GLOBAL ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS STAGED AS FEARS OF GAZA GROUND INVASION ESCALATE (PHOTOS)

People hold signs as they chant during a Pro-Palestinian protest against Israel across the street from the Israeli consulate in New York Novemer 16, 2012 (Reuters / Carlo Allegri)

Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza have sparked global protests condemning the attack. Thousands of people across the Middle East, the West, and Europe have come out to show their disdain. Yet, some countries remain convinced of Israel’s right to attack.

Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza have sparked global protests condemning the attack. Thousands of people across the Middle East, the West, and Europe have come out to show their disdain. Yet, some countries remain convinced of Israel’s right to attack.

Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense – which began Wednesday and has taken the lives of 39 Palestinians and three Israelis so far, according to Palestinian local media – has divided the international world.

In Egypt’s capital, Cairo, several thousand protesters came out Friday to demonstrate against the Israeli attacks, chanting “we will go to Gaza in our millions,” swearing to “sacrifice ourselves for you, Palestine.”

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, more than 1,000 people have gathered to show their support for Gaza.

In Lebanon, thousands turned up in Palestinian refugee camps in the north and south of the country to show their outrage on the Israeli violence, shouting “O Qassam, O beloved, bomb and destroy Tel Aviv,” referring to the rocket and the armed wing of Hamas of the same name.

Egyptian protesters shout slogans and burn an Israeli flag during a protest against Israel's ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip, at Tahrir square in Cairo November 16, 2012 (Reuters / Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

In Iran, over 700 cities saw anti-Israeli protests after Friday’s prayers, including Tehran. Crowds there were chanting “death to Israel” and “death to America,” ISNA news agency reported.

Arabs from East Jerusalem also rioted, throwing stones at security officers, blocking roads and setting off fireworks near the hospital in Isawiya, according to Algemeiner news.

The international community has been coming together to offer solutions to the crisis.

Foreign ministers of Arab League countries are gathering on Saturday in Cairo for an emergency meeting to outline a consolidated position on the ongoing Israel's offensive in Gaza.

The UN’s Security Council held an emergency meeting on the conflict. After the meeting UN has urged for the violence in Gaza to stop. However, no other substantial solutions were reached due to disagreement between member states.

Further, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made a statement Friday telling both sides “to stop this dangerous escalation and restore calm,” and announcing his plans to visit Israel and Egypt next week.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on Israelis and Palestinians to show restraint Friday and “not follow the path of escalating violence that often results in the death of innocent civilians.”

Also, Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem has arrived in Gaza on Saturday along with 12 other ministers. This trip comes after the Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil’s visit to the region Friday.

During his visit, Kandil tried to broker a new longer-lasting ceasefire. He took a strong public pro-Palestinian stance.

“What I am witnessing in Gaza is a disaster and I can't keep quiet. The Israeli aggression must stop,” Kandil stated. “Egypt supports the Palestinians, Israel’s actions will not go unnoticed”.

Protesters shout anti-Israel slogans during a protest against Israel's military operation in Gaza in front of the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, November 16, 2012 (Reuters / Osman Orsal)

Western perspective: Pro-Palestinian public vs pro-Israeli governments

The Western world also saw protests Friday. In Rome, an anti-Israeli sit-in was organized in the Italian parliament. Organizers have called upon the international community to put an end to the massacre of Palestinian people in Gaza and to stop the “Israeli war-machine”. The cities of Venice, Palermo, Ravenna and Trento have joined Rome and carried out demonstrations of their own.

Earlier demonstrations were held in New York, Paris, and Sydney calling for an immediate end to the attacks on Palestinians.

A woman holds a banner as she attends a pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of the Italian Parliament to protest against Israel's ongoing airstrike over Gaza on November 16, 2012 (AFP Photo / Filippo Monteforte)

However, Western governments have not been as sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinian people as their citizens, emphasizing Hamas’ fault and Israel’s right to self-defense.

US President Barack Obama has reiterated US support for Israel's right to defend itself on Friday during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The EU has followed in US’ footsteps. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton made a statement Friday saying that "Israel has the right to protect its population from these kinds of attacks. I urge Israel to ensure that its response is proportionate."

And Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel also announced Friday that she holds Hamas responsible for Gaza violence and that Israel has the right to defend itself. The UK took a similar position when Prime Minister David Cameron told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that Hamas "bears the principal responsibility" for the violence in southern Israel and Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza are entering their fourth day and further escalation of the conflict is feared, as ground Israeli invasion looms. Senior members of the Israeli military have announced that troops have been ordered to prepare “to the highest state of readiness” and are to expect to invade Gaza this weekend. Also, on Friday country’s cabinet has approved the draft of 75,000 army reservists for ground operation.

So far, Israel has hit over 500 targets, killing 39 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians and wounding over 300.

People hold up signs during a Pro-Palestinian protest against Israel across the street from the Israeli consulate in New York November 16, 2012 (Reuters / Carlo Allegri)

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest near the Israeli embassy in Madrid on November 16, 2012, against Israel's aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Israel launched on November 14, 2012 its harshest Gaza operation in four years by killing the Hamas military chief, Ahmed Jaabari, in a surgical air strike on a car travelling in Gaza City (AFP Photo / Dominique Faget)

Palestinians living in Greece shout slogans alongside Greek protesters as they protest against Israel's ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip, during a rally outside the Israeli Embassy in Athens November 16, 2012 (Reuters / John Kolesidis)

People from the Coalition for a Free Palestine (CFP) gather outside the Durban City hall, South Africa on November 16, 2012 to protest against the Israeli bonbardment of Gaza (AFP Photo / Rejesh Jantilal)

A Palestinian man holds up a Palestinian flag with the slogan "I love Palestine" during a protest of some 100 Palestinians outside Berlin's Brandenburg against Israel's ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip November 16, 2012 (Reuters / Wolfgang Rattay)

A Palestinian man lies covered with red colour that is intended to symbolize blood on a Berlin street to protest against Israel's ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip November 16, 2012 (Reuters / Wolfgang Rattay)


Source: www.rt.com

MAPAMBANO YA IMAM HUSSEIN (AS) NI YA KUDUMU MILELE

Kwa wale watu wanaofahamu vyema historia ya Uislamu, mwezi wa Muharram hukumbusha mapambano makubwa ambayo yalifanywa na Imam Hussein (as) kwa ajili ya kurekebisha na kuhuisha dini ya babu yake Mtume Muhammad (saw) ambayo ilikuwa imepotoshwa kwa kiwango kikubwa na maadui wa Uislamu pamoja na watu waliokuwa na tamaa ya kuitawala dini kifalme. Kwa ibara nyingine ni kuwa mwezi wa Muharamm umefungamana kikamilifu na jina la Imam Hussein kwa kadiri kwamba kutajwa mwezi huo ni sawa na kutajwa jina la imam huyo mtoharifu. Huyo ni mtukufu ambaye aliuawa shahidi akiwa na wafuasi wake wachache 72 katika ardhi ya Karbala mwaka wa 61 Hijiria. Tukio hilo muhimu katika historia ya Uislamu lilidhihirisha wazi thamani kubwa za kimaadili, ushujaa na kujitolea kwa Imam Hussein na wafuasi wake wachache mbele ya hujuma kubwa na ya kinyama ya maadui wake. Sifa maalumu za mapambano ya Imam Hussein ni kuwa thamani za mapambano hayo hazikubaki kwenye mmbano wa zama na sehemu yalikotokea, bali zilizweza kuvuka mipaka ya kijiografia na historia na kuweza kuathiri mataifa mbalimbali katika zama zote za historia ya mwanadamu. Hii leo kila mara watu wanapozungumzia mapambano dhidi ya dhulma na uaonevu na umuhimu wa kutetea haki na uadilifu jina la Imam Hussein bin Ali (as) hudhihiri na kuzungumzwa na kila mtu anayefahamu vyema thamani za mapambano dhidi ya dhulma. Je, ni mapambano mangapi yaliyotokea katika historia ya mwanadamu na waanzilishi pamoja na viongozi wa mapambano hayo kusahaulika, lakini ya mapambao ya Imam Hussein tokea yalipotokea hadi leo yangali yanang'ara kama jua na miale yake angavu na yenye joto kuangaza kwenye giza totoro na kuzipa joto na uchangafu nyoyo zilizochoshwa na dhulma? Salamu kwa Imam Hussein (as), salamu kwa hakika ambayo daima i hai, salamu za Mwenyezi Mungu kwa yule ambaye alitoa roho yake kwa ajili ya kuhuisha dini ya Allah ili kupeperusha daima bendera ya mwongozo wa Kiislamu.

