The time was about midnight. Quietness and silence dominated everything in
the area surrounding the main radio and TV station building. Tension prevailed, and the air was filled
with the smell of exhaust and other unpleasant odors. Nobody was there, not even traces to indicate
that somebody was there. Except some
armed soldiers here and there who move slowly with dullness, and with noticed
anxiety that is accompanied by a sense of carelessness. They look like lifeless and senseless robots
that carry out the orders by the word.
I was
supposed to have my interview with the tank in the camp. But when I headed towards the camp, I was
told that the tank went out in an urgent mission, and that it is now present
around the main building of radio and TV station. I was told that I can do the interview with
it there as it carries out its duties.
But, we can do that after midnight when quietness prevails, and the
mission should be completed and after the whole matters become under
control. We approached the tank after we
have been allowed to do so, after hesitation, suspicion, and close
scrutiny. It was standing beside the
main building at the head of one of the streets leading to it, as it stood with
dignity raising its nose…sorry…I mean raising its gun. It was silent but it was the silence of an
arrogant who feels that he is controlling everything, and in his hands, is the
key to the solution of any problem. Its
steel was shining under the lights, and there were traces of blood on its
chains. In its features was a look of
challenge and vanity. There was a smell
of iron and powder coming from it which almost poisoned the air.
I stood in front of the tank and
gathered my strength, and then the following dialogue took place.
Author: I wonder, should I say Good morning or Peace
be upon you?
The Tank: Neither of them. If you say "Good morning", I'll
answer you "Sorry, I can't guarantee to you that morning will bring any
good while you see what the situation is right now. And if you say "Peace be upon you",
I'll answer you "firstly, I am a tool for fighting and killing, and I have
nothing to do with peace, nor have I been made for its sake." Secondly, here is a private advice from me to
you. "Asalamu alaikum"
as I know, is the greeting of Islam and the Muslims. One of my missions now as I understand from
the orders that are issued, is to put a limit to Islam and confront
Muslims. That's why I am here now. So, it is not in your best interest to greet
me with this greeting, or else I don't know what will happen… maybe an order
will be issued to me suddenly to crush your bones as a punishment for
that. At that time, I will carry out the
orders. So be careful, and as they say,
the walls have ears.
Author:
Thank you for your advice. It
looks like the interview with you will be interesting. And now, let's start, for your time is
limited as it seems and there is tension in the atmosphere and you are at work
now. First, allow me to ask you a
question…why are you here right now…in the middle of the streets and in the
center of the city, and among the civilians.
As I understand, your natural place should be in the military barracks
outside the skirts of the city during the time of peace, and in the
battlefields during the time of war.
We're just inquiring here, and you have complete and absolute freedom to
refuse answering.
The Tank: I think that this question should be directed
mainly to those who brought me here, for I did not come by my own free
will. However, there is no harm in me
trying to answer you to the best of my knowledge and based on what I see and
notice. For I know that you cannot and
will not be able to pose that question to those whom the question should be
posed. In all honesty, I tell you that
this place is really not my natural place.
Thus, I do not deny that I feel uncomfortable and strange in this
place. Don't think that I am lifeless
and don't have any feelings. In fact, I have feelings that are perhaps more
than some human beings themselves who take pride that they are the only ones
who have feelings and emotions. Sir, I
am here because there is chaos among people as it seems. It looks like people have rebelled against
their government and ruler and they want to make change. I don't know exactly what the reasons
are. Due to the fact that I am a tool in
the hands of the army who serve and protect the ruler and government and
receive orders from them, I have received orders to move and enter inside the
city. And to crush the opponents,
rebellions, and protestors, and to introduce terror in the hearts of those who
are hesitant, fearful, and those who prefer safety! I have to demonstrate the strength and the
muscles of the ruler and government in front of the common people. This way, I will frighten everyone and
establish authority and prove that the government and ruler are able to force
its power on the people, whether they like it or not and whether they obey or
disobey.
