Peacenow Posted April 26, 2007 Again, keep it short, well written and hard hitting. Short and sweet. Independent Newspaper News Desk - newseditor@ independent.co.uk Foreign Desk - foreigneditor@ independent.co.uk Editorial Martin King - m.king@ independent.co.uk Africa Steve Bloomfield, Africa Correspondent- s.bloomfield@independent.co.uk Currently in Sudan-His number is +882 165 201 8897 Anne Penketh - a.penketh@independent.co.uk Writers Robert Fisk - r.fisk@independent.co.uk Johan Hari - j.hari@ independent.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peacenow Posted April 26, 2007 Foreign Affairs Magazine Propbably the most important journal for international affairs Gideon Rose Managing Editor grose@cfr.org Stéphanie Giry Senior Editor sgiry@cfr.org Daniel Kurtz-Phelan Senior Editor d.kurtz-phelan@cfr.org Sasha Polakow-Suransky Associate Editor spolakow@cfr.org Kamal Sidhu- Assistant Editor ksidhu@cfr.org Tel. +1 212 434 9503 Ann Tappert - Copy Editor atappert@cfr.org Lorenz Skeeter - Production Manager lskeeter@cfr.org Ib Ohlsson - Contributing Artist iohlsson@cfr.org Rosemary Hartman - Assistant to the Editor rhartman@cfr.org Mary Davis - Editorial Assistant mdavis@cfr.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 26, 2007 ^^Peacenow, I really don't know how to thank you. You and Xanthus are really doing superb job. I think we also need to find away to influence think-tanks to carry out research on this on-going catastrophe. Anti-war coalition and student bodies (such as the socialist students) also need to be informed so as to help in organizing a massive demo. Most importantly, the MCB and other Islamic orgs can play a great role. I have some contacts with some Islamic bodies and University ISOCs. I will try to contact them. If you know anyone in this orgs please arrange to meet them and explain what is happening to them. Then we can meet up all at once, all of us plus the contacts of these organisations and bodies to discuss further plans for a massive demo. I am sure my former Uni's Somali society would be able to arrange a meeting place, other university Somali societies have enough resource also. Lastly- do you know any contacts of Somali or Islamic student association in a university or college? If you do- please try to contact them. I will do that myself. Thanks a bunch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peacenow Posted April 26, 2007 Telegraph Newspaper If you call their switchboard, and ask for the journalist by name, they will connect you through directly with them. Mike Pflanz - Africa Correspondent, Nairobi miike_pflanz@yahoo.co.uk David Blair- Diplomatic Correspondent david.blair@telegraph.co.uk Michael Smith - News Editor michael.smith@telegraph.co.uk George Jones - Political Editor george.jones@telegraph.co.uk Simon Heffer - Acting Comment Editor Simon.Heffer@telegraph.co.uk Ian MacGregor - Deputy Editor ian.macgregor@telegraph.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peacenow Posted April 27, 2007 Originally posted by Paragon: ^^Peacenow, I really don't know how to thank you. You and Xanthus are really doing superb job. I think we also need to find away to influence think-tanks to carry out research on this on-going catastrophe. Anti-war coalition and student bodies (such as the socialist students) also need to be informed so as to help in organizing a massive demo. Most importantly, the MCB and other Islamic orgs can play a great role. I have some contacts with some Islamic bodies and University ISOCs. I will try to contact them. If you know anyone in this orgs please arrange to meet them and explain what is happening to them. Then we can meet up all at once, all of us plus the contacts of these organisations and bodies to discuss further plans for a massive demo. I am sure my former Uni's Somali society would be able to arrange a meeting place, other university Somali societies have enough resource also. Lastly- do you know any contacts of Somali or Islamic student association in a university or college? If you do- please try to contact them. I will do that myself. Thanks a bunch. Good idea, Paragon. Approaching, Think tanks and influence makers is a excellent start. We need to identify them next. Who is the most influential, has the most clout, who is connected to whom. It's like a matrix. I will create a database of these bodies and the the members of the media, whom we can sway. If for example, we can link it via location, we can prehaps create a network of members and groups in those cities, who can articulate the message we have to this people. If the 'target' is in London. London members will need to gather and meet this person and present the case. I say that, as I would presume, the large part of these people to be influenced will be in London, USA. Best guess. I will create a XLS file of these contacts, we can feed on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Lily- Posted April 27, 2007 Good job guys, everything I was going to say has been said. Why isn't this in General discussions? People tend to avoid Politics section I think targeting policy research orgs (their reports are usually widely cited and tend to influence gov officials) and local MPs will help greatly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 27, 2007 ^^^Start writing young lady . Peacenow, I am working on collecting the relevant think-tanks that we need to target. Most noticably, Chatham House is the most prominent one. This think tank has access to