the news in arabic

While watching al-Jazeera’s exclusive interview with Muqtada al-Sadr (his first televised appearance in about a year) on YouTube, I scrolled down to read the comments. We all know anonymous commenting on YouTube empowers assholes to be bigger assholes and I don’t want to provide a platform for the hatred and prejudice that some people espouse (since these people are usually a minority), but I do want to highlight how sectarian tensions have manifested themselves on YouTube.

Here is the comment from YouTube user “TruthDaTruth” which prompted further investigation:

dirty filthy muqtada the aeroplane of sadri is worthless

The YouTube user “TruthDaTruth” obviously typed his original Arabic into a bad online translator which resulted in “al-Tiyyar al-Sadri” or the Sadr Current/Wing being translated into the “aeroplane of sadri.” In Arabic, “tiyyar” literally means current, like an air or water current, but it used to mean political currents as well. So, the “aeroplane of Sadr” is literally the “Sadr current.”

Anyways — I checked out the guy’s profile and there is an interesting mix of insults and compliments being hurled at TruthDaTruth. (It appears possible that TruthDaTruth is Sunni and harbors some resentment toward Shi’a, but I, nor any of the commenters, know this person’s true identity.)

The comment breakdown:

1) Insults from Shi’a or supporters of Shi’a who do not appreciate his Shi’a bashing.

saudi wahabi lozer,,, saudi wahabi lozer to hell with zarkawi el zarbawi haha and to hell with bin laden bin monkeys hahahaha

2) Insults from individuals who are anti-Muslim and not discriminating between sects.

fuck you, why u named after a Christian rapper u dumb fucked up muslim hahahaha go suck off ya imam u faggot ass bitch

you muslim prick. if you fuckers didnt fly planes into the twin towers there wouldnt be wars all over the shit muslim countries…..

Internet as “Real” Speech

I think that many of us define certain Internet spaces as a “community” of sorts. We post videos, photos, and journals on the Internet and many times, people respond. The purpose of this post is to show how certain types of Internet communities are host to some very negative and racist ideas and how they do not serve any constructive purpose whatsoever. I think we have to ask how these Internet “communities” translate into “real” life — but at the same time — I think this question is problematic since the Internet is becoming more integrated into our everyday lives. By this, I mean that the “anonymous commenter” may appear to be a faceless, distant Internet user, but in many societies where the Internet is pervasive, the speech that is made online may just as well have been made face-to-face. Speech made on the internet is “real” speech and should be treated as a tangible phenomenon and not something that exists in some “digital” world of little consequence.

Leader of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council Abdul Aziz al-Hakim meets with George W. Bush in 2006.

Muqtada al-Sadr did not meet George W. Bush in 2006.

Both Muqtada al-Sadr and Abdul Aziz al-Hakim represent the Shi’a in Iraq. But they represent the Shi’a in very different ways — through their conflicting political movements and military wings.

Sadr’s military wing — or Jaysh al-Mehdi — is in direct opposition to Hakim’s (and the SIIC’s) Badr Wing. One of the factors which creates a divide between the two is relations with the Occupying Forces. Despite anti-Occupation rhetoric and conflict with the United States, Sadr’s movement surely has ties with the US and has engaged in different agreements with the US, as seen by Sadr’s recent cease-fire. Yet Hakim and the SIIC (formerly SCIRI) have cultivated ties with the US since Shock and Awe.

Badri vs. Sadri*

An al-Hayat article from Husayn Ali Dawod explains this internal Shi’i division in light of the recent battles between Iraqi Forces and Jaysh al-Mehdi. He says that differences between the groups have intensified since the recent fighting.

The author explains that individuals who are loyal to Sadr but live in areas controlled by the Badr wing conceal their loyalties to Sadr, and vice versa. For example, if a person has a photo of Sadr on their car and are coming to a government checkpoint, the photo must come down. Sources say that both factions have elaborate intelligence networks which determine people’s allegiances.

Some common slogans seen on building walls in areas loyal to Sadr are: Bring Down the New Maliki dictatorship; Bring Down Hakim — an agent (‘ameel) of the US. Meanwhile, in the Hakim-loyal districts of Karada and Washash in Baghdad, you find slogans that express support for the government

*In Arabic, you can create an adjective by adding an “ee” sound to many words. So, if one is loyal to the Badr Wing, then you can be called a “Badri,” the same is true for “Sadri.” The female form would be “Badriyeh” or “Sadriyeh.”

