On the 27th of November 2008, whilst the world’s media focussed its attention on the attacks in Mumbai – the Iraqi puppet government of Nouri Maliki signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the US. Some believe that the signing of this agreement is a victory for the Muslims of Iraq – spelling a defeat for the US and its crony Britain and an eventual end to the occupation.
According to the agreement the US will have to withdraw 150,000 troops from all cities, towns and villages by June 30, 2009 and from all of Iraq by December 31, 2011. Additionally, the Iraqi government is taking responsibility for military affairs in Baghdad’s Green Zone. So-called private security contractors (mercenaries) will lose their legal immunity. US military operations and the arrest of Iraqis will only be allowed after seeking Iraqi permission. The agreement states no US military bases are to be left behind when the last US troops leave in three years time.
Whether or not the US actually implements what it has signed up to remains to be seen. Whatever the form of government the US leaves in place – one thing is certain it will not be to serve the interests of the Muslims of Iraq. Rather the government will be riddled with individuals that are working for the US interests.
Due to the US no longer being able to sustain an indefinite occupation it will have to think again about how it will plunder the natural resources of Iraq. Addressing the issue of the Middle East at a conference Robert Gates the US secretary of Defence said, “I can assure you that a change in administration does not alter our fundamental interests, especially in the Middle East.”
The occupation of Iraq has opened the eyes of Muslims both in Iraq and elsewhere. It has highlighted that the various forms of government in the Muslim world are politically corrupt and unsuitable for actually looking after the affairs of people. Kingships, Islamic republics and dictatorships are not natural forms of government for Muslims. The fact of the matter is that instead of doing what any legitimate government should do – i.e. look after the needs of their people – those in government in the Muslim world are too busy trying to enrich themselves and the colonialists that prop up their seats of power.
The Western world has shown clearly that it and its ideology has failed to look after the affairs of the people properly. They have created an evil form of government that cares nothing for other people’s blood and honour as we have witnessed in Iraq. They have created societies with huge economic difficulties as can be witnessed in the US and Britain after the “credit crunch” – where millions are in debt and risk losing their homes. More and more Muslims are no longer looking to the West for guidance on how to run the affairs of society. Arab nationalism failed in Iraq and led to a weak leadership that allowed the US to occupy it.
The Muslims of Iraq and the rest of the world have no choice. They must implement the Khilafah ruling system- this is their system that represents their deen. Baghdad was once the seat of the Khilafah and after occupation and turmoil needs Islam to be implemented once again. There is no choice for Muslims as to what type of ruling system to have.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلاَّ لِلّهِ
“Indeed, ruling belongs to Allah.” [TMQ 12:40]
And our beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “The prophets ruled over the children of Israel, whenever a prophet died another prophet succeeded him, but there will be no prophet after me. There will soon be Khulafa’a and they will number many.” They asked ‘what then do you order us?’ He said “Fulfil the Bay’ah to them one after the other and give them their dues for Allah will verily account them about what he entrusted them with.” [Muslim]
The SOFA agreement will not bring an end to the misery and suffering of the Muslims of Iraq, nor will the puppet regime that will be installed by the US if it leaves Iraq as agreed. It is only the Khilafah that can return society to peace and tranquillity by implementing Islam.