September 23, 2006 Letters and Announcements to Al-Jazeerah Editor

The Arabic translation of what's written on the cardboard is:

"Bush is a donkey (an ass!), and this American doesn't know what's written on the carton!"

Raff Ellis

Arar case: Acquiescence, by the RCMP

What bothers me about the Maher Arar case is not so much the incompetence and inaccuracy and violations of policy by Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A mistake can be understood. A mistake can be corrected. A mistake can be forgiven.

What bothers me is the acquiescence, by the RCMP, by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, and by Foreign Affairs, in the US/Syria kidnapping and torture of a Canadian citizen and the RCMP feeding of questions for Syria to ask Mr. Arar under torture.

But evil? Torture? All the Canadian officials involved should at the least lose their jobs, and at most face charges of conspiracy to torture. These people have moral flaws that will take a lifetime to correct.

Tom Trottier, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Letter to the Editor THE BOSTON GLOBE Boston, MA

Re: Muslim Violence by Jeff Jacoby

Dear Editor:

Jacoby says that the most of the world's Muslims are unwilling to say or do anything to stop extremist "followers" of Islam.

It is so also with the American people: We are some of us unwilling to say or do anything to stop extremist followers of Zionism, taking powers over our government. Our hands are tied. So are the good Muslims who follow Islam as it should be followed.

When we speak of Zionism, we are not referring to Judaism, but the false and extremist cause of Zionism which is causing so much trouble in Washington, utilizing the persuasive powers of pro-Israeli groups, mostly, AIPAC, and causing so much trouble in the Mideast, causing so much trouble. They force American laws into being, only to support Israel in its violent process of genociding Arabs and Muslims.

Each time there is a violent episode of dissent, Jacoby is delighted to write even more, demonizing Islam repeatedly. It is obvious that he hates, yes hates, Arabs and Muslims. I have been following his writings for 20 years.

Quoting Jacoby quoting the Pope:

"Religious faith untethered by reason can lead to savagery."

That certainly describes Zionism, a racist ideology which hides itself under the cloak of religion.

Try looking at the victims in Palestine. Try a search into the recent destruction of Lebanon, ALL of its bridges, people unable to leave, unable to get food, etc. Try the genocidal ongoings of the IDF - all brought to us by extreme Zionism. This 60-year abomination must come to a stop, and NOW!

Sincerely,

Carol Rae Bradford

British Government Has a Duty Also to Help Prevent Spread of Extremist Ideas

In response to the speech earlier today from the Home Secretary, John Reid, the Muslim Council of Britain firmly believes that all parents, both Muslims and non-Muslims, have an important responsibility in being vigilant and ensuring that their children are not misled by criminal and extremist elements in society.

However, the MCB notes that the government needs to also recognise the impact of some of its own policies, domestic and foreign, in contributing to the spread of extremist ideas.

"It is as though in response to the threat of Global Warming and the threat of rising water levels, the government were to ask all of us merely to place sandbags outside our homes to prevent flooding. Surely, the more sensible way forward would be to tackle the causes of Global Warming. Similarly, in continuing to ignore the damage that some of our foreign policies, particularly in the Middle East, have done to our national security, the government is not facing up to a major contributory factor behind the rise of extremism," said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Note:

1. The Muslim Council of Britain ( www.mcb.org.uk ) is the UK's representative Muslim umbrella body with over 400 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

For further information please contact:

The Muslim Council of Britain,

Boardman House, 64 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NT, Tel: 07708 065 150 or 0208 432 0585/6, Fax: 0208 432 0587

Email: media@mcb.org.uk Website: http://www.mcb.org.uk