Moja ya majukumu muhimu ya kiongozi wa Kiislamu ni kuwaweka watu kwenye njia nyoofu ya wongofu. Moja ya mambo yaliyomfanya Imam Hussein (as) kusimamisha mapambano katika zama zake ni kupotea watala na jamii kutoka kwenye misingi na mafundisho ya dini. Huo ni ukweli mchungu ambao taratibu ulidhihiri katika kipindi cha miaka 50 baada ya kuaga dunia Mtume (saw). Kupuuzwa na kusahaulika kwa wasia wa Mtume na kutengwa Watu wa Nyumba yake (as), kudhoofika thamani za kimaanawi katika jamii, urundikaji mali wa watawala na kuenezwa bidaa, uzushi na upotofu katika jamii, yote hayo ni mambo yaliyoandaa mazingira ya jamii hiyo kurejea taratibu katika zama za ujahili. Mwenendo huo wa mporomoko wa maadili na mafundisho ya Kiislamu uliendelea hadi kufikia kipindi ambacho jamii ya Kiislamu ilitawaliwa na mtawala dhalimu na fasiki kama Yazid bin Muawiyya, jambo lililotoa pigo kubwa kwa umma wa Kiislamu. Mara tu baada ya kuchukua madaraka kutoka kwa baba yake Muawiyya, Yazid alimtaka mjukuu wa Mtume Imam Hussein (as) kumbai na kutangaza utiifu wake kwake. Jambo hilo lilikuwa na umuhimu mkubwa kwake kwa kutilia maanani nafasi ya juu aliyokuwa nayo Imam Hussein (as) katika umma wa Kiislamu. Yazid alikuwa ni mtu ambaye hakufaa hata kidogo kutawala umma wa Kiislamu na watu wote wakitambua vyema kiwango chake cha juu cha ufuska, uchafu, ulevi na utovu wa maadili. Kwa msingi huo ni wazi kuwa mtu kama Imam Hussein (as) kamwe hangekubali kumpa Yazid mkono wa beia na utiifu. Kwa mtazamo wa Imam Hussein (as), Bani Umaiyya ni watu ambao walikuwa wameachana na misingi ya dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu na kusisitiza juu ya kuendelea na tabia zao za ufuska na ufisadi katika jamii ya Kiislamu. Hatua ya Imam kukataa kumbai Yazid ilikuwa ni ishara ya wazi kwamba mtawala huyo dhalimu na fasidi hakufaa hata kidogo kuingoza jamii ya Kiislamu. Kufuatia hatua hiyo, mtawala wa Madina alipewa amri na Yazid ya kubana na kufanya maisha ya Imam Hussein (as) kuwa magumu. Kutokana na hali hiyo Imam aliamua kuuhama mji wa Madina ili kutafuta sehemu nyingine bora zaidi ya kuwaongoza watu na kuwabainishia hali halisi ya mambo ya umma wa Kiislamu. Katika zama hizo, mji mtakatifu wa Makka ulikuwa sehemu bora zaidi ya kuendeshea shughuli hiyo ya mapambano na mwongozo, na hasa ikitiliwa maanani kwamba msimu wa hija ulikuwa unawadia ambapo umati mkubwa ungekusanyika katika mji huo kwa ajili ya ibada. Alipokuwa akiondoka mjini Madina Imam Hussein (as) alisema: "Mimi ninaondoka mjini Madina kwa ajili ya kurekebisha na kuhuisha umma wa babu yangu, na ninataka kuamrisha mema na kukataza maovu." Baada ya kuwasili mjini Makka, Imam Hussein (as) alifanya juhudi kubwa za kuandaa mazingira ya mapambano dhidi ya Yazid.

