15
Oct
2002
Editor's note: The following letter was delivered to every member of the United States Congress.
During these trying times, you have a moral and ethical responsibility not only toward your constituents but also to the world at large. The question before you is not one of simply dealing with a dictator who might or might not possess weapons of mass destruction. The matter before you is of exceedingly greater consequence: an unprecedented U.S. violation of international law in any pre-emptive strike it would take against a sovereign nation, and the subsequent long-term effects (that might span generations) ensuing from the human tragedy that is a necessary consequence of modern warfare.
The fear of great loss of life is especially real here, given that this conflict will occur between a superpower determined to prove its capabilities and a ruthless, warlike dictator who has shielded himself with tens of thousands of troops and who might, in the end, also win the support of his entire populace given the lack of international support for this war and given that this military adventure will, in all likelihood, extend beyond its publicly stated aims.
You must appreciate that the Muslim world - which extends over the greater part of the globe - is of one voice in denouncing this war. If war breaks out, American interests would be exposed to unexpected dangers throughout the world. During the last conflict with Iraq, Iraq was the aggressor; this time, however, the aggressor would be the United States. The United States has already enraged the Islamic world when its president referred to this enterprise as a "crusade" (which is the Christian equivalent of a jihad) and when its president described Ariel Sharon as a "man of peace" while in the same breath labeling the Palestinian uprising against their oppressors as "terrorism."
During its recent war in Afghanistan, even with all the precautions taken and barriers erected, the United States could not prevent thousands of volunteer Muslim fighters from infiltrating the combat zone. How could you protect U.S. forces in Baghdad, which lies in the heart of the Islamic world and is its cultural capital, and furthermore directly borders the Holy Land? By taking into account this alone, you will quickly appreciate the vast difference between waging war in Iraq and waging war in Afghanistan. If all other factors are taken into consideration, it must be said that there exist no similarities between the two contexts.
On a previous visit to the region, ex-President George H. W. Bush was asked why during the first Gulf War he did not seek to capture Saddam Hussein. He replied that if we were unable to capture Aidid in Mogadishu, who only had a starving militia to protect him, how could we have captured Saddam, who possessed the fourth largest army in the world? Given that the United States did not succeed in capturing either Mulla Omar or Osama bin Laden, one cannot reasonably expect its chances for success in capturing Saddam Hussein to be greater.
There is an international adage that says, "Going to war is easy, but ending it never is." This saying was coined long before the advent of modern warfare with all its carnage, destruction, and complications. By attacking Iraq, America will ignite a war that its own friends do not support, let alone the rest of the world. It is only the Israeli government that is pushing the United States to attack Iraq.
Ironically, war with Iraq will produce only greater problems for Israel's own population. If able, Saddam Hussein will try to portray himself as the champion of the Palestinian cause and the advocate for winning the justice denied the Palestinians. A single missile fired by Iraq at Israel will, without doubt, generate indescribable euphoria throughout the Muslim World. This is quite understandable given that vis-à-vis the Palestinian issue, the Muslim world today is thoroughly submerged in despair as a result of America's biased policy toward Israel.
If Saddam Hussein does not possess weapons of mass destruction, then there is no justification to attack Iraq. If he does possess such weapons, then it is folly to incite a madman to play with fire when surrounded by oil and explosives, especially before exhausting all peaceful alternatives. It is not inconceivable for a man like Saddam Hussein to set ablaze his own country (let alone his neighbors') before his enemy could reach him. Were that to happen, the United States would not be excused from bearing the responsibility for such a catastrophe.
From an historical perspective, it is important that you appreciate that the Arabs today are living a period of religious reawakening. If conflict comes about, the Arab governments will be unable to control their peoples. Indeed, this problem will escalate into a struggle between two civilizations and religions and not remain simply a war between two countries.
My hope is that you will give this situation the serious deliberation it deserves and that you further give precedence above all to the long-term welfare of your nation and its citizens. Seek the path of peace and justice even if such a stance might mean losing your seat, which is by its very nature transitory. Remember that the Creator of this vast universe has erected its foundations upon justice. He has promised the oppressed that in the end He will avenge them from their oppressors. As He has, unto the peacemakers, promised heaven. "Blessed are the peacemakers."
