In a special interview with AMSI Net, Fahmi Huwaidi says that the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq 

(AMSI) is the forefront of the National Resistance Movement in Iraq and the resistance in Iraq succeeded the failure of the new Middle East project, the failure of the occupation projects. 

There is no doubt that the Islamic and Arab world generally live in a difficult situation in light of the foreign schemes which wants to undermine their unity.

The situation of wounded Iraq is also in an unenviable position; in light of the significant deterioration of the politics, security, services and science, the owners of schemes aimed at dividing and fragmenting Iraq conciliated to put invalid resolutions of the projects of war in Iraq…

Thus, these intruders represent a suspicious role in Iraq for the benefit of the forces who do not wish the stability of this country which is thicken with the wounds...

The talk today with a great writer is to be able to achieve through proposals and ideas in addressing many issues that arise in the international arena in general and the Iraqi arena in particular. In addition his writings bear worries Mesopotamia which need it...

The interview is of course focuses on some issues that have had an impact when we met with the great thinker, the leading thinker Fahmi Howaidi. We have opened a dialogue with him commenting on the difficulty that we fumbling. We take our interview in this form because of the lack of conditions and time...

In this interview we will focus on some of the points in the transformations taking place in the Iraqi and international arena.

The following is the excerpts from this interview:

Dear Ustaz Fahmi Howaidi, firstly, let's start the rapprochement conference between sects, which recently held in Doha, from your position and the consequent developments, especially argumentation that occurred between Qaradawi and Rafsanjani...

(AMSI)- At the beginning I would like to ask you what is new in this conference. Is there a difference between this and previous conferences?

I believe the new one is the changes in the Iraqi scene. In previous meetings there was speaking, much more courtesy and friendship phenomenon which was true. By then what happened in Iraq has mobilized many, particularly among Sunni community feeling unfortunately. So I think that the last conference was very important from the point of openness and confrontation not the courtesy.

This is the fundamental difference between the previous conferences and the recent conference.

The new which was introduced by the argument was, first: for the first time there is talk directly between the great Sunni authority and the great Iranian responsible.

Secondly: this dialogue will begin to be identified the agenda.

A dialogue begins means to discuss problems as naturally. Of course it cannot be expected to solve all the problems in a television programme, but it is understood that the door opened in the conference.

The protest and complaint appeared in the television talk mutually started. However, I think that there is a series of steps and dialogues between sporadic sides for developing this process and reach an understanding that allows for the coexistence and mutual respect.

 

(AMSI)- In an interview with al-Jazeera after this meeting you told that this meeting is the first outcome which compiles the nation and the Arab against the idea of occupation. The second outcome was the recognition by the resistance, its legitimacy and mobilizes Arab support? Do you believe that this is outcome?

If noted that the talk of the occupation and the resistance to the occupation supported Sheikh Rafsanjani as saying, "I told and Mr. Khamanai told” and of course al-Qaradawi told that the moral support of this was enough to support the resistance against the occupation.

What is happening on the Iraqi scene now is shameful is under political conflict and the deterioration of security and the deterioration of essential services...

(AMSI)- Do you think that this problem could be resolved by a conference or a workshop or anything else?

I do not think like this. Because this issue is difficult. By the way I want to add new on this occasion to remedy the above. The noisy voice on the Iraqi issue is the extremists on both sides...

Rafsanjani talked with Sheikh Qaradawi who are clever and moderate scholars let’ hear the voice of moderates and sensible...

This is the point. The other point is that I do not think that it -what is chosen- can solve the Iraqi problem. Because we know that the Iraqi problem is originally the occupation. That is, two great sheikhs are not able to expel the occupation from the Iraq.

Bush himself is unable to come with the hopes even though he wants the issue to be more complicated. However at least we call to provide the opportunity of understanding. If we understand about things then this calm tempers and helps at least not to generalize entirely the Shiites and or the Sunnis.

(AMSI)- We go on to talk about the Iraqi reality in the light of the deteriorating security situation. There is a security plan fourth or fifth led by the government forces backed by the occupation forces. My question is what are the reasons for the deterioration of security in Iraq, in your opinion? Is there internal or external factors?

