Paul Joseph Nzeribe and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Pakistan continues to be blighted by barbaric terrorist attacks against the minority Shia community and against anyone deemed to be worthy for killing in the name of Allah. In the latest suspected Sunni Islamist terrorist outrage women were killed in the region of Quetta. It is known that Sunni Islamist terrorist groups are opposed to women obtaining an education and in the past attacks have taken place against women in Afghanistan and Pakistan respectively.

The local police chief, Zubair Mahmood, commented that “It was an improvised explosive device placed in the women university bus.” Sadly, people in Pakistan are no longer shocked by such barbarity because it appears to be second nature for Sunni Islamist terrorists who just espouse hatred and kill innocents. Therefore, it is clear that Pakistan is a nation whereby religious minorities reside in fear and women can be killed for just wanting to study.

In Balochistan you also have a separatist movement and this sums-up the current situation in this country. After all, it is clear that mother India was carved up but is mainly Muslim Pakistan a nation which protects the citizens of this nation? Clearly the answer is no because Ahmadiyya Muslims and Shia Muslims are deemed apostates therefore both communities suffer untold persecution. Ironically, in mother India the Ahmadiyya and Shia don’t worry about being slaughtered and victimized by Sunni Islamist militants.

Other religious minorities including Christians, Hindus and Sikhs also suffer state institutional discrimination because many women are forced to convert to Islam but the state does little to intervene. Likewise, the dreaded blasphemy law can be used against Muslims and non-Muslims alike on a mere whim. This reality means that many people reside in fear.

In the past the government of Pakistan involved itself in Afghanistan alongside America, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and other Gulf nations. The upshot of this was that Gulf petrodollars spread Takfiri and Salafi Islam alongside supporting indigenous Sunni Islamist militant organizations. America, Pakistan and the United Kingdom utilized the CIA, ISI and MI6 respectively in order to train Islamist fanatics against the communist government of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Several decades later and the folly of this policy can be seen by the fact that so many women reside in shadows in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of course, you have places in both nations which are more open but the darkness of religious bigotry resides within terrorist organizations and in state institutions in both countries.

In a past article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “…if we turn the clock back to the early 1980s then nations like America, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom supported radical Sunni Islamists against communist Afghanistan. This meant that special operatives from within the CIA representing America and the ISI from Pakistan, and other operatives from nations like the United Kingdom, enabled international Islamists to get a foothold in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The upshot of all this was that a nightmare was created and today the world is witnessing this ongoing nightmare.”

“It is abundantly clear that the roots of September 11 are connected with the political naivety and crassness of nations like America and the United Kingdom. After all, it is clear that Saudi Arabia and the elites within Pakistan in the 1980s were intent on spreading Islamism based on religious and political factors. Yet for America and the United Kingdom it was about “turning the Islamist clock on and off” to when it suited.”

“Of course, the events of September 11 woke America up briefly but under the Obama administration it is clear that the “Islamist clock is being turned on” once more. The same now applies to nations like France, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. After all, these nations are now behind many atrocities in Syria. This applies to killing religious minorities, killing pro-Sunni supporters of the government, beheading people, daily car bombings, torturing Syrian soldiers and a plethora of crimes against humanity.”

America, the United Kingdom and other allied forces are now fighting the same Islamist Sunni militant groups that they helped to train and support in the past. Likewise, the government of Pakistan managed to destabilize itself by supporting the Taliban and a host of other militant terrorist organizations. Therefore, the latest terrorist attack which killed at least 11 females can be traced to the barbaric policies of the past. This applies to unleashing Takfiri ideas, Salafi concepts and other dangerous religious ideologies.

Turning back to the attack against female students then the BBC reports that “Hospital sources say some of the wounded are in critical condition.”

“No group has said it carried out the attack.”

“Later another explosion was reported at the hospital where the victims were being treated, Police and militants exchanged fire there, according to eyewitnesses.”

It is clear that all educational institutions in Pakistan should come under the state and that religious institutions inciting sectarianism and hatred should be closed down. At the same time, Gulf petrodollars need to be stopped from spreading dangerous ideologies which are threatening the state of Pakistan. The ISI also needs to come under full control and the CIA and MI6 needs to be cleansed of using dangerous religious ideologies for short-term gains. After all, in Libya it is clear that the CIA and MI6 had links with terrorist groups in order to overthrow the Gaddafi government and the same applies to France. Now in Libya many Sufi shrines have been attacked and the small Christian population is facing more hostility. Currently it is also clear that the CIA, MI6 and their French counterparts are involved in many underhanded dealings with terrorist groups in order to defeat the government of Syria. However, the short term geopolitical gains become long term nightmares for people who reside in the nations where outside forces are meddling. Likewise, Gulf petrodollars are inciting Sunni Islamist hatred against Muslim minorities, indigenous Islam which is more liberal and against non-Muslims.

The latest terrorist attack which killed at least 11 females (death toll may increase further) in Pakistan is further evidence that radical Sunni Islam is a threat to all and sundry. Sadly, elites within America, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and several Gulf nations are never held accountable for their respective destabilizing policies and crimes against humanity. However, innocent Muslims and non-Muslims continue to be slaughtered by forces which were unleashed in the 1980s because the “Sunni Islamist genie” can’t be forced back into its lamp.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Outside nations involved themselves in Afghanistan over forty years ago by firstly supporting the same thought patterns that they are currently trying to prevent from ruling this nation in the modern period. Gulf nations, America, the United Kingdom and Pakistan created “this nightmare” whereby the rights of women didn’t matter one jot providing communist forces would be defeated. Similarly, outside nations then crushed the military and political system of Iraq which in turn unleashed chaos, sectarianism, the cleansing of Christians and other religious minorities like the Mandaeans; the end result being daily terrorism and then America and other allies leave the scene while chaos abounds. Not content with this, then Libya became another venture whereby today you just have chaos and a failed state. Despite this, major Gulf and Western powers have no shame because they are collectively destroying the fabric of society in Syria by stealth.

It matters not that America, France and the United Kingdom are bankrupting their respective nations at home while being involved in the deaths of untold numbers in distant lands. Major Gulf powers like Saudi Arabia and Qatar also have no qualms in supporting terrorist and sectarianism forces directly or covertly when Western hands are involved. Of course, democracy, religious freedom, the rights of women and pluralism at home in Saudi Arabia is not on the agenda. However, sowing the seeds of sectarianism and enabling the dark forces of terrorism to spread untold misery is on the agenda for Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf states involved in the many ratlines against Syria.

It is now known that the Jabhat al-Nusra have just slaughtered vast numbers of Shia Muslims because they showed part of their destruction themselves on social media while celebrating. France, just like America and the United Kingdom, responds to massacres like this – and killing a young boy for “allegedly” insulting Islam – by merely issuing more threats against the Syrian government.

The BBC reports that the “French foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot said the conflict in Syria was “at a turning point.”

“What should we do under these conditions to reinforce the opposition armed forces? We have had these discussions with our partners, with the Americans, the Saudis, the Turks, many others.”

“We cannot leave the opposition in the current state.”

Yet, these massacres are being done by Takfiri Islamists, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), various different terrorist and sectarian groups, and by mercenaries from all over the world. Indeed, religious minorities are being protected by the Syrian armed forces because Christians and others are not fleeing government controlled areas. On the contrary, they only feel secure in areas under the full control of the Syrian armed forces. It must be remembered that Christian bishops are being held by the allies of Gulf and Western nations. Also, when did so-called “opposition armed forces” belonging to “a mythical anti-Syrian group which is democratic” attack al-Qaeda backed terrorists? However, the illusions and lies will keep on coming by America, France and the United Kingdom.

