suspended from school, and Miller threatened with eviction from student housing, for participating in a protest that occurred outside of UCB Chancellor Robert Birgeneau's campus home on Friday, December 11, 2009.”

Last December, police in California arrested a number of students throughout the state who criticised budget cuts, tuition increases and the wider campaign against public education.

During the protests police arrested 66 students at UCB, 25 at San Francisco State University and a dozen students at UCLA. Some students were also tasered and kept for several hours in a basement, stripped of virtually all their clothes.

A growing number of students in California and the US in general are becoming increasingly angry with government policy of bailing out bankers while disregarding the needs of average citizens. UC students lashed out at the decision to increase tuition fees by 32 percent without any improvement in services while further decreasing the quality of education through reduction of student space and services.

UC students also demanded that the government forgive their debt and not force them to pay for the economic fiasco caused by Wall Street. However, apart from heavy handed police crackdown, student activists are now facing an administrative as well as a disguised form of crackdown manifested in suspensions and exclusion from sitting their exams.

The US government's inability to face constructive criticism without resorting to force clearly indicates that its slogans of freedom and democracy are empty words. The fact that UC students, unlike the rioters in Tehran, did not resort to vandalism or acts of violence, yet faced a brutal crackdown, shows that US “concern” for the rights of Tehran rioters is merely a publicity stunt.

Karroubi Recognises Ahmadinejad as “Iran President”

Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi who had refused to accept the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, now recognizes him as the country's president, Karroubi's son told AFP on Monday.

Hossein Karroubi quoted his father as saying: "I am still of the same belief that the election was unhealthy and massively rigged. But since the (supreme) leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) endorsed (Ahmadinejad's victory), I believe that he is the head of the government, meaning he is the president."

Hossein spoke to AFP when asked to confirm an earlier report by Fars news agency quoting his father in which he acknowledged Ahmadinejad as the president. Fars asked the opposition leader whether he now acknowledges Ahmadinejad as the president. The ex-speaker of parliament, who came fourth in the disputed June 12 presidential election, replied: "I still maintain that there were problems (in the election), but with regard to your question, I should say that I recognize the president.”

Obama To Freeze Salaries Of Top Officials

US President Barack Obama is reportedly planning to freeze salaries of top White House officials and other top political appointees across his government.

A senior administration official said Tuesday the plan would likely be mentioned in Obama's first State of the Union address to Congress on Wednesday.

The decision would affect some 1,200 people in the government who earn more than $100,000.

They include White house officials, politically appointed ambassadors and other top administration appointees.

Officials, however, believe that the step would largely be a symbolic gesture to the public and the savings would be minimal.

Obama, who is under public pressure to curb record US deficit and government spending, is also expected to announce a three-year freeze on spending on some domestic programs, saving $250 billion by 2020.

Iran Praises Mauritania for Cutting Ties with Israel

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad praised the Mauritanian government for breaking diplomatic ties with Israel. During a meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in Tehran on Monday, Ahmadinejad called the move a valuable step which "should set an example for the rest of the Islamic countries."

“The Zionists are angry over these actions as they want to project that they have normal relations with the Islamic world,” the Iranian president was quoted as saying in remarks posted on his office website.

Mauritania cut its ties with Israel during the December 2008-January 2009 Gaza war, during which over 1400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed.

The Iranian president also called Israel the "root of all the corruption in the region."

Mauritania's president is currently visiting Tehran with a high-ranking delegation. Tehran began expanding relations with Nouakchott after the African nation severed its ties with Israel. In 2009, Iran completed the construction of an ophthalmology center in the Mauritanian capital left unfinished by Israel.

During their meeting, the two presidents discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and international developments.

Iran Seeks U.S. Extraditions over Scientist Assassination

Iran called on the United States on Tuesday to extradite members of a "terrorist group" which the Islamic Republic has linked to this month's killing of a university scientist in Tehran.

Iranian officials have blamed both Israel and the United States for the January 12 bomb attack that killed Professor Massoud Ali-Mohammadi. Some Iranian media have also reported that a Western-based pro-monarchy group claimed responsibility for the attack.

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast named the group as Tondar (Thunder), without giving details. He said the Swiss ambassador, who represents U.S. interests in Iran, had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday.

"Regarding the assassination which was claimed by Tondar, we asked the Swiss embassy for an explanation on how the U.S. accepted to have this terrorist group in their country," he told a weekly press briefing.

"They should be answerable about this and we want the criminals to be extradited to Iran," Mehmanparast said.