Katika upande wa pili, wapenzi wa Ahlul Beit wa Mtume (saw) kutoka mji wa Kufa katika Iraq ya hivi sasa, waliposikia kwamba Imam amekataa kumbai Yazid, walifurahia sana jambo hilo kwa sababu walikuwa wamechoshwa na dhulma ya Bani Umaiyya. Baadhi ya wakuu wa Kufa ambao walikuwa waungaji mkono wa Ahlul Beit (as) walimtumia barua Imam Hussein (as) wakimtaka aende katika mji huo. Katika barua hizo walitangaza wazi kwamba walikuwa tayari kushirikiana kwa kila njia na Imam katika kufanikisha malengo yake. Baada ya kupata barua hizo, Imam Hussein (as) alimtuma Muslim bin Aqil mjini Kufa ili aende kuchunguza zaidi hali ya mambo huko. Historia inatwambia kwamba maelfu ya watu walitangaza utiifu wao kwa Muslim bin Aqil kwa niaba ya Imam Hussein (as). Baada ya kuchunguza na kutathmini hali ya mambo, Imam Hussein aliamua kukatiza ibada yake ya hija na kuondoka mjini Makka tarehe 8 Dhul Hijja mwaka 61 ili kuelekea Kufa. Lakini alipokuwa njia kuelekea huko habari zilimfikia Imam kwamba hali ya mambo mjini humo ilikuwa imebadilika na kwamba Yazid alikuwa amemuuzulu gavana wa Kufa na kumuweka mahala pake Ubeidullah bin Ziad, mtawala fasidi, dhalimu na katili kupindukia. Ibn Ziad alizima sauti ya malalamiko ya watu wa Kufa kwa kutumia ukatili na unyanyasaji wa hali ya juu. Baadhi ya watu hao walikengeuka na kutomuunga mkono tena Imam Hussein kutokana na woga, mateso au hongo waliyopata kutoka kwa dhalimu huyo. Watu walioamua kuendelea kumuunga mkono Imam Hussein (as) ima waliuawa shahidi au kufungwa kwenye jela za kuogofya. Muslim bin Aqil, mjumbe wa Imam Hussein (as) pia aliuawa shahidi katika matukio hayo. Licha ya kupata habari hiyo ya kuhuzunisha, Imam aliamua kuendelea na safari yake lakini baada ya kuwakamilishia hoja na kuwabainishia vyema wafuasi wake hatari ya kifo iliyowasubiri huko mbele. Aliwaambia: "Enyi watu! Watu wa Kufa wametukimbia. Kila mmoja wenu anayetaka kurejea anaweza kufanya hivyo hivi sasa." Historia inasema kwamba kuna watu walioondoka kwenye msafara huo wa Imam Hussein mahala hapo na kumuacha Imam akiwa na idadi ndogo tu ya wafuasi wake waaminifu, ambao alifuatana nao kuelekea Kufa. Moyo na azma ya Imam Hussein ya kupambana na dhulma ilikuwa kubwa na imara kiasi kwamba hakuogopa wala kuchelea chochote hata baada ya kuachwa na idadi ndogo tu ya wafuasi. Hii ni kwa sababu alisikia kutoka kwa baba yake maneno yafuatayo yenye umuhimu na thamani kubwa: 'Mkiwa kwenye njia ya wongofu, msihofu kutokana na uchache wa wafuasi wa njia hiyo."

Imam Hussein (as) alikuwa akielewa vyema kwamba hangeweza kushinda kijeshi umati mkubwa wa maadui wake waliokuwa wamejizatiti vyema kwa silaka kwa kutegemea wafuasi wachache aliokuwa nao wala hakutegemea kupata ushirikiano na uungaji mkono wa watu waliokuwa na imani dhaifu na waoga kupindukia. Jambo lililokuwa na umuhimu kwa imam huyo ni utekelezaji wa majukumu yake ya kidini bila kujali matokeo yake. Alikuwa akiwaza tu juu ya udharura wa kutekelezwa majukumu aliyopewa na Mwenyezi Mungu hata kama jambo hilo lingepelekea auawe shahidi. Ushindi na kushindwa ni mambo yaliyokuwa na maana tofauti kabisa katika mantiki ya Imam Hussein (as). Msafara wa Imam Hussein (as) haukuwa umefika katika mji wa Kufa kabla ya kuzingirwa na jeshi la askari 30,000 la Yazid katika jangwa la Karbalaa. Kukabiliana kwa watu wachache wenye imani thabiti kwa upande mmoja na jeshi kubwa lenye imani dhaifu kwa upande wa pili katika siku ya Ashura mwaka 61 Hijiria kulidhihirisha tukio muhimu na lisilo na mfano wake katika historia ya mwanadamu. Mapambano ya Imam Hussein (as) yalikuwa dhihirisho halisi la kimaadili na kiutu. Hii ni kwa sababu medani ya vita katika siku hiyo ulikuwa ni uwanja wa kukabiliana imani na umaanawi na kufri na ufisadi. Hii ni kwa sababu katika siku hiyo watu wenye imani thabiti hawakutarajiwa ila kuonyesha hamasa na thamani za kiutu. Ni kutokana na ukweli huo ndipo harakati yenye thamani kubwa ya mwamko ya Imam Hussein (as) ikadhibitiwa na kubaki milele katika historia ya mwanadamu na kunukuliwa kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi kingine hali leo hii.

