As the demonstrations for political reform continue, I find more and more misinformation regarding the political climate here in Jordan.  Demonstrations still are not evident in West Amman so I cannot get a good grasp on the tenor or tone of the rallies, but what I can do is provide you with a translation of what is being said versus what is actually the intended outcome.

Take for example this article from the Jordan Times. There are several revealing quotes that get lost in the overall article, but which are glaring when you know what you are reading.

“The aim of our protest is to have constitutional changes. We want to see governments formed as a result of legislative elections with the majority group in the Parliament forming the Cabinet” – Salem Falahat, former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood

Mr. Falahat is calling for elections to determine the King’s cabinet.  A noble goal to be sure…but what he is REALLY saying is that he is confident that the Muslim Brotherhood would dominate these elections and that the cabinet would then be formed by members of their organization.

A Muslim Brotherhood dominated cabinet could then exert their influence on Jordan’s political positions.

Contrary to what the international media would have you believe, the Muslim Brotherhood is neither benign nor hapless and stands against modernization, Western influence and the peace treaty with Israel…all things that in my estimation are positive influences on Jordan’s world standing, economy and stability.  While media pundits have portrayed the Brotherhood as beneficent providers of social services that long-deprived Egyptians desperately need, they were banned in Egypt for legitimate political reasons.

There is real danger in downplaying the Brotherhood’s ideology, or expecting it to moderate its objectives after being allowed into the political process. The movement differs from international terror groups like Al-Qaida only in tactics, not in its goals.

“Jihad Is The Way” is the 5th and final volume of “The Laws of Da’Wa” by Mustafa Mashhur, who headed the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt from 1996-2002.  In it he sheds light on the Brotherhood’s mission, which is the advancement of the global conquest of Islam and re-establishing the Islamic Caliphate.

“The Islamic ummah can regain its power and be liberated and assume its rightful position which was intended by Allah, as the most exalted nation among men, as the leaders of humanity.” – The Laws of Da’Wa

Not much translation is needed for that passage.  Masshur urgest Muslims to wage Jihad when circumstances ensure success and goes on to acknowledge that Muslim’s need not repel every attack or damage caused by the enemies of Allah immediately, but only when ability and circumstances are fit for it.

Such is the case in Jordan, where uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia have primed the public (and media) for revolt.  Strike while the iron is hot seems to be the mantra and the Brotherhood in Jordan is seizing the stage while the world is still interested.  Now it appears that the Western media cannot differentiate between uprisings against brutal dictatorships (Egypt) and political opportunism spearheaded by those who would actually work to damage Jordan’s standing on the world stage.

“We are all Jordanians, under the flag of Jordan; we should not see people treated differently, or having the privilege of being appointed in certain sensitive posts because of their tribal links” – leftist Emad Ebrahim

While identifying himself as a leftist, Mr. Ebrahim goes on to recite the mantra of every zealot in history…that he doesn’t want the government to recognize differences in ideology, religion or socio-economic status.  What he really means is that his particular political (or religious) group wants to be the group that decides who is favored, qualified or capable.

While the Muslim Brotherhood’s stated position sounds magnanimous, their ultimate goal is anything but.