I am staying at IC, Brother Suleyman.  I sincerely love and respect my friends here.  This particular discussion was moved to The Pond only because the Moderators offered a specific space dedicated to the project.  The Project will also be accessed by the MSN group I created.

http://groups.msn.com/ProjectIraqiHope

I feel that the politics behind IC and AtP are minor in comparison to the Projects hopes.  I do not wish to clogg IC with the Project's ups and downs.  People are not forced to join Across the Ponds other forums...they can strictly stay to the Plan's forums.

Bismillah,

We are looking forward to reading it!

Peace

Suleyman, please.  Several people have written to you about why the "Plan" was moved to The Pond.  It has nothing to do with wanting to be exclusive.  Look at this way, I am convinced that had I not meditated on Angela's Plan overnight (which was not then in a thread of its own) and come in the next morning to find that not only had it disappeared from "Active Topics" but hadn't been consulted for almost 24 hours, I wouldn't have had the idea to create a different thread altogether (The Angela Plan), and PM people to please read it and participate.  Luckily they did. It was decided early on that it might be a good idea to create a different forum link completely, but as Angela has said, that would have taken time.  Ergo, Colin graciously stepped in and offered The Pond as a temporary solution.  It seems to have got kind of stuck there, and I think we are all aware that if we move it again, it might get virtually lost altogether.  Kind of like The Zerox Effect. The dialogue over this, and related issues is just too important for this - AND, may I add, for petty "Inter-Forum" squabbles. 

Even there, not as much is being written as I had hoped, I feel we are getting swamped in Pond Weed, and I have to agree with Duende that that is a frustrating feeling.  I am not good at waiting, though I think that Colin is right and that we are gathering passengers for the Bus. Maybe yours is just the voice we need to get us all thinking in new directions. Yours and other Muslims.  Come on, all of you.  I'll pay for the bus tickets - ida y vuelta.  You don't like it, you come back.  I can't offer fairer than that can I?

Personally I am not interested in what has or has not been said which you might have found offensive to you, or, for that matter to your religion which I think by now you and many other Muslims know that I have come to respect enormously.  Your personal concerns are not mine, and I'm sorry but I tell it like it is! What I DO care about is that we encourage dialogue between all persons, and MORE IMPORTANTLY A PLAN OF ACTION, albeit it might be a small one, such as forming an umbrella group as I have suggested, or, let's see what Whisper comes up with.  For my own part, I am delighted to see that he is still as enthusiastic as he was at the beginning (it was in part his support for the Plan which got me thinking) and is considering options for us.

So why don't you just stop bellyaching and join us.......we need ALL voices.  We especially need MUSLIM voices, Suley. Otherwise we become as Muslima said: "A discussion of non-Muslims making decisions for the Muslim world."

I never thought I would agree with the Green One, but on this, she is clearly prophetic....if we allow it.  We don't have to, Suleyman. Listen to Cassandra's prophecies instead.  She doesn't have an ax to grind.

This whole plan is about being "beyond borders": beyond religions, beyond sectarianism:  it's about our Planet and its future. Right now, the horizon seems to be on fire:  is it the sun rising, or setting?  Or is it an oil slick someone set alight to....hmm. Don't think I like that idea.

You do live here, don't you?  You do hope to live to a ripe old age and play with your grandchildren?  No?  I do. The way the world is going, we may have to kiss that option goodbye.  Where will your little comment in red be then? Just because it has always been, doesn't mean it always will be.  Read David Hume. A huge part of becoming a mature and concerned citizen in this rathger scary world we inhabit is learning to think outside the box.  The non-Muslims on this forum already do that....so why can't you?  I promise you:  no-one will try and convert you!  And they'd better not try it on me either.

Think on this one...... for me......for the world, please. I invite you personally.  You can have dual nationality: honestly.

My best regards,  Cassandra

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he only do a little. Edmund Burke 1729 - 1797

does anyone else notice the vague implementation of these words??  Someone closely connected...legendary EX-prime minister....of possibly

what is this some sort of game?  What are we kids to think that a bunch of internet savy individuals will supersede the tactics of larger grassroot organizations like Islamic Relief, CAIR, MPAC and others that have spent years involved overseas affairs.  Don't you ppl know the Bush Administration oversees every inch of what goes on in Iraq and what goes on here in America.  

What you cassandra, angela, whisper and others members pro with this good but waaay over your head wacky idea are doing is dangerous to islamicity.    

unknowingly you guys will be asking for attention from the NSA or CIA or even FBI.

call me paranoid but hey, i'm a muslim and whatever i say might and will be used against me- remember a lawyer's favorite phrase against Muslim organizations, "they are supporting the terrorists" 

if they got that against you, you AND islamicity are shunted to oblivion.

(unless you are a spy, then you've done your job well)

:)

PEACE