S.H.MOULANA Courtesy The Island

After the 2003 illegal invasion of Saddam’s Iraq by Bush and Blair, followed by the ousting of Gaddafi by the West in 2011, we saw an uprising in Syria, which has so far taken more than 400,000 lives of fighters as well as innocent civilians, by bombs dropped by foreign powers supposed to be there to bring peace to the country. Now the country remains in ruin. Iraq faced the heaviest bombardment which killed over 460,000 Iraqis. Although the rulers of those three countries were dictators, they did not rob their country’s wealth but did well for the inhabitants.

Most importantly, the three rulers of these countries Saddam, Gaddafi and Bashar Al Assad, respectively never tolerated terrorists within their borders, and the people were absolutely free from any threat of the extremists. Communities of diversified faiths coexisted in an admirable atmosphere. Sadly, the countries are now infested with various extremist groups which have created division among the communities unlike before.

Many Iraqis now repent losing Saddam and his national campaign for eradication of illiteracy. UNESCO awarded a prize for the Saddam government’s achievement in this field. Education was made free for everyone in Iraq from grade one to university and further. He made Iraq one of the leading oil producers. Government employees were given pieces of land for them to build houses. Water and electricity were made available in every city and village in Iraq. All industries flourished during his rule. Healthcare was made absolutely free. A crippling sanctions were imposed on Iraq after Saddam’s mistake of his attacking Kuwait.

For 41 years until his death in 2011 Gaddafi did some truly amazing things for his country and countrymen. He helped practically all member countries in the African Union. Libya too, like Iraq, had free education and healthcare for all citizens. He carried out the largest irrigation project in the world. Every new born child and mother got US $ 5000 from the government. Electricity was absolutely free and petrol sold at rock bottom price of 0.14 dollar per litre.

Syria prior to the current upheaval was one of the major suppliers of fruits and vegetables to the Gulf countries and other neighbouring Arab countries. Now it is in dire need of these products for its survival. Thought of all what the Iraqis, Libyans and Syrians enjoyed just few years ago are tormenting them now. So, who created this mess? It is the West with their adventure in the pretext of introducing democracy!