As Salaamu Aleikum comrades! - Checking in

[Dhul Fiqar]

Hi all, just wanted to check in here since I just signed up.

I live in the PRC (Beijing to be exact), have a history of socialism, anarchism and subversive thought and speech. My favorite cause is that of the oppressed Palestinian people being massacred as we speak. I spent a couple of weeks in Palestine last month, left around the time of the original incursions into Ramllah.
If anyone is inteersted in rallies or something of the sort in my area, feel free to be in touch.

Maha Salaama,

--- G. Raven

[Raztro]

Wa Alaykum Salam Comrade, Welcome to the forums.

[Dutch Commie]

Welcome to Che-Lives!

[Fires of History]

Great!

Beijing eh? WOW! Damn would I love to stop by for a visit. Where are you from originally?

I've enjoyed your posts so far, welcome Comrade!

[Dhul Fiqar]

Thanks for the welcome comrades :)

I'm from Iceland originally, but I left it in disgust, it's completely dead weight politically. Absolutely nothing happening apart from some teenage socialist and pro-Palestinian movements which I took part in to a limited degree. I lived in England, spent a few months in Holland, and now I live in the PRC like I said.

You are of course welcome to visit! The beer is great, the government is pretty cool and the people are incredibly friendly. It's also quite amazing to stand on Tiananmen when they raise the flag at sunrise, on special dates they play the anthem and read what I believe are excerpts from the Little Red Book (my Chinese isn't too great).

It's just too bad how quickly things seem to be moving towards a capitalist economy, but there are strong movements against that speedy transition within the CCP ("the party"). As long as they manage to set up a good social-security system things will be OK.

Anyway, thanks again for the welcome :)

--- G. Raven

[Dutch Commie]

where in Holland did you spend those months?

[Nateddi]

Welcome comrade

[Dhul Fiqar]

In Den Haag, Dutch. I loved it, too, and hope to move back some day :)

--- G. Raven

p.s. where in Holland are you?

[Kunkelz]

Living in the People’s republic of China?
Wow comrade, tell me is the country as bad as the media says?
And what do the Chinese people think of communism?
You live in a interesting country, really.

[Dhul Fiqar]

Hehe, no it's not as bad as they say. It's actually a very nice place to live, friendly people, good beer and all that.

The main problem is of course poverty and creating a viable social security system. The whole economy was geared around the "work unit" system and the western-imposed restructuring of the state-owned enterprises is causing a lot of lay-offs and lost pensions and is really hurting a lot of innocent people. There have been some protests in recent weeks, and that's only the beginning. If they don't get back to their roots, slow down the economic boom to make sure no-one is left behind, they could have a huge problem on their hands.

It also annoys me how much the government tends to kiss up to everyone in the world these days, but I hear that's part of their "just you wait" policy. The thing is, the most dangerous time for China is now, when they're growing into a super-power. Some say in 20-30 years they will be the biggest economy in the world, and the only way to stop them from doing what they want in the future is to stop them now. So if they can just keep everyone happy for a few decades, who knows what kind of a proletariate paradise we have in store ;)

Most people aren't interested in politics and the young people associate it with their parents, something old and boring. Once the incredible economic boom wears off a little bit, however, it will become very important for people to make up their mind as to what kind of country they want to live in.

Of course, 99% of all predictions don't work out and that one percent is blind luck, especially when it comes to a secretive country like the PRC. All in all I want to trust the government, and for now I will.

However, I seriously disagree with their policies in criminal justice, such as handing out death sentances for drug violations and their treatment of certain ethnic minorities leaves a lot to be desired. If you look at the situation in other countries around the same development level, however, the PRC is actually doing pretty good.

Anyway, I'm sure there will be a China thread sooner or later, so we'll speak about this again :)

[TheDerminator]

Welcome!

Why not start a thread on China Urself? Don't want to debate the above in the lounge!

May the Force be with U!