Source: www.kiswahili.irib.ir

WAZAYUNI (ISRAEL) WAENDELEZA MASHAMBULIZI UKANDA WA GAZA

Wapalestina wasiopungua wanne wameuawa shahidi baada ya ndege za utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel usiku kushambulia maeneo kadhaa ya Ukanda wa Gaza. Ashraf al Qudwa Msemaji wa Wizara ya Afya ya serikali halali ya Palestina inayoongozwa na Hamas amesema kuwa, kombora la ndege ya Israel ilikita katika nyumba ya familia ya Abu Jalal, na kupelekea watu wanne wa familia hiyo kuuawa shahidi. Ameongeza kuwa, tokea yaanze mashambulizi ya kinyama ya Wazayuni huko Gaza siku ya Jumatano hadi sasa, zaidi ya watu 30 wameuawa shahidi na wengine 270 kujeruhiwa. Wakati huohuo, jeshi la utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel umekiri kuangushwa ndege ya kijeshi F16 katika anga ya Gaza. Brigedi ya Izzuddin Qassam tawi la kijeshi la HAMAS ilitangaza jana usiku kwamba ilitungua ndege ya kijeshi ya Israel katika eneo la magharibi mwa Ukanda huo. Kwa upande mwengine, William Hague Waziri wa Mambo ya Nchi za Nje wa Uingereza ameitahadharisha Israel juu ya kuendeleza mashambulizi yake huko Gaza, na kusisitiza kuwa, bila shaka mashambulizi hayo yatakuwa na mwisho mbaya kwa utawala huo. Hague ameongeza kuwa, mashambulizi hayo yatapelekea Israel kukosa uungaji mkono wa jamii ya kimataifa. Hata hivyo, Hague ameshindwa kulaani jinai za majeshi ya Israel na badala yake amelaani mashambulizi ya roketi yaliyofanywa na wanamapambano wa Kipalestina dhidi ya vitongoji vya Israel.

Source: www.kiswahili.irib.ir

DRC YATAKA VIONGOZI WA RWANDA WAWEKEWE VIKWAZO

Waziri Mkuu wa Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo ameutaka Umoja wa Mataifa uweke vikwazo dhidi ya viongozi wa serikali ya Rwanda. Augustin Matata Ponyo amesema kuwa, Umoja wa Mataifa unapaswa kuweka vikwazo dhidi ya viongozi wa ngazi za juu wa Rwanda, kinyume cha hivyo taasisi hiyo ya kimataifa itapoteza itibari yake. Waziri Mkuu wa Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo amelaani uungaji mkono wa Rwanda dhidi ya waasi wa M23 na kusisitiza kuwa, Umoja wa Mataifa unapaswa kuweka vikwazo dhidi ya Rwanda ikizingatiwa ripoti ya siri iliyotolewa na wataalamu wa umoja huo inayoelezea njama za viongozi wa Kigali za kuwapa silaha waasi hao. Kabla ya hapo, Umoja wa Mataifa ulizikosoa Rwanda na Uganda kwa kuwapa silaha na zana za kijeshi waasi wa M23 wanaopambana na serikali ya Kongo na kusababisha ukosefu wa amani katika eneo la mashariki mwa nchi hiyo. Hata hivyo, nchi za Rwanda na Uganda mara kadhaa zimekadhibisha tuhuma hizo za wataalamu wa Umoja wa Mataifa za kuwapa silaha waasi wa M23.