Despite everything, America, France and the United Kingdom are pinning the blame on the central government of Syria while doing nothing to stem Gulf petrodollars from funding and supporting terrorism and sectarianism. The same Western states don’t care that Saudi Arabia supports killing all apostates to Christianity because how many decades does it take before religious apartheid nations are issued trade sanctions? This reality highlights the sham of Western nations coming up with the “democratic game” but it still doesn’t stop the mass media and senior politicians from whipping up hatred against independent Syria.

CBS News comments about the recent massacre of Shia Muslims by international Sunni Islamic terrorists. This news agency states that “With a steady drumbeat from some U.S. and European politicians calling for the West to arm Syria’s rebels, the composition of the rebel force on the ground is vital to understand, and the men who committed at least some of the killings in Hatla were not Syrian, and were not men who the West would want to arm.”

“In a video posted on YouTube, a man shows the dead bodies of several Shiite Syrians in Hatla, and angrily calls on his fellow Sunnis to “massacre” their Shiite compatriots. The man speaking is not Syrian, he is Kuwaiti, and very few of the armed “rebels” seen with him in the video sound Syrian — the accents are largely Kuwaiti and Iraqi. There were other, similar videos posted of the alleged massacre in Hatla.”

This reality makes a mockery of the “so-called civil war” because if it wasn’t for outside nations supporting terrorism, sectarianism and sedition then clearly this crisis would have petered out quickly. Syria is a nation whereby “civil war” applies despite vast numbers of international jihadists and terrorists coming from all over the world. Of course, political elites in America, France, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom know this – alongside major media agencies in the Gulf and West – however, it doesn’t stop the “tools of oppression” from open manipulation.

CBS news also states that “While leaders in Washington, Paris and London continue to suggest the option of arming “vetted” rebel groups remains on the table, there’s strong evidence to suggest that previous covert efforts to funnel arms into opposition hands through neighboring countries (efforts which were reportedly green-lighted by the Obama administration) ended up arming the extremists.”

Under the current leaders of America, France and the United Kingdom they have assisted Gulf powers and international jihadist groups from reaching further into the Levant, North Africa and West Africa. At the same time, terrorism and sectarianism is increasing in Iraq and Syria because of the evil deeds of outside nations meddling into the internal affairs of both nations. The upshot of all this is daily massacres against the Shia; the spreading of hatred towards the Alawites in Syria; the cleansing of Christians in several nations; the destruction of Sufi shrines in Libya, Mali and Somalia; the murder of pro-Syrian Sunni Muslim clerics in Syria; women are firmly being put into the shadows and honor killings are increasing; and all this is being done by Takfiri Islamist groups, the Salafists, Gulf nations and the political leaders of America, France and the United Kingdom who are cohorts in this barbarity when it suits their geopolitical agendas.

Independent and secular Syria prior to outside meddling under Bashar al-Assad was a nation that took in millions of Iraqi and Palestinian nationals which had fled past Western policy objectives. At no point did the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad reject people on religious grounds. On the contrary, vast numbers of Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims and Christians entered Syria in order to escape troubles in their respective nations of birth. However, this mosaic is now being crushed and Gulf and Western powers alongside NATO Turkey are trying to destroy the Syrian government by spreading sectarianism, destroying the economy, forcing people to flee from terrorism and other evil methods. At no point have the leaders of America, France and the United Kingdom condemned Gulf powers for supporting sectarianism and terrorism. Therefore, the latest massacre of Shia Muslims in Syria by Takfiri Islamists and the FSA should be firmly pinned on the nations supporting the destabilization of Syria and the same applies to the entire crisis.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57588904/syria-rebels-behind-alleged-massacre-of-shiites/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22870776

http://sana.sy/eng/337/2013/06/13/487202.htm

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Boutros Hussein and Murad Makhmudov

Modern Tokyo Times

Iranian Shia Muslim pilgrims planned to show their piety by visiting holy places in Iraq but once more many were slaughtered by Sunni Islamists which deem the Shia to be non-Muslim and worthy of killing in the name of Allah. Of course, this reality is replicated in other nations like Pakistan whereby countless attacks have slaughtered untold numbers of Shia Muslims inside mosques or during religious pilgrimage. Surely, if Shia Muslims were being slaughtered in mainly Christian nations like this then the mass media would be in frenzy mode; however, it is just another massacre against innocent Shia followers at the hands of Sunni Islamist fanatics.

The latest attack (http://www.shiamassacre.org/) was carried out against Shia pilgrims who were travelling on a bus. Indeed, images from Pakistan show clearly that Takfiri Islamists sometimes stop buses and then single out Shia Muslims before slaughtering them. Iran needs to wake up from the “Zionist scapegoat” and acknowledge that their co-religionist are being slaughtered and persecuted by a plethora of Islamist terrorist organizations in the Sunni Muslim world.

In so-called moderate Malaysia it is illegal for Shia Muslims to build holy places and be treated equally. Of course, this doesn’t suit the usual rhetoric coming out of Tehran. However, something needs to be done during major Islamic conferences in order to address the mass hatred towards the Shia. If not, then more massacres will take place in Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, and other nations, where the Shia suffer enormous persecution at the hands of Sunni Islamic intolerance.

Clearly the issue isn’t only about Takfiri Islamists spreading hatred because Malaysia isn’t governed by these thought patterns. It is time for Iran to do more to help their co-religionists. After all, look at the treachery of Hamas in Gaza because this organization soon showed its sectarian hand despite Iran and Syria being pro-Palestinian. Therefore, Hamas soon favored the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) and began to infiltrate Palestinian areas in Syria in order to spread the sectarian message.

In the latest massacre against Shia pilgrims AP reports that “Suicide attackers rammed car bombs on Friday into a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims and a police checkpoint west of Baghdad, killing 19 people in all, in the latest bout of violence to rattle Iraq.”

“The attacks follow the deadliest two months in Iraq in half a decade, raising fears the country is descending into a renewed wave of widespread killing like the one that drove the nation to the brink of civil war following the U.S.-led invasion.”

In Syria despite the armed forces being multi-religious and all major Sunni Muslim religious leaders supporting the government to control the crisis created by Gulf petrodollars and Western meddling. It is clear that Sunni Muslim militants are entering Syria in order to kill the Alawites, Shia and to persecute the minority Christian community. At the same time, mainstream Sunni Muslim leaders are being killed and targeted by Takfiri Islamists in Syria because they believe that moderate Sunni Islam is a betrayal to their worldview based on enormous hatred.

Once more Shia pilgrims were slaughtered like sheep by Sunni Islamist militants and like usual nothing will be done to alter the enormous blind hatred towards the embattled followers of this faith. Iran needs to do more because this nation is the most powerful mainly Shia nation in the world. If not, then just like in Bahrain, their co-religionists will continue to suffer throughout the Sunni Muslim world. Something needs to be done to stem the tide of this hatred and quickly!

http://www.shiamassacre.org/ Shia Rights Watch

Lee Jay Walker supported both main writers

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Irrespective if people support the Syrian government or are against the political leaders of this nation, it is abundantly clear that past interventions lead to chaos and failed states. Either political elites in Gulf nations, America, France, Turkey and the United Kingdom enjoy mass instability and cleansing religious minorities; or the agenda is to create weak failed states in order to protect the feudal monarchies of the Gulf and Israel. If not, then nothing makes sense and this also applies to Western nations being anti-Christian in the Middle East and in other parts of the world.

