To David Cameron,
I say David Cameron because your actions are not of a man I would recognise as a leader therefore I shall not address by the label you are known by.
I am British, born and raised in this land. However, my parents are not. I neither fit in your country nor in theirs. You go on national tv claiming multiculturalism is not working, It's not working because your not seeing it?? Have you bothered to step out of your social circle to see what things are like in the real world?
Do you, David Cameron, walk the streets when it is dark to see who is left out in the darkness with no shleter? Do you, David Cameron, go to a citizens house and ask them how they're coping financial, physically and mentally? Do you, David Cameron, know what the people of the land you are suppose to be defending and protecting are feeling at this very moment?
How can a man who does not know his people, and has no intention to, be called their leader? You stand on podiums day after day talking about budgets, finances and ridding the world of extremism, but what about winning over the people? If the people do not like you then no amount of money can fix that. When people have lost hope in your government, no amount of talking can regain that.
As a citizen of this country, I simply ask that you walk to St.Pauls Cathedral and TALK to the people!
Ask them why they are there, what you can do and make a sincere intention to discuss these issues openly. Our politics have become a joke! You have secrets and you lie, how can you be trusted when you openly betray your so-called allies? Walk the streets at night and ask the teacher sleeping under the bridge how he got there, ask the qualified psychologist how he / she got there. If you get to know the people you'll get to see the REAL issues.
Money can only get you so far, but if the people turn against you, you won't get anywhere.
Yours Sincerley
A concerned citizen
Monday, 24 October 2011
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Gadaffi's Death
Okay here I go!
I don't care about what you may have thought about this guy. Was he a goodie or a baddie - as Tupac famously said 'Only God can Judge me' - well only God can judge him.
To kill a man and THEN to drag him through the streets and to display his corpse all around the world is barbaric and disgusting! To say you wish to remove a tyrant from power only then to mirror his actions (maybe even worse) is despicable and disgraceful. I'm consumed with anger and disappointment, what a shameful way to end such a fight.
Now as always lets try a different scenario! So on our lovely (unbiased!) tv screens we see a taliban member shooting dead a man convicted of dealing drugs - is that more barbaric than dragging a corpse through the street? Can you just imagine the uproar that would cause! Our pathetic Prime Minister / Presidents hollering on about how these awful men deserve to be hunted down and punished (in the process killing 100,000's of civilians!). Yet here they stand on our screens clapping these folks on their backs. "Well done Libyan people you killed a 60+ year old man and dragged him through the streets - great job keep up the brilliant work! P.S. If your Afghani / Iraqi and do the same we WILL invade your country."
What would have been the right course of action? As muslims, and more importantly as humans, they should have taken him into custody. According to some reports he was begging, surely his victims did the same, but would the person who claims to want change then exact revenge or do what the tyrant never did? Actions speak louder than words, and the Libyan peoples actions did not back their words.
Within a few years I'm pretty sure the US and UK will be singing a different tune and preparing troops to invade and destroy the Libyan Land - until then let us all watch them plaster fake smiles around the world while behind the scenes they rub their hands together planning their next move.
How is killing the man making a difference. How is celebrating ANOTHER death going to make things okay. What does it say about us...
I don't care about what you may have thought about this guy. Was he a goodie or a baddie - as Tupac famously said 'Only God can Judge me' - well only God can judge him.
To kill a man and THEN to drag him through the streets and to display his corpse all around the world is barbaric and disgusting! To say you wish to remove a tyrant from power only then to mirror his actions (maybe even worse) is despicable and disgraceful. I'm consumed with anger and disappointment, what a shameful way to end such a fight.
Now as always lets try a different scenario! So on our lovely (unbiased!) tv screens we see a taliban member shooting dead a man convicted of dealing drugs - is that more barbaric than dragging a corpse through the street? Can you just imagine the uproar that would cause! Our pathetic Prime Minister / Presidents hollering on about how these awful men deserve to be hunted down and punished (in the process killing 100,000's of civilians!). Yet here they stand on our screens clapping these folks on their backs. "Well done Libyan people you killed a 60+ year old man and dragged him through the streets - great job keep up the brilliant work! P.S. If your Afghani / Iraqi and do the same we WILL invade your country."
