Siraaj, in your exchange here with Amad, I want to thank you for speaking what many of us understand to be the correct way to speak and think about the issue of Obama’s military strikes on Muslims as well as his other actions to this point. In this exchange, you have represented me and, I am confident, so many others who read these pages. Thank you.

Amad, you clearly work very hard, for the sake of Allah, to contribute to Muslim Matters and to keep the conversation and comments productive. I acknowledge your effort, and I have conviction that you are sincere in that effort and are aware of the weighty responsibility you have put upon yourself to say what is right and be fair in this public forum.

Yet, I am offended by your writing these 7 statements in the comments section of this post while not unconditionally condemning the Obama Administration’s airstrikes against Muslims in Pakistan:

1) “we are not in a position to judge the presidency (good or bad)…”
2) “If only we had Mullah McCain..”
3) “I see the glass as half-full, and others see it as half-empty.”
4) “And yes, after Gaza, isn’t it okay to allow Muslims to take some good news for what it is: good.”[referring to the points in the following quote]:
“what about thanking Obama for ordering an end to extraordinary renditions? What about thanking him for choosing a relatively neutral figure on the US envoy to Middle East? What about thanking him for taking the right initial steps on Gitmo, while adding your concerns about the need to follow through with the entire due process?”
5) “let’s also stop being the perennial complainers and whining pessimists as we Muslims have metamorphosed into… we just can’t see any good in anyone. ”
6) “With a leader like [Pakistani President Zardari], who is probably busy scheming, robbing and killing his own people, I feel a bit queezy about blaming other leaders.”
7) “Afghanistan’s ghosts are haunting this nation… I don’t know where should Obama even begin to start fixing this mess… I do agree that the terrorists need to be brought to justice, esp the Qaida joint… again how, I won’t claim to having an answer.”

Then, in a similar vein, but further afield, Bintashraf and Lemon write:

“The only thing that really disturbs me about this is how the administration has refrained from commenting about the attacks”; “If you go out to do something good and accidentally some innocent dies does that diminish the good cause of the war itself?”

You write the 7 statements quoted above right here in a single post, and another commenter even implies the US War on Terror has a “good cause”; meanwhile, you do not clearly and unconditionally condemn the Obama Administration’s outrageous and evil murder of Muslims; rather, you persist in calling Muslims to express appreciation for Obama’s signing a few edicts about torture and Gitmo and transparency in government and his appointment of Mitchell.

Upon your repeated mentioning of Obama appointing Mitchell, I took another closer look at the matter rather than instinctively dismissing the thought of thanking Obama. Here is Obama introducing Mitchell, and here is Mitchell speaking.

I dismiss the thought of thanking Obama for his appointment of Mitchell. Rather, I join billions in the world in condemning Obama, and now Mitchell, for not explicitly and unconditionally condemning Israeli terror in Gaza and for not supporting the Muslims and the Hamas government whom they elected in their right to defend militarily against Israeli terror that both Obama and Mitchell continue to call legitimate defense against rocket fire.

Amad, rightly, you do not call us to thank Obama for two other major actions to date since the inauguration–his push to fund abortion in poor nations, and Obama’s appointment of Holbrooke to oversee US efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. On Thursday, with Obama (and Mitchell ) on his side, Holbrooke said : “As we speak here today, American men and women and their coalition partners are fighting a very difficult struggle against a ruthless and determined enemy without any scruples at all, an enemy that is willing to behead women who dare to teach in a school to young girls, an enemy that has done some of the most odious things on earth,” Holbrooke said. “And across the border [in Pakistan] lurks the greater enemy still, the people who committed the atrocities of September 11, 2001.” source. (Compare with what Mulla Omar has said in 2001 and what a Taliban spokesman said to the Asian Times in November.)

Siraaj asked you twice whether you condemn Obama and his administration for this air strike. It was a “yes or no” question. You did not say yes. You did not condemn. Instead, you wrote: “And of course I don’t apologize for wrongful killings, if indeed this attack killed civilians. Your question was indeed a strange one to ask, as I have never justified any attacks where civilians are killed.”

Amad, from my perspective, in your silence, and in your speech, you (intending otherwise, I trust) have given a conditional rubber stamp to Obama’s airstrikes in Pakistan. You don’t outright and unconditionally condemn the attacks, but only say that you do not apologize for (i.e., you do not defend or justify) wrongful killings of civilians. Are we, and the Obama administration, to understand from that statement that you don’t condemn and may apologize for this or other attacks all the victims are classified by the US govt. as “militants”? What about this case, about which US reports indicate that about a third of the victims were “militants”? Your response to Siraaj’s questions shows just how reasonable it was for him to ask; not strange at all. Thank you for asking, Siraaj.