It is known that the most powerful religious leader in Saudi Arabia desires that all Christian churches are to be destroyed throughout the region. Of course, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia supporting Sunni Salafi fanatics and terrorists against the government of Syria; then this could be part of the anti-Christian crusade installed by feudal monarchs and religious elites in Saudi Arabia.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Asheikh from Saudi Arabia stated that it was “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.” This distinguished Islamist cleric who is a close friend of the ruling elites in Saudi Arabia, voiced this opinion to the visiting delegation from Kuwait. It appears that he wants Kuwait to follow the anti-Christian and anti-non-Muslim religious line of Saudi Arabia which refuses to allow one single Buddhist temple, Christian church, Hindu temple and so forth. Therefore, when one militant fanatic desires to burn the Koran (something that Islamists do all the time during their terrorist attacks and destroying Shia mosques) in America the American administration and mass media speaks out; however, having strong relations with Islamist states which hate all other religions is obviously not a concern.

It is clear that Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser was a threat to the elites throughout the Gulf and in major Western nations. Likewise, Saddam Hussein was an ally of the Sunni Gulf dominated monarchies and powerful Western nations during the Iran-Iraq war. Yet the Kuwait question destroyed this unity. Of course, when Saddam Hussein was busy killing the Shia in Iraq and fighting against Iran then this was welcomed. Likewise, when Kurds were gassed in Iraq then this also could be brushed under the carpet. However, to enter a feudal undemocratic state called Kuwait was something else. Therefore, a well orchestrated media campaign was paid to increase many lies about the nation of Kuwait and with regards to many alleged massacres which later turned out to be clear fabrications. Despite this, the United States and United Kingdom will protect anti-Christian Gulf monarchies to the hilt because of energy factors, geopolitics and other important areas.

Over forty years ago the usual nations intervened in Afghanistan by supporting the most “year zero Islamists” on the face of the planet. Not only did America, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and other nations, support Islamist sectarians and terrorists – but they even gave military training, assistance and helped to co-ordinate future terrorist groups. Osama bin Laden was once a friendly ally of major Gulf nations, America, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Of course, September 11 brought this home to America but for the people of Afghanistan, North-Western Pakistan and India ruled Kashmir; then Islamist militancy is continuing to destroy all forms of moderation and helping to cleanse religious minorities. Women also have bore a terrible price and while Islamists may ban alcohol it is clear that selling and taking heroin isn’t deemed un-Islamic. Therefore, you now have a major drug problem in Afghanistan and Pakistan but despite all the chaos it is now the turn to destroy multi-religious and secular Syria.

Even while Afghanistan continues to burn in a spiral of Islamist hatred, enormous indoctrination, forcing women into the shadows and being unable to crush Taliban forces; the next venture had begun against Iraq. The Kuwait debacle highlighted the reality that while approximately 3 to 4 million black Africans were killed in Sudan based on the policies of Arabization and Islamization; then this could be tolerated, but invading a wealthy Gulf state was a different matter. Simply put, just like in East Timor whereby approximately one third of the population was killed by central forces in Indonesia – it is apparent that Christians (Sudan and East Timor) and Animists (Sudan) just don’t count because the US and UK kept on supplying weapons to Indonesia. America also welcomed the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in Sudan under the leadership of President Jaafar Nimeiri in 1983 just like Washington helped this legal framework to take power in Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently Libya.

Clearly, the anti-Muslim rhetoric aimed at America doesn’t hold much weight apart from opposing moderate forces in the Muslim world based on the objectives of Saudi Arabia and other major Gulf nations.  Therefore, the only forces to suffer at the hands of America’s foreign policy in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cyprus (invasion by Turkey), Kosovo, Libya, Iraq and now in Syria – are Christians, secular forces and mainstream Islam which became attacked by Sunni Islamic jihadists, Salafi militants and a plethora of terrorist groups. These Islamist groups think nothing about killing Shia Muslims, minority Muslim groups like the Alawites, Sunni Muslim clerics which support religious diversity and non-Muslims. In this sense, the political elites in Washington and London have installed compliant Muslim dominated governments in Bosnia and Kosovo – while doing nothing when Orthodox Christians were cleansed by Turkey after this nation invaded Northern Cyprus. Meanwhile, secular forces within the state institutions of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have all been vanquished by the implementation of Islamic Sharia law once ruling elites were overthrown in the three above nations. Given this reality, it appears that America and the United Kingdom are implementing a pro-Saudi Arabia and Gulf Islamist agenda which is anti-Christian, anti-secular and anti-mainstream Islam because they always side with conservative and reactionary Islamist forces. The upshot being that approximately 50% of Christians fled Iraq and vast numbers of Christians have fled Kosovo; this happened on the watch of America and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, in Egypt the Coptic Christians are now facing a growing Islamist menace but once more America and the United Kingdom keep on supplying more funds to the Muslim Brotherhood led government.

In Kosovo the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was implicated in killing people for organs and other massacres. Similarly, in Syria you have video evidence of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist groups teaching children to behead Syrian soldiers, cutting open Syrian soldiers and eating organs, killing Sunni Muslim clerics which support the government and a host of other brutal deeds including beheading many Alawites and Shia Muslims. Yet, it appears that all the above – and kidnapping Christian bishops – means zilch to America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. After all, the more massacres are committed by the FSA and various Islamist terrorist groups then the more they obtain funds in order to destroy Syria. It must be stated that Syria, just like Egypt under Nasser, is a proud and free nation which refuses to bow down to international domination. Therefore, the secular government of Syria is deemed to be a threat to Western powers, Gulf powers and treacherous Turkey because these collective forces saw an opportunity to destroy the last major secular and independent nation in the Arabic speaking world.

Libya in the post-Gaddafi period is nothing more than a failed state whereby various militias control parts of the country. Recent terrorist attacks in Algeria, Mali and Niger all have a connection linking the failed state of Libya. At the same time the CIA, MI6 and other security intelligence networks have been involved in sending military arms to terrorists in Syria via Bosnia, Libya, Croatia, Kosovo and other routes. Note, that the US and UK all supported anti-Serb forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo; meanwhile, the ruling elites in Libya now rely on London and Washington for economic support.

In another Modern Tokyo Times article about Libya it was stated that “The ‘bomb democracy’ Western and Gulf policy in Libya brought about the massacres of black Africans, killing of Gaddafi loyalists and created a “new society” based on disorder which is currently ongoing. Indeed, the chaos which is engulfing Libya is now destabilizing Northern Mali and creating problems for Tunisia. This destabilization is based on vast quantities of military hardware being available and more dangerously the Salafi ideology is spreading because of money from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.”

“Turning back to Libya and Northern Mali then currently Salafist organizations are intent on destroying all Islamic thought patterns outside of their “blinkered monoculture,” which thrives on hatred and fear. Indeed, in Syria video evidence survives which makes it clear that the Western and Islamist “marriage of convenience” is now spreading this dangerous ideology within this country. Therefore, mainstream Islam and religious minorities have much to fear in Syria. However, like usual political leaders in London, Paris and Washington will support any form of barbarity providing it meets their geopolitical ambitions.”

The nation of Syria welcomed the fleeing Palestinians and took in over one million refugees from Iraq irrespective if the refugees were Christian, Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim or whatever. Syria is a multi-religious nation and secular based. Also, it is abundantly clear that no evidence can be provided which shows massacres by the government of Syria before outside nations sponsored sectarianism, terrorism and sedition against this nation. Therefore, the armed forces of Syria are doing their upmost to protect the people of Syria and preserve the independence of this nation. After all, which side is kidnapping Christian bishops, kidnapping UN personnel, killing Sunni Muslim clerics, beheading Alawites, butchering the Shia, murdering journalists and so forth? Despite this, major Western and Gulf powers alongside Turkey are intent on destroying the fabric of Syrian society and these nations care little about creating another failed state – after all, look at the track record of Afghanistan, Kosovo, Libya and Iraq.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Xavier Patras William

Modern Tokyo Times

Christians are fleeing a Muslim rampage in Lahore after another “alleged blasphemy” accusation led to approximately 3,000 Muslims attacking Christians. Like often happens, the entire Christian community is fleeing over a minor alteration between a Muslim and Christian. Of course, if Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism are mocked then nothing happens and this applies to the response of the minority non-Muslim communities and from a legal point of view.