Source: www.kiswahili.irib.ir

AMIR WA QATAR ATUHUMIWA KUWAUZA HAMAS

Duru za kuaminika zinasema kuwa, safari iliyofanywa hivi karibuni na Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani Amir wa Qatar katika eneo la Ukanda wa Gaza, ilifichua makazi ya viongozi kadhaa wa ngazi za juu Hamas. Kwa mujibu wa Shirika la Habari la FARS NEWS, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani aliwapa viongozi wote wa ngazi za juu wa Hamas zawadi za saa za mkononi na kalamu ambazo ndani yake mulikuwa na zana zilizokuwa zikiwasiliana na satalaiti za utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel na kuwasaidia kuonyesha nyendo zao na mahala wanapoishi viongozi hao. Ahmad al Ja'abari mmoja kati ya makamanda wa ngazi za juu wa Izzuddin Qassam aliyeuawa shahidi siku chache zilizopita, alilengwa na ndege za kivita za Israel baada ya kufuatiliwa nyendo zake kwa usaidizi wa saa na kalamu alizopewa zawadi na Amir wa Qatar. Kwa upande mwengine, imeelezwa kuwa, Amir wa Qatar amemueleza wazi Ismail Haniya Waziri Mkuu wa serikali iliyochaguliwa na wananchi wa Palestina inayoongozwa na Hamas kwamba, kama wanataka misaada ya kifedha kutoka Qatar, wanapaswa kuacha kushirikiana na Jamhuri ya Kiislamu ya Iran na wakati huhuo wautambue rasmi utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel. Aidha Amir wa Qatar alitoa masharti matano kwa Harakati ya Hamas ili iweze kupata misaada ya kifedha na kiuchumi kutoka Qatar, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuacha kushirikiana na Iran, kuanzisha mazungumzo na utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel bila ya masharti, kuutambua rasmi utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel, kuitambua Quds Tukufu kuwa ni mji mkuu wa utawala huo ghasibu na kuacha kabisa muqawama na mapambano ya kutumia silaha.

Source : www.kiswahili.irib.ir 

HAMAS YATUNGUA NDEGE YA ISRAEL HUKO PALESTINA

Wanamapambano wa Palestina wametungua ndege ya kijeshi ya utawala wa Kizayuni wa Israel iliyokuwa inafanya mauaji dhidi ya wananchi wa Palestina.

Televisheni ya al Quds imezinukuu Brigedi za Izuddin Qassam, tawi la kijeshi la Harakati ya Mapambano ya Palestina HAMAS zikisema kuwa, ndege za utawala wa Kizayuni zimefanya mashambulizi makali katika eneo ilipoanguka ndege hiyo ya Israel ili kufuta ushahidi na kuwazuia wanamapambano wa Palestina wasipate mabaki ya ndege hiyo.

Vile vile wanamapambano wa Palestina wamefanikiwa kwa mara ya kwanza kushambulia maeneo ya Wazayuni katika mji wa Baytul Muqaddas na kuzusha kiwewe katika safu za utawala wa Kizayuni.

Kabla ya hapo pia HAMAS ilikuwa imetungua ndege ya Israel isiyo na rubani na ilishambulia pia Tel Aviv mji mkuu wa utawala wa Kizayuni na kuwalazimisha viongozi wa Israel wakimbilie mafichoni.

Televisheni ya al Quds imetangaza pia kuwa wanapambanao wa Palestina wamelishambulia kwa kombora bunge la utawala wa Kizayuni, Knesset, huko magharibi mwa Baytul Muqaddas. Taarifa zinasema pia kuwa hoteli za kitalii za Wazayuni zimefungwa huko Baytul Muqaddas baada ya maeneo yanayokaliwa kwa mabavu na Wazayuni ya mji huo kushambuliwa kwa makombora ya wanamapambano wa Palestina.

Source: www.kiswahili.irib.ir

HUSSEIN (A): THE END OF A TRAGEDY OR THE BEGINNING OF AN UPRISING?

When certain seasons of worship come around like the months of Ramadan and Muharram, it is very important that we re-evaluate ourselves to see what blessings we have gotten from them. Were they in proportion with the power of the season? Have we preserved these blessings? How can we best invest these blessings after the season is over? Many people are pleased with the condition they have at the time, without worrying about what will come after the season. The Devil is eager to take away whatever the believer has earned at the first possible opportunity. Are we cautious about that? 

