In Defence of Superman

By: Tallha Abdulrazaq

I never thought I’d be trying to save Superman, and least of all from some of his own “fans” in the United States. Superman’s latest story has caused surprising controversy, and even more surprising is the fact that people who don’t ordinarily read comics are even trying to wade into Clark Kent.

Action Comics #900, part written by famed Batman screenwriter David Goyer, has Superman fly to Iran’s capital of Tehran in a show of solidarity and in order to protect the Iranian population who are protesting against the Iranian government. The usually brutal, black-turbaned Ayatollah controlled and repressive Iranian government promises a harsh military response if protesters do not cease their demonstrations and go home.

Humanitarian that he is, Superman decides that he can’t just stand (or levitate) back and allow the Iranian people to be mauled by their government. Equally, he so abhors violence and views it as a last resort so much so that he decides that he won’t harm the Iranian military. Superman instead decides to act as a human (read: Kryptonian) shield and allows himself to be attacked, abused, and also showered with petrol bombs and roses alike. Obviously, the Man of Steel is impervious to such weak weapons, including roses, and after staying for 24 hours and saving the day, he flies off in a ponderous mood. Cleary, the Iranian Army should have invested in just ONE Kryptonite bullet; I’m certain Lex Luthor would have been more than willing to oblige them.

The reconciliation of Hamas and Fatah and potential outcomes

By: Tallha Abdulrazaq

The Egyptian intelligence brokered reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah have apparently finally bore fruit. On April 27th Egyptian intelligence announced that the two Palestinian rivals have finally agreed on forming an interim government, and have made such progress that they will now fix a date for a general election. In addition, it appears that both parties have agreed to release their respective prisoners with Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior political figure in Hamas, confirming that Hamas will release all who have a non-criminal background; a clear hint at political prisoners.

Hamas, the Israeli siege, and the difficult choices ahead

By: Tallha Abdulrazaq

When Hamas first came to power after ousting Fatah forces intent on preventing their democratic rise to political prominence, they had never been so popular. For decades since the First Intifada, Hamas had been undermining the increasingly corrupt and collaborative Fatah party who dominated and ruled the PA (Palestinian Authority). While Fatah was busy embezzling public funds that should have gone into the education and health of Palestinians, Hamas was equally busy setting up small schools and clinics, further endearing themselves to the Palestinian people. Under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmad Yasin, Abdulaziz al-Rantisi, and other popular figures, Hamas portrayed themselves as champions of the common Palestinian, not linked with the corrupt underhandedness of Fatah and the PA, and also as a direct manifestation of the implacable and indomitable Palestinian urge to resist and fight Israeli occupation.

But what are the contemporary issues facing Hamas, especially in light of the Israeli siege and the ‘Arab Spring’ revolutions?