It must be stated that when Shia Muslims are killed in vast numbers in Pakistan by Sunni Islamic militants, then this is usually based on major terrorist attacks. This applies to suicide attacks, Shia Muslims being taken of buses and killed in cold blood and by other deplorable terrorist ways.

However, the attack against the Christians of Joseph Colony which is near Badami Bagh, Lahore, was done by local Muslims. Sadly, this incident isn’t anything new and neither is the deplorable response whereby one “alleged comment” can lead to prison, death and the entire non-Muslim community being attacked where the “alleged” incident occurs.

Sawan Masih, 26, is the Christian involved in the “alleged incident” and now he fears for his life because of the hatred within the hearts of people who can’t accept religious equality and freedom. Equally alarming, is that the institutions in Pakistan are stacked against non-Muslims and Muslims who “allegedly blaspheme.” Therefore, many innocent Christians and Muslims are at the mercy of a failed law which incites hatred and which is open to enormous manipulation.

The Express Tribune, a Pakistan media group, stated that “The charged group gathered around Joseph Colony on Noor Road, led by Shafiq Ahmed, who was in search of the accused Savan, alias Bubby. The mob attacked Savan’s house, partially burnt it and pelted it with stones. Other houses in the locality – home to about 150 Christian families – were also attacked.  Many residents, including women and children, hastily fled to save themselves.”

It is known that a blasphemy case was registered therefore the police have taken Sawan Masih into custody. The case will be registered under the dreaded 295-C section number. Therefore, Sawan Masih will face a very dark period because violence can easily happen within the institutional system – or if he is released – given the nature of the hatred towards the local Christian community which expresses such hatred over such a minor “alleged altercation.”

Salamat Masih, a local Christian resident, stated that “We were busy in our daily work, we heard a noise “burn them alive,” and a huge mob rushed in and burnt our properties. They threw acid and threw stones at Christian houses. The authorities kept silent and didn’t intervene until everything was burnt.”

Apparently a local Muslim cleric stated that Sawah Masih should be killed if he is seen anywhere. Life for All which is campaigning against religious persecution is on the ground in order to help the local Christian community.

Sadly, it is clear that major democratic nations are not speaking out against issues like this. Yet with every case like this then Pakistan is “losing a part of its soul” to the forces of darkness. Many Pakistan nationals involved in human rights in this country, irrespective if Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, or secular; are “showing the light of Pakistan.” However, you have too many negative forces against them because the international community isn’t doing enough to support organizations which are trying to stem the tide of hatred. Therefore, it is imperative that the blasphemy law is taken out of the legal system in Pakistan because all citizens of this nation, irrespective of faith, can face a bleak future based on “a minor altercation” or “a false statement.”

Xavier Patras William based in Pakistan provided the above images

Xavier Patras William is based in Pakistan and he is a writer and human rights activist who kindly provides articles for Modern Tokyo Times.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/518244/alleged-blasphemy-mob-burns-100-christian-homes-in-lahore/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Joachim de Villiers and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The Philippine government appears to be doing very little towards supporting a Philippine Muslim clan which demands that their rights are taken seriously in Sabah. It appears that approximately 200 followers of the Royal Army of Sulu are deemed to be a threat to the national security of Malaysia. Therefore, the military approach by the government of Malaysia could create a higher risk if the uneven struggle leads to a bloodbath.

Ironically, in the past both Thailand and the government of the Philippines have castigated Malaysia for supporting Islamic insurgencies within their respective nations. However, the sham of Muslim unity in Malaysia – where Shia Islam is outlawed – is clear for all to see by the response of the military attack against the Royal Army of Sulu. This applies to using the Royal Malaysia Air Force so quickly against such a small number of forces which are loyal to the Sultanate of Sulu.

Reports have stated that the Royal Malaysia Air Force have been using F/A-18 and Hawk military fighter jets. Yet, if the military crackdown kills the majority of followers of the Royal Army of Sulu then this may open a can of worms? After all, this will put pressure on individuals within the Moro National Liberation Front (several factions) and other groups within Muslim dominated areas in the Philippines.

It is clear that Malaysia had to respond to the incursion (from the point of view of Malaysia) but the heavy handed tactics so soon against such small numbers appears over the top. At the same time, the Philippine government should not just sit back and allow Malaysia to have a free hand because this will reverberate negatively within Mindanao and other parts of the region. Therefore, it is imperative that the Philippine government takes a more active approach and tries to quell the military angle by demanding proper negotiations.

The Malaysia Chronicle reports that “Malaysian security forces are now facing battle-tested, Malaysian-trained commanders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who know Sabah like the palm of their hands.”

“Hadji Acmad Bayam, former chief propagandist of the MNLF, revealed this yesterday to the Manila Bulletin, adding that these MNLF forces may have at their disposal a huge arsenal, which they hid deep in Sabah’s rugged terrain when they returned to the Philippines after their rigid training.”

In the past the government of Malaysia involved itself in Muslim insurgencies in the Philippines and southern Thailand. Therefore, while the crisis is still in the initial stages and without knowing if it will be contained quickly – or if it will create a chain reaction. It is still clear that this is blowback, just like what is happening in Pakistan with relationship to Afghanistan. Similarly, the same applies to September 11 whereby America also used Islamists in Afghanistan and parts of the Balkans aimed at the Serbs.

Of course, the degree of blowback is much smaller because only around 200 members of the Royal Army of Sulu have entered the contested area. Yet events could spiral if the Malaysian armed forces are seen to be heavy handed and images spread to areas which are sympathetic to their cause. At the same time, the Philippine government risks alienating a troubled region within the Philippines whereby Muslims claim that they face discrimination within this country. Therefore, political leaders in Manila should play a more active role.

Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia stated that “We want the militants to unconditionally surrender and hand over their weapons.“ He continued by stating that if they don’t surrender to Malaysian authorities then it will take “for as long as it takes to eliminate them.”

The BBC states that “Malaysia has rejected a call for a ceasefire by a Philippine Muslim clan who launched an incursion into a village in Sabah last month, saying the land belongs to them.”

“Since fighting began, 60 people have died: 52 Filipinos and eight policemen.”

“Malaysian National Police Chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying that at least 31 Filipinos have been killed this week.”

According to the Royal Army of Sulu they claim that their ancestors ruled parts of northern Borneo in the past for long periods of history. Therefore, they are demanding that the government of Malaysia recognizes this fact and pay adequately for leasing their land.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer comments that “Kuala Lumpur on Thursday rejected a ceasefire offer by the sultan of Sulu despite a call from the United Nations for an end to the violence in Sabah that has already cost 60 lives and talks among the parties involved to peacefully settle the dispute over the ownership of the eastern Malaysian state.”

The United Nations also released a statement which stated that the “[Secretary General Ban Ki-moon] is closely following the situation in Sabah. He urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation….The secretary general expresses concern about the impact of this situation on the civilian population, including migrants in the region.”

Given the volatility of parts of the southern Philippines and the role of Malaysia in arming past Muslim insurgencies against this country, then clearly military hardware is easily available. This reality should lead to both governments in Malaysia and the Philippines to work together in order to contain the crisis. In order for this to happen, then Manila needs to play a more active role within the events which are currently happening. Likewise, Malaysia needs to listen to the aggrieved party and to solve the crisis more diplomatically because around 200 individuals should not be a threat to the national security of this country. However, if a heavy handed response is used to the maximum then this could trigger a chain reaction and neither nation state will gain from this.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/67661/kl-reports-32-more-dead

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=64572:brick-wall-for-najib?-moro-fighters-to-help-sulu-gunmen-upset-at-killing-of-imam-maas-4-sons&Itemid=2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21695654

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Another terrorist attack in Pakistan aimed at the Shia community killed at least 45 people in Karachi. The terrorist attack took place in a mainly Shia neighborhood and like usual Sunni Islamists care little about who they slaughter. Ironically, it is clear that Shia Muslims have greater safety and freedom in mainly Hindu India, despite the negative overtones often displayed within the Pakistan government towards this country.