I mean, let us say that Iraq in light of the collapse of authority and the occupation is open to all possibilities sense. There is resistance at home. There are Shiite and Sunni extremists.

There are workers separating and feeding the division. Criminal gangs are operating there.  We have not found out yet the one aspect itself which bore responsibility on what is going to demolish it. But the occupation with destruction the regime, security apparatus and destruction of the army opened the door. The country became open space to which each possesses a weapon, to explore investigates.  One wants to usurp the other one. One wants to discharge his misery one wants to disgorge his accounts and one wants to enact to encounter. All of them are exist in the Iraqi arena.

(AMSI)- You mean the occupation bears the responsibility for what is happening in Iraq?

Of course. In normal course primarily the occupation bears the responsibility if we want to enumerate. This did not happen till the arrival of occupation.

(AMSI)- The intervention of the neighboring countries for instance, is it not a critical role in the crisis of internal Iraqi situation? 

I do not know; neighboring countries, this word has become vague sense that there is a part means there is the neighboring Iran. There is Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, I imagine that this exists and I understand that the neighboring countries for example like Iranian State.

Of course Iran has strategic interests in Iraq. There is 1350 km border; there is a force exceeding 150.000 American soldiers that threaten Iran. It signifies that Americans are interested and concerned from any military aggression against Iran possible. But we must differentiate between strategic interests there are legitimate strategic interests and illegitimate strategic interests.

I do understand to secure its borders, but I do not understand that intervenes more than that. To send Revolutionary Guards, intelligence officers or to do some actions like we have heard in the south of Iraq as using Persian language and all these things are illegal excesses. It is important to determine the position of the Iranian authority.

Perhaps there are practices done by the Revolutionary Guard without reference to the authority but exercised some references. You know that the Shiite references (Marjiiyah) to the independence from the authority.  There is also neighboring countries, as they say, Syria is reference.

(AMSI)- How do you look at the project hailed Iraq's sectarian particularly in the face of the displacement of Baghdad?

Look at. Let me say that the seed of awakened sectarian sedition are Americans.

When the Americans came and formed the IGC (Interim Government Council) in form that is based on sectarian and ethnic those are Sunnis, those are Shiites, those are Kurds and those are Turkmens (Turcoman). There they planted seed and then told this takes Interior Ministry, this takes Economy Ministry, and this takes foreign ministry.

Therefore Americans has the responsibility for the sedition after the occupation of Iraq. 

Of course, no one can accept sectarian government and the distribution of positions on the basis of unreliable population ratios or displacements as is happening in Baghdad, Kirkuk and Basra.

This circumstance is unnatural which breakdowns and doubts in each of these steps.


(AMSI)- Iraqis today live in a constant fear, degradation and significant worsening in the streets in light of the inability to provide security. What is your opinion about this inability?

First inability lies in the question. Where does this government derive its legitimacy? Firstly, their legitimacy comes from the consent of the occupation. Because it is not in favor of the Iraqi people. For this reason that is not a government of the Iraqi people, but the government of the occupation...

Dr. Ali al-Wardi in one of his books talked about who were born during the British occupation during the fall, these people are also the sons of the occupation...

What made us question the legitimacy if we can get any benefit from it as a fait accomplish…

I mean Israel was illegally established, but became a reality...

There was action, and we try to alleviate this reality or from which to draw any interest received negative rights…

It is an illegitimate government, but if they have the authority I would like them to use this power, or can use this power to achieve a measure of security that can provide a substitute for more legitimate and more convincing.

(AMSI)- You Ustaz Fahmi Howaidi how do you read the current Iraqi situation in light of the rising Iraqi resistance of which purpose is to liberate Iraq and to give the sovereignty and independence?

Indeed it is clear that the resistance had halted the American project, and defeated the American administration. The resistance must continue in order to achieve its objectives...

The resistance takes time, and here we cannot to do anything except to appreciate the efforts that foil both the Zionist-American project or defeat all expansionist plans in the region.