What would have been the right course of action? As muslims, and more importantly as humans, they should have taken him into custody. According to some reports he was begging, surely his victims did the same, but would the person who claims to want change then exact revenge or do what the tyrant never did? Actions speak louder than words, and the Libyan peoples actions did not back their words.
Within a few years I'm pretty sure the US and UK will be singing a different tune and preparing troops to invade and destroy the Libyan Land - until then let us all watch them plaster fake smiles around the world while behind the scenes they rub their hands together planning their next move.
How is killing the man making a difference. How is celebrating ANOTHER death going to make things okay. What does it say about us...
Thursday, 13 October 2011
O how beautiful is freedom
Freedom, how do we define it?
For me freedom is the chance to practice my religion freely without any fear. For you it maybe the right to not believe in a God without any fear. For some it may be the right to bare flesh without any fear of repercussions. For others, it might be to roam the world without any restrictions.
What ever it may be, here's the real question, who decides the definition of freedom? If we go by our governments they're very different in different situations.
Anwar Awlaki, a US citizen, was blatantly assassinated by his government. I aint here to discuss his innocence or guilt I'm just stating facts about this case. The US felt they had the right to go and bomb a man in a whole different nation (nothing new there eh!) but here's the thing what if Iran decided to do the same?
What if we turn on the TV tomorrow and see that Iran decided to bomb a small area of the US because a Iranian born Christian man was claimed to be plotting against the nation? Why does Iran not have the same freedom to roam into another nation, unlike the US / UK government? No one blinked an eyelid at the actions of the US - in fact I'm sure some applaud it. Double standards are a bitch!
Now on to the question of freedom - do any of us actually have a legit claim on freedom? Are any of us really free? I'm going to say no.
We are tied down to mortgages, jobs we hate, taxes we have to pay that are stupidly high! We are lured into the consumerist trap - buying crap we don't need but think we want but in fact by the time we get home we realise we didn't! We all have limited freedom, some we impose upon ourself others are imposed on us.
Whoever decided to come up with the term freedom conned us all - freedom is an illusion we all strive for, but in doing so the journey there is a beautiful one. We all stand as one for a cause we believe in, you just need to look at the Wall Street protests to see that! An even more beautiful example was the Egypt protests (however the recent turmoil is not so exemplary).
For me freedom is the chance to practice my religion freely without any fear. For you it maybe the right to not believe in a God without any fear. For some it may be the right to bare flesh without any fear of repercussions. For others, it might be to roam the world without any restrictions.
What ever it may be, here's the real question, who decides the definition of freedom? If we go by our governments they're very different in different situations.
Anwar Awlaki, a US citizen, was blatantly assassinated by his government. I aint here to discuss his innocence or guilt I'm just stating facts about this case. The US felt they had the right to go and bomb a man in a whole different nation (nothing new there eh!) but here's the thing what if Iran decided to do the same?
Now on to the question of freedom - do any of us actually have a legit claim on freedom? Are any of us really free? I'm going to say no.
We are tied down to mortgages, jobs we hate, taxes we have to pay that are stupidly high! We are lured into the consumerist trap - buying crap we don't need but think we want but in fact by the time we get home we realise we didn't! We all have limited freedom, some we impose upon ourself others are imposed on us.
Whoever decided to come up with the term freedom conned us all - freedom is an illusion we all strive for, but in doing so the journey there is a beautiful one. We all stand as one for a cause we believe in, you just need to look at the Wall Street protests to see that! An even more beautiful example was the Egypt protests (however the recent turmoil is not so exemplary).
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Defining terrorism
"The unofficial or unauthorized use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims"
- Oxford Dictionary.
People so easily throw around the word terrorism without really thinking about what it REALLY means and who that could apply to. Most will think of bearded men when thinking about terrorists & when asked about terrorism they'll probably think of bearded men blowing shit up in the US/UK.