Barak Threatens to Target Lebanese Gov't if War with Hezbollah Broke Out

Once again Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak repeats his threats to the Lebanese government holding it responsibility for any war that may break out with Hezbollah and resistance fighters and warned that Israel would also bomb Syria as well.

Barak on Tuesday explained his political-diplomatic doctrine in light of the situation in the Middle East, spoke about the current threats, called for the partition of Israel, but stressed that "peace will only come when our neighbors-rivals understand that there is no way to drag Israel into diplomatic honey traps."

The Israeli defense minister said that "we have an interest to draw a border with a Jewish majority forever alongside a country expressing the Palestinians' desire. We have a historic responsibility to look at reality and understand that without marking a border in the Land of Israel with a Jewish majority inside and a Palestinian outside, that and nothing else will be the biggest threat on Zionism and the people of Israel."

Speaking at an Israel Management Center (IMC) conference at Bar-Ilan University, Barak added, "We are the strongest in the region, but time is not on our side. We must stand with our eyes wide open and our legs steady with a slight straddle the left eye looking for a crack or window for peace, but that will only happen if the other hand is on the trigger."

Barak responded to the recent escalation in the North, warning the Lebanese government, "We are not looking for a deterioration of the situation in Lebanon, but if there is such an unraveling, our target will not be some Hezbollah somewhere in southern Lebanon. Our target will be the Lebanese government and its infrastructure, whatever that may include."

He added that "Resolution 1701 failed to end the threat in the north. There are rockets and missiles which practically cover the entire country. The Egyptians are increasing efficiency in the south as well, but there are still rockets in Gaza which could reach Tel Aviv. However, there is deterrence and Hezbollah is trying to prevent small organizations from firing at the Galilee Panhandle, while Hamas is attempting to keep the extremists quiet."

On the Iran front, the Israeli defense minister called on the international community to support sanctions on Tehran.

According to Barak, the Islamic Republic "is using the dialogue being held and the nuclear research reactor in Tehran in order to continue playing for time. "It's important to set a fixed and short timeframe for a dialogue and sanctions. The sanctions must be harsh and paralyzing, and eventually effective," Barak said, reiterating that an option of a military strike must remain open. "All options are on the table and none of the options must be canceled."

As for the Syrian issue, Barak said "there is a very consistent stand a threat and an opportunity. We are extremely strong. But (Syria) has a certain disturbing skill it had rockets and missiles. It is a country which voices very clear stands the president telling the world that he wishes to strike an agreement. The price and characteristics of a settlement are knows, the gains are unclear. It's hard to imagine what it will be like, but it is in our interest to remove Syrian from the circle of hostility. I am not sure this can be done in parallel to the Palestinians."

Turning on to the Palestinian issue, Barak who received a death threat recently on the backdrop of the evacuation of West Bank outposts said that he "understands very well the objection to what I represent among the extreme Right."

According to Barak, "We must take this painful step. There are millions of Palestinians in this region. If they vote, this will become a bi-national state, and if not an apartheid state."

Barak spoke about management and leadership, claiming that "we are the world's capital in talking. The problem is doing, making the shift from talking. In the face of challenges there are two prominent traits in business and in security responsibility and leadership. We must ask what is good for the country, not for me or for the party, not what the poll says."

"We must stick to long-term goals. In the end, the identity of the decision maker will be determined at the moment of truth. I told Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) and Bibi (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) that the toughest decisions are when facing the people, not when facing the rival leaders.”

US Lawmakers Press Obama On Gaza Siege

A number of US congressmen have written to President Barack Obama, urging him to pressure Israel to ease the blockade of the Gaza Strip over humanitarian concerns.

"We ask you to press for immediate relief for the citizens of Gaza as an urgent component of your broader Middle East peace efforts," said a letter signed by 54 lawmakers.

The impoverished coastal sliver has been under an Israeli blockade since June 2007. The siege has hampered the ability of relief agencies to distribute much needed aid amongst some 1.5 million people.

The congressmen sympathized with Israel over what they described as threats from Palestinian activists in Gaza but said the blockade has resulted in "the de facto collective punishment of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip."

The letter written by Democrat Representatives Jim McDermott from Washington and Keith Ellison from Minnesota was also signed by several leftist organizations, including Americans for Peace Now and J Street.

They called for facilitation of movement into and out of Gaza, while urging Israel to allow the import of building materials for the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure devastated during Israel's January 2008 offensive, which killed far more than 1,400 Palestinians.