In the minds of Islamists it is clear that Shia Muslims and other sects like the Ahmadiyya are deemed to be “infidels.” At the same time, non-Muslims face enormous institutional discrimination. For example, raped Christian and Hindu women often get very little justice in the courts of Pakistan. Likewise, you have enormous discrimination within the working environment and clearly Pakistan doesn’t appear to be a loving home for many nationals who reside in this country. This reality applies to state institutional discrimination and the Islamist angle whereby killing in the name of Allah is all too frequent – despite God never sanctioning these evil crimes.

Afghanistan is also alarmed by the reality of modern day Pakistan because just like Turkey is “a dagger at the heart of Syria,” whereby terrorists have a free hand; then Afghanistan feels the same towards Pakistan. Within all the madness and confusion of Pakistan you have many soldiers from this nation involved in fighting against Islamists in certain areas of this country. However, at the same time you appear to have a lot of collusion within certain channels in Pakistan which are working in tandem with Islamist forces. This murky reality mirrors the role of the United Kingdom and United States which are fighting against Islamists in some nations; yet, in other nations, like Syria, it is clear that you have a lot of collusion going on in order to meet so-called short term goals of London and Washington.

Clearly, nations like America, the United Kingdom and Pakistan can’t just switch the Islamist clock “on” and “off.” Therefore, short term goals soon become long term nightmares and this can ironically be seen in Afghanistan. This applies to the reality that America, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and others, supported radical Islamism over 40 years ago. The upshot of this is that the same forces that were supported a long time ago are now enemies within the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Similarly, for Pakistan the terrorist angle and insurgency is now a reality within parts of this nation but unlike other nations which have openly changed sides in Afghanistan, it is clear that Pakistan is divided on this issue.

TOLO news media group reports that the National Security Council (NSC) in Afghanistan wants the ISI intelligence agency in Pakistan to be blacklisted on the grounds of supporting terrorism and the insurgency in Afghanistan. Rahmatullah Nabil, the Deputy National Security Advisor, commented about “Pakistan’s plots” against the people of Afghanistan.

He continued by stating to TOLO that “The interesting question is why is a terrorist blacklisted but the person who issues the Fatwa for them [to act] or who provides havens to them not blacklisted?”

“Against these people, organizations at a global scale should unite. People of Afghanistan and the government of Afghanistan will continue their voice of peace, but unfortunately there is not much hope from Pakistan’s side and therefore we should rely more on the inside and be more united, more mobilized, and not be deceived by them.”

Tahir Ashrafi, head of the Pakistan Ulema Council, justified suicide attacks and with this other forms of terrorism. He states that “Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if Muslims don’t have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God.”

Sadly, this rhetoric of hatred is used by Islamist clerics in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations against Syria. In other words, it is fine to kill and slaughter because Allah demands it despite God never issuing anything. Equally alarming is the ignorance. After all, Tahir Ashrafi appears not to have noticed that Pakistan is a nuclear power and neither does he address the reality that these suicide attacks are merely killing more Muslims. Also, India and its civilization predates the nation of Pakistan by thousands of year in relation to Kashmir and clearly mainly Muslim Pakistan isn’t based on Muslim unity – after all – the Shia are being slaughtered in Pakistan and not in “mother India” which is mainly Hindu.

On Pajhwok Afghan News it was reported by Ahmad Saeedi (political commentator) that the ISI in Pakistan is behind the destabilization of Afghanistan. This news agency reports that the “Political commentator Ahmad Saeedi said Ashrafi had issued the fatwa at the behest of Pakistan’s spy service — Inter-Services Intelligence, which has long been accused of aiding the insurgency in Afghanistan.”

“A former diplomat who has served in the neighbouring country, Saeedi claimed the ISI influenced the appointment of the Pakistan Ulema Council head. Nobody could lead the body without the agency’s approval, he insisted.”

Turning back to the latest terrorist attack by Sunni Islamists in Pakistan aimed at Shia Muslims.  It is known that at least 45 people in the city of Karachi were killed in cold blood. This follows on from other recent deadly terrorist attacks against the Shia community in Pakistan. Also, the terrorist attack happened just after Shia worshippers were leaving a mosque nearby.

Until Afghanistan and Pakistan can stem the militant Islamist onslaught then it appears that the blood will keep on flowing. Obviously, for a variety of Sunni Islamist factions they don’t deem the blood of the Shia to count. One can only imagine how other religious minorities feel in modern day Pakistan because terrorism, ethnic issues and institutional discrimination are all eating away at this nation. Also, it is clear that patience in Afghanistan is running out because they feel betrayed by certain forces emanating from Pakistan.

http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9650-afghan-security-council-calls-for-pakistan-spy-agency-to-be-blacklisted

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2013/03/02/ashrafi-remarks-suicide-assaults-called-isi-decree

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Kanako Itamae and Sarah Deschamps

Modern Tokyo Times

The vibrant fashion district of Harajuku which is internationally famous will soon welcome the opening of Charles & Keith. This fashion brand from Singapore is firmly established in many countries and given the natural environment of this country then the melting pot reality serves them well. Therefore, Charles & Keith can be found throughout Asia, the Middle East, Northeast Asia and other parts of the world.

Charles & Keith focuses heavily on the shoes and accessories market where trends and seasonal changes mean that it is essential to remain vibrant all year round. Clearly Charles & Keith understand this because since being launched in 1996 this lovely brand continues to grow and develop.

In Northeast Asia this brand is open in many parts of China and South Korea in order to cater for the buzzing nature of fashion in these two countries. However, despite the power of fashion in Japan this company cautiously thought long and hard before entering the fashion market in the land of the rising sun. The reasons will be multiple but finally this well esteemed brand will open on April 6, 2013, in trendy Harajuku.

Given the nature of Charles & Keith and the vibrant image they have attained then the buzzing fashion district of Harajuku seems like a natural choice. This applies to the environment of this part of Tokyo which is firmly based on creativity. Also, the fashion vibes of Harajuku already attracts young ladies in abundance and this will meet the natural target area of Charles & Keith. On top of this, Harajuku is a paradise for tourists who visit Tokyo therefore by being based in such a prestigious district – then this will do wonders for the image of this fashion brand.

On the website of Charles & Keith it is stated that “Charles & Keith, the eponymous fashionable shoe brand from Singapore was launched in 1996 and since then captured the interest of industry insiders and the admiration of the fashion-conscious alike. Triumphing with its remarkable high street fashion shoes and accessories, Charles & Keith has won the hearts of many, placing itself as one of the most marketable fashion footwear brand in today’s international scene.”

It is hoped that Charles & Keith will develop on their new flagship store in the long-term. Of course, the immediate focus will be on establishing this brand within the vibes of Harajuku and to adjust to a different and complex fashion environment. However, given the nature of Charles & Keith then this reality should be firmly within their grasp. Therefore, in the long-term it is hoped that a gradual expansion will take place in other parts of Tokyo and then by branching out to other dynamic cities like Kobe, Osaka and a plethora of others.

The footwear and accessories market is very vibrant throughout Japan therefore this company will be welcomed with open arms by their target market.

Modern Tokyo Times images

http://www.charleskeith.com

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Helmet Joachim Schmidt and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Sadly, it was yet another bloody week for the Shia of Iraq and Pakistan because Sunni Islamists slaughtered many innocents once more. It is clear that neither nation can contain the forces of sectarianism and terrorism because clearly vast areas are outside the control of central forces. Also, the ongoing instability in Afghanistan and Syria is aiding the Sunni Islamist terrorist cause. Therefore, real measures need to be taken to cut off the financial rat lines, areas of indoctrination emanating from Islamist schools, clamping down on Islamist clerics which are espousing hatred, preventing rogue charities from becoming “indoctrination fronts” and highlighting the various root causes.

