I received this text message from a friend who fortunately is one of those who has not only read history but also never forget it.
“Richard the Lionheart fought the crusades against Muslims who were valiantly defended by Salahuddin Ayubi. In operation LionHeart, who is lion heart in present context? Can somebody ask Gen Ather Abbas?”
Since, I was running fever and hadn’t watched TV or read newspaper for a couple of days; I ask him that what operation Lionheart is? He informed me that joint operation of Pakistani and ISAF forces in FATA is named operation Lionheart. I then forwarded that text message to my favorite hosts and was lucky to get reply from two of them. In their reply they told me that they would ask the question as the next day they were meeting Gen Abbas in Seminar in the Capital. To my knowledge, till these lines are typed, no has asked this questions on-air, may be due to the censor policies of their channels.
However, the messages like these are roaming through cellular network;
“Now the crusades against Muslims of Pakistan and Afghanistan have been named operation Lionheart after the title of crusader King Richard who fought against Salahudin Ayubi for four years and massacred each and every Muslim in Al-Quds when he conquered it for a brief period. The US Army, NATO and (some of the words are edited here) our own army are operating together under the operation Lionheart, there is no doubt left for the real Muslims and Pakistanis to recognize who their clear enemies are! If you love Islam and Pakistan now is the time to stand and fight for our Faith and Country.”
We can easily call these text messages, the views of radicals, extremists, illiterates, conservatives, enemies of free society and social change and so on. But we can’t deny the truth that speaks very loud between the lines. Whether it should be a matter of our Faith or not, it’s debatable as there are the people who still believe this is “our own War”. But what is the reason and intention behind naming an operation against Muslim, no matter extremist or moderate, after the name of a cruel crusader KINGS?
It’s a new world, a cyber world, an era of information. I hope our forces and agencies would not loose their energy on making way out to shut the month speaking truth, but answering these simple question such as;
- Why has a joint operation in FATA named after crusaders?
- Is this a Slip of pin like the slip tong by Mr Bush right after 9/11 when he termed the war on terror as a Crusade?
- Is it a deliberate act of western forces who think that Muslim masses would be stupid like their leadership and would have forgotten their history?
My friends are suggested to visit the following links for reading about Richard Lionheart. It will be also healthy for those responsible for dealing with western powers to visit the recommended Links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/richard_i_king.shtml
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/crusades.htm
http://www.templarhistory.com/richard.html
http://www.jasarat.com/unicode/detail.php?category=8&coluid=241
Especially this one, Slaughter in the Desert
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/lionheart.htm
Comments
59 responses to “Operation LionHeart”
Solidify,
You forgot to say anything about another error I made in one of my comments:would think blogs and comments their on or supposed to be Essays in the ‘kings English’ style : )
Dear Sir(Hassan Abbas)
If you do not consider the above essay scholarly than what else is?
This is just a quick note to say ,Thank you.I was waiting for your post.I am at work right now.
I have printed the whole essay ,it is an esay to be read in peace and quite ,I will also read the links you have posted and will get back to you .
I am so much obliged for you to take time out and type the above ,the best I can do is to read and learn.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME and teaching.
Solidify,
I never reply to purpose less comments,they do distract from the discussion- don't you agree?
Dear Sir( Hassan Abass)
Read all three articles and firs would like to appreciate that like a true historian you have written without any prejudice.
What a surprise blogging is and what a blessng in disguise it has proved to be for me that I am having these history lessons from you.
These essays are extremely valuable for their chronoligical order and the continuety of discussions.Must appreciate your patiance and I appologise that you have to put up with people like me.
Cannot thank you enough for compiling these essays and and also that you are an open minded person ready to share yur knowledge.I also appreciate the fact that you have posted these on Indian Blogs ,our problems are mutual and it seems for to attain the glory of the past both countries have to rise above the pettiness and smaller issues and work together at least to avoid the trappings of USA and the rest.
This is my first lesson in the WORLD HISTORY and what a lesson.I do feel I still need to read these essays over and agin for the thought and the events are condense.Every word and sentense carries the history within it.
THANKYOU is small word but do not underestimate the GENUINENESS OF IT ,at least this time.
My view on USA,Well at present ,instead of celebrating OBAMA I am relieved that BUSH ERA has come o an end.
For Mr.Bush has created so much hate and divide in the world.When STOP THE WAR MARCH took place in London ,I participated in it.ONE banner caught my attention ,it had written the names of at least Hundred countries which USA has attacked directly not to mention the dropping of nuclear bombs.
In those protests I was particularly surprised to see British reaction to USA.On the march way were of course Mc Donalds ,I was surprised to see ,no one bought anything from there and people threw their empty bottles,tissue papers etc infront of the Mc Donalds and many stopped there to register the hate against the Capitalist Hunger of USA.
Also in the Rally I met a citizen of USA who had flown particularly to attend the Rally and to observe the reaction of people.My discussion with him was quite interesting.He said that USA has double standards of democracy even within its own country,the parts of USA which it been acquired as a result of invasion on its neighbours are showing signs of resentment.It is just starting now ,he said people are showing unease on the government stress on using uniform accent of the language through out the country towards which many have started to resist now.
Well discussion with him was a surprise for me.Otherwise meeting US citizens,I find them happy go lucky guys,they have hyper pride and feel they are direct decendents of gods to exploit the world resources.Evrything is right for them and wrong for others.
American Marines are another phenomenon,once in tube a guy tried to apprach a seat in a busy carriage ,untill he manouvered the position another guy took it and this person thought it was his birth right because he said,”You do not know who Iam ?I am Us marine.
The other guy in his accent said,”You do not know who Iam ,
I am an Irish.”
Given a choice I prefer Britain over USA though for britain has far better values in terms of morality ,ethical values,humanity,justice ,civil rights and literature.
USA is even becoming more distorted,In recent times I have read reports where the war is going on in USA that Alliains should be part of the syllabus and should be taught in the school sylabus as theory of evolution of humans.
We sure do know where USA is going?Doom and gloom is within this country.I do not know which opium they live on surely it is not ideas ,research and dialogue.Their jokes are regarding sh** and bull sh**.Well the problem is youth of todays world finds it funny.
An interesting article on the subject:
“shair dil naheen salahuddin banyay”
1-http://nawaiwaqt.com.pk/urdu/daily/nov-2008/26/idarati1.php
2-http://nawaiwaqt.com.pk/urdu/daily/nov-2008/27/idarati1.php
3-http://nawaiwaqt.com.pk/urdu/daily/nov-2008/29/idarati1.php
4-http://nawaiwaqt.com.pk/urdu/daily/dec-2008/01/idarati1.php
This operation is necessary to deal with the heavily armed and very violent Bajaur Taliban. Pray for its success and support Pakistan Army against lunatic terrorists.
Don’t seek excuses not to support Pakistan Army.
people do not like mercinaries. dear!
for the support of general population one need the valid reason of fighting.
this war is fought due to scare of a super power, temptation of an acceptance in western world and ofcourse the dollars.
i could not understand why the paksitani army can not hold their pants when some thing come from america?
what make the our lion looking general and jawan, behave like a lamb?
why this sher daler army is unable to respond the drone attack?
Incredibly interesting read! Honest..