02/12/2006
This poem is dedicated to brothers Babar Ahmad and Haroon Rashid Aswat, as well as all the Muslim prisoners all over the world.
Follow my advice!
Sitting comfortably in my home
Surrounded by my family, not alone
I see your news on my TV screen
You are to be extradited to a place unseen
I can exhort you to have patience
To follow the paths of people ancient
I return from ‘work’ at the end of each day
Having amused myself in pomp and play
Your dark, damp cell welcomes the dawn
Here you pass the hours forgotten and forlorn
I can advise you to have no fear
Verily Allah (SWT) is near
Fearful of the consequence
I gag my views to prevent offence
You’re at the receiving end of malice and hostility
Aimed at erasing your sanity
I can remind you this is a test
Which you must bear to ensure success
My stomach full, my limbs relaxed
On my luxury bed I lay to rest
If you’re lucky a 7ft x 11ft cell is your abode
Where you have been thrown to erode
I can remind you of the transient nature of this life
And that your journey will end in a place where there’s no strife
O my brothers!
I can dish out to you much advice
Over my kebabs and rice
I can remind you of your high ranking station
Whilst continuing to be a stagnant member of this nation
In my living room I can solve all your problems
Oppressive politicians and governments, here, I’ll oppose them
Privately I will support you
Publicly I will disown you
Tears will I shed in front of my TV screen
But at a demonstration for your rights, I will not be seen
In my heart I know you need a friend
But letters of support I will not send
My dear brothers please forgive me
For possessing this branch of hypocrisy
I must admit my faith is weak
At times when I should show solidarity with you I become meek
Although images of you prick my conscience
My cowardice compels me to silence
Helping to free the Muslim prisoners, upon me is an obligation
But I am scared of being classed as ‘guilty by association’
I am duty bound to protect your honour
But a trouble-free life I prefer
As I cling heavily to the Earth in my selfish quest
I sincerely pray it won’t be me who’s in your place next!
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