Here's the thing, by reading the definition that I've pasted above, does that not apply to the US government? The Iraq war was an unauthorized war (war = violence!) in the pursuit of political aims. Again, the same can be said for the tragedy that is Guantanamo Bay prison. The men in that prison will no doubt say that the American government is the biggest terrorist of all, especially when you look at the fact that human rights are blatantly being ignored there.
Terrorism is defined by an individuals perspective, don't let the government decide for you! Lets just think about this for a second, please make an effort to be objective.
A man living in the country you live in, so for me that would be the UK, decides that he's going to commit a crime. This man is not from the UK but he resides in it, so he commits this awful crime and goes into hiding. You offer to hunt this man and hand him over to those whom he has committed this crime against, yet they decline. (On a side note, it is a well known fact that the Taliban did offer to hand Bin Laden to the US yet this offer was declined, even though it could have saved millions of lives - blood hungry much?) This nation has decided they will invade your country over a man that you have just offered to hand over!! So, now your a farmer listening to all this over the radio, you hear that the invading nation has now begun ground operations your instinct is to protect all that you have. YOU have not committed a crime yet YOU are the one being punished for it! How is this justice!?
I have been born and raised in the UK, within my own country I am still an outsider, yet if any country was to unjustly invade mine I would defend it - because this is all I have. Everything and everyone I love is here, so forgetting about whether the country / leader has done right by me, I will defend it! Yet I am now being labelled the terrorist - this is justice?
Going back to the definition of terrorism, were the rioters not using violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims? Why have they not been charged and sentenced under the Terrorism Act? The governments of the western world wish to define terrorism for us, let us not be blinded by their propaganda. George Bush is as much of a terrorist as Bin Laden (if in fact he did commit the awful crime which has yet to be proven beyond all doubt), Obama is as much of a terrorist as George Bush and the cycle will go on.
Our governments applaud the Arab people for standing up against their oppressive and tyrannical leaders, all the while they are blinded by their arrogance. Obama has and will forever be held as a liar because he has YET to fulfil his promise to close down the illegal prison in Cuba that violates all the laws he wishes to impose in the Middle East - hypocritical much!!
Terrorism is committed by our nations yet we ignore it and put it under the banner of "War against terrorism", does that now mean there are two definitions of terrorism - one for arabs and the other for the rest of the world.
It's time we start start thinking for ourselves rather than blindly following the crowd. Our countries and principles are in ruins, surely we are in need of change. This change will only come about when we begin to realise that we can think for ourselves and we can make ourselves heard. Enough of sitting quietly and listening to ignorant people spewing hate. Let your view be heard, because it's only once people see you have the courage to voice your opinion that they too will have the courage to think outside the box - start setting the example!
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Ramadan
Ramadan has begun.
This month is all by restraining yourself and your desires, its a test of patience. Most people focus on the food aspect of it, whereas we should focus on all aspects. Refraining from food is just a tiny portion of what ramadan is all about, its also about refraining from bad speech, bad actions and bad manners. Although they are actions we should try and holdback from most of the time, with a rumbling stomach you find yourself more able to focus on these things.
This month makes me realise how fortunate I am. I'm not going to lie and say i never get hungry because I'm so spiritual blah blah...I'm human and I do feel hunger!! I know that when the sunsets I can break my fast and eat all that I want, whereas those around the world suffering from famines don't have that luxury. I can distract myself from the sound of my rumbling stomach with a book, listening to recitation of the quran, surfing the net...they don't have that luxury.
What bugs me the most when I tell people I'm fasting is when they reply with "ooohh that going to be tough, I just won't eat in front of you". That's the attitude that's left the poor and hungry, poorer and hungrier than ever before! You don't hide away from the issue, you face it. Yes, I'm choosing to fast so by all means eat in front of me, I couldn't care less. But when people are starving and dying because they have no choice DON'T hide away and eat in secret, eat openly but at the same time feed others.
I'm going to end this with what captivates me about this blessed month. All around the world there will be Muslims refraining from food, whether rich or poor, tall or short, black or white, we will all feel the hunger. We will, for a short period of time, feel what others feel when they cannot eat during the day. We will go through our daily chores, just as those in countries plagued with famine, on empty stomachs and sheer motivation. We know when it will end - they don't.
