Felicity Arbuthnot: “You are either with us ...”

2007-03-07 | When Manchester based Hussein Al Alak established an internet Chat Room this week, he did not expect to be branded a “terrorist”. Al Alak, founder of the Iraq Solidarity Campaign and Middle East Cultural Association, also initiated a documentary “Here's Tomorrow”, following the lives of Palestinian families at the Baqaa refugee camp in Jordan, originally forced to flee their homes as a result of the 1967 Israeli war. Seeking to widen knowledge and provide information on the tragedy and widening Middle East crisis, Al Alak wrote: “The Iraq Solidarity Campaign’s Chat Room, aims to provide both members and the wider community an opportunity to discuss the important and controversial issues which effect Iraq and the wider Middle East ....aiming to reveal facts and distribute information valuable to both sides.” Aiming understanding of both sides’ viewpoints. Iraq, he pointed out, is too dangerous for western journalists to travel around now and Arab journalists, ironically, are often ignored. Arab and Iraqi culture are becoming an alien concept. “Iraqi’s world wide are suffering as a consequence of family separation and bereavement, language difficulties, many are struggling with national status issues and insecurity as refugees. Many are also trying to resolve other conflicts, such as the war induced poverty and the impact this has on a families welfare, health and education.” “Through the Chat Room, we would like to discuss the ‘not’-discussed topics of the conflict ... which would particularly benefit and broaden the understanding of those with a general interest: young people, campaigners, aid workers, journalists, students and those involved with Middle Eastern Studies and International Relations (and) create an atmosphere of global networking to develop a better relationship between the Middle East and West.” “We propose to promote this project across universities, work places, trade, community and youth organisations around the world ...” concluded Al Alak. Picked up and published immediately on http://www.uruknet.info , the premier outlet for Iraq news, the first response came from The United States: http://www.the-two-malcontents.com headed: “Terrorist Recruitment: The Iraq Solidarity Campaign via Terrorist Al Thawra”, repeating the aims of the initiative, they add: “Don’t be fooled, Al-Thawra is a terrorist based community. This campaign is solely for recruiting westerners into their terror cells.” (Al Thawra is the internet publishing arm of Al Alak's sites.)Al Alak immediately contacted the police. Ironically, Al Alak previously supported CARDRI (Campaign Against Repression and for a Democratic Rights in Iraq) opposed to Saddam and co-founded by Ann Clwyd MP., pro-war and Tony Blair's silent “Human Rights Advisor” on Iraq. Al Alak's stance changed with the thirteen year US/UK driven embargo, which decimated the most vulnerable: the sick, elderly, unborn, new born and under fives, beyond all others. Further, his “terrorist” website's varying links even include CENTCOM (US Central Command.) Ironically, in 1995, Al Alak was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award, by Greater Manchester Police - for his work in CARDRI. No one from Greater Manchester Police could be reached for comment, except to say they would be visiting Mr Al Alak to address his concerns shortly. Having an Arab name and being accused of terrorism in today's Britain carries risks. Al Alak is considering seeking a U.S. based lawyer, who may take this case on in the “no win, no fee” basis, since his efforts toward conciliation have taken all his commitments. Felicity Arbuthnot Felicity Arbuthnot is a journalist and activist who has visited the Arab and Muslim world on numerous occasions. She has written and broadcast on Iraq, her coverage of which was nominated for several awards. She was also senior researcher for John Pilger's award-winning documentary "Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq". http://www.johnpilger.com/page.asp?partID=4 and author, with Nikki van der Gaag, of “Baghdad” in the “Great Cities” series, for World Almanac Books (2006.) http://www.amazon.com/Baghdad-Great-Cities-World-Nikki/dp/0836850491/sr=1-5/qid=1171018142/ref=sr_1_5/105-9176229-7042804?ie=UTF8&s=books Ed. Note: Please show your support for the Iraq Solidarity Campaign. http://www.iraqsolidaritycampaign.blogspot.com and The Middle East Cultural Association (MECA) http://www.meca-uk.blogspot.com Please also see: Hussein Al-alak: "Terror" in the Homes of Britain http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3151&blz=1 Iraq: Western Civilisation ?, by Hussein Al-alak, The Iraq Solidarity Campaign http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout4.php&id=3064&blz=1