This picture of Sadr is in not really relevant to anything, but I just wanted to remind you all that he is RADICAL and EVIL and HATES AMERICA and wears a BLACK CAPE.

Muqtada al-Sadr released a nine-point statement calling for an end to the “manifestations of arms.” Here is a copy of the statement in Arabic from Inbaa news service and here are a few of the points below:

1. Put an end to all manifestations of arms in Basra and all other districts.
2. Stop all house-raids (al-mudahunaat) and all random, illegal arrests.
3. Call on the government to apply a general amnesty (al-’afo) law and a release of all prisoners who have not been proved guilty, especially those from the Sadr Wing (al-tiyar al-sadri).

US Apache helicopters bombed houses in Hilla, Iraq, killing up to 60 civilians and wounding dozens more. The Pentagon said that US troops were providing air support to Iraqi security forces who have been fighting with Jaysh al-Mehdi for the past three days. The most intense fighting has been in Basra and Kut, where hundreds have been killed or injured.

(Democracy Now and al-Tariq ila Karbala)

This woman’s son was killed yesterday in Hilla during the fighting.

Al-Hayat reports that Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki refuses to negotiate with militants from Jaysh al-Mehdi. Meanwhile, thousands of supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr are holding demonstrations calling for the resignation of Maliki and for him to have a trial like Saddam Hussein’s.

Al-Jazeera used this shot from al-Manar with their article.

Al-Nour, the Hezbullah radio station, used this screen shot with their article.

The Secretary General of Hezbullah Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech today in Beirut 40 days after the assassination of Hezbullah military commander Imad Mughniya. (The time period of 40 days is significant because it represents the 40 days of mourning in Shi’i Islam for Imam Husayn, who is seen as the most prominent martyr.)

You can listen to the full speech here with Real Player, but al-Jazeera also has a concise wrap-up. Nasrallah reiterated that he is determined to react to Israel’s assassination of Mughniya. He also said that the public has expressed their support for the Resistance (al-muqawama) through a series of several polls. Nasrallah said that 80% of Lebanese from different sects expressed support action that would lead to the downfall of the zionist regime (al-nidham al-sahyoniyya) and that 50% want to see Israel totally disappear (zawal).

There will be mixed translations of the word “zawal” which I have chosen to translate as “disappearance,” but it can also be translated as “extinction” or “cessation.”

Ahmadinejad with Iraqi President Jalal Talibani from al-Jazeera.

Ahamadinejad to visit Najaf and Karbala

Al-Hayat reports that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit the Shi’i holy cities of Najaf and Karbala to visit the shrines of Imams Ali and Husayn, respectively, and pay a visit to Grand Ayatullah Sistani. A representative from Sistani’s office has confirmed the visit, but did not give details on what would be discussed.

Iraqi security forces have taken increased security measures in preparation for his visit and the Electric Ministry announced that electricity will not be cut from Imam Ali’s shrine in Najaf for the next three days. Shaykh Husayn al-Safar, a top religious scholar in the Najaf hawza (or seminary), said that Ahmadinejad’s visit is confirmation that the hawza of Najaf is the principle center for Shi’i studies and that the city’s ‘ulama (or religious scholars) are recognized as spiritual leaders of the Shi’a.

Walayat al-Faqih

Another scholar said that despite Sistani’s Iranian identity, Sistani operates outside of the framework of nationalism and politics and that he has not recognized the authority of the walayat al-faqih. The three other grand ayatullahs living in Najaf — Muhammad Sa’id al-Hakim, Muhammad Ishaq al-Fiyad, and Bashir al-Najafi — also do not recognize the concept of walayat al-faqih and refuse to have it taught in the hawza.

(Photo of the Sayyida Zaynab shrine in Damascus from Novine . . . who was allowed to take photos.)

Cryin’

In the summer of 2007, Ahmadinejad paid a visit to Shi’i shrines in Damascus, including the shrines of Sayyida Ruqayya and Sayyida Zaynab. (Ruqayya is the daughter of Imam Husayn and Zaynab his sister.) The big news at this time was that Ahmadinejad broke into tears at Zaynab’s shrine. Maybe we’ll have a repeat showing.

