The Rise of Muslim Media

I remember being glued to the images of the first televised war, the Gulf War, during 1990-1991. CNN beamed these mesmerising images into our living room, and the worlds first 24 hour news channel was born. I can actually recall fond memories of sitting next to my Dad, peppering him with questions and listening to his commentary on the war. I was in standard six at the time, and still too young to accurately grasp the reality on the ground of what it meant to be at war. This new entertainment as morbid as it was, was enthralling.

Then came September 11. This time though, I was a young man, working in a company where I was the only Muslim. I remember having to defend myself, my beliefs, my beard to my co-workers. They were fed daily doses of CNN's dramatic coverage of the attacks, George Bush's war on terror and the Taliban's harbouring of suspect no1, Osama bin Laden. And I grew ever more desperate. Every which way I looked, the media seemed to have a story of an Islamic terrorist, or a fanatic suicide bomber. I began to loathe opening a newspaper or switching on the news channels.

Somewhere in between all of this, Al-Jazeera English had launched. I believe the Arabic channel had already begun sometime in the 90's. But for me, the English channel was a lifeline - that all was not lost. I desperately kept hoping that more and more people in the west would turn it on - and see that Islam was not as portrayed on mass media up to then. The professionalism of the productions and presenters really impressed me. Something inside me, felt proud - Proud that a perceived "Muslim" broadcasting company could pull this off.

As many people have commented, Al-Jazeera has really come into its own, during their coverage of the Tunisia and Egypt uprisings. With them, there has been a host of Muslim bloggers, writers, reporters keeping the world updated on social network sites like Twitter. Names like (Twitter handles) @SultanAlqassemi, @Waelabbas, @Ghonim, @Monaeltahawy. And back home we've had @Azadessa, @Khadijapatel. And many more. These names are etched into our memories, together with the wonderful memories of Tahrir Square. But what has struck me, is that the epicentre of News in the world has taken a distinct shift. Doha, is a real alternative now, if you want your voice heard, and your views expressed to the world. For me, this is quite remarkable. Back then, in the dark days of post-911, it seemed a hopeless cause.

So I watch this silent revolution taking place, and hope that one day, Muslims will again be at the forefront, in this fast moving world. We always hear of the golden age of Islam, when Muslim thinkers developed the principles of Mathematics, Science, Literature. Somewhere along the way, we got lost. We concluded that Islam was to be confined only to the Musjid. And we lost our thirst to be the best. The west certainly overtook the Muslim world in this regard. But in these uncertain times of economic upheaval and capitalistic meltdown, I see a real place for Muslims, to take a leading role in finding creative solutions to the World's problems. And I have my hope back, and a spring in my step - Loading my English Al-jazeera site, proud to see Muslim names, making their mark in the World.

Today, we are all Egyptians

February, 11, 2011. What seemed impossible or improbable barely 18 days ago, has just taken place. Hosni Mubarak, ex-president of the ancient land of Egypt, has stepped down. I am sure that I share the sentiments of most people out there, that were following this whole drama unfold these last 18 days, when I say, it was a moment of such spontaneous elation and euphoria, the moment the news broke out. As it is in such times of great events, I instinctively picked up the phone and dialed my wife. "Have you heard? People are tweeting about it, Mubarak has stepped down!" Someone once said, the reason humans like sharing news like this is, it magnifies the experience while sharing it. I think they were right. Twitter exploded into expressions of joy, thanks, relief, mixed with wonder and amazement at what just happened. I was glad to be sharing this moment, and felt privileged to  have witnessed this great event.

 The ramifications of this #JAN25 revolution, as it has famously been referred to on Twitter, will be very, very far reaching, I am sure. One can almost sense, the uneasiness in all the other corrupt dictators of the world - wondering if their turn is next. The people of Egypt have shown us, the power of solidarity, of believing in their cause, of the immense power of this human will. I think today, I speak for all of us when I say, we are all Egyptians. You have done us proud, our brothers and sisters!

