INT’L MIDDLE EAST EXPERT: RAMADHAN TIME TO REACH THE VICTORY FOR MUSLIMS

        Jakarta, 3 Sya’ban 1434 / 13 June, 2013 (MINA) – Director of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) in London, UK, Dr. Daud Abdullah stated that the Holy month of Ramadhan is an occasion to reach the victory for Muslims as Allah have helped Muslims recorded great victories in the blessed month in the past time.

       Daud who is also one of the declarators of International Conference for the Liberation of Al-Quds and Palestine in Bandung, Indonesia in July 2012 was interviewed by MINA reporter Widi Kusnadi about the Palestinian issue and the conflict in Syria that have killed much Muslims since a long time ago. The long-distant phone interview also covered questions about the Global March to Jerusalem progress in Europe.

Here are the excerpts of interview.

       MINA : How was the GMJ action in Europe?

       Daud Abdullah : Well, it was held last Friday (7/6) in front of Israeli Embassy in London and the number of people from many organizations participated in the event. It could be a large of turn out, but still acceptable as you know that they have many activities and sometimes they were in clash with one or two other events at the same time. Nevertheless it was attended by a number of Muslims and non-Muslims from Palestinian organizations as well as European and British organizations that supported Palestinian cause including the Palestinian ambassador to UK, Prof Manuel Hassasian, who spoke in the event.

       MINA : What is the reaction from the UK Government related to the event?

       Daud Abdullah : It was not really addressed to the UK government at large, because it was held in front of Israeli embassy. It was a demonstration and so far it sent a message to the Israeli occupation establishments that their claim the Judaism of (Al Quds) Jerusalem is unacceptable, not only for the Palestinians, but also to the international community at large. We showed the march in European cities as well as in Africa and some part of Asia.

       MINA : What is the next program after the GMJ ?

       Daud Abdullah : Well, it is an annual event; you know this is the second time. But I am sure between now and next June, the central committee will organize more march which seek to build up the more support which gradually grow in various counties and what we saw in Middle East countries like Jordan, Egypt and across the African countries, it shows the people are weakened into the reality of Al Quds (Jerusalem), they know the grave danger that faced the city.

      MINA : Can you tell me the participant of the GMJ event?

      Daud Abdullah : As a whole, we can see that the participants of the event are from 50 countries and 60 cities from across the world and I Think it is a kind of miracle teamwork.

      MINA: What is your analysis of the recent situation in Palestine related to the reconciliation in Gaza which was held last week?

       Daud Abdullah : At the moment it was on hold due to the intervention of United States, as we knew that U.S State Secretary of State John Kerry has been to the region (Middle East) five time in the last two months and we have tone to the pattern that whenever in his visit occurred, the whole process of reconciliation in put on hold and obvious reason that American administration does not want this (reconciliation) to be completed because of the stand of Hamas as an Islamic movement. Other reasons they (the Israeli occupation forces) have warned Ramallah that if such an agreement is concluded that all authority of Ramallah will be seized.

       MINA : The recent news of Al Aqsa, Israel has divided the time visit of the visitors of Al Aqsa and we saw almost everyday, the extremist settlers come to Al Aqsa and do worship there. What is your comment?

        Daud Abdullah : That is their proposal. They are trying to effect it and to give it in prominent law and a legal piece. Bur still they are not really inducted this proposal. But no doubt that this is their aim and objective, first of all the proposal is actually not only the time visit as you said, but only the physical construct of the masjid itself as this situation they have done to masjid Al Ibrahimi in Hebron which already divided. I want to you point out to you that there’s a report of Legal delegation from Indonesia was in Israel yesterday and I think that is very worrying development in Indonesia that is actually conduct the relations with the entity.

       MINA : What is the best solution to solve Palestinian crisis?

       Daud Abdullah : It’s a colonial. The resistants are against a colonial project. That is a land that has been taken away by Israel from the owners, colonized by foreigner, by an alliance people and such indigenous people they have a right to freedom, an independence and the ownership of the land. In my view what happened in other part of the world colonized like so in Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambi, this was actually the outcome of the situation of Palestine.

       MINA:Some people think that only caliphate will release al Aqsa and Palestine, what is your opinion?

       Daud Abdullah : In this maybe the correct option I can’t really judge it I think its early priority to restore the land to its rightful owners and they will decide what they want to do to what form of government of political administration they would like in the land.

      MINA: Concerning Syria, many Indonesian think that the Syrian conflict is a conflict between Sunni and Shiite, what is your opinion about that?

      Daud Abdullah : Unfortunately it is not start that way, as you know regime in Damascus has been supported by Tehran, which has very close and strategic relationship with counterpart of Lebanon and as the result the strategic ties it has develop into assumed this sectarian outlook.

       MINA: About opposition itself, FSA, is it right that the Syrian army consist mujahidin that purely struggling for liberation?

       Daud Abdullah : It is a fragmented by constitute in a various element. it’s not unified and the entire opposition u may probably beyond comes from various backgrounds some are secularist some are liberalist some other are Islamists it’s very wide range of forces and why can be it sort of strange, just also a point of weakness all these tendencies and groups.

       MINA: According to news we received, some of opposition parties helped by USA, is it right?

      Daud Abdullah : In fact of the matter the conflict is international one it has involved, the Russian as opposed to the American so it makes more difficult to have military solution because if Russian would put in weapon also american and western alliance put in weapon, this is a tragedy that this country and its people its history has been destroyed.

      MINA: Do you see is there any Israeli intervention over Syrian conflict?

      Daud Abdullah : It has an interest in occupying Syrian territory for the last forty six years this is the first stance that we’ve seen u know in any form of Israeli military disturbance or activity in Golan heights. That activity is great source of worry in the Israeli occupation establishment, but they’re not sure. It seems what to do whether to support the Assad regime or keep the status quo.

      MINA: What’s your message for all Muslims, especially Indonesians to support the Palestinian struggle?

       Daud Abdullah : I think there is an occasion which appears the reflection to prepare ourselves to face the holy month of Ramadhan that we know that Muslims recorded great victories with the help of Allah and I’m sure with our fasting and sacrifices in this month of Ramadhan, we will be blessed with the similar victories.

      MINA: What’s your comment about MINA?

     Daud Abdullah : It’s a great initiative. I can only say that I’m sure you can be success in taking and conduct the news of world. (L/P01/P02/P03/P04/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)