Outside nations like France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are clearly meddling negatively within the internal affairs of Syria. Meanwhile, the role of America, other Gulf nations and the United Kingdom are also very murky when it comes to Syria. Indeed, the United Kingdom and France are still trying to peddle the need to send military arms openly to opposition forces by claiming to regulate the flow of military hardware to so-called “moderate forces.” Of course, this is impossible to achieve because it is masking the reality that the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist terrorist groups work in tandem. Also, you have “no moderate forces” to support. After all, the FSA and various Islamist factions have beheaded people, cleansed minorities, destroyed the infrastructure and done countless terrorist attacks throughout Syria.

It doesn’t take a genius to understand that failed states become fertile ground for Islamist terrorists. The crisis in Afghanistan goes back more than forty years when nations like America, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and several nations in the Gulf, began to support various Islamist factions in Afghanistan. Since this period women have become “shadows” throughout Afghanistan and blowback for Pakistan is enormous. This reality means that the armed forces of Pakistan are openly fighting their former friends and even today you have many murky dealings between echelons within central forces in this nation and the torchbearers of terrorism.

The 1980s and early 1990s in Afghanistan not only witnessed fighting between Islamist factions and communist forces but it also gave a new lease of life for anti-Shia sectarian forces to grow. Therefore, in time the indoctrination of Islamist schools in Pakistan would unleash chaos within Afghanistan, Pakistan and against the Shia and other religious minorities throughout a vast area. Nationalist forces would also widen the divisions even further. Despite this, the US led invasion of Iraq went ahead without learning anything from the reality of Afghanistan with the upshot being terrorism and sectarianism.

More recently, the destabilization of Syria began by the usual players in the West and throughout the Gulf region – and this time Turkey would also fully participate in the “axis of chaos.” The failed states of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya were ignored alongside the spreading of chaos to neighboring nations of the original man made instability. This applies to the ongoing crisis in Pakistan, the destabilization of Mali, terrorist ratlines in Tunisia and providing terrorists with ample opportunities to spread mayhem to other nations like Algeria (recent hostage crisis).

In recent months in Iraq it is clear that the destabilization of Syria is reinvigorating sectarian forces once more in this nation. Likewise, parts of Lebanon are becoming even more divided and Jordan is watching events very carefully given the internal situation of this nation. Therefore, terrorism, sectarianism and the spread of vast areas of chaos is growing because of outside nations which are too quick to destabilize others and then to forget about the carnage which follows.

This reality means that the Shia community in Iraq and Pakistan face daily threats and in Syria all minority groups reside in fear alongside all individuals which support the government of this nation. Indeed, in Syria several Sunni Muslim leaders have been killed by Islamist militants because of their moderation and because they desire to maintain the rich mosaic of Syria.

The recent terrorist attacks in Iraq and Pakistan are a clear reminder that once the “Islamist sectarian angle” is unleashed then it is very difficult to contain. Political leaders in Syria have repeatedly stated this but sadly Gulf nations and Turkey have been given the “green light” by major Western powers to continue to destabilize Syria. Therefore, the terrorist angle is growing in Syria and the convulsions are being felt in other nations like Iraq, Lebanon, and Tunisia.

In relation to the recent terrorist attack in Pakistan which killed at least 84 people the BBC states that “The attack was the second highly destructive bombing in Quetta in the space of a month. In January bombers targeted a snooker hall in the city, killing some 90 people…Another bomb at a Shia mosque earlier in February killed 24 people, raising the Shia death toll to more than 200 in less than two months of 2013, according to reports.

Meanwhile, the latest terrorist attacks in several parts of Iraq were aimed at the Shia and once more the blood was flowing. Fars News Agency comments that “The Iranian Foreign Ministry deplored the recent terrorist attacks in Iraq which have killed dozens of innocent people, and said such acts of terror have targeted the country’s unity and stability.”

“Such acts are the continuation of the hostilities of the streams which have targeted the independence, unity, peace and stability of Iraq,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said in a statement on Monday.”  

It is clear that the next sectarian terrorist attack in Iraq and Pakistan are only around the corner and likewise for Syria. In Afghanistan the Islamist insurgency shows no sign of stopping and clearly America, and other nations which helped to spread the chaos, now want to distance themselves. Yet in Syria the same forces which unleashed the chaos in Afghanistan more than forty years ago – before fighting the same forces they helped to unleash – have either learnt nothing, or the same Western powers and Gulf nations thrive on destabilization because they have collectively done the same to Syria.

If you look at a world map then you have vast areas of chaos and instability caused by major Western powers and nations in the Gulf. Turkey is now fully within this “axis of chaos” because this nation is the main terrorist conduit and supply of military arms to various terrorist groups in Syria. At the same time the Islamist indoctrination angle continues to flourish alongside the channel of funding from major players, organizations and wealthy individuals. Therefore, the blood continues to flow in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Syria.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Jibril Khoury and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The recent hostage crisis in Algeria led to the deaths of ten Japanese nationals and many other individuals from different nations. It was abundantly clear from the start that the Libya connection would enter the equation. After all, the terrorist infiltration was extremely close to the border of Libya. Also, since the demise of Gaddafi the region is awash with military arms. Within Libya itself you have various different Islamist terrorist organizations and at the same time many different militias which control parts of this nation. Therefore, in modern day Libya you have chaos and a non-functioning state which can’t control major cities and the same obviously applies to more remote geographical parts of this county.

Outside Meddling

Japan needs to question the so-called allies of this country about the policies of many Gulf nations and major NATO powers, which keep on creating more instability. This chaos can be seen from Afghanistan and stretching all the way to Mali. Of course, other nations are also being threatened by being swallowed up by the instability which is being left behind. Pakistan alongside nations in the Gulf, America and the United Kingdom all meddled in Afghanistan over 40 years ago. Since then, trillions of dollars have been spent on trying to stabilize and centralize this nation; after supporting Islamist forces which brought with it sectarianism, Islamist indoctrination and the enslavement of women. The policy enacted in Afghanistan was not only a complete abject failure but it also enabled the destabilization of Pakistan to take place (self induced from the point of Pakistan), September 11, gave Islamists breathing space to launch attacks against India and today growing internal hatred of “the other” is increasing in Pakistan.

Japan also is getting drawn into the objectives of Washington and this can be seen by supporting “dark forces” in Syria. Yet clearly the foreign ministry of Japan would not be embroiling itself in such “shadowy networks,” whereby Gulf nations and powers within NATO are enabling terrorists, including Al Qaeda, to grow in power and influence in Syria. Also, even major media agencies which are anti-Syrian government have stated that vast numbers of terrorist attacks have taken place in this country – yet how many times did the Japanese Foreign Ministry condemn these terrorist attacks?

It shouldn’t take a terrorist attack involving the deaths of Japanese nationals to wake up the government of Japan. Yes, sadly, it appears that nations often only take note when blowback kills innocent civilians. The United States found this out in such barbaric ways when thousands of innocent civilians were killed on September 11. After all, the terrorist forces of Al Qaeda were connected with the CIA, ISI in Pakistan and the British secret service which first manipulated the Islamist cause in Afghanistan and then replicated this in Bosnia (September 11, Madrid and other terrorist attacks linked to Afghanistan and Bosnia).

