“Help the oppressor and the oppressed. By stopping the hand of the oppressor you help the oppressed, and also help the oppressor's soul by stopping his oppression.”

 

Saifullah (Martin) Mubanga was held without charge for over two and a half years at Guantanamo, before he was finally released in January 2005. In this extract, Saifullah recounts his experience with the I.R.F. (Immediate Reaction Force) and reflects upon his experiences in Bosnia. [Click here to view Part 1]

"Detainee! Detainee! You must comply with commands.
Your time is up".
I looked at the sergeant and pondered his demands.
I was angry yet calm. I was ready to fight.
"Not today, Sergeant; I’ve got at least ten minutes.
If you don’t like it, then you can come in,
But I think I should let you know I've got no intention of letting you win.
Someone's going to be in pain tonight.
Because it’s a matter of fact, Sergeant, Detainee 10007 is ready to fight."

I had been known to spill blood and shed tears for many a futile cause
Prior to embracing al Islam, in dunyafied (materialistic) wars.
So standing there in Guantanamo Bay,
Facing the guards, would I run, would I sway?
Perhaps I was about to shed blood for not one but many wars.
Perhaps some would have felt that this was nothing but another worthless cause.
But not only for one reason but for many reasons good
Helped me to make that decision, why I remained, why I stood.

**
Shall I tell you of a time in Bosnia where I wanted to engage
With those who did spurn Allah and his Messenger, and had shown hatred and rage?
Back in 1995, it was making the front page,
So I decided to set off and head for that stage.
I also wanted to engage with those who indeed did yearn to follow al-Islam.
I wanted to experience its magical charm.

A hadith comes to mind: “Help the oppressor and the oppressed. By stopping the hand of the oppressor you help the oppressed, and also help the oppressor's soul by stopping his oppression.”

 

1 2 3 4