Yesterday, on 31/01/2014 the first round of the Geneva II Conference over the Syrian issue came to an end, which had lasted one week. The next round of talks "for the time being" is to be held on the 10th of February. Ibrahimi considered this round to form "a very humble beginning...but we can build on it" in the direction of finding a solution for the Syrian crisis that has been going on for almost three years. He added: "The gap between the two sides is still great ... But I've noticed that there is a small common ground for perhaps more than both parties realize" based on ten points, of which the most important are: "That both parties know that they have to set up a transitional governing body with executive authority." In addition to "national dialogue and revision of the Constitution and elections," as well as the "rejection of violence, extremism and terrorism," about which Ibrahimi said that both parties have declared their rejection in their own words. As for the opposition's delegation, its member Louay Safi, speaking on behalf of it, found that: "The only progress that took place is the commitment of the regime to negotiate within the framework of Geneva." He accused the regime that it "does not want neither a political solution, nor does it want to progress in the form of a single point on the road to ending the crisis." While al-Muallim described the opposition as "lacking maturity" and "intransigent on one subject, as if we had come for an hour to hand over everything to them and go."

As for what has been mentioned in the media about the failure of the Conference and the positions being rigid and divided: It is too early to judge that, and it is only a role played by the suspicious, purchased media to make people delve into the details and lose sight of the reality of the conspiracy.

The observer of the Conference's objectives will see that they are all American targets. Therefore the mere acceptance to hold the conference was a means of putting the solution on American tracks, and its mere holding means that the train of the American solution has already pulled out. It means that this trip will drag on until America is done with installing its entire solution on the ground. With this trip the tragedies will lengthen in accordance with the pressures exerted on the opposition through their agent Bashar's usage of bombardment, siege, starvation, horrific massacres and exploitation of humanitarian cases...all to impose the American solution.

This will continue until the opposition does not find before itself but the acceptance of some basic details of this solution. In this regard, it is noteworthy that during only the first week of the negotiations, around 1900 people died. What emerged from differences between the regime and the opposition was not about goals, but about priorities. Amidst the push and pull over what comes first, the "fight against terrorism" as demanded by the regime, or "the establishment of a Transitional Governing Council" as demanded by the opposition - both of which are U.S. demands - America will prepare the ground to implement its agenda to fully resolve the issue. America will do so through the establishment of the Transitional Governing Council (similar to the former sectarian Transitional Governing Council in Iraq). Then they will install an "active" international force on the ground (similar to the international ISAF forces in Afghanistan) to provide support for the national army, whose restructuring America will sponsor and hand over to those of most American loyalty, also promoting the sectarian aspect within the national army. By creating the political governance body, the national army and the international forces, America will have grabbed the reins of the Conference and directed it towards the implementation of its agenda, embodied in striking the owners of the Islamic project, who call to and work for the establishment of the rightly guided Khilafah "Caliphate" that has been ordered by Allah Almighty. Striking this project is approved by both the regime and the opposition, which have to be considered two sides of one American agency.

It is very well known that America is currently the strongest part in the Conference. America was represented by the presence of Foreign Minister Kerry with a delegation led by Ambassador Ford, who stands behind the preparation of this Conference and works to create the conditions for its success. America is furthermore represented in the political assistant of the Secretary-General of the United States, Jeffrey Feltman, who forms one of the pillars of U.S. foreign policy and who was an aide to former American Secretary of State Clinton. On top of that, America uses the Secretariat of the United Nations as one of its tools to achieve its interests. And finally America has the Russian position, which flows into American interest, and the Syrian regime, which has to be considered an American product, and the Syrian opposition that travails to please America. Therefore a big conspiracy against Muslims and a betrayal of Allah and his Deen stand behind this conference. Especially since the declared objective of this conference - which the opposition approves of and vaunts - is to strike political Islam for the sake of establishing a secular, Kaffir civil state, which on top of all will be an American agent, just as is the states of the butcher Bashar and his perished father.

Oh Sincere, Steadfast Muslims in Syria ash-Sham, the Abode of Islam:

America has been calculating this Geneva Conference for three years, during which it procrastinated solutions and ordered its agent Bashar to commit the most heinous, inhuman crimes in your right, because of what you have declared from following an Islamic project. Here is America today, after having prepared its Conference against you, moving on the international stage, for it to be passed through the Geneva Conference. America will order its agent and your enemy Bashar to increase his criminality to make you give in, so that you accept their project embodied in the establishment of a secular, Kaffir civilian rule that serves it as an agent. America harnesses the opposition of the secular coalition that was imposed upon you, and that does not represent you in any way, to accompany it in striking the Islamic project.

Do you accept that?! Just as America has ordered the butcher Bashar, its agent, to strike you, it will order its new agent Ahmed al-Jarba to strike your Islamic project. This reality reminds us of the speech of the Messenger of Allah (saw), who described it as if he were living among us, when he said:

«حتى يصير الناس إلى فسطاطين: فسطاط إيمان لا نفاق فيه، وفسطاط نفاق لا إيمان فيه»

"Until people will be divided into two camps: The camp of Iman that is free from hypocrisy, and the camp of hypocrisy that is free from Iman."

