An Open Letter to American Muslims - By DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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I received this email at my university of Chicago mail list and decided to share it with guppies. Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammad, former Malaysian Prim minister, is a well-known leader of international stature with a deep understanding of the problems that Muslims are facing in today’s turbulent world.

In this open letter, Dr. Mohammed has addressed the Muslims of USA in reference to upcoming elections.
Not that we have to agree with each and every word he says but it is worth while spending some time analyzing ideas and thoughts of an experienced leader.

October 17, 2004
An Open Letter to American Muslims

By Mahathir Bin Mohamad
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the past four years, during the Presidency of George W. Bush, the
Muslims and their countries have suffered oppression and humiliation as never before in the history of Islam. There is an obvious connection between the sufferings of the Muslims and the policies and thinking of Bush.

We cannot expect much change to the policies of the United States of
America towards Islam and the Muslims under Democrats as under Republicans. But we have a duty to ensure that Bush will not be able to determine our fate for four more years.

Kerry may not be any different. But the candidates for the Presidency
of the United States must be made aware that in democratic America, Muslim citizens have a voice and can influence the selection of the rulers of the country.

Bush has shown that despite his protests, he is the cause of the
tragedies in Afghanistan, Palestine and Iraq. People, including children, women, sick and disabled people, have been and are being killed in these countries who otherwise would be alive today. Under the pretext of attacking terrorists, whole towns and villages with their populations are being destroyed by rockets and bombs.

In Palestine, Israeli gun-ships and tanks razed villages and towns to
the
ground killing innocent men, women and children. All these are done
with the
approval of President Bush and his veto in the United Nations Security
Council. There is no doubt that he will continue to do this if
re-elected.

I need not tell you more about the atrocities committed against the
Muslims and Islam. But I would like to appeal to you, the Muslim citizens and voters of America, to be united and to cast your votes against Bush, in the name of justice, in the name of Islam.

You may not be numerous enough but in marginal constituencies you can
make a
difference. It is your bounden duty to send a message to candidates
that
they must be fair to all the communities in the United States if they
wish
to rule the country. Even if you fail to unseat Bush, you can at least
reduce his majority. But Inshaallah, Bush will lose and Kerry will
realise
that his victory is partly due to you. Inshaallah, President Kerry will
remember the Muslims in America when he rules the United States of
America.

Dear Brothers and Sisters. Vote Bush out of office. It is truly an
ibadah
that you perform.

DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia
Malaysia
15th October 2004
1st Ramadan 1425

Copyright C 2003-2004 Muslim WakeUp! Inc.
The World’s Most Popular Muslim Online Magazine
http://muslimwakeup.com
Email: [email protected]

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hmmm seems kinda out of character for Mahatir.. but khair.. cud be his..

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you mean i wrote it…:konfused: :konfused:

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No, phoenix, this is not fair. If we have to blame Bush for all wrong doings in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine we have to be totally ‘deaf and dumb’ to ignore the history of these States and the reasons of ideological terrorism.
The former Malasian PM says, vote against Bush in the name of Islam, is kind of sermon after Friday prayers.
Will you take it so easily if Bush says, Vote for me in the name of Christianity’? No, you will not. Instead, you will immediately make shouts for Democratic norms.

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And what about this article…

http://www.paktoday.com/dream.htm

Of Dreams And Dreams
Why Do Terrorists Want Bush To Loose?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by anjjan: *
No, phoenix, this is not fair. If we have to blame Bush for all wrong doings in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine we have to be totally ‘deaf and dumb’ to ignore the history of these States and the reasons of ideological terrorism.
The former Malasian PM says, vote against Bush in the name of Islam, is kind of sermon after Friday prayers.
Will you take it so easily if Bush says, Vote for me in the name of Christianity’? No, you will not. Instead, you will immediately make shouts for Democratic norms.
[/QUOTE]

Cheney said that if you vote for Kerry then terrorists will attack us. This is an irresponsible statement just like if Bush were to say vote for me in the name of Christianity (even though God talks to Bush, to which he has admitted) or Dr MM saying vote against Bush in the name of Islam.
You can't tell someone to vote, you can ask or make a case but not tell. However,
I am more interested in your choice of words ideological terrorism please elaborate.