I unconditionally condemn these and any US attacks in Pakistan or any Muslim country, whether they kill Muslims whom American leaders identify as regrettable civilian casualties or collateral damage, or whether they kill Muslims whom American leaders identify as militants, terrorists, Taliban, Hamas, al-Qaeda, etc.

If any of us, for whatever reason, will not come out and unconditionally condemn military strikes against Muslims–any Muslims–anywhere, then at least he should take absolute complete care when making comments that, in the pursuit of some good less than valuable that the honor of our slain Muslims brothers and sisters, he not say anything that might hurt the feelings or person or honor of oppressed or slain Muslims, or which might further embolden non-Muslim attackers.

In that context, I deeply disapprove Dr. Ingrid Mattson’s telling Obama of “her appreciation for his inaugural address and how it liberated and empowered the Muslim community.”

Consider the 9 parts of Obama’s speech that have direct relevance to Islam and Muslims:

1. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred.

2. and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries

3. Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

4. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.

5. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

6. For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth;

7. To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

8. This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall,

9. “Let it be told to the future world … that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive… that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].” America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words.

Dr. Mattson had reasons for saying what she did, and Amad you have reasons for writing what you have and you’ve stated them. But my dead Muslim brothers and sisters trump those reasons. I condemn Obama’s killing of Muslims, and I will not thank him for any small or large thing while he is persisting in the odious enormity of hurting, much less killing, Muslims.

Alhamdulillah

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7851790.stm

why cant we as muslims try understand ea other, support ea other? Everyone has a right to their opinon.

On this I totally agree with brother Amad.

I voted for Obama. I think Mcain would do worse things. Most republicans are very greedy. At the same time I just voted for Obama bc he was better then mcain. Meaning a little less bad for the Muslims inshAllah.

Anyhow there is update on this topic on http://www.antiwar.com. Airstrikes have been proven again and again not to work. Obama said he would be honest with us so far he hasnt on this issue because they arent commneting much on it and the old administration never would aknowledge what they were doing in Pakistan. This is really terrible. Are these villagers lives worth less than other lives? may Allah swt grant them patience and stregnth.

This is a perfect time to write to President Obama and request a stop to this!

Listen and learn.

He says, SubhanAllah, even in the condition he’s in.. even the age he’s at:
“I am content. I fear no one…only my Lord. If they were to do this again, I would still be content….”

His uncle (who is caring for him says):
“Black, white, or blue…it doesn’t matter what color the US president is, as long as they support and fund Israel, they are killing Palestinians and Palestinian children. Whether it’s Obama or Bush, this is US policy.”

Those of us who are Muslims here..bricks of the same wall.. let’s open our mouths with our fallen/injured heroes in front of us because that is where they will be on the judgment..in front of us and in front of Allah SWT. Support each other be strong and sincere with each other. Value each other’s opinions but do not trample on the honor and dignity of our brothers and sisters.

Understand that shaitan loves to see us divided. Protect each other from the evil one’s grasp. If one brother or sister makes a mistake, let many secure him/her with a kind correction and move on. May Allah save us from the evil whispers of shaitan and from the evil of our own actions and blanket the Ummah with His mercy and acceptance of deeds and repentance.

Wassalaam Alaikum

thank you.

MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan (Reuters) – Thousands of Afghans protested against President Hamid Karzai and the United States on Sunday over reports of fresh civilian deaths caused by U.S.-led troops during a raid against Taliban militants.

The issue of civilian casualties is sensitive in Afghanistan and has eroded public support for Karzai’s government and the foreign troops backing it.

It has also caused a rift between Karzai and his Western allies more than seven years after U.S.-led and Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban’s government.

The operation causing the latest controversy happened this week in eastern Laghman province. The U.S. military said on Saturday that troops, backed by air support, had killed 15 militants in an overnight operation.

Assadullah Wafa, a Karzai adviser investigating the deaths, said on Sunday that “16 civilians, many of them children and women, were killed” in the operation.

“We strongly condemn it and want an end to it (civilian casualties),” he told reporters in Mehtar Lam, Laghman’s provincial capital, where the protest was held.

A statement from the presidential palace quoted Karzai as saying that bombing villages and causing civilian deaths “will not bear any progress in the war against terrorism.”

Karzai said failure to coordinate attacks with his government would weaken its sovereignty and bolster the militants, it added.

A spokesman for the U.S. military said it planned to jointly investigate the incident with the Afghan government this week.

Chanting slogans against Karzai and the United States, thousands of people took part in the protest despite heavy rain.

“If the foreign troops do not put an end to their operations, we will launch jihad,” said Malik Hazrat, a protest leader.