The Unyielding Spirits Of Muammar Qaddafi And Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

By Dr Maqsood Jafri

Dreams of a progressive Muslim World: The leaders who dared to challenge the Empire

I saw a historical photo on Facebook wall of these two great Muslim revolutionaries, who wanted to liberate the Muslim world from the tenacity of Imperialism. They had decided to unite the Muslims and make them face the challenges of the modern and progressive world. As Qaddafi was against monarchy and had toppled the regime of Libyan King Shah Idrees, all Arab monarchs turned  against him as they were fearful of his revolutionary ideology. His “Green Book”, had given a new political, economic and social system based on equality, justice, progression and  freedom.

It was in 1983, on the invitation of the government of Libya, I participated in an International Conference in Libya. The conference was held in the university of Ben Ghazi. I got an opportunity to meet Muammar Qaddafi. He was very impressive personality with meditative eyes. It was seven days session. In the last session of the conference, he gave speech for two hours, which was full of political wisdom and dealt with international political issues. He looked like a philosopher.

My speech was appreciated by the audience as it was revolutionary, rational and eloquent. When I returned, the intelligence agencies contacted me, tried to intimidate me and reprimanded me for visiting the conference held by the government of Libya. As Qaddafi was a great friend of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and had the Apex Conference of Muslim leaders and rulers invited by Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, which is known as Islamic Summit Conference, Lahore.

General Zia was against Qaddafi. Anyone who visited the Embassy of Libya in Islamabad, was chased, harassed and kept under surveillance by the government agencies. So, I was always under surveillance. I was directed to appear before the Punjab Secretary of Education Mr. Sadiq at his office in Lahore. At that time, l was professor of English literature at Gordon College, Rawalpindi. I explained to him, as to why I attended Libyan Conference. I told him that it was not a political conference.

It was a conference on the unity of Muslims and I being a Muslim and author of some books, felt my Islamic duty to participate in this conference. But the concept of Islam of General Zia was altogether different from the concept of Islam of Qaddafi. The former desired American Islam, while the latter wanted Muhammedan Islam. I was warned by the Secretary Education to be careful in future and avoid having any contact with the Libyans. There were two officers of different two intelligence agencies sitting along with him. He said to me:

“Professor you seem political minded and an ideological person but it is martial law regime, be careful.”

He was not rude to me, rather seemed respectful for my courage and conviction. I realized, he was a man of conscience and inwardly was against the military rule of General Zia.

The other pic is of the Pride of Asia, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was hanged by the fascist government of General Zia. Mr. Bhutto was accused of false charges and manoeuvred to be hanged by General Zia. Earlier, Bhutto was warned by the Foreign Minister of America, Henry Kissinger, who was a Jew, to drop the idea of making Pakistan a nuclear state as his half grave had been dug.

This detail can be read in the book of Mr. Bhutto which he wrote in jail titled “If I am Assassinated”. Per the wish of his daughter Ms. Benazir Bhutto, I had written a book titled “The Ideals of Bhutto.” This book was published in 2007 and then its second edition was published in 2011 by National Book Foundation, Islamabad.

I had also written a book emphasizing the views of Qaddafi titled “Third Universal Theory“. This book was sent to him by the Libyan Ambassador in Islamabad. Besides, I was the Chairman of Green Book Society.

What I want to impress upon is that these two great Muslim leaders were killed by the “Muslims” who were the stooges of Imperialism.

Basically, Mr. Bhutto was hanged for three reasons: First; he planned to make Pakistan an atomic power. Second; He desired to unite Muslims which was the aim of Jamal-ud- Afghani and Dr Allama Iqbal. Third; he asked the Arab rulers to use oil as a weapon against imperialists and charge proper price of their oil. This agenda alerted America and the it was decided to finish him.

General Zia was just a tool in the hands of America. It must be mentioned here, that Mr. Bhutto had categorically told Henry Kissinger that Pakistani atom bomb would be nothing to do against Israel, it is a deterrent against India as India has made atom bomb which is a great threat to Pakistan. Being an ardent Zionist, he did not agree with Bhutto.

Summing up, it seems pertinent to mention that this poignant photograph has brought to mind the visionary Muslim leaders, Muammar Qaddafi and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who dared to challenge the imperialist stronghold on the Muslim world. Their unwavering commitment to unity, progress, and liberation continues to inspire generations.

I had the privilege of meeting Qaddafi in 1983, at an international conference in Libya, where he delivered a captivating speech that showcased his profound understanding of global politics. His “Green Book” presented a revolutionary framework for equality, justice, and freedom, which earned him both admiration and animosity from Arab monarchs and Western powers and eventually, he was killed and his dead body was buried somewhere in desert to permanently hide his grave.

Qaddafi’s friendship with Bhutto, and their joint efforts to unite Muslim leaders, made him a target for General Zia’s regime. I, too, faced repercussions for attending the Libyan conference, and my subsequent interactions with Libyan officials were monitored by intelligence agencies.

Bhutto, the Pride of Asia, met a tragic end at the hands of General Zia’s fascist regime. My book on Qaddafi’s “Third Universal Theory”, sent to Muammar Qaddafi via the Libyan Ambassador, reflects my deep admiration for this revolutionary leader.

The assassination of these two leaders orchestrated by imperialist stooges, underscore the perils faced by those who challenge the status quo. The Karbala tragedy reminds us that such betrayal is not unprecedented in Islamic history. As we reflect on their legacies, we must continue to strive for a united, progressive, and liberated Muslim world. Let peace and justice prevail and fascism and imperialism vanish.

I salute those Americans and Westerners, who believe in freedom, democracy, justice, human rights and peace and are above racism and religious discrimination. Alas; majority of their politicians are a plaything in the hands of Zionists, who abundantly fund them in their elections and buy their sympathies and support in the favour of Israel. If the Arab monarchies start funding them, they will support Palestinians. Money makes the mare go. It is my considered opinion, if the Middle East Crisis is amicably settled according to UN resolutions and OSLO Accord, then there will be no need to kill any Bhutto and Qaddafi of future.

Categories: History, Memoir

Tags: dictator, Islam, Libya, Muammar Qaddafi, Muslim Ummah, Muslims, Pakistan, Pakistan Army, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto