US Media: Weapons of Muslim Destruction
By Muhammad Abbas

WIDELY and loudly trumpeted charges of possessing WMDs by Iraq and its links with Al-Qaeda have proved a hoax. These were only a pretext to invade Iraq. Similarly presence of usama bin Laden in Afghanistan was proclaimed to be the reason for US attack on Afghanistan but Bin Laden is still elusive.

What is, however, proved to be correct is that US media are one of the weapons of Muslims’ destruction. It was, has been and is working as an arm of Bush administration. Islam is continuously distorted and equated with terrorism, oppression and backwardness and a danger for peace in the world by the US media.

The unabated campaign against Islam and Muslims is nothing but one aspect of attempts to destroy Muslim countries and plunder their resources and secure Israel. There is no let-up in Muslim-bashing. In case of nuclear programmes, Pakistan and Iran are being criticized and denigrated but Indian and Israelis nuclear programmes are not only ignored but also shamefully supported. There is so much noise about Pakistan’s nuclear programme but conversely Israel’s nuclear programme is being officially aided by the sole superpower of the world.

The US media seem to be sold out to Israel and India. There is close nexus and cooperation between India and Israel in the nuclear field. Time magazines cover story on Dr Khan of Pakistan is nothing but a hysterical outcry. It is like crying wolf.

The US General Mattis could not be more callous when he expressed his pleasure by killing defenceless and poor Afghans. The treatment of Iraqi prisoners in Abu Gharib Jail and of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay are nothing but cries in the wilderness as far as US public is concerned.

The US claims to bring freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity to the world but contradicts itself in actions it takes in Muslim countries. In order to dilute the American actions, the media is pressed into service. Films on terrorism, hijacking of planes and continuous references to 9/11 in so-called research studies have come in the market.

This activity by the US media is to assure and reassure US policy-makers that they are right. Policy makers need such stuff. One book titled “The Idea of Pakistan” by S P Cohen is aimed at creating doubts about the rationale of Pakistan and distorting Pakistan Movement.

Bernard Lewis is continuously spitting fire and venom against Islam. Bennet Jones ex-BBC man in Pakistan is another media man who has taken upon himself the role of Sancho Panza hitting at the windmills. Thus we have the latest media hype emanating from the US. The latest is Time magazine’s covering story on Dr Khan titled “The Merchant of Menace”.

If Dr Khan is “a merchant of menace” what about large number of European, Israeli and Indian “merchants of menace”? This absurd and factually incorrect story would sell in the West because people have been regularly provided with material which is anti-Muslim and anti-Islam. It is not tolerable to see a Muslim country having nuclear power. It is since Pakistan acquired nuclear capability that Muslim-bashing has registered a very high level.

The US has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to destroy Muslims. One prong is that of media which help create strong public opinion in favour of US anti-Muslim moves and actions. The other dimension of this strategy is to frighten Muslims by show and use of military power and the third dimension encompasses economic straglehold and control over oil in the Muslim world. Slogans of democracy and freedom are nothing but only deception and camouflage to cover the real intention of destroying Islam and its followers.

It is only a mockery and hypocrisy. The Muslim world is being treated in the ways the Red Indians of America were treated. Let us listen to what Victoria Brittain said in the Guardian (London) recently while commenting on G W Bush’s visit to Europe in February 2005.

“Why has no public figure had the honesty to admit that the democracy and freedom promised for the Middle East are fake and mask. US plans to leave Washington dominant in the area”? And why does no one say publicly that what is really happening in the “War of Terror” is a war on Muslims that is creating a far most dangerous world for all”?

It is no more debatable that US media approach the Muslim world and Muslims with bias, prejudice and anti-Islam attitude specially about those Muslim countries which intend to increase their defence capability, want to be economically self-reliant and self-sufficient and refuse to be cowed down by the US pressures of various kinds.

Despite Pakistan’s commitment to side with US war on terror and recognition of Afghanistan, its nuclear programme is under threat. Iran and Syria are also being pressurized for various reasons. Thus India-US and Israel axis is against the entire Muslim world including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. A section of US media is terming Saudi Arabia as part of “axis of evil”.

Everyday, US media carry items that Pakistan’s nuclear programme may fall into the hands of terrorists; Some American think-tanks are saying that (God forbid) Pakistan will be no more by 2015, that Pakistan may be balkanized and that Pakistan may suffer a bloody civil war.

Peace overtures of India and Israel are also part of deception. Iran is next target of US and US media have already launched a virulent campaign against this Muslim country, and US President during his visit to Europe did not rule out military action against Iran. Intellectuals and media in the West have been continuously harping on the tune that Islam is the enemy of peace and civilization and crusades were recalled to whip up anti-Muslim hysteria. In this campaign Western media forgot all its so-called objectivity and fairness and has willingly joined US war on terrorism which is actually war on Islam.

History is repeating itself. Eighteenth century saw the march of colonialism and in this march media of the Europe were on the forefront. Now American colonialism is moving in Middle East and other Muslim populated areas and US media are playing a similar role.

The Washington Post was more openly aggressive in pushing the case for war. Former Washington Post columnist Colman McCarty described how the Post, was loyally rallying around the Washington elite and aggressively beating the drums for war against Iraq. The writers like Bernard Lewis are the mainstay of a publishing industry that brings out anti-Islam publication.●

© 2005 Muhammad Abbas