(Image of the Imam Husayn shrine during Arba’een in Karbala from al-Manar.)

Arba’een means 40 in Arabic and it is the length of time which Shi’i Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the son of Ali and the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. Yesterday was Arba’een and 7-9 million Shi’a visited the Iraqi city of Karbala where Imam Husayn was killed in battle in the year 680.

People wore black. Some hit themselves. Attacks were thwarted. No one was killed.

(Image from al-Rai.)

Hezbullah’s weekly journal “al-Intiqad” meaning “review” or “critique” publishes political, cultural, and analytical articles. The textual fare is pretty standard, but some of their covers deserve a look.

“Sign of the definitive victory.” From left: Hezbullah military commander ‘Amad al-Mughniya (assassinated 2008); Sayyid Abbas al-Musawi (assassinated 1992); and Shaykh Ragheb al-Harb (assassinated in 1984). Underneath Mughniya, the text reads, “Commander of the Resistance”; Musawi “Sayyid of the Resistance”; and Harb “Shaykh of the Resistance.”

“After August 14th 2006 — a different ‘Middle East’.” August 14th is the day the 2006 July War ended — a day celebrated by Hezbullah as “yom al-intisar” or “day of victory”. The image of Nasrallah in the upper corner of this cover was part of a widespread ad campaign in the summer of 2007 which touted the much-awaited one-year anniversary of Hezbullah’s victory in the July War. Billboards promising a new era of victories popped up all over southern Beirut.

“Defeat.” Most likely in reference to the July War, or possibly a reaction to the findings of the Winograd Commission.

To see more covers, click here.

Here are some posters submitted to the website Wa’ad.

The text reads: Lebanon

(Image of Imam Musa al-Sadr from here.)

The Imam Musa al-Sadr Foundation for Research and Studies brings us this report via Press TV:

Lebanon has called Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi to a court hearing on Shia leader Imam Musa Sadr who was abducted in Libya 30 years ago

Examining magistrate, Samih el-Haj, has summoned Qaddafi to report to the Beirut Justice Ministry in April, in connection with his alleged role in the 1978 mysterious disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr, chairman of Lebanon’s Shia Islamic Council, and two of his aides

In case Qaddafi fails to report on schedule, an arrest warrant would be issued in absentia in line with Lebanon’s criminal law, Lebanese News Agency reported without further elaboration

In August 1978, Iranian-born Lebanese philosopher and prominent Shia religious leader, Sayyid Musa Sadr, and two of his companions departed for Libya to meet with officials from Qaddafi’s government.

They were never heard from again.

Libya has constantly denied responsibility, claiming that Sadr and his companions left Libya for Italy. Some have reported that he remains secretly incarcerated in the North African country. His disappearance continues to be a major source of dispute between Lebanon and Libya

Some nice photos of the Imam Husayn shrine in Karbala from this site.

The emir (or deputy) of one of Iraq’s largest militant groups al-Jaysh al-Islami (Islamic Army) has given al-Hayat his first press interview ever. The emir — who remains anonymous — blamed al-Qaeda of blurring the concept of a “clear jihad” (al-jihad al-nas’aa) and that the groups which comprise the organization Political Council of the Iraqi Resistance (al-majlis al-siyasi lil muqawama al-iraqiyya) want a national government outside of sectarian labels, as well as the departure of the occupation.

On Weapons and Military Operations

He said: “Jihad and armed action is our strategic choice, and there are no words now about taking away weapons, the atmosphere (al-saaha — political space) is full of military challenges and whoever gets rid of their weapons, condemns himself to his end.” He was also very critical of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

He said that al-Jaysh al-Islami has undertaken 14,000 operations between 2006 and 2007. Furthermore, 3,000 of the group’s members have been arrested or killed since the beginning of the occupation.

On the Sunni Awakening Councils

In describing the American-formed Sunni Awakening Councils (majalis al-sahwa), he said that there are five types, including: traitors who have had relations with the Americans since the beginning of the occupation and are continuing these relations; those who have lost their purpose (like a shaykh of a tribe) and are seeking that purpose (or usefulness) even if it means cooperating with the occupier; others are searching for money.