The Shariah requires us to stand against the American Kaffir project and drop the Geneva Conference entirely. And to be with the Islamic project only. Hizb ut Tahrir is a pioneer in the call for the establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate", and the pioneer does not lie to his people. It calls - following the example of the Messenger of Allah (saw) in the call for the establishment of the law of Allah - upon the sincere people of power from the believers, wherever they are, to declare with all power and openly their opposition against Geneva and its outcomes and to unify their work in one goal: to support their Deen through the establishment of a rightly guided Khilafah "Caliphate" State. This is the only correct response that satisfies Allah (swt), and radically changes the conditions of Muslims, so that not a single trace of Kufr remains in the Muslim lands. He (swt) said, encompassing the people of rule from the Meccan immigrants and the people of power and victory from the inhabitants of Madinah:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ * يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُقِيمٌ * خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

"The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success] * Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure * [They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward." [At-Tauba: 20-22]
And He (swt) said:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

"And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct - Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment." [At-Tauba: 100]

News

The Standard Newspaper reported on 31st January 2014 that most Kenyans feel the Government has failed to tame rising insecurity as indicated in a new opinion poll. The survey said Kenyans believe the Government is not doing enough to keep them safe. The poll released early on Friday also noted that Kenyans are unhappy with the way the 10-month-old Jubilee Alliance administration has failed to address the rising cost of living and joblessness. One out of every three Kenyans thinks the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto has performed dismally in keeping Kenyans safe from thugs, terrorists and other outlaws, who have wreaked havoc in the country in recent weeks. The study by Strategic Research and Communications Consulting for Africa Limited lists insecurity, unemployment, corruption and poverty as major concerns. The terror alert issued just two days ago, coupled with increased cases of robbery, muggings, and theft have had Kenyans a worried lot.

Comment

Kenya could turn out to be one of Africa's most insecure nations if the magnitude and frequency of the attacks witnessed today are unchecked. Inequality, weak law enforcement and corrupt justice systems have seen crime rates almost triple particularly in urban areas like Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, with carjacking's hitting unprecedented levels. Nairobi averages about 10 vehicle hijackings a day, with authorities having limited capacity to deter or investigate them. A recent research by the National Crime Research Centre shows that there are 46 criminal gangs in the country. Over 50% of these groups engage in drug trafficking while 34% participate in extorting money and other criminal activities.

In 2013, there were cases of over 40 policemen being gunned down in Baragoi, prominent Muslim clerics executed in Mombasa, tribal clashes engulfed the North and the attack on the Westgate Mall, and they have never been fully resolved. It is a terrifying experience to walk at night in major towns and neither is it secure to walk during the day. There are regular news reports of how businesses are robbed in broad daylight despite having CCTV cameras yet no arrests or efforts are made to resolve them. A recent fiasco to reform the police force flopped with senior police officers being interviewed by a panel that mostly dwelt on financial resources of the interviewees rather than functional capabilities. Now, there are fears the crime wave could stain the country's investment climate. Tourism is the world's largest industry accounting for more than 10% of the world total employment and generates 14% of Kenya's GDP. Indeed, the insecurity risk to tourism was one of the key concerns the government expressed after the Westgate attack that left at least 67 dead including 18 foreigners.

According to the Constitution of Kenya and other relevant laws, functions of county governments do not include matters regarding national security, foreign affairs and education. It comes as a surprise when government functionaries threaten the counties with dissolution if they do not tame insecurity in their areas! This is an indication that the government has failed in its responsibilities and is looking for a scapegoat in the counties. Just as we are nearing one year since the Jubilee government came to power, it is a grim assessment that they would like to wish away. Corrupt cartels are rearing their ugly heads once again, poverty and hunger ravages the arid areas of the north, unemployment is at an all-time high and insecurity is felt in all parts of the country. During the run-up to the general election in Kenya, Jonnie Carson, formerly the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs famously stated that "choices have consequences" and sure enough, Kenya is experiencing them. Since America decided to outsource the so called ‘war on terror' to outpost countries like Kenya, the country has been on the receiving end of instability in the region. Frequent terror alerts are issued by the West that harm the economy leading to unemployment and insecurity while at the same time being forced to use the meager resources to fight America's war on terror. While there are marauding gangs in the North of the country that kill at will, security agencies are being utilized to create a buffer zone/state (Jubaland) in Somali. This is in the false belief that such a state will reduce the threat posed to Kenya by Al-Shabaab. All these are symptoms of a failed system which bedevils the whole world. Since Kenya implements the Capitalist ideology that judges issues based on the measure of benefit together the Democratic system that sedates the populace with false hopes of change, we are likely to continue facing the same problems even if new faces are brought into office.

While the president enjoys massive security, he has relegated the dire situation facing the public to the periphery with too much tough talk but less practical solutions. It is only through Islam which is a comprehensive ideology and system of life that real change can be felt. The Prophet (saw) stated in a hadith that a time will come when a traveler will move from Hadhramut to Sanaa in Yemen fearing nothing on the way but Allah and the wolf. It is this prophecy that Islam will fulfill through the establishment of a Khilafah "Caliphate" state. With all security responsibilities vested in the Khaleefah and vast resources availed to him, the role of the public remains to account him for any lapses that may occur in tackling security matters. Only then will the citizens of a state walk with their heads high and sleep peacefully in the knowledge that their security is taken care of.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Kassim Agesa
Member of the Media Office Hizb ut Tahrir in East Africa