[pastradamus]

lol,good to see u here

[Son of Scargill]

Godan Daginn,Komdu saell?
I read a book years ago,by a Canadian journalist(can't remember his name exactly,Fraser something)who was working in Beijing for a few years.One of the many things that stuck in my mind was how,generally,the people looked to the future in generations,rather than the 5(or 4,or3)years that seem prevalent in western society today.Is this attitude the same,or similar,today?
(Sorry Derminator,I had to ask.)

(p.s..Apologies for the spelling,but my pronunciation is worse.Vertu sael!)


(Edited by Son of Scargill at 10:20 pm on April 24, 2002)

[Dhul Fiqar]

Whoops, sorry it took so long to answer you, Son of Scargill, I haven't checked this thread in a while!

I sure as hell didn't expect anyone to greet me in Icelandic, but takk kærlega fyrir :)
How the hell did you pick that up??

About the generation thing, there is a definite tendancy to use it to bring the timeline into perspective. I'm afraid I don't speak enough Chinese to know if it comes up all the time in day to day conversation though, but it wouldn't really surprise me.

It's kind of strange for us to imagine being completely immersed such an long and cohesive history, it really brings people together. The Communist Party plays on history and nationalist sentiments quite a lot these days, especially during the Party anniversaries.

Somone once said that Chinese have never devotedly embraced any outside religion because being Chinese is more than enough to fulfill most people's spiritual and social needs, the culture is so all-encompassing.

Anyway, I'll start my China thread soon :)

--- G. Raven

[Hayduke]

Greeting my Comrade........

Well like I alread saw is that my homie Dutch comie already asked you all bout your months in Holland.
Live in Utrecht myself.

Altough Im a bit late with introducing I wish you pleasent stay.

Cheers

D-Day

[Al Fidai]

Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullahi wa baraktu
ma sahul khair
nice to meet you comrade,i have recently decided capitalism is in compatable with Islaam,i would love to talk with you, ALLAHUMMA TAHIRIL MASJID AL AQSA WAL QUDS.
Fer mas salama ya aqui

[DaNatural]

Dhul how can u come on here and greet everyone with the proper Islamic greeting and then in your next post talk about how great the beer is in europe? I'm so sick of you hypocrites who come on here acting as if your muslim and then talk about your "Kafir" actions. smart up and stop disrespecting.

[Al Fidai]

Be careful danatural it is a grave thing to lable a muslim a kafir or a hypocrite without proof,if it is not true then you have slandered amuslim and the sin falls on you,besides a muslim doesnt become a kafir unless he commits shirk or denies a fundamental aspect of islam or slanders the prophet or is ashab or family.You shouldnt jump down someones neck if you percieve a wrond action,you should give naseeha as prescribed by islamic etiquette.this is the way of islam.Fer ma salama. Thank you sincerely Al Fidai

[DaNatural]

salaam al fidai, dhul spoke about how great the beer was in beijing. That is totally un-Islamic. He is a munafaqeen and this term when applied to him is undeniable. I am so sick of these people who come on here and say there this or that and then have the nerve to disrespect a religion. Go back and read one of his posts on this thread and you will see what a hypocrite he is. Also I am not jumping down his neck, if a muslim in private indulges in substance abuse then that is his own problem and I'm sure he is dealing with it, however, to come on here and brag about something that is taboo in Islam is ridiculous and I will not sit around and take it. Peace

[CheGuevara]

Hey hey hey, be careful. They may cut off your hand for slandering him!

[Al Fidai]

Danatural i can understand you being vexed,but still to call someone a munafiq unless he commits shirk or any of the other major sins consistently and then he has to be tried by a learned imam.you first need to correct your brothers it is not up to us to condenm.read the precepts of the Ahlus sunnah wal jamaa'ah by shaik naasir al aql,orexplanation of the creed by Al-barbaharee,or the correct islamic aqeedah by shaik abdul azeezibn baaz

thank you Fir mas salama ya aqui

[DaNatural]

Greetings Al Fidai I understand that I am in no position to judge, however, I am not criticizing a humble man who knows he sins. Rather I am attacking, and rightfully so, a man who comes on here and bragged about how great beer is. Any Imam or scholar will tell you that any man promoting alcoholism or any other un-Islamic act is in line for condemnation.
You act as if this person comes on here and begs forgiveness or as if he is trying to get help. No! he is coming on here and bragging, therefore, I see fit to attack him. This man is not a Muslim, heck I am not Muslim either but I have studied it thoroughly and have enough respect for it to not come on here and pretend to be. while at the same time talking about acts which are alien to it.
He thinks because hes attended some rallies about Palestine that makes him a Muslim or gives him the right to act as if hes one. I'm sure he probably doesn't even know the five pillars. People like that need to be called out and you yourself should take the initiative and do the same my friend. Peace.

[Son of Scargill]

[Quote from Dhul Fiqar]
Religion or Faith (if applicable &/or if you wish to say): Christian family, though I am personally a lot more interested in Islam, but not really committed to any faith except belief in justice.
[Unquote.]

[DaNatural]

well put SOS, however, being interested is one thing but, pretending to be and then making a mockery of it is another. That is what my beef is. peace

[Dhul Fiqar]

Sorry if I offended you, and sorry I forgot about this part of the forums and let this thread go on for so long without responding.

I never pretended to be a Muslim, but many of my online friends are pious Muslims and I have in the past months greeted everyone with Salams, as I obviously want everyone to walk in peace.

I think calling me a munafiq is a bit harsh, but that's your perogative. I read the Quran regularly and believe in God, but I don't pray, I do drink beer and I do commit various other sins.

You however, have come in here and assumed many things wrongly. I don't consider myself anything because of attending rallies for Palestine, I have never had the opportunity to attend so much as one such event. I do however have good friends in Al Quds and Ramallah, and I was there just two months ago, so it's an issue I don't take lightly.
I think you were a bit presumptuous in assuming I "didn't even know what the five pillars" were, and completely uncalled for. Message me if you want to know about me, don't assume I'm an idiot and blindly post your assertions on the matter.

I'd also like to point out that I have Arab friends who always greet each other with traditional Salams and yet drink beer and are not Muslim. A few are actually PFLP Communists, but that's another story.

As for bragging, I don't understand how liking beer and stating it is bragging, when it's the simple truth. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but it's a fact that I do drink beer regularly and hiding it serves no purpose.

Anyway, sorry if I offended either of you, I have the utmost respect for Fidai and hope to get to know DaNatural in the future.

Maha Salaama

--- G. Raven

p.s. as a sidenote, I assumed DaNatural was Muslim untill you said otherwise, so I guess we're both "guilty of pretending" in that sense




(Edited by Dhul Fiqar at 12:08 am on May 11, 2002)

[DaNatural]

hey great response Dhul. The reason i was offended was because i used to be Muslim and it still offends me when people misuse religion. Or pretend to be something when they are not. Well no hard feelings and I apologize if I came off harsh I merely was trying to make a point that many people forget. peace

[angry]

Sæll félagi, herna já þú býrð í Kína, staður sem mig langar mikið til að heimsækja,
en sagðistu ekki vera nýr hérna? það stendur að þú sért með 125 pósta herna, en það skiptir ekki öllu,
ég sá að þú minntist á að þú hefðir verið aktívur í ungmenna sósíalista hreyfingum herna á fróninu? geturu sagt mér hvernig á að komast i samband við þær..? kv. *Á. Hrafn

[Dhul Fiqar]

DaNatural:
Great! I was hoping we could resolve this, I fully understand your feelings on the matter of misuse of religion, it's all too common these days. Peace, dude.


angry:
Sæll, veit ekki alveg hvernig er með að nota íslenskuna hérna, svo ég held ég skipti yfir í ensku :)
I'm not 100% where Malte stands on the use of foreign languages here, but just in case I think I'll respond in English :)

I wasn't as active in the movements as I'd like to have been, but there was a youth Socialist movement in Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð which an old friend of mine was heavily involved with. I showed up for some functions and stuff a few years back, but since he's graduated I'm not sure if it's still active. I think MH is probably your best bet for finding young socialists, though.

