SADDAM HANGING AND ARAB CULPABILITY
By Yushau A. Shuaib
 
The news came as a shocker as I was just reflecting on memorable incidence on Christmas day concerning a live hausa programme on a local radio station in Abuja, Vision FM, where Muslims were calling in to congratulate Nigerian Christians on the Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ in quit emotional tribute. The programme was anchored by Madina Dauda, a VOA correspondent in Abuja with Pastor Ayo Adeola, as the guest. The unedited interaction was so lively and exciting that gives hope of Nigeria of my dream where Christians and Muslims respect and love one another in act and deed. I was expecting a similar broadcast programme on this day when Muslims celebrate the Eid-Kabir when the news came that Saddam Husseini was hanged by his people.

 
The former Iraqi leader, Saddam Al-Majid Hussein was hanged on a day so special to Muslim world. The day of Eid-Adha or Kabir where Muslims are enjoined to sacrifice animals for the celebration but yet an Arab leader was sacrifice, hanged to death probably for global celebration, by no other than Iraqi leaders since America has washed her hand from the timing and hanging. So who do we blame for this?

 
It would be recalled that Saddam Hussein was charged to court, after his arrest in 2004, on the allegation of crimes against humanity. The tribunal concentrated its trial on the last regime’s military campaigns and the suppression of revolts by Kurds and Shias after the Gulf war. The jury also interrogated him on crimes committed during the war with Islamic Republic of Iran and the invasion of Kuwait.

The trial was predetermined by the way and manner American government has staged managed some of the unfolding events with the imposition of surrogate rulers and judges. As it was argued before, the legitimacy of the interim and subsequent governments of Iraq after the conquer by Americans, just like the established court were questionable as there were no clear-cut basis on which constitution were to be used for the trial. The illegitimacy of the court is similar to the invasion and occupation of Iraq without any sanction by any rational international law. If justice must be done the America’s claim of Weapon of Mass Destruction as the genesis of the invasion must also be proved.
           

Before it handed over power to Iraqis, the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority had suspended the death penalty, which was immediately reinstated by the new regime. It shouldn’t be forgotten that President George Bush immediately after the capture of Saddam publicly declared that “He (Saddam) is a torturer, a murderer, they raped rooms. This is a disgusting tyrant who deserves justice, the ULTIMATE JUSTICE.” It is easy to conclude on the fate of their victim since technically Saddam was in the custody of the Coalition troop, while legally (I wonder what it means) he was within the jurisdiction of Iraqi government.
          

His first appearance in court, Saddam described the arraignment as confused theatrical performance and charged that President Bush is the real Criminal. But the irony of it all was that American government, Arab leaders and some European nations who supported him financially and equipped him militarily to fight his old war and executed those so-called atrocities, turned their back at him up to the period of his hanging. We call that in Nigeria USED and DUMPED.
           

If anything, fairness dictates that all parties in the latest atrocities in Iraq before the capture of its former leader must be arraigned. How many innocent Iraqis were killed through the Coalition Force aerial and ground bombardment; how many innocent souls were mauled after the invasion in the name of house-to-house search, how many children have broken and amputated limps; how many Iraqi prisoners in the detention camp of the Coalition forces were humiliated and shamed nakedly; how many resistant fighters and followers of Shiite Cleric Muqtada Sadr, were mercilessly bombarded even in the mosque? In fact how many atrocities committed against defenceless Iraqis can be listed against the superpower after the successful invasion and neocolonialism in the new millennium as Iraqis died in hundreds from sectarian violence daily.

The humiliation of Iraqis started when their former leaders was caught and his remorseful pictures were flashed by the western media who categorized his sins and using wicked nomenclatures such as dictator, tyrant to describe him even when a competent court of law was yet to prove him guilty in a fair trial. Following that were pictures of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners and other shameful acts.
          

  While one can list the ills also perpetrated by the so-called liberators, the Arab leaders should be blame for the indignity, humiliation and shame Iraq has gone through in the hand of their colonizers. It should be recalled that Arab leaders collaborated with some developed countries in encouraging the then Saddam Hussein, in the 80’s, to provoke, harass and attack non-Arab Muslim neighbors in the region. The Arab world supported Iraq against Iran, a non-Arab nation (Persian) in eight-year senseless war in their attempts to tame further Islamic revolution by Ayatollah Khomeini into monarchical kingdoms. The Arabs also ignored Iraq attacks in the 1980s on Kurds (non-Arab) who have strong base in Turkey.
           