The movement of Imam Hussein (A) was a method for dealing with one’s own soul and with others, for he wanted to teach us a lesson about servitude at every stage of his blessed movement. We see him depart from the safety of the Divine Kaaba when he saw that it would please his Lord. We see him exposing his family to capture when he saw that his Lord willed for them to be captured. He exposed himself to the greatest forms of insult and torture when he saw that his Lord willed for him to be killed. His sister Zainab summarized all of these lessons when she confronted the oppressor of her era saying: I didn’t see anything but it was beautiful. God willed for this group of people to be killed, so they came out to be killed, and God will gather you and them together to be judged. So wait and see who will be victorious on that day!

The principle of dialogue through speaking is the well-known method of explaining the messages of the Prophets (A), and this is what was referred to when Almighty God said, {And each nation had its own warner.} But the corruption of the leadership sometimes reaches the point where warning and explanation are not sufficient to put an end to the greatest falsehood: the corruption of one who corrupts the entire nation by his actions – because the people follow the religion of their leaders. So it would be necessary to establish a movement beyond explanation and dialogue, an unusual movement in which blood is sacrificed. This movement would awaken the nation from its depths, to see the corruption of the leader’s soul after it had neglected the corruption of the leader’s deeds! And thus the rule of the Umayyads collapsed shortly after the killing of Hussein (A). His revolution was considered the source of all revolutions which arose throughout the nation which hadn’t been seen before the killing of Chief of Martyrs (A). 

We notice this year and every year the spread of the majlis of Imam Hussein (A) all over the world. This revives our sense of hope that there is still a heart beating in the body of this nation, a heart which draws its blood from the pure blood that was spilt at Kerbala. All of that is by the blessing of the commemoration of one of the Imams from the chain of the Holy Family of the Prophet (A), so how many more blessings would there be if the last in this chain were present? We can imagine how much the hearts which thirst for justice would welcome this Imam after they lost hope in all the theories which promised to bring human happiness. 

One of the lessons of Kerbala is connecting between the highest degree of chastity and the defense of the religion by whatever power the individual is given. Thus we see Zainab (A) who observed hijab and shyness like no one else. Ali (A) would even try to keep her shadow from the view of outsiders by extinguishing or turning down the lights when she was visiting the grave of her grandfather the Holy Prophet (S). However when it came time, she was the tongue speaking in the name of the sacred law even in the presence of the Imam of her time, Ali ibn al-Hussein al-Sajjad (A). There is a saying that Islam owes its existence to Muhammed but its preservation to Hussein. While this is correct, we could also say that the origin of the reform movement was Hussein, while its preservation belongs to Zainab. 

There is a great likeness between Ibrahim (A) the beloved friend of God and Hussein (A) the sacrifice of God. God made the hearts of the people incline towards both of them. What we notice amongst those who gather for the remembrance of Hussein (A) and establish his mourning is something truly amazing! Just as we see people who don’t follow the sacred law throughout the year attracted to perform the Hajj, we see the same group showing a loyalty towards Hussein (A) which is not in proportion to their nature. This shows us that there is divine control over the hearts, and it appears that the movement during these two seasons of Hajj and Muharram are an answer to the prayer of Ibrahim (A). The reason for loving the family of the Prophet (A) in their valley of martyrdom is no less than the reason for loving the family of Ibrahim (A) in their valley of barrenness! 

Whatever we have done during the days of Muharram is a divine lesson in which God tests us for the heat of love for Hussein (A). The Holy Prophet (S) made it one of the tests of true faith. At the same time it is a claim against us, because after we get these divine blessings the judgement against us is swifter than if we hadn’t participated in them. The one who receives these blessings is not like the one who does not, and the one who has knowledge is not like the one who is ignorant. Is it enough to emerge from this season with tears and crying without seeing an important change in our life?! 

One of the important lessons of Ashura is to beware of coming to a bad ending in our lives. Some of the companions of Ali (A) participated in killing Imam Hussein. There are many people like this in history who have been cursed by the Imams and who were once their companions! All of us have to beware of the hidden seeds of major corruption, especially in the area of our beliefs, as one of the signs of the end of time is mental corruption. Some of the causes of this are committing major sins, companionship with corrupt people, profiting from what is forbidden, taking the material world over religion, finding pleasure in the fancy words which the Devil distributes to his friends, as the Holy Qur’an says, {The devils inspire their followers to argue with you.} 

Source : www.duas.org