The 1st decade of the new millennium, began with September 11 - And that laid down the theme for pretty much the rest of that decade. This decade started first, with the Sidi-Bouzid, Tunisia uprising and now the  Meydan Tahrir, Egyptian revolution. Let's hope, Insha-Allah ( Arabic phrase meaning - With the will of Allah)  this becomes the decade of spring cleaning, of new leaders, of solutions to the ever-increasing challenges of modern-day life. It hasn't disappointed so far.

For now, lets just celebrate with the people of Tahrir. There is a time for everything. And lets remember the young and old, that gave their lives in this momentous victory.

Open letter to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

Dear Mr Obama & Mrs Clinton,

The two of you have been put in charge of a tremendous country. A country that is at the forefront of many innovations in recent history. Your citizens continuously demonstrate an ability to invent, progress and find solutions to every-day issues like few others. Their inquiring minds have brought us modern day essentials like electricity, motor-vehicles and even the Internet.

But then, this innovation has also brought about a horrifying war machine never before witnessed in history. With huge power comes huge responsibilities. And I am sad to conclude, that the people in charge of this very dangerous machine are failing horribly. I was shocked to learn of the family that had their parents gunned down in front of six children at a US army checkpoint in Iraq. And there are many, many, other stories like this revealed, most candidly, in the wake of the wikileaks iraq files revelations. Ordinary people, like you and I, with the same red blood running in our veins, being butchered down, most mercilessly and candidly in a style reminiscent to playing a playstation game.

My country, South Africa, has seen a marvelous transformation from a horrible past, when our people were put through similar cruelties. I want to tell you, that it is not impossible, to transform your country, to a position of respect and prestige that you once were. It only takes people with the courage to stand up for justice, humanity and truth.

Unfortunately, if you don't do this, like our previous Apartheid regime soon found out, you will only trap yourselves into a corner, and then it will be too late. Oppression and injustice never lasts. We tend to forget, that God almighty, is witness to every one of our actions. And even if we escape a war crimes tribunal in this world, theres no escaping the day when we all have to give account to Him.

So, I call you, to a vast, everlasting success in the next life. Out of the narrowness and fleeting world that you all are fighting over in this world. How long are you going to be walking the surface of this earth? How many presidents before you have come and gone. In a few years time, your term will be over. Do you want to fade into anonymity or be someone like Nelson Mandela, who will linger in the memories of generations to come.

Welcome to Bilderberg

Carbon Tax ? September 2010 saw carbon tax introduced here in S.Africa. Just today, I was having a conversation with Wendy, our kitchen lady, who tells me that she wouldn't even vote. Why? I ask her. She says what's the use.. we have to pay for plastic bags, we have to pay this tax and that tax..for what ?? so we continue to be subjugated. Tell me something..does anyone know where these plethora of new taxes are going to? Part of me wanted to tell her..stop being so negative! We need carbon tax to stop global warming etc etc. HA!

What a sham. Like Obama's "yes we can!" Before I continue, please watch this video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw . You can thank me later.

This is one of the reasons, unlike most people, something inside me wants to support this man Julius Malema. People can call him the ultimate idiot or whatever, but why should we have to assure the Queen that we're not going to make any radical economic changes in the country, as Zuma did. Why should we continue to allow our resources to be raped by Anglo-American? I mean wake up people! These people hoodwink us right under our noses and we just lap up more of the drivel they serve us. I say Viva Comrade Julius Viva. I say we need leaders who actually can think for themselves. Not the puppets we seem to be surrounded by. I say Viva Hugo Chavez. Trust me guys...in a few years, all will be clear. Welcome to Bilderberg.

What's the solution to our current impending disaster? Back to basics. Back to good wholesome family life. Back to getting in touch with nature, growing our own food, saying no to every new gadget the corporate world serves us. Read the true scriptures. Read good literature. Read the Quraan. I'm sure you must have wondered several times, as I certainly did, why "Interest" has so emphatically been outlawed and reviled in the Quraan. Well, in today's times, it is becoming ever so clear. That's the miracle of true scriptures. True word of God. And herein lies our salvation.