My favorite organization in Iceland these days has to be Ísland - Palestína at www.palestina.is, they've held some impressive rallies that I unfortunately had to miss because I'm here in China. I am a member though.

In addition, there was a coalition of "radical" elements in student politics in HÍ, University of Iceland. It was called "Haki" and mostly comprised of hard-core communists and anarchists. I've met their self appointed leader, 'Þórarinn Haki', a few times and he was always real nice. Not sure what they are doing these days, but I heard he started some kind of anarchist club in place of the 'radical' one, and they even ran for the Reykjavík elections under the anarchist banner four years ago. He's a pretty weird guy sometimes, but quite fun to talk to :)

Regarding my post count, I am actually relatively new here but I post quite a lot :)

Anyway, it's just funny to meet another Icelander here! To answer your questions from the thread we met in, I'm 20 years old, live in Beijing and "Dhul Fiqar" was the double-bladed sword of Muhammad, which he gave to his little cousin Ali, the fourth Caliph (or the last 'righteous' caliph, depending on who you speak to).

Anyway, if Malte says the Icelandic is OK, I'd be happy to use it, but it seems a bit unlikely since we could really post anything and no one would understand :)

--- G. Raven

[Derar]

hey Da-natural , u r being too harsh here on dhul fiqar ..... he is a cool dude .

and if he drinks , that doesnt mean that he is kafer or munafeq or something ....... coz im a muslim myself , but i drink !!
i know it's a great sin , i know i know ......... but i drink !!
so if u gonna call kafer everyone that drinks , it means u gonna call 75% of the muslims today kafereen !!

And hey , there is something in ur post that disturbed me ......... u were attacking dhul fiqar , but u said that u WERE a muslim ?

[Derar]

And hey Dhul fiqar , it's nice to see u here ........ and if u want , or anyone here any help or questions about islam or anything just ask ...
though im not a religious muslim , but i know much !

im gonna post something in the chi-chat i found on the web , u might wanna check it out ........

Salam comrade !

[Dhul Fiqar]

Cool, great to hear from you Derar, but I think we already resolved the munafiq issue so I'd rather just let sleeping dogs lie and let peace rule this semi-Ummah we have gathered here in this thread :)

I'm currently reading the link you posted in Chit Chat with great interest, Derar, and it's great to know I'm not the only one interested in Islamic issues around here, and more unfortunately not the only sinner when it comes to alcohol either ;)

Anyway, I look forward to great discussions on Islam in the future,

Salam comrades!

--- G. Raven

[Derar]

this is way off topic ....... but do u know an icelandic band called ( sigur ros ) coz they rule .... ive heard only some songs for them , but my gf is a big fan !

if u didnt get this song ( Flugufrelsarinn )

[Dhul Fiqar]

Lol, don't worry abotu going off topic in this thread, it's all over the place already, and it's just a general "Hi, I'm Dhul Fiqar" thread anyway.

Sigurrós are our latest, greatest hope abroad! I think they make great music and hope they don't sell out to make it big overseas.

Flugufrelsarinn is actually my favorite song by them (It means fly-liberator in case anyone didn't know. That's fly as in the flying insect.) :)

Where did you hear about 'em? In any case, it bodes well for their attempts to make it overseas, I don't think they want to live in Iceland their whole lives!

--- G. Raven

p.s. An old classmate of mine (a really nice guy btw) was dating the singer for quite some time, but I'm not sure if they're still together. No surprise he's gay from the way he sings though, I guess ;)

[DaNatural]

Peace Derar, wel like u said if 75% of the muslims drink then yes they are munafaqueens. The Qu'ran even says it is worse to be muslim and commit sins then to be a non believer and commit them. I'm lost on your last point direct at me though. YOu said that you were disturbed because I was muslim or did you intend to say that I used to be muslim. ANyways write back when u can. P.E.A.C.E
Power Equality Allah Cees Everything