By Datuk Zaid Ibrahim
THE senseless killing by Israel of the Palestinians is nothing new. It happens all the time. It breaks your heart to see so many innocent lives taken away in such brutal circumstances. As long as immoral America is willing to support Israel’s actions, civilian killings will never end. The massacre of Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps in Lebanon in 1982 was the worst of them all, where 2,500 civilians died.
The current indiscriminate bombings had already taken more than 200 lives of women and children. America is so blind it could not see that Israel started the killings. They went to the Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan, armed with weapons, to kill Muslims. Now, they claim Israel had the right to defend itself.
Sometimes I wish Donald Trump is still President. He is probably a racist, but Trump has no appetite for blood. Israel waited for a new President before creating this new killing fields. This Joe Biden and Blinken team in Washington will bring endless destruction and misery to the Middle East for years to come.
What can we do but grieve for the sufferings of the people in Gaza. Kudos though to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who in a few short days, was able to raise more than RM1 mil to be given directly to the people of Gaza.
Anwar has once again shown his deep concern for the sufferings of Muslims in the Middle East. His effort speaks for itself and is markedly different from those PAS leaders who always call for the unity of the “Ummah”, so they can drive their new Mercedes Benz.
What lessons can we learn from the fate of the Palestinians? For starters, we have to be economically strong. Our children must be given the best education we can muster.
Although a small country, Malaysia will be respected if we can, say in 50 years’ time, become a country that is prosperous and united, so that no one community can be occupied or oppressed by others. Ask China on how they managed to transform a poverty-stricken country to become a world economic power in 80 years. This is was we need to do.
Education, economic might, the way out of oppression
And our habits of being cosy with the Arab leaders and emulating their lifestyles of superficially Islamic but indulgent in Western ways in real life is the last thing we need.
The Arabs have lost their true fighters; the likes of Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein (although not perfect, they were willing to say no to America), killed by the Americans. Those left are the ones that can be easily bought by Western powers. Hence, their complete silence at the present atrocities of the Israelis.
Muslim leaders who beg America to buy their oil (whether from the ground or their palm trees) use the money to live a luxurious life. They cannot be expected to protect the safety and welfare of poor Muslims anywhere in the world.
To my fellow Muslims, please look around you. There is poverty all round. Unless we eradicate poverty it is just a matter of time we will also “be occupied” like the Palestinians. Our greatest enemies are poverty and ignorance. Do not fret about the transgender community and Nur Sajat. The LGBT community cannot hurt the community. Do not allow your leaders to pick the easy issues to champion because they want to win an election. Tell them address economic issues of the country; that is the real test of their usefulness.
During this time, please say yes to the vaccine, and together we can overcome COVID-19. There are still some notable people who prefer to listen to the doubters, who propagate the so-called dangers of the vaccine. Trust science and we will be better for it. Go register yourself, and once registered, please turn up for the jab.
Then get ready for the next general election. Select leaders who care about the poor, the oppressed and who still remember what justice is all about. Pick leaders who will transform our education system.
The Jews got it right on science and education. The best universities in America, like Harvard, are funded by the Jews. Emulate the good habits of our enemies. This is the way to deal with them, for shouting and flag-waving will be useless.
No amount of bravery and passion can stop the bombs from taking the lives of our loved ones when we are poor and defenseless. – May 18, 2021.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is a former Law Minister. This post was first published on his Facebook page.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