Therefore, when Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, announced that the tenth national from this nation was confirmed dead because of the brutal Islamist terrorist hostage crisis in Algeria – this isn’t enough. The rat lines linking the policies of America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other nations in the Gulf; must be scrutinized for what they created in Libya and are continuing to create in Syria. This reality must also focus on how Mali and Pakistan have been swallowed up by the failed policies of other nations (Pakistan is self induced unlike Mali) once the same players have meddled within the internal issues of other nations. Equally alarming, it is abundantly obvious to everyone that the nations which supported meddling in Afghanistan and Iraq, and then against Libya, not only have created failed states which have become breeding grounds for Islamist jihadist groups – but they then start to destabilize new nations, for example Syria, while the daily carnage continues in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. It is not only utter madness but it is a policy of “no shame” which is blighting America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other nations in the Gulf.

Russian Federation

The Russian Federation is trying to “contain the fires” being set by the above named nations because clearly political elites in Moscow fully understand the geopolitical realities. This applies to mass instability, growing terrorist networks, sectarianism, the enslavement of women, more poverty, failed health care facilities, failed states and other powerful negative forces. Therefore, it is time for political elites in Japan to take note of the Russian Federation to a much higher level instead of following Washington and others, which are creating “new dangerous paths.”

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation states that “Upheaval in Libya, accompanied by the uncontrolled proliferation of arms, contributed to the deterioration of the situation in Mali. Terrorist attacks in Algeria that took away the lives of innocent people – including those from foreign countries – became the consequences of such tragic developments.”

President Vladimir Putin continued by stating that the Russian Federation “feels responsible for maintaining global security and is set to cooperate with its partners in order to address global concerns.”

It is time for the political establishment in Tokyo to look deeply into the events which are happening from Afghanistan to the frontline of Western Africa in Mali. This applies to many areas of instability and how outside nations keep on either rushing in much too early – or they are involved in covert operations of destabilization. The so-called “Arab Spring” is mainly ushering in the “Islamist winter” and the creation of failed states based on outside meddling and various internal issues. One only needs to look at the various contradictory policies which are being implemented by outside nations with regards to Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and other nations which have serious internal problems. This applies to both constructive and destructive policies which are being enacted based on “narrow minded self interests.”

The Russian Federation knows about the convulsions of entire areas because the Soviet Union collapsed and alongside this nations became independent in Eastern Europe. Once Vladimir Putin took the helm then gradually the Russian Federation grew in power because centralization and various internal and external policies were enacted. Also, the Russian Federation is uniquely positioned because while the Orthodox Christian faith predominates you also have a sizeable Muslim minority throughout this nation – indeed, in certain parts of the Russian Federation the Muslim faith is the majority. Alongside this is the geographic reality of this major nation belonging to the Eurasian home which binds Europe and Aisa. Therefore, political leaders in this nation want to dampen the divisions which currently exist in many parts of the geographic space which overlaps with the Russian Federation – alongside traditional power projections in parts of the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, Northeast Asia and Europe.

Japan and Hostage Crisis

The recent deaths of ten Japanese nationals in Algeria by Islamist terrorists is a clear reminder that the government in Tokyo needs to play a more constructive role in international politics. Japan supports the United Nations and other major institutions which are involved in education, alleviating poverty and supporting developing nations. However, it often appears that Japan is tied too closely to America even when it is detrimental for this nation – or when at least Japan should remain aloof from dark forces which are destabilizing nations. Of course, relations between Japan and America will remain to be the backbone of Japan’s foreign policy and not everything is negative. For example, American forces helped Japan greatly after the brutal 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a brutal tsunami which killed vast numbers. Also, the region of Northeast Asia is very volatile and given the reality of Article 9 within the Constitution of Japan, then clearly America plays an important role in defending Japan and containing possible dangerous regional situations. Despite this, when it comes to other areas of destabilization and the consequences of such short-sighted policies, then Japan should judge each situation on its own merit rather than following America carte blanche.

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, stated that “There is no doubt that the Algerian terrorists had weapons from Libya. There is no doubt that the Malian remnants of AQIM have weapons from Libya.” This omission by Hillary Clinton is yet another firm reminder of the blowback which created the current crisis in Afghanistan, Pakistan and turning the clock back further, which enabled September 11 to take place. Now, America is once more confirming that the destabilization of Libya can be traced to the current crisis in Mali and had a powerful hand in the tragic events which just happened in Algeria.

Yet, will this lead the government of Japan questioning the destabilization of Libya and the nations which have created a new nightmare in Mali after this reality happened? Similarly, will the government of Japan call in the ambassadors of all nations involved in the destabilization of Libya – given the knowledge that Japanese nationals have just been killed by the Libya connection?

Of course, while pain can be felt in Japan after the recent hostage crisis in Algeria. It should be stated that in Libya untold numbers of people have been killed and many pro-Gaddafi loyalists were brutally massacred. Indeed, even today people can be imprisoned in Libya on flimsy grounds by various different factions, whereby the central state is powerless to intervene. At the same time, just like in Mali, ancient Sufi shrines have been destroyed by Salafi Islamists and growing poverty is a reality throughout the region. Mali then felt the full storm of outside meddling and sadly the recent convulsions from Libya have just been felt in Algeria where ten Japanese nationals were killed.

Yet, for the government of Japan it should ask itself about who were the players in the destabilization of a vast region stretching from Afghanistan to Mali? Was it the Russian Federation – or, in all honesty, was it America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other nations in the Gulf? If Japan comes clean and desires to answer the people of this nation which want to know why ten Japanese nationals were killed in Algeria – then maybe it is time for Japan to respond to international events independently, while maintaining its special relationship with America within the power structures which exist. In this sense, Japan should move closer to the Russian Federation and other powerful nations like India, which seek a world based on international law and not “power control.”

http://rt.com/news/putin-libya-mali-algeria-704/

Kremlin.ru - Photo Image

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Helmut Joachim Schmidt and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

In the last few days the same massacres continue to follow a similar pattern in modern day Iraq, Nigeria and Syria. This applies to the forces of Sunni Islamist terrorist networks which are intent on literally slaughtering their way to power in several nations. More alarming, is that in Syria many Gulf nations and NATO powers are involved in this barbarity, while Iraq is still suffering from the consequences of the US led invasion which opened up many new vacuums that it could not contain. Meanwhile in Nigeria, just like in Mali, it is clear that Islamist indoctrination from the Gulf is intent on destroying indigenous black African Islam.

The hatred towards the Shia within the Sunni Islamist camp can be seen in many nations based on institutional persecution, terrorist attacks and countless massacres. Indeed, even in so-called moderate Malaysia some Islamists in the past week have called on people to burn Christian Bibles and more alarmingly the Shia faith is illegal. Shia Muslims in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia face institutional discrimination whereby power mechanisms have been installed to keep them down. Likewise, the followers of the Shia suffer enormous persecution in Yemen at the hands of Al Qaeda and central forces aligned with Saudi Arabia.

Massacres in Pakistan against the Shia resemble the sheer hatred of Iraq where vast numbers are slaughtered by Sunni Islamist terrorists. Of course, behind the scenes you have many Islamist clerics inciting hatred towards the Shia and other people from within the Muslim faith and outside of this religion. Therefore, the plight of Ahmadiyya Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs within Pakistan, is one of institutional discrimination and the threat of growing Islamist militancy. Sunni Muslims who speak out against such hatred face the same sword of Islamist militancy because Sunni clerics are also being killed in Nigeria, Syria, and in other nations, for trying to stem the tide of hatred, sectarianism, and terrorism.

This hatred is being financed within Gulf nations which have used their petrodollars to spread militant versions of Islam which hate diversity within the Muslim world alongside supporting discrimination against non-Muslims. Of course, this reality isn’t new but with Western powers and nations throughout the world utilizing the energy resources of feudal monarchs in the Gulf, then it appears that these nations have carte blanche to spread Islamist indoctrination. Levant Islam, just like black African Islam in Mali and Nigeria, is based on huge variations within the Muslim world when it comes to tradition and cultural realities. However, this diversity is hated by Salafi Islamists and other draconian voices within the militant Islamist world which seeks to crush culture, destroy architecture, re-write history, and eradicate knowledge and to destroy traces of modernity – while keeping women firmly in the shadow.

