"Feisal Abdul Rauf, the American imam who conceived the controversial “Ground Zero Mosque” project, [demonstrates this fact]. Conservative blogger Alyssa A. Lappen describes Rauf’s father, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Rauf as “ an Egyptian contemporary of Muslim Brotherhood (MB) founder Hassan al-Banna” (“Feisal Abdul Rauf”). Dr. Muhammad Abdul Rauf, says Lappen, was a student and teacher at Al-Azhar University “beside Hassan al-Banna, perpetuating the pious family tradition of radicalism” (ibid). When the Egyptian crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood took place in 1948, Dr. Rauf fled the country (ibid). His son, Feisal, was born in Kuwait (ibid).
With Feisal Abdul Rauf, one finds a modern manifestation of the symbiotic relationship between the Islamists and the imperialists that began with Jamal Eddine al-Afghani and his pro-British pan-Islam movement. In 2005, he participated in the Independent Task Force on U.S. Policy Toward Reform in the Arab World (“Bipartisan Task Force Endorses Democracy Promotion”). The task force was sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) (ibid). The imam has developed a cozy relationship with the CFR. At the website of the Cordoba Initiative, an organization founded by Feisal in 2004, the imam’s biography states that he “has appeared regularly at the Council on Foreign Relations” (“Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf”)."
Interesting stuff Karly! I remember everyone was wondering why he was pushing for the so called 'ground zero Mosque' at the time.
It just seemed so counter productive and divisive.
Despite the fact that I know that the proposed mosque was not to be on 'ground zero' but just in the same neighborhood. (Those right wing haters raised a big stink for nothing!)
However, this explains it. He is with them a CFR candidate, another tool in their game.
So , this is easy to demonstrate in the Christian world but what I want, is evidence of the above in Islam (DesertRose, you can help me out). Influential Imams or scholars, whose religious beliefs are, strangely enough a mirror of America's foreign policy. Because I know they are there. I just don't know who they are. I'll give an example but, only then, I think, can we understand if the Middle East will ever be tumult-free, regardless of UN resolutions, treaties, etc.
Apologies, my knowledge on this subject is quite limited. However, I will give it a go.
I remember during the Egyptian elections for example after Mubarak resigned people discussing how the western elite wanted to float 'their man' as PM. However, he was accused of corruption.
Post-revolution exile and corruption conviction[edit]
On 31 January 2011, as part of
Hosni Mubarak's responses to the
2011 Egyptian protests, The government of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif resigned and Boutros-Ghali was replaced as Minister of Finance by
Samir Radwan.
[1][2][3] Then, on 4 February 2011, the IMF reported that Boutros-Ghali had resigned the Chairmanship of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC).
[5]
"On 11 February 2011, just prior to Mubarak's resignation, the
VIP lounge at
Cairo Airport opened to accommodate Boutros-Ghali and his wife before they flew to
Lebanon[6] while other ex-regime officials, including Mubarak himself, were targeted with travel bans, asset freezes, and even arrests. Boutros-Ghali was accused of corruption and an
Interpol international arrest warrant was issued.
[7][8]"
(People were aware about the forces he was aligned with.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youssef_Boutros_Ghali
These candidates for the elite are usually apparent to patriots in most Muslims countries.
Recently ex-prime minister of Malaysia Najib was linked to Goldman Sachs and lost an election to a popular patriot Prime Minister Mahatir due to corruption charges. Prime Minister Mahatir is now the oldest prime minister in office. (Some American commentators noted this event with the wish that this can happen in the US, perhaps no one should vote in your next election to send a clear message against corruption?).
The Pakistani analyst Zaid Hamid discusses and names these stooges in Pakistan.They are apparent to patriots because they always move against a country's best interests.
These people are not as well received in Muslims countries and at the imam level I would say at this moment not at all. Thanks to the over interference from the government in the affairs of the mosques and universities.(However, I should say these imams usually work within a state sanctioned mandate and most of the population just accepts them and their state given addresses and decisions). They are not usually popular with the religious youth.
(Another example at the imam level.)
In Egypt they have 2 groups of Al Azhar scholars the official recognized and the unofficial non state sanctioned ones and people trust the latter..
Ultimately only a trusted person who has been on the ground in the Middle East or the Muslim world will have a better outcome.
I do
not think the ME will be tumult free they are not in charge of their countries especially the Gulf states.
Edit: Qatar is the only Gulf state that is trying to keep peace and good relations in that region and with an predominantly indp. foreign policy.
Nations like Malaysia, Pakistan, Sudan and Turkey among others, however, are fighting for their survival.
Interestingly enough, the imams that 'speak truth to power' so to speak become popular cross culturally and are uploaded on social media everyone is proud of them because the stakes are high that they will be arrested or killed.
ATM the only president that has captured the imagination of the masses is President Erdogan. (Despite Turkey's problematic NATO affiliation or western perception of his moves.)
Video below is against the elite games or chessboard:
Notice how he is well received in Sudan and liked by many Muslim populations due to stance on Palestine and Gaza:
Here he is speaking to the scholars sunnis, shia and others saying this is not the time for sectarianism but the time for peace.
Against the UN
ps look forward to seeing the Vice video, thanks.