Mohamed Yahya responds to Alex De Waal regarding his attacks on Darfur Activists

September 17, 2009

Regarding Alex de Waal's blog here: http://blogs.ssrc.org/darfur/2009/09/14/save-darfur-fasting-at-eid/

The following is a response from Damanga to such aggravating criticism:

Alex De Waal’s recent crticism and cynicism towards Darfur advocacy movements in the U.S. are not only illegitimate, but a clumsy conglomeration of pitiful rhetoric.
Mr. De Waal’s publication simply “laughs” at Darfur activist efforts to keep the genocide issue both in the political and media arena through more advocacy campaigns and an Eid fasting movement, arguing that no real change will occur in Darfur unless it arises from an internal, political change. He further cites the entire “Save Darfur” movement as “out of touch” and inhibiting real change from occurring in Sudan.
The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is amazed by such ignorant commentary and saddened by the fact that Mr. DeWaal can simply laugh at efforts to end a humanitarian disaster. Yes, it is easier to laugh and criticize a campaign for change and reform than to contribute a creative mind and a resilient voice to it. However, laughing at efforts to stop years of genocide…that is an entirely different level of ignorance.
The fact that such commentary calls for activists to stop inhibiting Scott Gration’s work for peace efforts in Sudan lacks context as well: Mr. Gration is the same man that denied the genocide was still occurring only a few months ago. How can activists count on him to end a genocide that he does not believe exists?
Perhaps Mr. DeWaal fails to recognize the ironic nature of such comments: if the Darfur issue was seriously “out of touch” and out of the political arena, why does he feel the need to contribute commentary on this advocacy movement if it is so “illegitimate” in the first place?
Damanga also feels that Mr. DeWaal’s comments regarding the Eid fasting movement are ignorant and disheartening. Fasting on Eid is a way for activists to continue raising awareness about the Darfur issue in the domestic arena. As Mr. DeWaal laughs in his commentary at what he considers this ridiculous movement, Damanga would like to draw attention to the following:
First, Alex and his wife and those like minded should not impose their opinions on issues they are not knowledgeable on. Second, non-Muslim activists that choose to fast are a great deal less harmful to the sanctity of Islam than Janjaweed Muslims who kill, rape, and destroy the lives of fellow Muslims in Darfur. Thirdly, such a devout Muslim as Mr. DeWaal’s wife should know that Muslims often make up days of missed fasting immediately following Eid and marry only within the faith.
And lastly, Mr. DeWaal, you are not Muslim; this fast movement is not harming you. It seems that you may have overlooked the minor detail that they day chosen for this fasting movement is both Eid and the UN International Day of Peace- a day known for worldwide peace solidarity movements and action.
Ironically enough Mr. DeWaal, this “ridiculous” activist fasting campaign that you scorn has encouraged you to spread the word to more individuals about the Darfur movement. For this ironic press attention, Darfur advocates would like to thank you.