Fresh wave of Muslim film protests

17/09/2012

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Violent protests are continuing following the posting online of an amateur anti Islam film, "The Innocence of Muslims". Last week was a violent one in the Middle East and beyond. Some peaceful protests took place but activists railroaded these. Then there were the violent outbursts which were never going to be anything but destructive.

None of these protests achieve a purpose in real terms. Yes they cause chaos and hit Westerners but they change nothing. The film is sadly still out there. How long the violence will continue is unclear. In the end they will either fizzle out or become something more sinister.

Fresh protests are underway in the Lebanon, the Philipinnes and Pakistan. The death toll from the protests has risen. At least 12 people have died as a result of these protests. As crowds in Pakistan made their way to the US embassy to protest they wreaked havoc. Buildings and vehicles have been destroyed by protesters in many regions.

Although the USA seems to be the primary target for hate Israeli flags have been burned also.  The BBC has reported that:
  • About 3,000 protesters burned US and Israeli flags in the southern Philippines city of Marawi
  • In Yemen, hundreds of students in the capital, Sanaa, called for the expulsion of the US ambassador, said AFP
  • In Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, hundreds of protesters faced off with police, throwing stones and petrol bombs, while police retaliated with tear gas
  • More protests were reported in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir
  • Hundreds of Palestinians staged a peaceful sit-in protest in Ramallah, according to AFP
  • Angry demonstrators in the Afghan capital, Kabul, fired guns, torched police cars and shouted anti-US slogans

An influential Shia Muslim leader, Sheikh Nasrallah, has called for a week of protests and the arrest plus prosecution of the filmmakers.
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How did Gaddafi die and what happens next

21/10/2011

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There has been a lot of huffing and puffing over how Colonel Gaddafi died. He was to many people a tyrannical monster but some of his enemies hoped that he would stand trial and be held to account.

Of course such a trial would have been lengthy and costly. For some world leaders Gaddafi's death, or should that be summary execution, has let them breath a sigh of relief. Had he been tried in open court he may have spilled the beans on many of them. Much as we all despise despots, at times all leaders do business with them. Look at the images online of a smiling Nicholas Sarkozy or Tony Blair with Gaddafi and you will see what I mean. Various American leaders and politicians have been happy to deal with tyrants, at one time or another.
It seems that many sources feel comfortable believing, or at least saying, that Gaddafi was caught in cross-fire and killed. Although some of the most damning and horrific footage has now been pulled of TV screens and newspapers, many saw the early reports. Gaddafi being dragged, bloodied, to be raised on the bonnet of a vehicle and paraded around town leaves little to the imagination. If he was such a mad dog how come the authorities are so loathe to own up to what happened?.

So it will be more secrets and lies. If Libya is to make a fresh start the truth would have been better. It could then have been put firmly behind the country and its people, where it belongs.

As it is, you now have calls from Human Rights groups for an investigation into how Gaddafi died. You have people questioning if it was one of NATO's bombing raids, that was at least partly responsible. If it was down to such a raid, the question of how far NATO went to supposedly protect Libyan citizens needs to be ansqered. There are reports today that a week ago Gaddafi was trying to barter a way out of Libya.

Discounting all of this there is now the thorny issue of what to do with Gaddafi's mortal remains. Libyan authorities today said that they will keep his body a few days more before it is secretly buried. This goes against the principles of the muslim faith. Perhaps this is to be a form of retribution and they hope to deny him an "after-life"?

Osama bin Laden was buried at sea for many reasons, not least to prevent there being a grave. As long as there is a grave there could be misguided followers willing to worship there and award a hero status. Much better to have a cremation with the ashes scattered to the wind. That said it is a tricky situation right now. Time will tell just how it is resolved.
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