The letter prompted a response by the Israeli Embassy in Washington. It said the blockade would stand "as long as Hamas continues to attack Israel with missiles and other means."

"Israel will not allow a neighbor that calls for its destruction to enjoy the benefits of an open border," it stressed.

Tel Aviv is irked by missiles and rockets fired into southern Israel from Gaza. The projectiles normally land in deserted areas and hardly cause any casualties or damage to properties.

The missiles are, Palestinians say, a response to Israeli airstrikes, murder and abduction of Gazans, and the ongoing siege of the coastal strip.

Iran Arrests Element Behind Murder Of Prosecutor

Iranian forces have arrested one of the elements behind the assassination of a prosecutor in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, an official announced on Tuesday.

West Azarbaijan Governor-General Vahid Jalalzadeh said that the element was arrested in an operation against the PJAK terrorist group in a border area of the province on Monday night.

Vali Haji-Qolizadeh, the prosecutor of the city of Khoy, was shot twice in front of his home on January 18.

Jalalzadeh stated that some PJAK members were also killed in the operation.

PJAK is regarded as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The PKK is recognized as a terrorist group by a number of countries and organizations, including Turkey, Iran, Iraq, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.

Guatemala Arrests Ex-Leader On US Warrant

Guatemalan authorities on Tuesday arrested former President Alfonso Portillo on a US extradition request related to money-laundering charges.

After four days on the run, Portillo was tracked down at the northeastern beach resort of Punta de Palma, while preparing to flee Guatemala by boat.

The 58-year-old former leader, who left office in 2004, is accused of embezzling tens of millions of dollars of state funds during his presidency and laundering at least $6.5 million through American banks.

US prosecutors say the laundered money was stolen from a children's charity. A Guatemalan court approved the extradition request on Friday.

Portillo served as president from 2000 to 2004 before fleeing to Mexico. He was sent back to Guatemala in 2008 to face embezzlement charges at home which he has repeatedly denied.

Portillo's lawyer had said earlier that the ex-president would not surrender, claiming that the charges against him were political.

'Iran Showed Others How To Resist US Hegemony’

Iran's former deputy chief nuclear negotiator says Tehran's persistence in pursuing its peaceful nuclear program has defied US hegemony.

"At the end of [President] Bush's tenure, the US had lost its identity as a hegemonic power because it did not gain any achievements in solving major international issues, including Iran's nuclear case," said Javad Vaeedi, the former deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

"So Iran's persistence in its nuclear program showed others how to resist hegemony," Vaeedi added.

He made the remarks at a forum about US President Barack Obama's policies held at Tehran University on Tuesday.

The US believes that it should bring Iran's nuclear program under its control so that it can save face as a hegemonic power, Vaeedi stated.

He noted that Obama is trying to create a "global consensus" against Iran as part of his policy to increase the international pressure on Iran.

But Obama has failed to fulfill his "change" motto, and the situation is developing in a way that is just the opposite of what he had promised during his presidential campaign, Vaeedi observed.

Iran to hold 1st Intl. Poster Design Exhibition

Iran's Mahak Charity Society is slated to hold the country's first International Poster Design Exhibition in the capital, Tehran.

The event will be held in line with Mahak institute's goals to support children suffering from cancer and corporate social responsibility.

“Although such social themes are not well known in Iran, graphic designers were enthusiastic about the exhibit and I am certain that the theme will be raised in the near future,” Tehran Times quoted head of the Iranian Graphic Designers Society (IGDS) Ebrahim Haqiqi as saying.

The organization will cooperate with the Mahak Charity Society.

Farshid Mesqali, Kamran Katouzian, Farzad Adibi, Saed Meshki, Majid Abbasi, Mostafa Asadollahi and Tahamtan Aminian will judge 50 works by 47 artists.

The competition will not provide any prize, but the winners will get the opportunity to sponsor three children suffering from cancer.

Iran's first International Poster Design Exhibition will run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, 2010.

Were the Policies of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn different?

Culled from muslimedia.com

Although these two great leaders are, according to the explicit statement of the Holy Prophet (s), rightful Imams, their policies apparently seem different. Some have even said that the difference of opinions of these two brothers was so great that one of them, having 40 000 combatants, accepted the peace offer, while the other, with only 40 friends and companions (other than his relatives) fought the enemy and lost all of them including his suckling child for this cause.

