The unprecedented torrents of revolt sweeping in the Arab world have led many observers to make comparisons with the demise of the Iron Curtain in 1989 or the Iranian revolution in 1979. Both assessments in many ways are misleading-at best they are simply fictitious.

 In the fall of the Iron Curtain nations abandoned ‘godless socialism' and embraced free market capitalism. Eastern European countries shifted from Russia's sphere of influence to American colonization. The super power struggle between Soviets and the Americans ended with Russia's defeat and the ascendency of the lone super power America. 

In contrast, the domino effect that is toppling autocratic leaders across the North Africa has not ended free market capitalism, nor has it ousted the world's lone super power. Tunisia and Egypt remain staunchly secular, its solutions are capitalistic in nature and both are firmly in the grip of Britain and America. Furthermore, the geopolitical struggle is confined between Europe and America over who controls the hydrocarbons and other riches of the Arab world. If change does materialize, then this will merely be the elimination of European hegemony-especially British control- over countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen and the Gulf countries. Additionally, the face of the ruling system and apparatus will undergo some modifications to make America's rule more palatable to the people and stymie further uprisings.

Equating the Arab revolution with the Iranian one is equally flawed. The fall of the Shah and the arrival of Khomeini only switched the rule in Iran from British hands to America hands. Capitalism still flourishes and is peppered with Islamic dressing which to most observers is misconstrued as a form of theocracy. The fact of the matter is that Iran is a secular regime with some facets of democracy and staunchly operates within ambit of American rules. Again, the present uprising in Iran is not seeking an end to capitalism, American hegemony or for that matter an end to Western patronage. This is the only similarity between the present rebellions in the Arab world and the Iranian revolution.

If valuable lessons have to be learnt then it is quite evident that almost all revolutions in societies that covet change -irrespective of ideological orientations-require domestic partners that can tangibly deliver change and ensure genuine independence from Western interference. These partners are the powerful armies of the Arab and Muslim countries. General Rachid Ammar of Tunisia and General Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sami Hafiz could have easily catapulted the revolutions towards real and meaningful change. Instead, they betrayed the pure feelings of their people and chose to stand by their Western masters Britain and America. Therefore in both cases the regimes that were responsible for years of despotism, aggression and kufr are still in place awaiting further instructions from the West. Allah says in Surah Al Rad: " Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves."

The ummah must realize that their appalling situation is destined to change but they must put pressure on the armies who are part of the ummah to join them in this quest to liberate the ummah from the yoke of Western colonialism an return to the rule of  Islam.

Abed Mustafa

   Jakarta. Hizbut Tahrir- Indonesia made rally at three embassies; Libya, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, Thursday 24^th, February 2011.  Rally started from Libya Embassy, continued to Bangladesh and ended at Uzbekistan.

    This is a question that comes to mind as David Cameron arrogantly strolls down Tahrir Square, where the blood of the Shuhadaa' was spilled, where the chants of protesters soared to the highest skies.  As it has been common knowledge that Egypt and other Muslim countries were first ruled directly through military occupation by the United Kingdom in its former glory. This led the common masses to openly revolt against their occupiers several decades ago.  Having been shaken by the fear that Muslims might overthrow the Western tyrants, they rode the wave of protest underhandedly altering the presence of their military occupation through agents calling behind the shield of so-called democracy and secularism. Surely they have given the newly-forged countries flags to wave around in the presence of their dictators.  They also gave them an "Independence Day" complete with fireworks and parades.  But what does this Independence Day symbolize? They removed the direct military occupiers and installed a false sense of democracy through dictators.   All the while, western regimes remain intact dictating to their agent-rulers commands to be applied via lethal force sadly known to the citizens, bearing dire consequences of torture-filled prison sentences and death.  The agent-rulers defiantly ruled against their own people sacrificing their land and blood for the interests of the West.

Alhamdulillah the time has come when the masses have awakened to reject their agent-rulers openly and defiantly in broad daylight persevering throughout times of distress leading many to their death.  May Allah swt grant them the ranks of Hadrat Hamza ra.

David Cameron boasts of being the first western leader to walk down Tahrir Square throwing statements to the press like, "What is so refreshing about what's been happening is that this is not an Islamist revolt...This is not extremists on the streets," Cameron said.

If millions of people call for Islam then they are deemed as "extremists" by the West not as people wanting free sovereignty from their agent rulers.  What is so refreshing about that, Mr. Cameron?

"This is a great opportunity for us to go and talk to those currently running Egypt to make sure this really is a genuine transition from military rule to civilian rule, and see what friendly countries like Britain and others in Europe can do to help," Cameron said.

What is your great opportunity here, Mr. Cameron?  What is the help you intend to offer Egypt?  More agent rulers???  More secret deals to conspire against the sincerest of people???  Is this another wave the West intends to surf?  Is it one of liberty, freedom and justice for all?  The people are Muslim so it is natural for them to want Islam to be applied upon them.  Muslims do not want Qadafi or Mubarak style democracy or Abu-Ghraib or Gitmo democracy.  Do not fool Muslims with your chameleon skins of dictatorship to democracy. Do not barge into Muslim lands and force your false system of democracy and liberalism on the Muslim people.  They do not this corrupt system.  No indeed this is not what they are revolting for despite the western commentary.

All the while, western leaders are revealing their innate fear of Islam's return.  The people of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya realize their agent-rulers' aims and desires do not match the aims and desires of the populations.  These Muslims earnestly call for Islam to return and to be applied.  They want the constant vivid nightmares to stop, and to finally feel tranquility and security in their lives and lands.   

The West fully realizes the great impact of what the system of Islam entails.  If Muslims revert to Islam they will be united as one mighty people or Ummah.  This will then be the start of their end.   Britain realizes the importance of the Middle East as it is their main source of interest and therefore needs to be protected at all costs.  Egypt holds a unique position central to UK‘s economy while holding political interests as well.  They carefully monitor all actions so as not to disrupt this critical balance.  Egypt is strategically placed on the world map, thus emphasizing its important role in the Middle East.  The West quickly reverberated after Mubarak's toppling that Egypt will continue to uphold all peace treaties and agreements made under his regime.   They do not want the status quo to change-this is Cameron's and his fellow allies' first priority in their agendas. 

While Cameron visited Egypt sitting down with the interim government; one thing is for sure.  It is quickly trying to seize the opportunity of the present situation.  By allowing Britain to get its foot in the door while there is still a space between the millions of people and the government, it will try to interfere in government reform.  Inshallah it will not deceitfully ride the wave again as it has done before in history. The Muslim people have recognized the Western ploys against Muslim lands and their agent-rulers suppressing the people's desire for Islam to be their guiding light out of this miserable darkness that has plagued them for decades.  Inshallah, the Muslims will soon experience a true Independence Day marked with a new flag bearing "La ilaha illal-Allah Muhammad rasool al-Allah."  An Islamic State where Muslims and non-Muslims alike will experience the justice of a great ruler.

By; Manal Bader

Bayt Al-Maqdes