Opinion: Jihad and Unity for the New Year

Saleem Abood, editor-in-chief of Al-Widha daily, wrote an opinion piece published on December 16 in which he called for Arab and Muslim unity against the United States and Israel in 2008. The following are excerpts from the piece.



“Someone asked me why I always accuse America of being responsible for every evil act. I answered him that America is behind all of our suffering. It is the source of our pain, poverty and difficulties.



“What I feel badly about is that some Arabs and Muslims still support America. These people want to turn the Arab-Israeli conflict into an Islamic conflict. But the Americans and the Israelis never differentiate between different Muslim sects: They consider them all terrorists.



“The situations in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan make us adhere to our commitment, despite the pictures of death, terror and fear shown on some Arabic satellite channels. The commitment shown by Hizbullah and Syria has destroyed the notion of an undefeated state of Israel.



“With the coming of the new year, we must remain optimistic. If our enemies try to take away our hope, we will lose our determination to continue the struggle and resistance.”