However, close investigation proves the contrary, as we see that Imam al-Hasan (AS) lived for about nine and a half years during the reign of Mu'awiyah and did not oppose him overtly. After the martyrdom of his brother, Imam al-Husayn (a) also lived for about nine and a half years during the reign of Mu'awiyah and never thought of rising in rebellion against him and did not challenge him.

Hence, the main cause of this superficial difference in the policies of the two Imams (a) lies in the difference of opinion between Mu'awiyah and Yazid, rather than the difference of opinion of these two great Imams (a).

The policy of Mu'awiyah was not based on lack of discipline and restraint and he did not deride the religious precepts by its overt opposition.

Mu'awiyah called himself a "companion" of the Holy Prophet (s) and the "writer of Revelation". Through his sister (who was the wife of the Holy Prophet (s) and who was Umm al-Mu'minin (the mother of the believers), Mu'awivah was called "Khal al-Mu'minin" (the maternal uncle of the believers) and was greatly favoured by the Second Caliph in whom the common people had total confidence and special attachment.

Furthermore, Mu'awiyah, in a majority of cases, had appointed the Companions of the Holy Prophet (s) who were respected and honoured by the people (such as Abu Hurayrah,' Amr al-'As, Samrah, Yusr, Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah, and others) as governors of provinces and had put them in charge of the key positions of the country. These governors used to work for the favourable opinions of the people towards Mu'awiyah. Many ahadith were fabricated and narrated among the people regarding the virtues and the religious immunity of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (s) and that they were not questionable for whatever they did. Thus whatever Mu'awiyah did, if corrigible and justifiable at all, it was rectified and justified by these authorities; otherwise, by giving a great deal of hush-money, he prevented his opponents from complaining. Where these means and methods did not work, thousands of innocent people comprising of Shi'ahs (friends) of 'Ali (a), other Muslims, and even a great number of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (s) were killed by these collaborators, partisans, and "companions" of Mu'awiyah.

Mu'awiyah pretended to be right in whatever he did and accomplished everything with a special patience and forbearance. With a particular gentleness and flexibility, he attracted the kindness and obedience of people. Sometimes, he even heard the curse of people on him and sensed their enmity, but he responded with cheerfulness and forgiveness and thus pursued his policy in this way.

Apparently, he paid respect to Imam al-Hasan (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a) and sent them valuable gifts and souvenirs. On the other hand, he publicly announced that whoever narrates a hadith concerning the virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (a),will have no security of life, reputation, and property; but whoever narrates a hadith concerning the virtues. Prophet (s) will receive a of the Companions of the Holy reward.

He gave orders to the orators and preachers to curse Imam 'Ali (a) from pulpits used for addressing Muslims. By the order of Mu'awiyah, his hirelings killed the supporters of Imam 'Ali (a) wherever they could find them. They went along in this matter to such an extent that they killed a large number of people who were the enemies of Imam 'Ali (a), accusing them of having friendship with the Imam (a).

It becomes clear from the above description that the rise of Imam al-Hasan (a) would only have ended to the detriment of Islam and would have had no effect other than the martyrdom of the Imam (a) and his supporters. And even it was not unlikely that, in this case, Mu'awiyah might have got killed Imam al-Hasan (a) through the friends and relatives of the Imam (a) and then, in order to pacify public opinion, Mu'awivah would have rent (torn) his shirt and mourned for the Imam (a) and, in seeking vengeance (for this bloodshed), he would have tried to take his revenge by killing the Shi'ahs, as he later did while dealing with the case of 'Uthman.

But the political trend of Yazid had no resemblance with that of his father. He was a self-admiring and indisciplined youth. He had no logic: other than force. He gave no importance to public opinion.

During his short-term rule, Yazid at once revealed the damages which were secretly inflicted on Islam.

In the first year of his rule, Yazid put the family of the Holy Prophet (SA) to the edge of the sword.

In the second year of his rule, he ruined the city of Madinah and allowed his troops to transgress upon the honour, life, and property of the people for three days.

In the third year of his rule, he destroyed Ka'bah.

Owing to the above reasons, the movement of Imam al-Husayn (a) was imprinted on the minds of the people and its effect grew more profoundly and publicly day by day. In the beginning, this movement manifested itself in the form of bloody revolutions. Finally, it attracted a great number of Muslims as the supporters of truth and reality and as the supporters of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) of the Holy Prophet (s).

It was because of this reason that Mu'awiyah, in his will to Yazid, had strongly recommended that Yazid should leave Imam al-Husayn (a) alone and not bother him; but would the drunkenness and self-admiration of Yazid permit him to differentiate between his benefit and his loss?

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