It is incredible that Arabs with their ancestral creativity, celebrated bravery and legendary empires, are presently playing second fiddle in the global arena. While other nations were busy inventing new technologies and equipping themselves militarily and politically, Arab countries allowed their oil discovery to becloud their sense of reasoning as they engaged in importing flimsy items such as caned food, movies and clothes. Just imagine that Israel that annexed their cities in Palestine and the Golan Height in Syria is undisputable power to reckon with within the Middle East with latest technology in armaments and weaponry. Yet Israel’s population is as small as one of Arab capitals. That is why the Arab leaders are cowards to challenge Israel on the need for the liberation of the Palestinians.
           

The Arab world may unconsciously start to dig their own grave by giving tacit support for the invasion of their region, where foreign troops are fully armed and stationed. It is now easier for their nations to be forced and fall into the so-called western liberalization and democratization, probably like that of Iraqis as we have witnessed so far. Afterall, apart from Egypt, most Arab nations in the region are ruled by kings who own the assets and properties in their kingdoms.
          

Unfortunately when confronted by near defeat, Arab leaders who hobnobbed with the so-called infidels, employ religious sentiments to win sympathy of the large followers of Islamic faith. The word Arab-Sheik, which means a scholar or elderly person, has become synonymous with a wealthy Arab who spends extravagantly on women, expensive alcoholic wine, entertainment, automobile and delightedly waste huge fortunes on idle pastime and gambling.
           

Where are the Arabian nobility and bravery we read in the holy books and literature? The present generation has sold out their birthright. Even when others including non-Muslim nations were staging peaceful rallies and protests against the attack on Iraq sovereignty, most Arab countries kept mute, with some arresting potential demonstrators. When some of the Saddam’s family and aides sought asylum, their brotherly Arab nations, we were told, refused to grant them the offer before Syria came to their rescue. In fact it was Arabian elite within the Iraqis that exposed the location and hideout of Saddam and his children just for pecuniary inducement that is sourced from their lands by their colonizers. What a life of utter disgrace and moral turpitude will betrayers and traitors live even in the midst of opulence and artificial security?
          

Any Muslim who thinks supporting an Arab is protecting Islam must have a rethink. Islam is not a religion based on ethnicity, tribal marks, geographical location and colour of skin but a faith that promotes compassion, good conduct, and faithfulness to the truth, shared love, and mutual coexistence with others.  If Republic of Germany, France and even the Vatican could condemn the attack on a Muslim nation and even some going extra length to condemn the death verdict on Saddam, while other Arab nations are cautious not to annoy the Super Liberators, one wonders who is more Islamic.
 
Yushau A. Shuaib
Wuye Estate, Abuja
yashuaib@yahoo.com
 

Robot  Villager

# 1 SADDAM HANGING AND ARAB CULPABILITY By Yushau A. Shuaib The news came...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 30.12.2006 10:04

docokwy  Villager

# 2 Whereas any good individual can come from anywhere, in general, Arabs and Muslims are known for their violent streak. Little wonder they received the hanging of Sadaam with glee. Bringing this back home, this execution depicts the mindset of the muslim world towards issues such as Sharia death penalties, and the very many unprovoked deadly religious upheavels in the North of Nigeria. Mr Shuaib, hope you are not being hypocritical, as human killing in the Arabic and Islamic worlds is part of the game? Posted by docokwy| 30.12.2006 10:20

Akinyi  Villager

# 3 The Author writes "The Arab world may unconsciously start to dig their own grave by giving tacit support for the invasion of their region, where foreign troops are fully armed and stationed. It is now easier for their nations to be forced and fall into the so-called western liberalization and democratization, probably like that of Iraqis as we have witnessed so far. Afterall, apart from Egypt, most Arab nations in the region are ruled by kings who own the assets and properties in their kingdoms". This dude is simply put achaic and probably fanatical. Nonesense! Paragraph by paragraph his fanaticism glows through. Posted by Akinyi| 30.12.2006 17:52

docokwy  Villager

# 4 It won't be a surprise if a ''Sadaam hanging-induced'' killing of christians and southerners begin in the north of Nigeria today. That is almost predictable. Brainwashed ignoramuses Posted by docokwy| 31.12.2006 07:11

alagemo  Villager

# 5 =docokwy;146531>It won't be a surprise if a ''Sadaam hanging-induced'' killing of christians and southerners begin in the north of Nigeria today. That is almost predictable. Brainwashed ignoramuses Excuse me sir, but are you a pervert? Do you get your fun by watching fellow compatriots cut each other to pieces? If not then why are you contemplating "killing of Christians and southerners begin in the north of Nigeria today?" What kind of sick expectation is that? :mad: Posted by alagemo| 31.12.2006 07:33