Author:
Thank you for your frankness. But
by Allah tell me, how do you feel when you face armless people who have no
weapon or strength, and they don't know how to confront you, attack you, or
even escape from you. Simple and
helpless people who suffer from disease, ignorance, poverty, worry, and misery
and who have been engulfed by years of oppression…People who have been crushed
under the feet of their rulers throughout the ages! How do you feel when you face those people
with all your strength, steel, fire, thunder, and sometimes, I'm sorry to say,
your cruelty and harshness. It is an
unequal battle, unfair struggle, and unbalanced confrontation. It gives you a picture that is unreal and
unpractical, because you look like the powerful, the oppressor, and the
victorious. Why? Simply because there is
no one who confronts you. But do you
think this will be your reality when you face those who are equal to you in
strength and might. Usually, we see you
in the battlefields in your real picture; sometimes victorious, sometimes
defeated, and sometimes retreating.
Sometimes, you stand in dignity, and move quickly while your gun is high
up in the sky, and sometimes you are burned, destroyed, and your gun is down
and broken.
This is
your real picture and strength if you face those who are equal to you in
strength, or those who are stronger than you.
I hope my words do not upset you, as it is just a truthful comment. So then, those who brought you here want to
give you a fake picture and frighten you to serve his interests and aims. Exactly as he who wants to create an
imaginary hero, fantasy monster, or legendary criminal to achieve certain goals
through him. So he establishes shows,
movies, and propagandas for him in which he combats rabbits, mice, the weak, or
handicapped, and challenges those who have less strength than him. Such that in the end, he looks victorious in
a fake situation and he becomes a fantasy that frightens the weak. And the naïve people fear him. So what is your feeling when you are driven
to such situation and find yourself in this sarcastic scenario? Even if you are the one who is being made a
fantasy hero and scary monster?! Do you
think you will be in this fabricated and exaggerated picture if you are
confronted by another tank that is greater and stronger, and above you is a jet
fighter that is attacking you? And you
don't know from where the missile destined to kill you will come from? I hope your heart will be open to accommodate
this conversation and interview. We know
that some lifeless things are more open and able to accept criticism and second
opinion than some or most people.
The Tank: I understand your view and logic. Once again, I tell you that this talk should
be directed to those who drive and direct me.
But since you asked me, I admit in front of Allah (SWT) that I feel
disgrace and shame when I am in this place carrying out this dirty job. The place is not mine. We are tools of fighting made to fight and
struggle. Knighthood, challenge, and
heroism are part of our structure and being.
We don't feel ourselves except in the battlefield and places of
confrontation. If we achieve victory, we
are proud, and if we get defeated, we get burned. So, bringing us to this place in front of the
armless and weak people where there is no enemy like us to face, and no
challenge to fear, we consider that to be humiliating to us. And if you asked the fighter jet, armor,
cannon, or gun, they will tell you the same thing. Do not forget sir that you people made us,
and Allah (SWT) put our steel and our might under your disposal. So we do not have a choice except to carry
out your orders and desires, despite our feelings and emotions. And if Allah (SWT) gave us the freedom to
rebel and revolt, we will then turn first against those who brought us here and
destroy them as a punishment for humiliating us and placing us in this shameful
and reprehensible situation.
Author:
I have another question for you.
What is the opinion of those who drive you and what are their
feelings? After all, you are close to them
and know them better. Here, I don't mean
the unjust ruler, the oppressive rulers, or the idiotic military commander who
have no consciences, mind, wisdom, or feelings who issue the top orders. Rather, I mean the soldier or officer who
directly drives you and carry out this dirty and humiliating job, as you
described.
The Tank: I don't know what to say to you. Your questions touch my heart even though my
heart is made of iron or steel. This
point in particular is ambiguous to me and I do not understand it. Those who drive me are simple people who are
often times Muslims. Most of the time
they are kind-hearted, and when they leave me and wear their civilian clothes,
I can't distinguish between them and those whom I confront and kill in the
streets. Perhaps one of those whom I
confront, frighten, terrorize and sometimes kill is one of their fathers,
brothers, sons, neighbors, or relatives.
Most probably he is one of them.
