News:

Iraqi's headed to vote for parliament on Wednesday 30th April 2014 in the first nationwide elections since the last US troops left the country in December 2011. Nine thousand candidates are vying for 328 seats, largely running on sectarian lines. Incumbent prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shia, is expected to secure a third term in political deals made after the vote, but he faces mounting criticisms that he runs an authoritarian government, stokes sectarian tensions, and has exacerbated the country's insecurities while bearing responsibility for abuses by Iraqi security forces. The jihadist group ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) controls large parts of Anbar province and amid insurgent threats, voter turnout was reportedly low in some Sunni parts of the country. ‘We are voting for the future of our children', he said after casting his ballot. ‘Terrorists are challenging us and now we challenge them. I call upon all Iraqi's to cast their votes in a brave manner, because that is a big blow in the face of the terrorism'. [Source: Reuters/AAP]

Comment:

The disruption Maliki attributes to so-called terrorists, in fact is the result of the American invasion in 2003 and its constant interference in civil, social and political realms ever since. Leading an anomalous coalition government that weakens decision making, upholding quota systems and provincial rule in Sunni, Kurdish and Shia areas, as well as redefining a constitution based on division of power, has only instigated widespread sectarianism and dissent. At the behest of his American masters who are always so keen upon divide and rule, he has fragmented communities and created new borders within his own country as in Tal Afar, Tuzhurmatu and Fallujah. Voting in these elections will further serve to enhance these divisions, rather than bring much needed security and prosperity. No single party is expected to win a simple majority on its own, cementing Maliki in the post he has held since 2006 consolidating power for himself; a sad but familiar reality in the Muslim world.

Although Maliki is considered weak by many and his second term was riddled with mismanagement; by exaggerating and exacerbating the threat Fallujah poses to national security he diverted the terms of debate by rallying Shia against the jihadists, neutralizing Sunnis and somewhat redeeming the army's image as the defender of the state. Unsurprisingly the United States is still Baghdad's largest partner in terms of arms sales and maintenance, and major US oil companies still have a significant role in Iraq's energy sector, therefore an increase in cooperation to face the jihadist threat of an emerging Islamic State has also continued the US influence, as if it were ever in question!

Nouri al Maliki as with any obedient servant, regurgitates the narrative of terrorism and extremism of his American masters, but the Noble Ummah of Muhammed (saw), is no longer so politically naïve. Muslims in Iraq and globally must never trust any system of life grown and nurtured by western states and molded by western values of liberal secularism, even if they feel in control of electing a figure head, they must not be fooled into dismissing the system of governance, as it is the crucial aspect of leadership and ruling. We must be convinced that the system of Islam is the only one capable of once again unifying the Ummah, under a progressive ideology that fulfills the needs of the people and brings peace to our lands. Where the security and authority is in the hands of the Muslims and none other. Only then will we witness a justice, security and stability worthy of leading the world bi'ithnillah.

وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ أَنْتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ أَنْ يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ النَّاسُ فَآَوَاكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُمْ بِنَصْرِهِ وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

"When you were few and oppressed in the land, afraid that the people would snatch you away, He gave you refuge and supported you with His help and provided you with good things so that hopefully you would be thankful. You who have iman! Do not betray Allah and His Messenger, and do not knowingly betray your trusts." [Al-Anfal: 26-27]

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Um Mohammed