This month is not just about witholding it's also about giving. This month is the BEST month to give, so give generously to those less fortunate. Give with open hearts and pure intentions, because money given in charity is never a loss!
This month is all by restraining yourself and your desires, its a test of patience. Most people focus on the food aspect of it, whereas we should focus on all aspects. Refraining from food is just a tiny portion of what ramadan is all about, its also about refraining from bad speech, bad actions and bad manners. Although they are actions we should try and holdback from most of the time, with a rumbling stomach you find yourself more able to focus on these things.
What bugs me the most when I tell people I'm fasting is when they reply with "ooohh that going to be tough, I just won't eat in front of you". That's the attitude that's left the poor and hungry, poorer and hungrier than ever before! You don't hide away from the issue, you face it. Yes, I'm choosing to fast so by all means eat in front of me, I couldn't care less. But when people are starving and dying because they have no choice DON'T hide away and eat in secret, eat openly but at the same time feed others.
I'm going to end this with what captivates me about this blessed month. All around the world there will be Muslims refraining from food, whether rich or poor, tall or short, black or white, we will all feel the hunger. We will, for a short period of time, feel what others feel when they cannot eat during the day. We will go through our daily chores, just as those in countries plagued with famine, on empty stomachs and sheer motivation. We know when it will end - they don't.
This month is not just about witholding it's also about giving. This month is the BEST month to give, so give generously to those less fortunate. Give with open hearts and pure intentions, because money given in charity is never a loss!
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Oslo
What happened in Olso is a tragedy. Plain and simple.
But the initial reactions to what happened wasn't as plain nor as simple. Every major news outlet was trying to point the finger at Muslim extremists, and to be fair I think MOST people assumed it was.
I was at work when I found out, one of the guys I worked with commented that 'it's a strange country to attack because they're not that involved in the wars'. That told me instantly he meant Muslim extremists. But another colleague said that it may be neo-nazi groups becuase they are gaining momentum in many parts of Europe - if i'm honest that didn't even cross my mind!
Is the assumption justified? I don't know. I would say yes because that is what we are told on a daily basis and now come to expect it. My sister does not agree. She believes that we should not become desensitised and just accept that we will be blamed most, if not all, the time. I know she's right but how do we combat it? I don't know the answer to that. If I'm honest, I think its an impossible task. We cannot compete with the media, they portray Muslims in a way that benefits them by selling stories & getting awards for great coverage!
As for the guy that committed these awful crimes...not once have I heard him being referenced to as a terrorist, I guess that label depends on the length of a guys beard. Am I pissed off? Hell yes!! The fact he did this because he doesn't like the increasing multiculturalism is just ridiculous. That's the issue with far - right groups they work without logic and sense. The world is expanding, businesses and economies depend upon interdependent relationships that span across the globe. The harsh reality for these right wing groups is that people of different backgrounds/cultures/beliefs residing in their countries are going to increasing...without these people, without these workers, our economies, our understanding of different cultures would be lost.
When you view the world from a singular point of view, you miss out on so many colours, so many beautiful people and an amazing education! By working together we learn how to deal with problems in a mutual way rather than forcing ourselves upon each other and clashing. By working together we lessen the chance of people with extreme views influencing others, because the others have witnessed first hand the mutual respect between us all. By working together we eradicate our differences and begin to realise we are all one and the same - we are all human...
But the initial reactions to what happened wasn't as plain nor as simple. Every major news outlet was trying to point the finger at Muslim extremists, and to be fair I think MOST people assumed it was.
I was at work when I found out, one of the guys I worked with commented that 'it's a strange country to attack because they're not that involved in the wars'. That told me instantly he meant Muslim extremists. But another colleague said that it may be neo-nazi groups becuase they are gaining momentum in many parts of Europe - if i'm honest that didn't even cross my mind!
Is the assumption justified? I don't know. I would say yes because that is what we are told on a daily basis and now come to expect it. My sister does not agree. She believes that we should not become desensitised and just accept that we will be blamed most, if not all, the time. I know she's right but how do we combat it? I don't know the answer to that. If I'm honest, I think its an impossible task. We cannot compete with the media, they portray Muslims in a way that benefits them by selling stories & getting awards for great coverage!