Islamists in Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria have no qualms in destroying mosques belonging to other sects within the Muslim world. In Iraq, Nigeria and Pakistan this blind hatred can be seen by the fact that Islamists also have no qualms in slaughtering Muslims within mosques. Also, many Christians have been killed by terrorist attacks against churches while praying. The victims in Iraq and Pakistan within mosques are mainly Shia Muslims. Yet in Nigeria the forces of Sunni Islamism is killing fellow Sunni Muslims in mosques and in other walks of life. Of course, in the mindset of Islamist militancy they can’t lose either way – this applies to killing and hoping to fan the flame of hatred and sectarianism – therefore, if others turn to violence to counter-attack their hatred then this is also welcomed in their world of death.

In the latest attack in Iraq it is reported that at least 42 Shia Muslims have been killed inside a mosque. Yes, the same Islamists which demonstrate over a ridiculous film or cartoon, are the same Islamists which don’t mind killing Muslims in a mosque and destroying countless numbers of Korans. Of course, the media in the West and Muslim world appears to be failing to highlight this brutal hypocrisy. However, when a fellow Muslim can enter a Shia mosque so easily and kill in such a brutal way, then it is clear that the indoctrination espousing hatred is indeed barbaric.

Abu Muhammad al ‘Adnani in early 2012 (Al Qaeda in Iraq) stated “So, Iraq, Iraq, O people of the Sunnah. Stop the black extension that is coming towards you. Cut off the head of the [Shi'ite] snake, the tail of which is amongst you. Know that the coming stage is a stage of real confrontation and war against the despicable [Shi'ites], whether you like it or not, and that the war of the Sunnis with the [Shi'ites] is not a sectarian war, like people are braying about. A sect is part of something, and the [Shi'ites] don’t have anything to do with Islam; they have their own religion and we have our own. The war of the Sunnis with the [Shi'ites] is a religious war, a holy war of faith, a war of faith and unbelief, a war of idolatry and monotheism. There is no way out of it and there is no swerving from it. The [Shi'ites] know this well.”

The latest massacre by a suicide bomber within a Shia mosque will have been glorified within the Islamist militant world. After all, just like the words above, it is clear that Al Qaeda, which also butchered Shia Muslims in Afghanistan – and other Islamist terrorist groups which can be found in Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and in other nations – view Shia Muslims to be infidels and the same applies to how they view other Muslim sects, non-Muslims and mainstream Sunni Muslims. In their world of hatred the killing of innocent people creates no qualms or excommunications. After all, they believe that they have a right to behead, slaughter, persecute and to sow the seeds of sectarianism, based on their militant ideology which is showing no signs of weakening.

In Syria the fervor of radical Sunni Islamism is clear for all to see because daily terrorist attacks and massacres are praised and spread all over the internet. Videos of Syrian soldiers being beheaded and Islamists encouraging children to participate have all been witnessed. Similarly, Shia moques and other religious places of worship have been burnt to the ground and violated. Yet in Syria you have a combination of forces which have sowed the seed of terrorism, sectarianism and sedition – whereby Islamists are partners within the grand scheme of destabilizing and destroying a strong Syria.

This reality highlights the madness of elites within NATO powers because they have joined forces with nations in the Gulf and countless different terrorist factions in order to destroy secular Syria. The armed forces of Syria are trying to stem the tide but with so many borders to defend and with the enemies being many, then their task is indeed great. At the same time, the nation of Syria is faced by Islamist indoctrination which supports sectarianism. Therefore, the “Islamist enemy from within” is an ideological war which is being waged by Gulf nations and Turkey. NATO powers in Ankara, London, Paris and Washington should all be equally ashamed of the role that they have played because being on the side of sectarianism and terrorism is truly barbaric.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria the forces of Boko Haram and Ansaru, which follow militant Islam, are now beheading individuals on the grounds of eating bush meat and playing games which may entice gambling. The same Islamists irrespective of the terrorist network slit the throats of 15 Christians in Maiduguri the month before. Likewise, many other attacks have taken place in other parts of Nigeria. This applies to attacking Christian churches and Muslim mosques alongside other brutal realities. Nigerian Islamists justify this based on the need to impose Islamic Sharia law. Therefore, they also have no qualms in attacking Muslims whom they deem to be infidels based on their Gulf inspired versions of Islamic radicalism.

Sufi shrines have also been attacked in Libya, Mali, Pakistan and Somalia. Not surprisingly, the forces of Gulf Arabism within the Islamist camp, cares little for Levant Islam, Sufi Islam, Shia Islam and indigenous black African Islam. After all, many Sufi shrines that have been attacked alongside the rich Islamic architecture of Mali were built a very long time ago. Therefore, this civilization which is being crushed within parts of the Muslim world is a new phenomenon and clearly all roads for sowing the seeds of hatred leads to the petrodollars of the Gulf. Yet Western nations are doing little to counteract this reality and to stem the funding of Islamist petrodollars, which are also spreading militancy within Europe and North America

Irfan Al-Alawi comments in Family Security Matters that “In late April of this year (2012), the Wahhabi grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Aal Ash-Sheikh, who controls all Sunni Muslim clerics in the desert kingdom, announced that girls could be forced into marriage at age 10 or 12, without their consent, by contractual arrangement between families.” This clearly highlights the moral depravity of the same Islamists spreading their hatred far and wide.”

“The Saudi chief cleric then proceeded to conflict with repeated promises of the Saudi King, Abdullah, to foster interfaith respect and dialogue, by calling, in mid-March (2012), for the destruction of all Christian churches in the Arabian Peninsula. Responding to a query in Kuwait by Muslim clerics affiliated with the “Revival of Islamic Heritage Society,” favorable to Wahhabism, Aal Ash-Sheikh based his argument on a weakly-transmitted hadith, or oral commentary on the life of Muhammad, in which the Prophet allegedly mandated that there should not be “two religions” in Arabia.”

The above comment highlights the moral depravity and hatred within the highest echelons of Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia. Yes, a nation where conversion from Islam can lead to the death penalty and where Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and other faith communities, must worship secretly in their own home. Any outward expression means prison and not one non-Muslim place of worship is allowed throughout the whole of Saudi Arabia. Of course, Arabia once was very different because many faiths co-existed prior to the Islamization of Arabia. However, unlike the Levant where many faiths co-exist – all non-Muslim faiths were obliterated in this part of Arabia and even today apostasy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

It is essential therefore that the diversity of Levant Islam survives the brutal Islamist indoctrination and terrorist rat lines which seek to crush the rich civilization of this region. Therefore, the Islamist terrorist and indoctrination angle against Syria needs to be repulsed and all outside nations should stop meddling into the internal affairs of this nation. Likewise, Iraq and Nigeria face serious problems because of the same forces which hate diversity and co-existence. Of course, each nation, like all countries in the world, will be beset by other important issues related to nationalism, poverty and internal political realities. Yet, the Islamist indoctrination reality threatens to destroy from within – while terrorists spread terrorism, sectarianism, create religious clashes with other faiths alongside other brutal realities – all of which are aimed at supplanting the nation state and enforcing a brutal new way of life based on religious authoritarianism – with the prime examples being modern day Saudi Arabia and what became of Afghanistan under the Taliban.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2012/02/al_qaeda_in_iraq_rails_at_shia.php#ixzz2IsZ2pILQ

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/detail/top-saudi-cleric-ban-christian-churches-in-arabia-and-let-girls-marry-at-10#ixzz2It7EvknK 

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com