On the Shi’a

He said that al-Jaysh al-Islami was not involved in any expulsion of Shi’a from areas that his group controls and that many Shi’a still reside in these areas under the protection of al-Jaysh al-Islami. Additionally, the expulsion of Shi’a from the area has been undertaken by militias that are supported by the American occupation and what happened in the past with expulsions will not happen again.

Secretary General of Hezbullah Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah will give a speech Friday at the Martyr’s Complex in al-Dahiyya, continuing the mourning of assassinated military leader ‘Amad al-Mughniya. Al-Manar quotes Hezbullah representative Husayn Fadlallah (not the Ayatullah) as saying, “The Zionist enemy is working [for a new time] in ignorance because it did not understand, until now, what is the meaning of killing a leader to our people. . .” Tens of thousands of chairs have been set up in anticipation of the ceremony.

(Mughniya’s father, on the left, mourns his son’s death. Image from al-Jazeera.)

Al-Jazeera reports on Nasrallah’s speech yesterday at a ceremony for the assassinated Hezbullah military leader ‘Amad al-Mughniya. Nasrallah said that Israel assassinated Mughniya because of the country’s defeat in the 2006 July War. Nasrallah vowed that if Israel wants an open war (al-harb al-maftoha) in this manner, then they will get one — referring to the way they killed Mughniya.

(Screen shot of southern Beirut from al-Jazeera. The caption reads: Breaking: Hezbullah blames Israel for the assassination of ‘Amad al-Mughniya and Tel Aviv denies any connection to the assassination.)

Al-Jazeera reports that a senior Hezbullah military leader, ‘Amad al-Mughniya, was killed by a car explosion in a residential area of Damascus. Hezbullah says that Israeli operatives are responsible for the assassination. Crowds flooded the street in al-Dahiyya (southern Beirut) and Mughniya’s brother opened up his home for mourning.

The al-Jazeera correspondent in Damascus said that the security situation around the site of the explosion in Damascus is incredibly tight and no one is being allowed to take photographs. (Contrast this with every explosion in Beirut in which images are immediately and widely publicized.) The correspondent said that the car (a Mitsubishi) was moved an hour after the explosion — the bulk of the damage can be seen on the driver’s side.

Al-Jazeera reports that in the US, Mughniya is being portrayed as a “big terrorist” who was responsible for several hostage situations.

Israel’s Involvement

Al-Jazeera says that Israeli officials have denied any connection to the assassination after a period of silence, but Hezbullah is confident that Israel was behind the assassination — a claim bolstered by Israel’s numerous assassinations and attempted assassinations of Hezbullah leaders in the past.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon has condemned the assassination and so has Hamas. The March 14th forces have called for shared mourning on February 14th, which is the third anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Sayyid Fadlallah, who has been the target of a failed Israeli assassination attempt, issued a statement condemning the assassination.

Al-Manar Coverage

Al-Manar published an article which praises his involvement in the Resistance and his love of Palestine. A statement from Hezbullah states that Mughniya was martyred at the hands of the Zionist enemy and that the Resistance will continue on his path until a full victory has been achieved, God willing. Al-Manar also says that Mughniya is joining a list of martyrs that have been assassinated by Israel.

Western Press Coverage

The Western press has already launched a campaign to further demonize Hezbullah and cast the assassination as a much-deserved killing. ABC News portrays Mughniya as a “U.S.-Wanted Terrorist,” even commenting that, “His death is a significant achievement for the intelligence organization that caused it.”

The NY Times also focuses on Mughniya’s role in “terrorist” activities and says that American officials consider Mughniya responsible for the bombings of the Marine barracks and the US embassy in Beirut in 1983. The Times article, as well as several others, makes reference to Mughniya being a “master of disguises” by having undergone plastic surgery to change his appearance.

(Image of Talabani from al-Hayat.)

Al-Hayat reports that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani traveled to Najaf to meet with Ayatullah Sistani. In a press conference, Talabani said that a new government will be formed with PM Maliki at its head which will not succumb to a sectarian quota system. Talabani also denied the presence of movements that seek to replace Maliki with Iraqi Vice-President Adil abd al-Mahdi. Talabani did not give any specific details on his meeting with Sistani.

The article also says that Moqtada al-Sadr’s jaysh al-mehdi will extend its cessation of activities for six more months.