The recent gatherings of Shi’a Muslims in Karbala and Najf has raised many questions and concerns for the American government in Iraq and at home. These religious gatherings in Karbala and Najf tell the world that the Iraqis are realizing that they are not free yet. Before they were oppressed and robbed by one of their own and now a foreign superpower that has nothing in common with the Iraqi people (culture, beliefs, values, customs, language, etc.…) is going to rule them with iron fist. The American ruler of Iraq General Garner said, ” his efforts are intended to allow Iraqis to take control of their country and eventually elect leaders. The only requirement is that they can not elect Islamic government.”
Why Iraqi people can not choose their system of government? You may find the answer in the following comparison.
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America |
Iraq |
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| 1 | Democracy in America means that the American people have the right to elect their President and the representatives (Congress, Senate, etc.) | Democracy in Iraq means that the American government has the right to elect the Iraqi ruler and the representatives for the Iraqi people |
| 2 | Democracy in America means that the majority decides what is good for America. | Democracy in Iraq means that a negligible minority decides what is good for Iraq. |
| 3 | Freedom in America means that the American people have the right to express their opinion freely and openly. | Freedom in Iraq means that the Iraqi people have the restricted rights to express their opinion. Iraqi people are free to express their hate for Saddam Hussein but when they express their love for Islam, it is considered as a threat and fundamentalism. |
| 4 | Democracy in America means that the majority of American people decide what kind of government they want? They can choose whoever they like to be their President. American President can be a fundamentalist Christian but it is acceptable in democracy. | Democracy in Iraq means that the American government decides what kind of government Iraqi people need in Iraq? They can’t choose whoever they like to be the Head of the government. American government officials already saying that Iraqi people have no right to choose Islam practicing people. |
| 5 | Freedom of religion in America means that the people can practice their religion freely and openly. | Freedom of religion in Iraq means that the people can practice Islam in their homes but if they practice Islam openly, in public, it is considered as a threat. |
| 6 | Freedom of religion in America means that every Sunday morning most of the American TV channels telecast the speeches of Evangelists / priests. These Evangelists / priests can criticize any religion especially Islam in their speeches. This is all part of a democratic society. | Freedom of religion in Iraq means that the Muslim clergy can not criticize western values and American government. If anyone does, he/she is considered as a threat and a fundamentalist. |
| 7 | In America, it is quite normal for American President, his family and government officials to attend Sunday worship at Churches. | In Iraq and other Muslim countries, it is quite abnormal for the Head of governments, their families and government officials to attend Friday worships at Mosques because America sees this as fundamentalism. |
| 8 | In America government officials can not be given freehand and can not be trusted without accountability. Therefore, a comprehensive monitoring and accountability system monitors the public resources and government officials. | In Iraq, American government officials are given freehand to run the Iraqi business. No monitoring system is needed for accountability. UNO will not be allowed to monitor the Americans how would they use the Iraqi resources. Welcome to the world of Worldcom and Enron. |
| 9 | In America, American national interest supersedes all other interests | In Iraq, American national interest supersedes all other interests including the interest of Iraqi people. |
| 10 | For America, it is quite normal to export American ideologies / influences to Iraq and protect American interests in Iraq | For Iraq, it is quite abnormal if the neighbouring countries do the same. |
In America things are changing very fast. Now, the American dream is no more the dream of all Americans. The discrimination against American Muslims is growing very fast. American government is adopting back the same system of racism and hate that was abandoned by the American society after a successful civil rights movement in early 60s and 70s. Rather, the racism and discrimination against Muslims is much more severe than the past racism against blacks. There are lists with thousands of Muslim names in it and if any person’s name resembles with the name in the list that person is subject to open discrimination, harassment OR may be considered as a criminal.
American authorities did not need to develop a list of names for White Supremacists, Drug Mafia of South America and non-Muslim terrorists. These groups do exist in and out side USA. They are threat to America and American interest. Since, they are not Muslims American authorities do not feel to put them under a watch list.
The values of justice, freedom and antiracism made America the leader of the world. Now, America has embraced back the racism and injustices. American people must realize that they are heading backward not forward.
