MRN

The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country. The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

The iron wall

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Uri Avnery

(source: Counterpunch)

Something odd, almost bizarre, is going on in Egypt these days. About 1400 activists from all over the world gathered there on their way to the Gaza Strip. On the anniversary of the "Cast Lead" War, they intended to participate in a non-violent demonstration against the ongoing blockade, which makes the life of 1.5 million inhabitants of the Strip intolerable. At the same time, protest demonstrations were to take place in many countries. In Tel-Aviv, too, a big protest was planned. The "monitoring committee" of the Arab citizens of Israel was to organize an event on the Gaza border.

When the international activists arrived in Egypt, a surprise awaited them. The Egyptian government forbade their trip to Gaza. Their buses were held up at the outskirts of Cairo and turned back. Individual protesters who succeeded in reaching the Sinai in regular buses were taken off them. The Egyptian security forces conducted a regular hunt for the activists.
The angry activists besieged their embassies in Cairo. On the street in front of the French embassy, a tent camp sprang up which was soon surrounded by the Egyptian police. American protesters gathered in front of their embassy and demanded to see the ambassador. Several protesters who are over 70 years old started a hunger strike.

Sheikh raed salah gets 9 months

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

(source: Haaretz / Y-Net News / VOCfm Online)

sh_raed_salah

A Jerusalem court on Wednesday sentenced Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, to nine months in prison. Salah was convicted of taking part in an affray and assaulting a policeman during disturbances at the Temple Mount in the Old City in Jerusalem.

The Islamic leader was arrested in February 2007 after protests over planned improvement works at the site, which houses the al-Aqsa mosque and is holy to both Muslims and Jews. According to the court, Salah spat in the face of a policeman, saying: "You are all racists and murderers, you have no respect."

Joint press release

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

South Africa’s Condemnation of Israeli Air Strikes on Gaza

The Media Review Network (MRN) and The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) acknowledges Government’s condemnation of the latest air strikes by the Israeli defence force on the desperate and destitute people of Gaza.

This statement is a step in the right direction towards restoring the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self determination and independence The severity of the seige imposed upon the Gazan people is such that mere political rhetoric and lip service cannot bring about the much needed relief to end the tragic unfolding of this humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions. In addition the illegal Zionist regime in occupied Palestine will be building another wall, this time along the border with Egypt, to ensure that no African illegal work or asylum seekers enter the Zionist entity. This is clearly discriminatory and racist.

We believe that it is time the South African Government steps in line with the Tripartite Alliance, who have been supporting the campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the racist, illegal Zionist regime.

We sadly note the perilous position of the Palestinian people is rapidly deteriorating as a result of the inhuman siege imposed by the Occupying Force. Short of some decisive action by the our Government, the dangers faced by the beleaguered Palestinians will be compounded beyond measure.

Ibrahim Vawda
Senior Researcher,
Media Review Network
Tell: 012 374 6987
Cell: 072 295 0088
E-mail: webmaster@mediareviewnet.com

Nabeweya Malick
Public Affairs & Media,
Muslim Judicial Council
Cape Town
Cell: 083 408 1157
E-mail: pro@mjc.org.za

Gaza what are promises of humanitarian aid worth?

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Stuart Littlewood – London

(source: Palestine Chronicle)

We keep hearing from the British government that they have spent £millions in humanitarian aid for Gaza. But nobody is saying exactly where the money has gone and who benefited.

Of course, if they had done what they were supposed to and (with the rest of the international community) made sure the Palestinians were left in peace to run their own affairs with their homeland intact, there would be no need to endlessly raid taxpayers’ pockets for aid.

Here’s the text of a letter to foreign secretary David Miliband…

“Some two months ago, on 10 November, Lord Brett announced that the British Government had "pledged £30 million at the Sharm el-Sheikh conference, of which £20 million was allocated for reconstruction and £10 million for early recovery. We are already funding a number of early recovery projects, such as cash for work schemes employing people to clear rubble and repair agricultural roads, and expect to spend the full £10 million allocated for this purpose by March 2010. However, due to restrictions on the entry of building materials into Gaza, the UK has not yet been able to spend any of the funding earmarked for reconstruction. We stand ready to provide support as soon as the situation improves, and continue to press the Israeli Government for improved access to Gaza for aid, aid workers and reconstruction materials.