docokwy  Villager

# 6 =alagemo;146533>Excuse me sir, but are you a pervert? Do you get your fun by watching fellow compatriots cut each other to pieces? If not then why are you contemplating "killing of Christians and southerners begin in the north of Nigeria today?" What kind of sick expectation is that? :mad: = No sir, I am NOT. But let's just say that I am a realist and a down-to-earth folk. Why do you like pretending? Has it not happened before? The Danish cartoon, the recent Israel-Hezbollah war and many other matters which had no direct bearing with the Nigerian muslims led to varying levels of carnage and deaths. So, my contemplation, using your word, is not far-fetched. I only pray it does not happen, but it is not an impossiblity in present-day northern Nigeria. Posted by docokwy| 31.12.2006 08:07

docokwy  Villager

# 7 HAVE YOU SEEN THIS, IGNORANT/NAIVE ALAGEMO?? SADDAM’S EXECUTION: Fanatics plan violence in Nigeria Okey Muogbo, Bankole Makinde, Tope Abiola, Isaac Shobayo, Gboyega Adeoye, Kola Oyelere and Ibrahim Dabugur - 03.01.2007 RESIDENTS of some parts of the country are now gripped with fear over the threat by some fanatics to protest the execution of the former Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein. Nigerian Tribune gathered that various Islamic groups in Plateau, Yobe, Kano, Borno, Sokoto, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and many other states were now organising themselves to unleash terror on non-indigenes in those parts of the country. Non-indigenes of the area and some Christian leaders, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, were also making plans to seek refuge in some security quarters in the states to protect their lives. Intelligence reports from the security agencies also confirmed that some Muslim fanatics were planning mayhem on non-Muslims all over the country. Police Commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Lawrence Alobi, disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview in Abuja on Monday that “the fanatics also planned to attack churches and properties of non-Muslims.” He, however, said that the police were ready to curtail the potential insurgence and advised residents of the FCT and other parts of the country not to panic, but to go about their normal daily activities. He said security had been beefed up around all churches in Abuja following the intelligence report. In Plateau State, there was a wild display by some youths while coming from the Muslim prayer ground on Saturday. The youth, who rode in trucks, threatened inhabitants with cutlasses, clubs, spears and swords. Nigerian Tribune gathered that residents of Ahmadu Bello Way, Abattoir Road, Bauchi Road, Terminus area and other parts of Jos were disturbed by the threats of the fanatics. In Yobe State, a group called ****tes planned demonstrations in Potiskum, threatening to stage a vengeance protest against the execution of Saddam. The protest in Potiskum was, however, nipped in the bud by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Eugene Njepu, and the Emir of Potiskum. The situation in Kano State was calm on Tuesday after threats by some Islamic fundamentalists. But, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that the group had only postponed its action. Nigerian Tribune gathered further that the Federal Government had sent a signal through the office of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, that security be beefed up across the country to prevent a situation where the security forces could be caught napping. According to another source, police formations across the country, together with other security and intelligence agencies, had fortified their various states. Saddam, who ruled Iraq for about 30 years, was overthrown four years ago after the invasion of the country by forces led by the United States. Meanwhile, a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Human Rights Watch (HRW), has condemned the execution of the former Iraqi leader, saying “Saddam Hussein was responsible for massive human rights violations, but that can’t justify giving him the death penalty, which is cruel and inhuman punishment.” Speaking through its director of International Justice Programme, Mr. Richard Dicker, it stated that HRW had for more than 15 years documented the human rights crimes committed by Hussein’s government, and had campaigned to bring the perpetrators to justice”, stressing that this did not mean that Hussein should be executed. The group, in a statement, said it was opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, noting that “increasingly, governments are abolishing the death penalty in domestic law. “The test of a government’s commitment to human rights is measured by the way it treats its worst offenders”, said Dicker in the statement, noting that “history will judge these actions harshly.” Hussein was tried by a tribunal for crimes against humanity. The tribunal, which was backed by the United States, passed a death sentence on him in November for ordering the execution of about 140 Shiites. Saddam was hanged on Saturday which incidentally fell on a Muslim festival and this angered some Muslims around the world. Immediately after his execution, Libya declared three days of national mourning for him just like Saudi Arabia which disrupted its aviation and telecommunications networks, while in Nigeria, the execution elicited mixed feelings among Muslims. A report issued in November 2006 by Human Rights Watch identified numerous flaws in the trial of Hussein for the Dujail executions. The 97-page report, “Judging Dujail: The First Trial Before the Iraqi High Tribunal,” according to HRW, was based on 10 months of observation and dozens of interviews with judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers. Posted by docokwy| 03.01.2007 04:54