God's Justice Will Not Sleep Forever
By Imam Zaid Shakir · November 19, 2007
The world’s greatest humanitarian crisis, as quiet as it is kept, is not in Darfur. While the situation there deserves the attention it is getting it is far less grave than the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Somalia. The nature of that crisis demonstrates much about the nature of US foreign policy and the blatant emptiness of American claims to support popular rule in the Muslim world.
Upon gaining control of most of Somalia in June of 2006 the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) established stability in that war-torn country, a state that had endured over twenty years of strife, the last fifteen without a central government. The ICU was able to stabilize the country, reopen the airport in the capital Mogadishu, reopen the seaports, and revive a ravaged economic system.
However, because they advocated Islamic rule, they were seen as potentially disruptive of American efforts to both fight “terrorism” and establish “full spectrum dominance” in the Middle East. Under the pretext that the ICU had ties to al-Qaeda, allegations that have never been substantiated, the US deemed the regime unacceptable. Realizing that the unpopular warlords, who were instrumental in ravaging the country, would not be able to oust the popular ICU—those warlords had received millions of dollars in US aid over the past few years—America fostered an Ethiopian-led invasion of the country in December 2006 that resulted in the toppling of the ICU, returning Somalia to the anarchic conditions that prevailed before the coming to power of the Islamic Courts regime. Since then over 850,000 Somalis have become refugees, many of whom face the threat of death as relief supplies have been slow to arrive, security is virtually non-existent, and the international community has not even acknowledged the crisis, due to the tacit endorsement most western powers have given to the US-orchestrated Ethiopian invasion.
Those civilians who have not fled the cities are being terrorized by the prospect of being massacred by Ethiopian troops in revenge killings for Ethiopian troops killed by the forces of the ICU, which is waging an increasing effective guerilla war against the Ethiopians and their Somali warlord allies.
Most people in this country are totally unaware of this looming humanitarian disaster that America has precipitated. Others view the prospect of hundred of thousands of dead Muslims, in Somalia and elsewhere, as acceptable “collateral damage” in our efforts to fight “terrorism” and “secure the homeland.” Deeper questions related to the nature of our policies, and the real forces both driving those policies and benefiting from them are seldom asked.
There is a question we need to ask. What have we become? As a nation, generally speaking, we usurp the resources of other countries to support our so-called way of life. We turn a blind eye to the suffering and terrorism we encourage or directly inflict on others in order to enhance our own security. When it is in our interest we mobilize public opinion to condemn the atrocities of others, such as the Sudanese government and her allies in Darfur, while we turn a blind eye and employ every tactic we can find to cover up our own atrocities such as those visited upon the civilian population of Iraq since our invasion and occupation of that country, and now in Somalia.
We should think deeply of the nature of our policies, for God will not forever bless the destructive excesses of an impetuous child. Every American should find the following words of Thomas Jefferson sobering, “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”
Comments (19)
A Concerned Human Soul
November 19, 2007
Assalaamu Alaikum, Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless and helping to trigger in all of us that moral capacity which in this day and age has been masked in the human conscience us. Alot of the time I feel useless, as I read about conflicts and people suffering all over the world. Muslims and Non-Muslaims alike, but ultimately do very very little or nothing to help. I pray for oppressed people everywhere and for those of us living in freedom to be able to make their cause our prime focus. The blockade (not just physical) which the Israeli government has imposed in Gaza this past weekend led to the death of a young Palestinian man who was could not receive treatment for testicular cancer because he wasn't allowed to leave his city. Innalillah wa Inaailayhi Raaji'un. Remember him and others like him in your prayers. Thank You & JazaakAllah Khair
ayesha
November 20, 2007
Asalaam Alaikum Imam Zaid, This is indeed frightening. The case of Somalia and other nations around the world entrenched in warfare will affect all of us. We don't stop often enough and pray for those affected by war, cyclones, earthquakes, drought - and think that it might be our nation or our lives, next. The first step is to be aware and pray for Allah's Mercy. Where can we get accurate information that tells us what is really going on? What sources, media and publications do you recommend? All too often we learn of crimes against humanity, only long after they have occurred, such as in Rwanda and Sebrenica.
