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.

Mjc press statement arrest war criminal livni

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

The invitation extended to Tzipi Livni, Leader of the Kadima Party by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) to visit South Africa displays their callous insensitivity for the lives lost during Operation Cast Lead (OCL) in 26 December 2008 to 18 January 2009.

This operation resulted in the loss of life and maiming of Gazans during air and land attacks on civilians in their homes, schools and hospitals. We therefore fully support the Media Review Network and Palestine Solidarity Alliance with their legal process to have Livni arrested and prosecuted. This is possible and necessary as South Africa is a signatory to the Rome Statute. South Africa cannot host an individual with a track record of aggression and violent subjugation on a nation already weakened by Israeli imposed sanctions.

As citizens of this country, we object to this invitation forwarded to Livni by the SAJBD as it portrays their disregard for the values and standards of human rights, dignity and respect which our democracy affords us.

Further the SAJBD cannot be allowed to celebrate and hail an individual who led and justified an offensive condemned by international human rights groups eg. Human Rights Watch, Red Cross, UN Relief in Gaza whilst our honorable leaders of our community such as Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Judge Goldstone and the ever increasing international community continue to mobilize support for the people of Gaza.

MUSLIM JUDICIAL COUNCIL

Tel: +27 (0) 21 6844600

Fax: +27(0) 21 696 5154

Address: P.O. Box 38311, Gatesville, 7766 Cape Province, South Africa

E-mail: mediadesk@mjc.org.za

Website: www.mjc.org.za

Press statement the arab world pot on the boil

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Firoz Osman

The Media Review Network is inspired and astonished at the rapidity of the uprising against the unelected and unrepresentative rulers in Egypt, Algeria and Libya following the ousting of the despotic Ben Ali leadership, in Tunisia, a few weeks ago.

The revelations of the Palestinian Papers, leaked by Al Jazeera, demonstrates the depth of depravity of the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, who were being moulded by the Israelis, the USA and the UK, into another corrupt regime to serve the interests of the Western masters.

These36are reminiscent of the Iranian Revolution in 1979 which changed the dynamics of the regional and international world order. In fact, these sensational36in North Africa have the potential of having an even broader impact on the role of the power-brokers in the Middle East.

The retreat of the US military in Iraq, its failure in Afghanistan, the rise and brilliant outmanoeuvring of the US by Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, and the failure of Israel to crush Hamas in Gaza, all point to the weakening of the vice-like grip over the oppressed Arab masses.

The thrones of the illegitimate rulers of the region have undoubtedly begun to sink in the shifting desert sands. But more than them, it is the illegal, Apartheid entity of Israel that has been protected by the illegitimate Arab regimes that will feel most vulnerable.

There is the possibility that the dictators and the sponsors will use immense brutality to suppress or manipulate the leadership of the uprising, but there is no doubt that a threshold for the downtrodden masses have been reached. The foreign policies of the Western world led by the USA, UK and Israel have obviously failed miserably.

The MRN urges the South African government to consider the new reality of the volatile region and engage robustly with the movements such as Hamas, Hizbollah, Ikhwan-al-Muslimeen and Al Nahda. Given our still admired struggle credentials, South Africa can make a much-needed contribution in the region.

Press statement

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

Tzipi Livni Cancels her trip to South Africa!!

By Iqbal Jassat (Media Review Netwrok) & Naazim Adam (Palestine Solidarity Alliance)

The Media Review Network and the Palestine Solidarity Alliance welcome the news that Tzipi Livni, former Israeli Foreign Minister and part of the Israeli war cabinet cancelled her trip to South Africa.

Although the announcement sights the strike in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem as the reason, we recognise that the decision by her to cancel her trip stems from her realisation of a possible arrest in South Africa, for war crimes and crimes against humanity, as a result of her direct involvement in Operation Cast Lead, in the Gaza.

Whilst we remain committed to the prosecution of Israeli war criminals, we will continue to lobby for global justice and justice for the Palestinian People. We take this opportunity to thank the groundswell of support we received from important constituencies including Amnesty International, Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Muslim Judicial Council, Coalition for a Free Palestine and others.

Sleeping arab giant stirsUSfears

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Yvonne Ridley

(source: the ugly truth.wordpress)

The Arab world’s sleeping giant has finally woken from its slumbers after years of being drugged and mugged by the West. Having witnessed – and experienced – first hand the brutality of the Egyptian and Tunisian police and their undercover stooges, I can tell you that the uprisings of the masses took real courage. Over the years, dictator Hosni Mubarak has traded on their fear using some of the foulest methods of intimidation imaginable. But like their counterparts in Tunisia, the Egyptian people are losing their fear and tearing away the chains of oppression. The Pharoah’s police state is now teetering as a second day of protests begin.

Whatever the outcome over the next few weeks, I think it is clear that America and Britain can no longer manipulate and control the politics – or lack of it – in the Middle East.

Washington’s silence over the weeks of civil unrest on the streets of Tunisiawas almost deafening, so when Barack Obama chose to congratulate the uprising only once Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s plane was in the air, his message of support rang hollow. Today he urged the Egyptian authorities to show restraint.

The world’s most powerful man’s weasel words tripped from his lips as blood was shed on the streets of Cairo, Assiut, Alexandria, Mansura, Tanta and Aswan as the people faced down 2.5 million uniformed and plain clothes thugs using water cannon and teargas.