Canada must oppose ISIS, al-Nusra
Annihilation looms for Druze in Syria
As we celebrate the 800th birthday of the Magna Carta, several people all over the globe are still struggling to achieve even the most basic precepts of the Great Charter of Liberties.
People in many countries, particularly in the Middle East, are subjected to the most vicious crimes against humanity, and their very freedom, liberty and survival are in imminent danger.
Since 9-11, al-Qaida has mutated into various forms of venomous viruses. ISIS and al-Nusra — fighting in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Lebanon — are but two of the many organizations bent on annihilating people and destroying their cultures.
Five years ago, ISIS and al-Nusra were strongly supported by regional and global government to set up camp and destroy Syria, under the pretext of “regime change.”
Then a few months ago, the world declared both groups terrorist organizations, and formed a coalition to destroy them.
Yet both ISIS and al-Nusra are stronger now and occupy more territories than they ever had. People who live under their hegemony are raped or slaughtered. Their churches, mosques and temples are destroyed and they are coerced to convert to a religion, never heard of before. They claim to protect the Sunni Muslims, but the first people killed everywhere ISIS or al-Nusra occupies are Sunni clerics who stand firmly against them and call on their people to fight these evil forces.
Just days ago, in the Idlib area of Syria, they attacked a Druze village and literally slaughtered 40 Druze men, women and children. They’ve ordered the rest of the Druze in 20 villages to “convert” or face the same knife.
In Southern Syria, where a half million Druze have lived in peace and harmony with their neighbours, thousands of terrorists are preparing to attack the Syrian Suwaida district where most Druze live.
One wonders how two outlawed terrorist groups can move freely in a desert area between Iraq and Syria, yet the coalition forces — allegedly bent on destroying them — didn’t see them while travelling this distance. They’re setting up to attack the Druze under the nose of all reconnaissance planes of the coalition.
One of the largest Druze communities outside of the Middle East is in Alberta. Indeed, the first Druze came to Alberta in the late 19th century and settled in Hanna. Sam Hallaby and his two sons, Stanly and Alex, joined the Canadian troops and, shoulder to shoulder with their Canadian countrymen, fought the evil forces in Europe. Stanly was killed in Italy and his name is listed with pride on the wall of martyrs in Hanna. Sam and Alex returned to Hanna, where their descendants continue to live.
Canadians of Druze origin or those who live in Middle East countries always commit their primary allegiance to the countries where they live. They courageously defend their land, their family and their existence.
As we speak, Druze in Syria are threatened with total annihilation. They will fight valiantly to protect themselves. However, ISIS and al-Nusra are supported by many countries despite the fallacious propaganda pronounced by a president here and a prime minister there.
ISIS and al-Nusra will disintegrate when the sources of their support dry out. Obviously, they are armed, financed and trained in Turkey and Jordan, then they are helped to enter into Syria from both sides, allegedly to “change the Syrian regime.”
After almost five years of killing, destruction, rape, confinement, coerced conversion and the disgraceful destruction of worship places and cultural and historic museums, many countries continue to support them.
Canadians have historically stood against evil forces and many of our fathers, brothers and fellow citizens gave their lives to defeat diabolical groups and to give people of the world their freedom, liberty and basis human rights. Out of respect for their blood, our Canadian government must speak loudly against ISIS and al-Nusra, and support all people fighting for their survival.
Canadians have always cherished that which is right, not what is politically expedient. Otherwise, the personified Magna Carta would shed tears of sadness at its 800th birthday, witnessing that its principles are violated today as they were before its birth.