As for the guy that committed these awful crimes...not once have I heard him being referenced to as a terrorist, I guess that label depends on the length of a guys beard. Am I pissed off? Hell yes!! The fact he did this because he doesn't like the increasing multiculturalism is just ridiculous. That's the issue with far - right groups they work without logic and sense. The world is expanding, businesses and economies depend upon interdependent relationships that span across the globe. The harsh reality for these right wing groups is that people of different backgrounds/cultures/beliefs residing in their countries are going to increasing...without these people, without these workers, our economies, our understanding of different cultures would be lost.
When you view the world from a singular point of view, you miss out on so many colours, so many beautiful people and an amazing education! By working together we learn how to deal with problems in a mutual way rather than forcing ourselves upon each other and clashing. By working together we lessen the chance of people with extreme views influencing others, because the others have witnessed first hand the mutual respect between us all. By working together we eradicate our differences and begin to realise we are all one and the same - we are all human...
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Its the Month I was born in!
July 30th I turn 22.
Omar Khadr is 24 yrs old going on to 25 in September.
Age 15 I was living a comfortable life, living with both my parents and siblings, going to school and getting an education.
Omar Khadr at age 15 was shot by American forces and dragged to Bagram prison. Only to then move to the notorious prison - Guantanamo Bay. He was being tortured and abused, while I sat in my Geography class learning about the different types of clouds.
November 7, 2005 Omar Khadr was formally charged. In 2005 I was probably revising for my GCSEs - my greatest concern was my education. His greatest concern was his freedom. Or had he lost hope by then?
Omar Khadrs' case has affected me like no other, maybe its because we are so close in age yet our lives have gone in total opposite directions. No child should have to go through what he has been through. His conviction tells us that many more will...
As of January 2009, 64% of Canadians supported repatriating Khadr to Canada, up from 41% in June 2007 - If anyone has the latest figures feel free to comment or tweet me to let me know.
Just spend a moment imagining your life having gone in an extremely different way...learn to be grateful for what you have. Yes, life was tough for you - but someone else always has it tougher. You cannot compare your domestic issues to the issue of human rights. This boy, at the the tender age of 15, was no longer considered human...no matter who he told, no matter what scars he had to show, no one was going to listen to him and no one was going to take him home to his mother.
This year, on the day you celebrate your birth, think of those who have lost touch with the years/months/days because there life is withering away in a prison that should never have been built and in a legal limbo that should never EVER have been able to go on for so long!
Omar Khadr is 24 yrs old going on to 25 in September.
Age 15 I was living a comfortable life, living with both my parents and siblings, going to school and getting an education.
Omar Khadr at age 15 was shot by American forces and dragged to Bagram prison. Only to then move to the notorious prison - Guantanamo Bay. He was being tortured and abused, while I sat in my Geography class learning about the different types of clouds.
November 7, 2005 Omar Khadr was formally charged. In 2005 I was probably revising for my GCSEs - my greatest concern was my education. His greatest concern was his freedom. Or had he lost hope by then?
Omar Khadrs' case has affected me like no other, maybe its because we are so close in age yet our lives have gone in total opposite directions. No child should have to go through what he has been through. His conviction tells us that many more will...
As of January 2009, 64% of Canadians supported repatriating Khadr to Canada, up from 41% in June 2007 - If anyone has the latest figures feel free to comment or tweet me to let me know.
Just spend a moment imagining your life having gone in an extremely different way...learn to be grateful for what you have. Yes, life was tough for you - but someone else always has it tougher. You cannot compare your domestic issues to the issue of human rights. This boy, at the the tender age of 15, was no longer considered human...no matter who he told, no matter what scars he had to show, no one was going to listen to him and no one was going to take him home to his mother.
This year, on the day you celebrate your birth, think of those who have lost touch with the years/months/days because there life is withering away in a prison that should never have been built and in a legal limbo that should never EVER have been able to go on for so long!
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