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| MPACUK: Year in Review - Obituaries |
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| Monday, 31 December 2007 | |
 In the past twelve months, we have witnessed many well-known people leaving this world. MPACUK takes a look back at just a few of the most influential and well-remembered of 2007:Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007) Assassinated on Dec. 27, the former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto belonged to one of the most famous political families in the world. Having studied in Harvard and then Oxford, she reluctantly entered the political arena after the vacuum left by her father’s execution. Twice she became Prime Minister of Pakistan, and twice she was dismissed from office for corruption. Following the coup by General Musharraf, she left Pakistan for England in self-imposed exile. Here she spent her time rebuilding her power base and in particular petitioning the British and American authorities for their support, convincing them that her dynasty would bring democracy to Pakistan. It was on her third attempt at taking office that she returned to Pakistan following an American-brokered deal ensuring that she would not be charged with corruption. Whilst at a public rally two weeks before the 2008 election, she was killed by a gunman just as a suicide bomb exploded. Flawed though she was, her courage and intelligence cannot be understated. Having been written off by many after her second dismissal she successfully revitalised her party and was almost on the verge of an amazing third stint as Prime Minister. This was unfortunately not to be. Leaving her son and husband to carry on with her legacy, the sad truth is that her death is just more collateral because of Western meddling in Muslim politics. Lord Deedes/Bill Deedes (1913-2007) Bill Deedes, who died at the age of 94, was once an MP and also a Cabinet minister in the 1960s, who later became the editor of The Daily Telegraph for 12 years. He had written his last column for the paper, comparing the horrors of Darfur to Nazi Germany, as recently as August 3. At the age of 85 he became an ambassador for Unicef. After editing The Daily Telegraph paper, Bill Deedes embarked on an Indian summer as a reporter and journalist for another 30 years, long after most men would have retired. He simply never stopped, still traveling widely well into his nineties. Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) Pavarotti is initially well-known for his talented voice in the Italian Opera House. With his "High c's" as his trademark, he soon established himself as one of the greatest singers of his time. Aside from his music he was also recognised for his charity work, hosting many concerts for the refugees of Bosnia, Guatemala, Kosovo and Iraq. He was also appointed as the United Nations Messenger of Peace, and used this title to raise awareness for childrens' rights and poverty. In 1999, he performed at a charity concert in Beruit, for the remergance of the Lebanon, after a fifteeen year civil war. Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007) Dame Anita Roddick died September 10th 2007, after suffering with liver cirrhosis and longstanding Hepatitis C. She was a known activist, who campaigned hard to change the world on many levels. She was known to most, for being the founder of The Body Shop, which shaped ethical consumerism. She also founded ‘Children on the Edge’, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe and Asia. Anita Roddick was actively involved in the on-goings in Iraq and targeted the media on many occasions about their censored coverage on important political and war matters. She felt that we all had “a duty to know the truth and campaign to change it”. Despite being terminally ill, Roddick never stopped campaigning for the many causes she felt were important in changing the world. It is everyone’s duty to fight for justice and truth in the world and regardless of the obstacles we face, if we can all bring out the 'activist' in us and campaign with the same perseverance and integrity as Anita Roddick, we will surely make a difference. Robert Andrew Woolmer (1948-2007) Woolmer died 18th March 2007, from natural causes. He was a cricketer, starting his career as an all rounder for Kent and then moving on to play for England. He represented his country in 6 One Day Internationals and 19 Test matches. He then moved on to coach Warwickshire, South Africa and Pakistan and led them to many victories. He was the 'Wisden Cricketers of the Year’ in 1976 and honoured with 'The Star of Excellence', a high-ranking civil award in Pakistan, for his contribution to Pakistani cricket. Bob Woolmer was loved and respected by many in the sports world and had a huge influence not only on English but on International cricket too. A true Sports Star. Ilyas ba-Yunus (1932-2007) Ilyas ba-Yunus was the first president of the Islamic Society of North America, the largest Muslim organisation in the United States of America. He oversaw the group's early growth from 1983-1985 and was a founding member of the Muslim Students Association. Born in India and raised in Pakistan, he lived in the U.S. for 47 years. Yunus was a prominent sociologist and professor at the State University of New York at Cortland, and much of his research focused on the demographics and sociology of Muslims in America. His research and books set high academic standards and he was a lifelong advocate for the Muslim community. The Mujahids Of course we will also remember the bravery and courage of all those that have been killed yet remain unnamed. The hundreds of Palestinians children, women and men. Those who have lost their lives in Iraq, Chechnya, Darfur, Afghanistan and everywhere else where everyday injustices continue to threaten and end lives of innocent Muslims. Not to mention those close to home, women and young girls killed in so called "honour killings" and young kids murdered in racially motivated attacks. Recent statistics from the Israeli human rights organisation, B'Tselem, showed that the death poll of Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have tripled this year. What have you done to stop these prejudiced and unfair discriminations against Muslims? In the upcoming year are you going to sit back and watch as more Muslims lose their lives? "Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew." The Holy Qur'an, Surah 9 (Surah Al-Tawba), Verse 41 How much have you struggled in the cause of Allah this year?           |