We pray that God will imbue you to make the right decision and to eschew all evil and tyranny. Amen.
Sincerely,
Safar Al-Hawali, Ph.D.
Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Safar Al-Hawali is the author of a number of theological and political works and is the former chairperson of the Department of Islamic Doctrine at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The fear of great loss of life is especially real here, given that this conflict will occur between a superpower determined to prove its capabilities and a ruthless, warlike dictator who has shielded himself with tens of thousands of troops and who might, in the end, also win the support of his entire populace given the lack of international support for this war and given that this military adventure will, in all likelihood, extend beyond its publicly stated aims.
You must appreciate that the Muslim world - which extends over the greater part of the globe - is of one voice in denouncing this war. If war breaks out, American interests would be exposed to unexpected dangers throughout the world. During the last conflict with Iraq, Iraq was the aggressor; this time, however, the aggressor would be the United States. The United States has already enraged the Islamic world when its president referred to this enterprise as a "crusade" (which is the Christian equivalent of a jihad) and when its president described Ariel Sharon as a "man of peace" while in the same breath labeling the Palestinian uprising against their oppressors as "terrorism."
During its recent war in Afghanistan, even with all the precautions taken and barriers erected, the United States could not prevent thousands of volunteer Muslim fighters from infiltrating the combat zone. How could you protect U.S. forces in Baghdad, which lies in the heart of the Islamic world and is its cultural capital, and furthermore directly borders the Holy Land? By taking into account this alone, you will quickly appreciate the vast difference between waging war in Iraq and waging war in Afghanistan. If all other factors are taken into consideration, it must be said that there exist no similarities between the two contexts.
On a previous visit to the region, ex-President George H. W. Bush was asked why during the first Gulf War he did not seek to capture Saddam Hussein. He replied that if we were unable to capture Aidid in Mogadishu, who only had a starving militia to protect him, how could we have captured Saddam, who possessed the fourth largest army in the world? Given that the United States did not succeed in capturing either Mulla Omar or Osama bin Laden, one cannot reasonably expect its chances for success in capturing Saddam Hussein to be greater.
There is an international adage that says, "Going to war is easy, but ending it never is." This saying was coined long before the advent of modern warfare with all its carnage, destruction, and complications. By attacking Iraq, America will ignite a war that its own friends do not support, let alone the rest of the world. It is only the Israeli government that is pushing the United States to attack Iraq.
Ironically, war with Iraq will produce only greater problems for Israel's own population. If able, Saddam Hussein will try to portray himself as the champion of the Palestinian cause and the advocate for winning the justice denied the Palestinians. A single missile fired by Iraq at Israel will, without doubt, generate indescribable euphoria throughout the Muslim World. This is quite understandable given that vis-à-vis the Palestinian issue, the Muslim world today is thoroughly submerged in despair as a result of America's biased policy toward Israel.
If Saddam Hussein does not possess weapons of mass destruction, then there is no justification to attack Iraq. If he does possess such weapons, then it is folly to incite a madman to play with fire when surrounded by oil and explosives, especially before exhausting all peaceful alternatives. It is not inconceivable for a man like Saddam Hussein to set ablaze his own country (let alone his neighbors') before his enemy could reach him. Were that to happen, the United States would not be excused from bearing the responsibility for such a catastrophe.
From an historical perspective, it is important that you appreciate that the Arabs today are living a period of religious reawakening. If conflict comes about, the Arab governments will be unable to control their peoples. Indeed, this problem will escalate into a struggle between two civilizations and religions and not remain simply a war between two countries.
My hope is that you will give this situation the serious deliberation it deserves and that you further give precedence above all to the long-term welfare of your nation and its citizens. Seek the path of peace and justice even if such a stance might mean losing your seat, which is by its very nature transitory. Remember that the Creator of this vast universe has erected its foundations upon justice. He has promised the oppressed that in the end He will avenge them from their oppressors. As He has, unto the peacemakers, promised heaven. "Blessed are the peacemakers."
We pray that God will imbue you to make the right decision and to eschew all evil and tyranny. Amen.
Sincerely,
Safar Al-Hawali, Ph.D.
Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Safar Al-Hawali is the author of a number of theological and political works and is the former chairperson of the Department of Islamic Doctrine at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