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not you.. but u did receive it on a mailing list.. where’s the original published?

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oh bhai merray, that is why I did the extra effort to find the relevant link and did provide it in my original message. If you click this link and scroll down, you will find Dr MM’s open letter right there. I hope it helps. Thanks

http://muslimwakeup.com

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by anjjan: *
No, phoenix, this is not fair. If we have to blame Bush for all wrong doings in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine we have to be totally ‘deaf and dumb’ to ignore the history of these States and the reasons of ideological terrorism.
The former Malasian PM says, vote against Bush in the name of Islam, is kind of sermon after Friday prayers.
Will you take it so easily if Bush says, Vote for me in the name of Christianity’? No, you will not. Instead, you will immediately make shouts for Democratic norms.
[/QUOTE]

Well anjjan, i agree to you some extent that it is not fair to judge Bush's actions by ignoring what Taliban and Saddam Hussain did in the past. In my opinion, it was responsibility of the civilized world to topple down these barbaric regimes. However, for this purpose, we have United Nation. Bush’s theory of “pre-emptive strike” is one of the most ignorant and arrogant ideology. The way Bush handled Iraq is unacceptable. I do not question getting rid of saddam hussain but I do disagree with Mr. Bush’s tactics to achieve the goal. It is because of his ruthless and brainless policies that today Iraq has become a heaven for these terrorist organizations to recruit more and more people. He has made this whole world more unsafe and divided. I really wish if you would have listened to former vice president Al Gore’s speech, which he delivered yesterday at Georgetown University. It was a very different speech with some stunning facts about Bush’s presidency and Iraq. I will try to find the transcript of his speech and post it on this forum.

In my opinion, Bush is an idiot and does not deserve to be president. It is sad to see a person of such limited capabilities to head one of the strongest superpower of man kind history. In addition, the way he was elected is also dubious. Therefore, we are not even sure if he is an elected president at the first place.

And yes, I agree with you that I found Mr. Mahatir’s request to vote in 2004 elections on the name of Islam little disturbing. But on the other hand, what exactly jews do? They also group themselves in every election to save the interests of their community. They do it every time and they will do it again. In addition, they do it in a most ferocious way possible. I do not have problem with that. Then what is wrong if Muslims do some strategic planning to save their interests?

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Phoenix, it is true that Jews have common interests and can work or vote in a particular direction.
What are the common interests of Muslims? Are interests of a Muslim from Bangladesh correlate to the interests of a Muslim from Arab countries?
Hence an appeal made in the name of Islam will always create doubt.

And off course I would like to read Gour’ speech. Thanks.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by phoenixdesi: *
And yes, I agree with you that I found Mr. Mahatir’s request to vote in 2004 elections on the name of Islam little disturbing. But on the other hand, what exactly jews do? They also group themselves in every election to save the interests of their community. They do it every time and they will do it again. In addition, they do it in a most ferocious way possible. I do not have problem with that. Then what is wrong if Muslims do some strategic planning to save their interests?
[/QUOTE]

You know what is quite interesting is that the "strategic planning" that is being done by the Muslims puts them on exactly the same side as the Jewish "strategic planners." Maybe someone should start a new lobby organization called "Jews and Muslims United for Kerry." GW's legacy would be that he was the man who finally united Jews and Muslims in a common cause.

Now ask yourself, if and when GW is gone, how will Kerry satisfy the longings and desires of both the Jews and Muslims? Who do you think he will treat as the red-headed stepchild? The best you can hope for is that Kerry will be weaker in his resolve to bring freedom and democracy to repressive Muslim majority nations. Is that really a positive justifying a vote for Kerry.

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What is wrong with [American] Muslim and Jewish interests being on the same side?

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^ Are you seriously asking this question from myvoice? Cz you should very well know the answer, by now. It starts with "K". Thats whats wrong.

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“… Imagine Zhao Ziyang, a former Chinese prime minister, appealing to the Chinese-Malaysians to vote against Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in the next Malaysian elections “in the name of China’s glory”, …”

excerpted from Jaundiced view, prejudiced prescription —Razi Azmi