world leaders and top media contacts. I am drafting some letters, Insha-Allah. This is not to forget other equally important think tankers and opinion leaders. Right now, I am trying to get hold of a Somali brother who is also organizing a demo in London. For that reason, I think the time and how to coordinate it would have to wait untill we consult with him and other Somalis organizing demos. Insha-Allah I will update you on how things go. Pray they go well, Insha-Allah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 28, 2007 First: I have spoken to several contacts and one of them is a fellow who represents 'Rajo Political Party' www.rajo.org.uk, who has told me that he knows of two upcoming demonstration. One of the demonstration is scheduled to take place on the 19th of May while the other has not yet been scheduled. I didn't know there existed 'Rajo Political Party' but the chap has show a great deal of willingness in a bid to coordinate efforts. This coordinated efforts needs further discussion. Xanthus, you will have to have a say here. Second: I have been able to get the support of a friend who has offered to design all the posters/graphics required by this campaign. Third: I am very hopeful that by tomorrow, I would be in contact with different wide-ranging orgs, bodies and pressure groups that may come in handy. Insha-Allaah, I am hoping Xanthus also has contact details of MCB MPACK (very important - they are very vocal and effective) and Islam Channel. ----- Below is two among the letters I have been sending to various media out lets and local MP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 28, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: Insufficient BBC news coverage of Somalia. I am a British Somali with grave concerns over the carnage and destruction that is visited upon my people and country. I am very much in need of information regarding the on-going Ethiopian shelling of my country’s capital city, Mogadishu, Somalia. As resident of the United Kingdom, the BBC Television is my prime source of news on domestic and international issues. Lately, however, and as regards reports concerning the carnage in Mogadishu, the best the BBC Television has done was to treat the plight of my people and country to the news marquee. While thousands of Somalis have been killed in indiscriminate Ethiopian bombing and tens of thousands have fled, the BBC has maintained a restraint, which almost seems meditated, over the airtime spent on informing the public about the reality in Mogadishu. Why is the BBC maintaining such a guarded restraint over what is happening in Mogadishu? Is BBC’s independency to make its own news agenda according to public need no longer applicable in the case of Somalia? Please tell me what action the BBC can take in covering this particular issue. The lack of sufficient reporting significantly reduces the chances of thousands of internally displaced refugees getting humanitarian assistance. Please contact me via ------ Thank you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 28, 2007 Dear Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms MP As one of your constituents in East Ham, I am writing to inform you of my grave concern at the ever increasing violence in Somalia, which seems conveniently ignored by world leaders and the media. In the name of 'war on terrorism', an American sponsored Ethiopian invasion, which is engaged in indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, is causing the deaths, destruction and displacement of thousands of weak women and children. They have had their civil human rights violated, beaten, killed and chased out of their homes and villages. This is happening with the knowledge of our government and the European Union, which is partly funding Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Here is a link to warning given to the EU over war crimes over Somalia aid Therefore, as my democratic representative in the House of Commons, I kindly call on you to, firstly, act and put pressure on our government ask Ethiopia to withdraw its troops from Somalia and thus minimize the genocidal Human Rights violations carried out by Ethiopian troops and the TFG. Also, to pressure the Ethiopian government and the TFG to allow relief organisations the access to deliver much needed foodstuff to the hundreds of thousands displaced. Current Ethiopian and TFG policy to refuse the NGOs to deliver food to those who need it most, may precipitate the 1993 mass starvation in Baidoa, as suggested by The Independent's article ( Somalia facing humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands flee capital ). Please bear in mind that this issue affects many of your constituents and speaking on their behalf would be of paramount importance. As you may be aware East Ham is home to many Somali families whose view you represent. I am certain that you would ensure our concerns are expressed through you. Please treat this issue with urgency. I would be eagerly looking forward to hearing from you. Yours Sincerely, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peacenow Posted April 28, 2007 Paragon, you have done a great job. Well done! You have pointed out the BBC. I have noticed that too. Not once, when the genocide was occuring, did they place Somalia in the main front news page. I can't understand why, it would be the one organisation, I would have thought, would be blaring on all fours. For your note, I have copied your letter template and used it to email some BBC people, I know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 28, 2007 ^ Yes peacenow, the BBC is frustrating really. They don't seem to give a darn about what is happening in Somalia. Even their coverage nowadays seems disdainful and rehearsed to give the impression that nothing serious or important can happen in Somalia and to Somalis. Peacenow, tell me how it goes. Will post responses Insha-Allah. Thanks again for doing what you do. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Keep up the good work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 28, 2007 A message I sent to MPACUK. Brothers and sisters if you wish to send an e-mail to any Muslim organisation in the UK, you can use my message and simply replace the MPACUK word with the relevant Muslim organisation or Muslim body. Thanks. ----- The news of Muslim lands in flames and Muslim peoples in turmoil is extremely distressing. The bombings of towns and villages in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan have gone beyond shock and dismay. The broadcasting of horrific images of Muslim suffering and the proliferation of oppressive foreign policies in Muslim countries is starting to numb the reactive senses of the Muslim mind. Attendant fears seem to have paralyzed the majority of Muslims into slumber. It is the loud and conscientious voices of Muslim individuals and minority organizations (such as MPACKUK) that must wake the Ummah from this debilitating slumber and silence. Cut and run policy on problems we currently face is not a viable alternative. Unless we speak with one voice and face realities in all attentiveness, us in the United Kingdom, or others in Muslim countries, we will remain sitting ducks. Training, awareness and preparedness in defending our rights, is the only path to pursue. Although I greatly sympathize and support the cause of all the Muslim Ummah, I would appreciate if, brothers and sisters in MPACKUK would kindly gauge their attention on what is happening in Mogadishu, Somalia. Currently, nothing short of genocide is being conducted by an American sponsored Ethiopian invasion. Thousands are dead and their bodies are rotting in the streets of the city; hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced by an indiscriminate bombing (partly done with the help of an AC130 bomber plane); and the occupying Ethiopian troops have refused any humanitarian assistance to be delivered to over 500,000 refugees, which may precipitate mass starvation, as witnessed in 1993 when 5000 people perished due to hunger. The American sponsored Ethiopian occupation is not allowing Media presence, and arresting local journalists and becoming Radio/Television stations, hence the silent suffering of Muslim brothers and sisters in Somalia. Only Al-Jazeera Television is secretly operating in Mogadishu. However, since its audience in the British public is not as great as the BBC, MPACKUK could help publicize the atrocities committed in Mogadishu in the name of 'war on terrorism'. It is of paramount importance that the British public and all EU citizens are made aware of what is going on in Somalia because the UK government and the EU are partly sponsoring the Ethiopian backed Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Thank you brothers and sisters at MPAKUK for the great service you are currently providing to British Muslims. May Allah be with you in all of your endeavors, amin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted April 28, 2007 Originally posted by Xanthus: You can also have a self set target similar to the one below to go with your letter: ACTION PLAN 1. Try to obtain a target of 1,000 signatures or as many as you can by say Friday 2. Arrange an appointment to see your MP in your local area by either telephoning their office or emailing them via www.writetothem.com . Tell them that you wish to meet them in their open surgey 3 . Try to insist on face-to-face meeting. However, if this is not possible for whatever reason, make a photocopy of your completed petition sheets and post it to them together with a cover letter. 4. If you meet them, present your petition to them as a measure of how strongly you and your fellow constituents feel on this matter, and ask them for three commitments: What is he going to do, now that he has heard your concerns 5. Chase up your MP until you receive a written response from them. Once you receive a written response, please share the response, then we can measure who supports us and who does not. Good action plan. I am getting ready to get into the business of collecting thousands of signatures from tomorrow. Just preparing the paperwork. Insha-Allah I will also be paying a visit to my local MP. I am also going to write and visit George Galloway, Jon McDonnel (my former MP- shouldn't be hard as I know him in personal)and Jeremy Cobbyn. Additionally, I shall make in contact with cross-party committees and shadow foreign miniters of the conservatives, the Lib-Dems and the Green party. I will also try my best to make contact with 'Independent Diplomat' and 'Chattam House' thinktanks and the Royal African Society based in SOAS university. Pray for me nomads. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xoogsade Posted April 28, 2007 ^ You should highlight to them the need for Ethiopian Troops to pull out bro, Major factor in gaining Somalia back on its feet. You have my prayer saxib. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
