arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

 
Abou Jahjah was a political prisoner and the charges against him are political, this is not only the opinion of AEL and its supporters but also of large parts of the population Arabs and non-Arabs alike. Moe than 200 academics and intellectuals wrote an open letter demanding his liberation and large segments of the public opinion were mobilized in Belgium and abroad in his support.  Luckily the judicial body kept its head cool and did not fall into the trap of emotive politics and panic as did the political class. The court of law decided on Tuesday that it doesn't see any reasons to keep mister Abou jahjah in jail despite the fact that the prosecutor insisted that Abou Jahjah is a danger to the public order.After his release the AEL held a press conference where brother Abou jahjah expressed his determination to continue the clear and activist line in defence of our Community and people and for equal rights and a just world. The AEL president also declared that our organisation will be going through with its plans to take part in the coming parliamentary elections in 2003. The AEL will present together with other partners an electoral list for both the parliament and the senate. The AEL will also go through with all its other initiatives including the civil-patrols in the city of Antwerp that are trying to inform the people against police brutality and if possible document such cases.
The anti-democratic atmosphere in Belgium and the hysteria of the political class against Arab and Muslim activists will not intimidate us. Nor will the unjust repression and witch-hunt that is stimulated by far-right and Zionist rhetoric.
The Arab European League is now incontestably the voice of the voiceless among our Arab and Muslim brethren. This independent and honest voice will not be silenced. The AEL is not Abou Jahjah and if something has been proven through what happened last week is that our organisation can stay operational and even become more active and creative despite the fact that its leader was in prison. They can put Abou jahjah in prison but they can not prevent us from continuing the trip we started with him towards dignity and equal rights.
The Arab European League is open for dialogue but only when that dialogue takes place in mutual respect.  We are prepared to talk to everybody but we are not prepared to drop our legitimate demands just to be able of talking.  Dialogue is not a purpose in itself, it is an instrument and the purpose is justice and freedom. So do not ask us to drop the purpose for the sake of the instrument.The AEL congratulates its members and militants for the high degree of self-control that they exerted during the incarceration of brother Abou Jahjah. Stay alert and ready to mobilise at any moment. The struggle continues.       
    

Keep up the good work, it 's necessary.

One doesn't risk being contradicted by voiceless people, that is for sure. In fact, one can always claim to speak for the voiceless. Nobody can disagree when things are put that way. Huge advantage when making propaganda!!