(AMSI)- Do you believe that America would reflect later in attacking to any country after the lesson taught by the resistance to start war in the White House and their soldiers in Iraq?

The predictions indicate that what happened in Iraq is like what happened in Vietnam...

It is the result in a recession in the American policy. The resistance in Iraq succeeded the failure of the new Middle East project, the failure of the occupation projects.

Thus, Iraqi resistance led to a recession in the American policy in the future. Because the defeat incurred by the Republican Party, which also rendered them in the presidential elections leading the policy to the contraction not to the expansion.

(AMSI)- We have just briefly talked about the federalism...

I say that there are some parties participating in the government seeking to exploit the deteriorating security situation. They are started the relocation operations, especially in Kirkuk, which is the displacement of the Arabs.

(AMSI)- How do you read these acts?

These are all actions happening under the occupation, which is in every case illegal action.

(AMSI)- What about the project of federalism which nine sectarian parties carrying out in Iraq?

If the federal project on the basis of ethnicity, or understanding on the basis of ethnicity for the Kurds in the north, which is a development of the idea of self-rule that had previously been, is unacceptable in the rest of Iraq. There is not justification, and it is not acceptable by anyone among Sunnis and Shiites...

(AMSI)- You are a thinker and a great writer What is your personal opinion in this matter?

I reject federalism which is based on sectarian lines. But the special situation of the Kurds, who portrays previous autonomy, is no problem if accepted by the Kurds. Because there is a notion of ethnic distinctiveness. However the differences between Sunnis and Shiites in anywhere are not likely portion or differentiate between them on the basis of federation.

If the federalism appears in this format...

(AMSI)- Why this insistence by the government? I mean to establish federalism in the southern Iraq. ? Is it because of oil stocks for example?

Let us say that the division of Iraq into three sections i primarily an American idea; to besiege the Sunnis and disciplines...

Kurds occupy the North, Shiites occupy the south and the center becomes the poor region for Sunnis, those who are resisting occupation so we must punish them and besiege...

Then impoverishment leads to weaken them. The idea that I read in American papers three years ago, now the speech is put forward before…

It is naturally possible to say where to look leaders, fanatic and sectarian tendencies, looking forward to the wealth. Perhaps it is not ruled out. There are some nationalist elements in Iran which are also important and encouraging for this considering the oil rich fields in the south…

I do not think this; but this does not serve the national Iraqi interest. Such diseases are rife on the skin in the case of strong disease. The absence of the resistance when Iraq regain some recovery. All these ideas must retreat.

(AMSI)- In light of these changes, there are projects related to the national points... How do you view the national projects sponsored by the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq (AMSI)?

In every case we must consider that the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq (AMSI) is the forefront of the National Resistance Movement in Iraq. This is the real authority for the resistance.

At the same time the Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq (AMSI) refused to deal either with the Americans with the partnerships in the organizations or projects implemented by the United States on the ground whether elections or government...

And etc. because these partnership projects have legitimized the occupation and at the same time it has weakened the position of Sunnis in the face of penetration to the sectarian politics. Alas, on the other groups.


(AMSI)- What is your advice to AMSI members?

Steadfastness is important. Extent the umbrella whereto establish the largest base of possible national elements. Even if to be the representative of national Iraq containing all groups. I think there is an effort toward this direction.

(AMSI)- One last question. In your opinion how things are going in Iraq and what will you tell about the conjuncture?

It is very difficult to answer this question.

(AMSI)- We want to foretell politically through our interview Ustaz Fahmi.

We are now one fundamental weakness in the Iraqi scene, the weakness of the Arab position and the absence of the Arab position.  Because we see many nations intervene and there is no collective Arab position that is at the rigid degree. I do not tell from the biggest.  This word is difficult. Because it has no longer pride in the Arabic world.

However the intentions are ahead the American projects. But we sometimes do not wish at the present time only two things: First: to continue the resistance, and the second: that to use arms against the American occupation, and not to the Iraqi people.

(AMSI)- Ustaz Fahmi, thank you very much 

Thank you

*****

Interview by Hussein al-Dulaimi

This interview is translated by AMSI Press Department. © 2007