One of the aspects of any warfare is propaganda, using the media – whether print, radio and television – to spread disinformation, lies and deceit among the people, to the extent that they become braindead. Propagandists specialise in creating cults of personality, which the zombie public follow blindly without a second thought. They are mere puppets that only move when their masters pull the strings.
It was a strange scenario indeed that while we saw Col Gaddafi being killed on the streets of Libya at the hands of those he was calling rats not long ago, and the Libyan people breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of his lifeless body, there were some in Pakistan mourning his killing. It could be excusable perhaps in the past, but in this information age, there is no excuse.
Some people supported these ‘brother’ leaders because they are still stuck in the dark ages and believe that socialism is some sort of a solution for mankind. They should remember that the Muslim World would under no circumstances go back to the time when people like Jamal Nassir, Gaddafi and Saddam were placed in power on them in the name of socialism. These people came to power on talk of raising their people, however they turned against the very people that they were claiming to uplift, defend and protect.
The only agreement that Muslims have with socialists is regarding the problems of capitalism. We do not agree with socialist solutions. All those socialists who try to gather support from ignorant Muslims everywhere, including Ireland, need to consider the fact that it was Muslims who brought down the giant socialist empire of the USSR. Islam and socialism are two opposing ideologies.
Turning attention to the Arab Spring, the protestors have been asking for only one thing: change. But not just a change of faces, rather a complete change of the current socio-political and economic system. Until and unless we see that happening, there is little reason to believe that the Arab Spring has achieved its objectives. In fact, western neo-colonialism is attempting to hijack the revolution. Look how they stabbed their dear friend Gaddafi in the back!
The sole miscalculation of Gaddafi was that he never thought Nato would intervene and annihilate his army of African mercenaries. It’s an amazing fact that these very western governments had only recently showered Gaddafi’s Libya with praise and gave it a place on the UN Human Rights Council, knowing fully well how Gaddafi treated his political prisoners.
Despite these worries, the precedent that the protests have established means that the Muslim World can and will rise up again, God willing, if another tyrant like Gaddafi or Mubarak or Saleh or Bashar is imposed upon them.
As I mentioned before, the media plays a key role in shaping the understanding and opinions of people. As such, the media has a great responsibility to speak the truth, no matter how bitter it is.
It is time now that the media presents sincere debate and analysis about the real desires of the Muslim World to take their destiny in their own hands, away from the poisonous influence of the west that has divided and destroyed our land and people.
Qasim Afridi is a member of the think tank Glór Moslamach
glormoslamach@gmail.com