Maybe my victim is one of them, once they retire from military service
and return back to the line of civilians, at another time and another
place. However, the mission is still the
same. At that time, they will find me
under the command of other soldiers who shall come after them. I will then confront those soldiers who drive
me now and I will destroy them. I will play
with them the same game, but this time, they will become the victims. Unfortunately, they do not understand
that. All what concerns them is to carry
out the high command orders, as they were trained in their military institution
(regardless of their ranks) without thinking, discussing, rejecting, or at
least resigning. Sometimes, I feel that
those who command me are under tension while carrying out this dirty
mission. Sometimes, I feel that they are
angry and silently reject the orders, but they can't show their real
feelings. Most other times, I feel that
they do not care, or are hypnotized, or that they are made of steel like
me. But there is a difference, for I
have feelings even if little. As for
them, they don't. Allah (SWT) the Great
Creator have put me at their disposal and made me obedient to them. He (SWT) made man have control over me. As for them, Allah (SWT) did not put them
under the disposal of anyone except Him.
He (SWT) gave them the freedom of choice to believe or not believe. Therefore, I have an excuse, but they do
not. Let me narrate to you an incident
which took place a few hours ago so that you may judge for yourself. It was 1 pm and I was proceeding on my way to
this place along with the other tanks.
Then suddenly, we were confronted by a crowd of people who were chanting
and raising banners. Some of them were
saying "Allahu Akbar"!
My steel shook when the name of Allah was mentioned and it kept
mentioning the name of Allah along with them.
We stopped for awhile till we received orders of what we shall do
next. During that time, I heard one of
the crew members who were driving me praying to Allah (SWT) that orders to open
fire on these innocent people would not be issued. Another one was looking carefully at the faces
of the demonstrator. It looked like he
lived in the same neighborhood and it seemed that he could identify many of
them. I noticed in his eyes a look of
fear, and then I heard the commanding officer whispering in prayers, even
though he was very careful that nobody hears him. He was saying that he hates to be in this
situation and in this place. He was
wondering…will he obey the order of opening fire on those poor and armless
people, or will he refuse to do so. He
was trying to gather his strength to say no if necessary. After awhile, the order came through wireless
from the commander that we have to move in our way, even if we have to crush
this crowd under our chains. The order
said that we have to open fire directly if it is necessary. As soon as the order was issued, I found the
commanding officer and the other two crew soldiers forgetting everything. Their only concern was to carry out the order
as if it is the order of the Great Creator.
I wondered…where did the tension, hesitation, desire to rebel, and
prayer go? My engine started and I
thundered and I started to move and proceed as directed. The soldiers and commander forgot everything
and thought they were in the middle of a real battlefield. My chains started to approach the people who
started to throw rocks at me. Of course
these rocks did not affect me, nor could stop me. The crowd stood in one line in front of me
while carrying a big sign which had written upon it, "God is Great!"
and "There is no God but Allah."
My engine was about to halt out of respect to the greatness of the word
of oneness. But my driver sped me up,
following an order of the commanding officer.
I was then surprised that this same commanding officer ordered another
soldier to open fire on those armless and humble believers. I imagined for a moment that the soldier
would reject the order. And I wondered
how this commanding officer could issue such an order which no one has requested
him to issue at that particular moment!
And no one will hold him accountable if he didn't issue this order which
was not necessary. The same commanding
officer was wondering minutes ago how he could confront his people and fellow
citizens! But he issued the order and he
did not hesitate! The soldier also
didn't hesitate to carry out the order of his officer and he opened the fire of
my gun on the people! If it was not for
the fact that Allah (SWT) has put me for their disposal, I would not have dared
to do that on people who carry and raise high the name of my lord and creator. How can I do that while I myself remember God
in prayer every moment and second?! But
you people do not understand that. But
what can I do? I opened fire and the
victims fell down like flies in front of me; some killed and some injured. The commanding officer was not
satisfied! So, he ordered that I go and
run over their bodies and cut them into pieces.