Ali Swaby
November 21, 2007
As Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah; I just happened across this blog and my first reaction is to ask Allah to bless this effort and keep it focused and insightful. I was thinking about starting something similar, but having found this, why really bother. All I keep doing is nodding my head in agreement anyway! My second reaction to seek Allah's forgiveness and enjoin Imam Zayd to fear Allah. I don't mean this in a negative connotation, but rather in line with Imam Malik's advice to the young Shafi' (I don't at all view myself in this vein, but provide the nasihah as one Muslim to another). As the saying goes: All politics is local. To the degree that this country continues it exploitative policies abroad, it not only does so in our name, Muslim or non-Muslim, and it policies are to provide and maintain our lifestyle. This lifestyle is shared in jovially by Muslims as well. Our consumption habits are no different other sectors or groups. We are as silent as everyone else regarding these atrocities. Our friday khutbahs, especially since 9-11, but even before, only provide opportunities to fulfill the salah obligation, but not much else. I can't tell the last time I heard a khutbah not entirely related to one or more of the 5-pillars, and I live in NYC!! Finally, this was not meant to be a ranting post. I would hope to continue more of the scholars address these issues. Furthermore, when they are addressed I would hope that there is an emphasis placed on the local implications. Is there a connection to US's Africa policy to US Muslims' consumption habits? Are we practicioners of the highest form of capitalist worship, i.e. shopping and luxurious consumption? As the previous comment implies, how do we build and maintain political awareness? Are there ways to exhibit or exercise our despise of these policies?
Jason Quddus Mow
December 8, 2007
As Salaamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhuu Yaa Muslimeen. SubHaan Allaah. I did not know that happened in Somalia at all. This government is really deceitful Mashaa'Allaah. Allahu Akbar. Alhamdulillaah, I love the reminder of Ali Swaby just prior to this asking for (Bi Ithnillaah) enlightened tactics at the personally executable level for global effectiveness in our intended perfect cause, the Cause of Allahu Ta'Aalaa, 'Aaza Wa Jall. Perhaps we can exemplify a superior manner of expenditure and its effectiveness or adapt a prior used tactic by another people while adapting it to be superior in the manner of the excellence of 'Ibaadah. Laa Ilaaha Ill Allaah. Laa Ilaaha Ill Allaahu Muhammadu Rasuulullaah Sal Allaahu 'Alaihi Was Sallam. As Salaamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhuu.
Ahmed
December 17, 2007
Assalamu Caleykum Warahmatullah. May Allah reward Imam Zaid as he reachly deserves. I'm a Somali native and conform Imam Zaid's words 150%. The truth is as the Imam says and our complain is to Allah alone.
Shukri
January 4, 2008
Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem May Allah help us to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. Unfortunately the majority is too self-absorbed to open their eyes to the reality of the world that surrounds them. Self-transcendence is lacking in a society that educates every man for him/her self. Most people are busy thinking about getting beautiful and rich and others are just too craven to speak their minds. With that said, I want to comment on the point Shaikh Zaid made about ICU bringing stability to Somalia. It
John
January 5, 2008
As I promised, I read the article. And even though I completely agree with everything said here, I still believe that many Islamic celebrities give priority to where it is not due. That being said, we should not remain quiet when a brother behaves in a way that is contradictory to the Sunnah or urf. However, this crime against humanity perpetrated by our government is exactly that: a crime against humanity and it should be dealt with in the strictest terms. I pray for the day when I see the present US president and key members of his administration standing trial in the International Criminal Court of the Hague. Allahu Kareem. However, until that day, I agree with the Muslim thinker Munir Shafeeq who emphasizes the necessity for Muslims to deal with regional issues and international issues concerning the Ummah on the same level. In other words, just as it is important for us to defend our rights in Chicago or Granada, it is also important to fight for the rights of our Muslim brothers in Somalia or Palestine, for instance. Again, thank you Imam Zaid for referring me to this article...
rom
March 8, 2008
I think George Orwell in his 'fictional' book 1984 described the situation of war and the industries it sustains in the modern techno-Capitalist culture perfectly. Without war Research and Development there would be no Internet, no PCs, no Microsoft, Boeing and commercial mass passenger aircrafts would be in their infancy if at all. The end of the cold war caused a crisis of 'accumulation' ...some of these goods have to be destroyed through war and re-building because the US is a unequal society and depends on this to survive. If all the wealth was used up socially on Americans the work motive would fail and the whole thing would collapse. I don't think any humans have any control over the system, they just do what is necessary according to their pragmatic policy needs to sustain their system and 'power'.
rom
March 8, 2008
Ibn Khaldun talked about Asabiya developing amongst the marginalized groups because of the decadence around them, if this group unites under religion and have futuwaa (putting others before themselves) they become strong and their power grows, they choose a local leader to guide them in their community wide affairs...then when the time is right they join up with similar other groups in other regions, they pay Zakat, introduce gold and silver coinage..and very soon insha Allah they gain prominance.
Imam Zaid Shakir
March 12, 2008
As-Salaam 'Alaikum Shukri, Insha Allah, you are well. There is no need to apologize. You presented the truth as you have understood it, and I have tried to present what I have understood of the situation there. My understanding was that there were some more fanatical elements in the ICU but their excesses were condemned by the elders in the movement and that on balance a large degree of stability was restored to the country during their tenure. That is what I was informed of. Saying that I respect what you say and acknowledge that as a Somali you probably have access to information that I lack. May Allah bless your people and have mercy on Somalia.
Karson
April 26, 2011
Stands back from the kyeobrad in amazement! Thanks!
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