How is it that this Assad adviser got the crazy idea that “the true Islam” would manifest itself in “hostility to Israel”? Doesn’t he know that Islam is a Religion of Tolerance that shows love for all, hatred for none? Or has he read that passage in the Qur’an that says that the Jews will be the worst enemies of the Muslims (5:82)? Yet surely it doesn’t really mean that, does it? Maybe some of the enlightened Muslims in the U.S. can explain this puzzler for us. Honest Ibe Hooper? Boy Reza Aslan? Man of Peace Rauf? Anyone? Anyone? “Assad emails: ‘Suggestions for the president’s speech’ – translation,” from the Guardian, March 14:
From: Hadeel
Subject: this is from hussam
Date: 31 December 2011 14:55:14 GMT
To: sam@alshahba.comSee the original Arabic version
Attachment:
Suggestions for the president’s speech
After consultations with a good number of people, in addition to the media and the political attache to the Iranian ambassador, I have gathered some points that I think it is important should be mentioned in the speech:
Islam:
Since the majority of our people are from the Sunni sect and are also religious, I would suggest that the speech must carry an Islamic identity, since much of the opposition raise the flag of Islam it is therefore necessary for the president to snatch this identity from them, but in his own way, by using verses from the Holy Qur’an in the speech.
Confirming that the Islam of the Syrian people is the true Islam by connecting Islam with Syria’s principles,
1. Resistance
2. Hostility to Israel, the first enemy of the Muslims,
3. Protection of Palestinian people’s rights (real prayers should be in the direction of Jerusalem)
Maybe here the president can reiterate his stance by condemning forcefully the recent Israeli practices and policies to Judaise Al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The president could also embarrass his opponents who are raising the Islamic flag (what sort of Islam are they referring to while they daily make concessions to the first enemy of Muslims, and turn a blind eye to their practices?)
A comparison must be made between our stance defending the Islamic holy sites in Palestine and calling for the unification of the Palestinian territories and the stance of those who claim to have Islamic grounds but reassure Israel that they would recognise Israel and commit to signed treaties, once they come to power.
We are a state that observes Islamic affairs in all (all Islamic occasions are taken into consideration by the state, academies for recitation and memorisation of the Qur’an, to ensure the rights of Muslims to practice all the duties of Islam, building mosques, etc.)
To highlight that our opponents want to tarnish the image of Islam through the call for murder and terrorism.
However, Syria is the real cradle of Islam and the Syrian people will never accept such an ideology.
Here I found through my discussions, that some people are unhappy with the idea of connecting Syrian national principles with the figure of the President alone. In my opinion, it is important to confirm that the people are the source of these principles, they are the resistance and it is the true Muslim who can overcome this crisis.
Martyrs:
Here I believe we need the use of an emotional language that touches the hearts and consoles the bereaved families in order to render the figure of the president close to their hearts and maybe we can use phrases and language used by Sayed Hassan Nassrallah to address martyrs and their families as a good example.
We need to confirm that it is the blood of martyrs that is sustaining the victory for Syria and deflecting the international attack on Syria.
A glorification and praise for the martyrs’ families and their stances, sacrificing and pledging on every occasion they appear in the media, that they are ready to sacrifice more of their children for the sake of the country….
The Islamic identity of the speech must come up through using verses of holy Qur’an which praise martyrs.
In my opinion, the issue of the martyrs must be an important part of the speech….