LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA FROM HASSAN DAHIR AWEYS

UNCLAS E F T O ASMARA 000034 FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER SO ER SUBJECT: LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA FROM HASSAN DAHIR AWEYS The following is an informal translation of the letter to President Obama from Sheikh Aweys, head of the hardline faction of the ARS resident in Asmara. A copy of the Arabic text was sent to the desk on January 26. The original has been pouched to the desk, registration number 4666720 Post appreciates the assistance of Embassy Sanaa in providing the translation. Begin text: In the Name of Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful Praise be to Allah And Peace and Blessing be upon the Prophet, and his Companions Third letter: Letter of advice to Barack Obama on the day of his inauguration as President of the United States of America. When I heard and followed your speech during your inauguration, I found that your speech carried new visions toward Muslims which encouraged me to offer you this advice. What is terrorism? What are the reasons for it? How to deal with it? And, who are the terrorists targeted today? Terrorism: Two types: Defamed and desired: Defamed terrorism is the killing of a human being, fighting him with no right, taking his money, or intimidating him unjustly and out of aggression. Muslims call this type of terrorism Muharabah (fighting),and those commiting it are called Muhariboon (fighters),or bandits. The Islamic judgment against them is known. Or fighting to evade paying rightful dues, or for the purpose of coercing others to give up what is in their hands. Desired terrorism is fighting for a lawful right such as fighting for a cause of Allah, self defense, or against perversive aggressors on earth. This type of terrorism is desired and loved by all nations across history. Causes and types of condemned terrorism: Arrogance, jealousy, desire, and doubt. Arrogance is what caused the Fascists and Nazis to fight all nations, take over their lands and wealth, and for that reason, the Second World War commenced when man felt he had enough weapons and financial strength. Jealousy is what caused the Serbs to kill Muslims (Bosnia-Herzegovina). Desire is what caused those colonial countries in past centuries to occupy people, and impose their authority on the whole world. Doubt is when one thinks that he is fighting for a rightful purpose when he is not, as the fighting of a group of the Prophet's (Peace Be Upon Him) companions in Damascus (Syria) �A;against a similar group in Kufa (Iraq). Muslims call these fighters aggressors, and fighting them is also known. Or, fighting for power, and Muslims call this a sedition fight. Or, fighting to take money, kill people unjustly, or intimidate them. In Islam, this is called Al-Hirabah, (fighting belligerents). Fighting to force the payment of rightful fees as alms (charity) in Islam. How to deal with all of these: After proving evidence against them, repel and fight them, or repel any other possible method. This is agreed upon. And who are the terrorists of today: I don't doubt, and don't think any reasonable people doubt, that what is meant by the term "terrorism" and "terrorist" is Islam and Muslims of today as they fight, despite their weakness, war of the weak. The strong usually accuse the weak fighters with distasteful names so as to alienate, find a reason to fight them, and solicit as much assistance from others as possible against them. But what is the reason for that war: No doubt, Muslims see themselves maltreated by the West, deprived of their rights, stripped of their land, oppressed politically, socially, economically, militarily, morally, historically and scientifically. They were even deprived of the industrial boom that included the whole world, and it became a red line they cannot get close to. They either give in to the painful reality that only adds to their humiliation, or move. And, if they want to move, how? Either with advice and preaching! Only a few are affected by this method. Books and articles in newspapers and magazines, plays, stories and others? Not too many are affected. Politics and political parties? This is relatively stronger (more effective) than the previous, and achieved some kind of change, but the West stood in the way, and fighting became a necessity for them as they found no other effective or permissible method. The fight is unmatched (unequal), unorganized, and unauthorized for them, and they are terrorists any way. Fighting for Muslims Fighting for Muslims is a type of worship as they have a promise from Allah (God) for one of two good outcomes (of life): either victory or martyrdom for the path (cause) of Allah. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for them to surrender and raise the white flags as the Germans and Japanese did. If a group is martyred, others carry the flag and so on. If they all are killed, they receive their full rewards from Allah. Also, they look at this life as nothing, even if their homes were destroyed and wealth taken, as their real homes are in the hereafter. They also believe that fighting is an obligation upon each individual when the enemy is on their land. That is why they fight as individuals and groups, young and old, women and children. However, they adopt extremely good war principles including peace with the peace giver, war with the warrior, honoring promises (commitments),good treatment, fairness, and kindness. They are well known with these characteristics in history. There is another reason that made them hate the West, especially Americans, and that is their creation of the Jewish State in the middle (east?) oppressively, offensively, and displacing and killing of Palestinians for these people. My advice to you toward them is the following: ¶1. Withdrawal of all foreign forces from their lands (from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and others). ¶2. Offering a new reconciliation with them. ¶3. Allowing serious political change from the corrupt governments in their countries. ¶4. Opening scientific processes in commercial, politcal economic, military, and social fields, ¶5. Place responsibilities upon them, and not consider them unfit. ¶6. Give them the rights you would like to have without preferring over them with dicussion on the potential improper (unclear). ¶7. Fair resolution of the axial issue, which is the Palestinian issue. ¶8. Abandon your persistence not to resort to Islam for settling issues as it is an obligation upon them. As far as Somalia is concerned: We complain of Americans on the following issues: Extending to Ethiopians finance, military, media and political support against us. Fighting and killing of the Somali people from land, sea and air. Supporting warlords against nations, especially Muslims. Supporting corrupt governments of that nation. Failing those selected by the nation, who are expected to repair what has been damaged by people. Lack of respect for the choice of our people, especially if the choice is Islam. We want you to respect our choice as you would like to be respected, and assist us towards charity, God-fearingness, justice and kindness, and not towards sin and aggression, and not assist our enemy against us. Peace. Hasan Taher Awes Chairman Alliance for Reliberation of Somalia Asmara, Eritrea 22/1/2009 26/1/1430 (Hegira) MCMULLEN