Palestine
There is a flurry of activity and outrage at the current onslaught of the
Israelis in Beit Hanoon, in the Gaza. Muslims around the world are furious and incensed at the open murder and pillage that is taking place. Even the non-Muslim media has been forced make mention of a diluted version of events.

Reports indicate that in less than a week almost 70 people have been killed and over 300 injured, majority of the casualties being women and children. Israeli missiles struck close to a school bus; many elderly citizens were killed
in their homes; locals report that it looks as if multiple earthquakes have struck the area; homes, farm-fields and various infrastructure was destroyed; water was diverted to the only hospital in the area, which was running desperately short of food and medicine; electricity, if any, was erratic and there was no phone service.

Yesterday, the Israeli army claimed to be leaving Beit Hanoon after having ‘discovered caches of arms’. The reality of their withdrawal is quite possibly something much different. Information from various sources indicate that the Palestinians resisted and the Israeli army was forced to withdraw because of their failure to reach their desired goal and the reluctance to be drawn into
a situation which would be long-drawn and would ultimately result in further failures and real losses. Today, they cowardly fired missiles from afar. In addition one group of Israeli soldiers killed, through tank-fire, at least 18 Palestinians and wounded more than 40.

It is important to also note that the Israeli terrorist oppression did not stop
or ease up since the much publicized aggression and killing prior to and
during the Israeli offensive in Lebanon. It was and still is on-going at an
alarming rate, albeit unreported.


Hajj Quotas
The present circumstances regarding various issues affecting prospective
haajis are indeed most lamentable. They have been described as the ‘Hajj Fiasco’, the ‘Circus of the Hajj Quotas Issue’ and in other unsavoury words
and ways, by different community members.

Each party involved in the process - decision makers, organizers, responsible persons or participants- acts with sincere intent.

 The Saudi Arabian Government makes every effort to give rise to the performance of an easy, manageable and comfortable Hajj. It is in this light that they attempt to limit the number of haajis to such numbers which would not make the performance of hajj extremely difficult.

 SAHUC was formed in an attempt to create and implement a system which would regulate the Hajj ‘industry’. It is important that prospective first-time haajis be given priority in the process of selecting prospective pilgrims that would make up the South Africa allocation, and there must be an organized, systematic, comprehensive and just manner of providing for the various needs of the haajis, and ensuring that services promised to them by respective agents are in the best interest of the Haaji and are provided as stated.

 Other independent organizations believe that greater effort needs to be made in order to make the haaji the focal point of the entire process. His needs must be provided for, and every possibility of abuse and exploitation must be eliminated.

 Ulama organizations, whose aim and effort is that of serving the people, contribute in the education of the Haaji and also make various
representations in order to ensure that prospective Haajis are able to
perform their hajj in the most appropriate manner with all of their needs
being provided for.

 The agents try to provide a service to the respective haaji, and whatever
the circumstances most of them consider their work a service and khidmah.
Of course they must receive remuneration for their effort, time and work.
The agents have also been made a necessary component of the process by
the Saudi Government.

Whatever the intentions, the manner in which the chain of events have been played out leaves one with the painful, distressing and unpleasant feeling that results have not been in the best interests of South African Muslims. There were and are no winners.

Prospective Haajis could not confirm bookings until the ‘list’ was revealed this week, less than two months before hajj. Confusion over the quota allocated
to South Africans created and anxious, nervous and suspicious environment which lead to discontent and anger in the community. The release of the names created even more confusion when relatives and members of one
family discovered, to their dismay, that certain family members were on the
list and some not.

The agents felt done in - they were not able to sign contracts in time, since they could not confirm how many people would be travelling with them until the ‘list’ was released. Now, with the list being released, some agents discovered that there are too few prospective haajis, who intended to travel with them, on the list. Consequently, it may not be feasible or even possible for them to take a group for Hajj.

On the other hand, SAHUC was under pressure from all sides, whereas the quota was not in their hands - and if the truth be stated, they did make many efforts to secure a larger quota.

Whatever the circumstances, some steps need to be taken to ensure that the same state of affairs do not prevail next year. As to this year, many questions still remain unanswered. Is there any possibility that the quota will be increased to over four thousand? Will it make a difference if the quota is increased at such a late stage? Will haajis be provided for in the best possible way or will quota excuses be proffered as a reason for lack of preparation by agents? Will Haajis have to put up with compromised services from agents they are forced to go with, because their agent of choice could not take a group? What is the solution to the entire problem?


US Mid-term elections
Did the recent mid-term elections in the United States of America, bring
about the political upset that most commentators were expecting?

This election was most significant for many reasons, foremost among which is that it was to be an indication of the growing tide of public resistance against the continued US involvement in the war in Iraq. In the weeks preceding the election several analysts argued that the election should be understood as a referendum on George W. Bush and his presidency, and more specifically his foreign policy.

Losing control of either the House of Representatives, the Senate – or both, was considered to be of severe consequences for the current administration. Analysts said that it will impact strongly on US foreign policy, where the President will have to consult with a Democratically controlled Senate and/or House of Representatives in terms of military expenditure in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since his first term in office George W. Bush jr. has proven himself to be
prone to Texan Cowboy-style foreign policy decisions, often determined by faulty intelligence and neo-conservative arrogance. The final two years of his term of office could indeed prove to be marred by controversies and difficulties as a newly revived Democratic party will aim to counter Republican policies in order to position itself for the next round of Presidential elections. In this way Mr. Bush will have to learn to work with people, and to actually listen to his fellow Americans for a change.


Crocodile tears for ‘Die Groot Krokodil’?
The passing of the former State President, Mr. P.W. Botha, has opened many old wounds in the South African political landscape. For many, P.W. Botha stands out as one of the most brutal rulers in South Africa’s history who defended an autocratic regime to the bitter end. By giving specific honors to Mr. Botha, such as flying flags half-mast and attending the funeral, Mr. Mbeki
is trying to build bridges. Mr. Mbeki has argued that the contribution he
(P.W.) made to finding ways of embarking on change in South Africa should be recognized. Although this may be an important step to take, it should be
noted the P.W. Botha, and those close to him during his rule, still have a lot
to answer for. In this regard it is noted that he disregarded the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and refused to take any responsibility for actions
of the old regime. In the Afrikaans community many people feel that figures such as him should answer for the deaths of soldiers his government sent to fight in Angola during the 1980s. Although most South Africans will in all likelihood not be shedding Crocodile tears, it should be noted that the
passing of political figures such as P.W. Botha can give one an opportunity to reflect on the challenges the South African nation still faces as it deals with the past while trying to chart a path into the future.

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