The driving soldier carried out the order, and once again, I did not have
any choice. If I had my own choice, I
would have crashed the enemies of God, but this is His will and He is the Great
Creator, and surely He (SWT) has Wisdom in that. I proceeded with my heavy chains over the
bodies; some of them were dead, but some others were injured, and some just fell
down. The bodies were torn apart and
blood spurted out, and the innocent souls ascended to its Lord pleased. The signs that carried the name of Allah
(SWT) fell on the ground. My heart which is made from steel tore apart for this
ugly, terrible, and outrageous scene. My
iron and guns wept as well as my cannons and chains. But the crew did not feel all of that because
they are veiled and cannot see except that which is in front of their eyes
only. I started to curse them inside
myself and curse he who is responsible for this innocent blood that has been
shed. You can see for yourself the
remains of the blood of the innocent believers over my chains and my
steel. After the accomplishment of the
mission and arriving to this place, the commanding officer praised his soldiers
and his commander praised him through the wireless for his blind obedience and
his killing of the innocent. His
commander promised him good evaluation and fast promotion. If this poor commanding officer only knew
what sin he now carries over his shoulders and what sin he forced others to
carry in front of Allah (SWT), he would've cursed himself and the day his was
born! He may even commit suicide out of
sorrow and regret! But little does he know
and little does he believe.
Then the crew started to pass out tea
and relax after they achieved victory in their battle. I felt that they were proud and arrogant
because they were in control and no one could stand in front of them. Then I was shocked and surprised when I found
that the soldier who opened fire awhile ago on the believers, asking his
companion if the afternoon prayers was due yet so that he may perform Salat Al
Asr. His companion who drove me over the
bodies of the people and tore their bodies into pieces, answered him that the
time has not come yet because the shadow of an object was not doubled! He said that he will pray the afternoon
prayer with him in congregation when the time comes and after taking permission
from the military officer. And of course
after making sure that this act does not affect the evaluation or their
expected promotion or other expected benefits!
This is the story and I will leave you to judge and I think this will
answer your question.
Author:
There is no power but with Allah.
To God we belong and to Him we return. One other question, if you may allow
me. Why was this place in particular
that is surrounding the main building of the TV and radio station chosen for
you?
The Tank: Based on what I hear and see, and based on
the information and orders that pass by me, this is the most important place
for the government and rulers. And it's
not the first time. Whenever there is
chaos or rebellion, the first place they would think of protecting before anything
else is this place. They direct me to it
regardless of the price. This has
happened to me many times before. You
know very well that people follow and listen to the media. If someone took control of this place, he can
broadcast proclamations claiming that a revolution or a cue has been
successfully achieved. This will disturb
the matters immediately. Rebellion will
widespread and people will be encouraged.
The government and ruler will then lose its most important weapon, and
that is, the weapon of fear and terror.
That alone is enough to start a wave and movement which could increase
and widespread until the government looses its foundations and the ruler looses
his tools of power. If this happened,
rebellion will widespread among other army units and this is what the
oppressors fear the most. The rulers and
their government depend on the army and equipments, meaning me and my fellow
brothers. Without it, they will not be
there, and without it, the innocent and poor people will take revenge from
their oppressive rulers.
Author: May I ask you about your origin? Who manufactured you? And how did you come to this country?
The Tank: Yes, of course for that is the most simplest
of your questions? I was made in the
Author: Do you allow me to ask another question?
The Tank: I don't think so. There goes the crew taking their post inside
me and it looks like there is another order for new movement. God alone knows where we are going, but I
have to admit frankly to you that I hate this mission and I curse it and every
part in me curses it too. Even if it is
lifeless, but at least it honor, dignity, knighthood, and slavery is to Allah,
Lord of all Worlds. I hope that I don't
see you among the innocent crowds because I don't want to crush and kill you without
free will from me. I even can't say
"Peace be upon you" now. Nor
can I promise peace to you or your people.
I am nothing but a tool. I can
only pray to Allah (SWT) for myself and for you, and for the believer who
believes in Judgment Day.
The dawn seemed to crack while I was about to leave
the place quickly, after the tanks thundered as they prepared for another
mission…and new victims. I looked at the
rising sun, and the light which started to fill the place. And I asked.
Is this the new dawn and new sunrise which will remove darkness and put
an end to the night? Or is it a just a
regular dawn and another day like everyday, which carries with it more
injustice, more oppression, and more victims?
There is no power or strength but with Allah!