Zafar Bangash
Most Muslims worldwide have deep sympathy for the valiant resistance put up by the Islamic Republic of Iran in confronting US-zionist aggression. This even applies to Muslims residing in countries whose regimes are hostile to Iran. The same is true of many fairminded non-Muslims as well who are appalled at the US-Israeli barbarism.
Let us dispense with some basic facts. The unrepresentative Arabian regimes as well as other so-called Muslim regimes such as Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey are on the side of the aggressors. Under the iron grip of the military, Pakistan is playing a dubious role in try to promote US-Israeli interests.
It was evident in the quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad on March 29 when foreign ministers from Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia met their Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. Neither Iranian nor US officials were present yet the meeting was dubbed as an attempt to broker regional peace.
The US is desperate to create the impression that it wants to end the war. Rising oil prices and Trump’s extreme popularity are driving this quest. Iran has refused to negotiate with the US unless its conditions are met.
Tehran wants a permanent end to war, not just another ceasefire when the evil duo get a chance to replenish their stocks and relaunch the war. It has also demanded reparations for the destruction of its civilian infrastructure and expulsion of US forces from the region by shutting down its bases. Iran also wants a new legal framework for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump is desperately seeking an off-ramp from the war that he and the indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu launched, unprovoked, on February 28. The war is extremely unpopular among the vast majority of Americans. On March 28, nearly 10 million Americans rallied in 3,000 cities and towns against Trump and his disastrous policies.
These are hopeful developments and if the American people continue pressing their demands, Trump may not be able to survive in power for very long. Be that as it may, the real question is: What should Muslims that sympathize with Iran do to help?
There are legal ways to do so.
In business, it is a well established fact that a country whose export earnings exceed the amount it spends on imports, accumulates a surplus of foreign exchange. This is evident in the case of China today. It is also the reason why the US is fretting about China’s rising exports worldwide, especially to the US. This is equally true for much of the rest of the world. China produces massive amounts of goods that the rest of the world needs.
Trump’s tarrifs are a crude attempt to rectify this imbalance but it isn’t working. Instead, it has resulted in higher prices for American consumers. His tarrifs policy has enriched his billionaire supporters while impoverished ordinary Americans.
In the ongoing US-zionist war of aggression against Islamic Iran, what can individual Muslims do to help? The simple answer is to purchase Iranian products. This will help its export earnings. Let us identify some products that are easily available in the market in almost every country, barring the US.
1: There are excellent quality Iranian dates like Mazafati, Fatemeh or Parnoosh brands available in stores. They are of high quality. Most of these dates are organically grown. They taste delicious. People can buy them for themselves and also gift them to others.
2: Who hasn’t heard of Iranian Pistachios? Buy them. They are nutricious, taste great and purchasing them will assist in increasing Iranian exports.
3: There is also Iranian produced zafran (safron). Produced by the flower Crocus Savitus, it has been referred to as the most expense spice in the world. Here is why. It takes about 150,000 flowers to produce one kg of saffron. And it is labour-intensive. It has to be picked by hand. Each flower produces only two strands of saffron.
Tts fragrance is exquisite. Zafran (saffron) can be used in rice—to enhance its fragrance—and in desserts and teas. Again, a pinch of zafran can enhance the dessert’s taste significantly and also add to the aroma.
4: Persian rugs are another popular product. They are world famous. Those who can afford should do buy them. Persian rugs are a lifelong investment. They increase in value with time.
5: In countries where Iranian rials are available for purchase, people should buy them. While people may not be able to utilize them in their own country, this is a way of helping the Iranian currency.
Let us look at a practical example. There are two billion Muslims in the world.
Even if one billion people purchased $100 worth of Iranian rials, that would inject $100 billion into the Iranian economy through their local currency.
True, in North America and most of Europe, this is not possible because Iran has been completely cut off from the global banking system, elsewhere it should work.
It should be borne in mind that Islamic Iran is facing this onslaught because of its steadfast support for the Palestinian people and its insistence on maintaining its independence. In fact, Iran is fighting for the freedom of the entire world from imperialism and zionism.
This is the least people can do to help at the individual level.
Everyone must participate in this struggle that Iran is waging all alone to save humanity from the ravages of the war criminals, rapists and mass murderers.
Iran is the victim of US-zionist aggression. It is defending itself. Islam clearly allows self-defence (Surat Al-Baqarah, verses 192-193). Even western-crafted rules, such as the UN charter and international law, allow for self-defence. Unfortunately, the very regimes and systems that crafted these rules do not abide by them. They are only imposed on their victims.
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