Chapter 13 9.amman prayer for peace

"He will judge among the nations, turning swords into plows." — "Bible Old Testament" Friday, January 18. Today is the Islamic "Jumah" day (Author's Note: Transliteration of Arabic alDjumah, which means "gathering". Islam sets Friday as Judah, commonly known as "Jumah". The collective worship held by believers after noon on this day is called Juma worship. Muslims used to call a week a Juma), in the largest mosque in Amman - Abdul Hussein Mosque, thousands of Muslims gathered here to pray for peace.At exactly one o'clock in the afternoon, the mosque named after King Hussein's grandfather was full, and those who came to attend the prayer lined up to the square outside the mosque.The Muslims took a seat, the rich used blankets, the poor used a piece of cardboard under their bodies, and a few children specially gave old kraft paper to the unarmed.Thousands of Muslims are sitting or kneeling, chanting words, majestic.Several police officers on duty also suspended their duties and prostrated themselves on the ground reverently, attracting dozens of foreign journalists to take pictures.The Japanese NTV TV crew also wore Arab national costumes and flowered turbans on their heads, walking through the sea of ​​praying people.

At the same time, in front of the US embassy, ​​Dr. Alan Russell, a retired professor from California, is sitting in on a hunger strike to protest the Bush administration's use of force to resolve the Gulf crisis.She held up a card full of God and the teachings of Jesus in both English and Arabic, and shouted to passers-by: "God makes us all love each other." Beside Allen was a Jordanian who did not want to reveal his name. He is a devout Muslim.The middle-aged man, with his wife and four children, came here to meditate with his hands in his hands.He praised me that "China is peace-loving".The youth were overwhelmed by the sudden outbreak of war.The taxi driver Muhammad said that when he was excited, he left the steering wheel with his hands and let the car run like a wild horse on the highway. He imitated the posture of holding a gun with both hands, and shouted "I should really go to war" in his mouth.Mohammad is a Palestinian. He said bitterly: "It's not that we don't want peace. They don't know the pain of the Palestinians. China knows."

I should go to the front too!As a war correspondent, the neighboring countries were full of smoke and war, but I sat and waited in this "Switzerland of the Middle East", wandering the streets and nestling in the house. I remembered such a story, it is said that Emperor Kangxi was shooting arrows in Changchun Garden, and suddenly a minister came to report that Guangxi rebelled against Wu Sangui, and Fujian rebelled against Zheng Jing (the son of Zheng Chenggong).Emperor Kangxi only said "I know", and continued to shoot arrows. Afterwards, someone asked Kangxi why he didn’t immediately mobilize troops to suppress the rebellion. Kangxi calmly replied: “Fujian and Guangxi are thousands of miles away from the capital. If they do not carry out the imperial edict, they are resisting the edict. If they blindly carry out the imperial edict, they must win the battle. Since I have appointed them as governors to guard the place, the high-ranking and rich officials should know their responsibilities.” Soon, two rebellions occurred. Sure enough, it was calm.But I think the current "big border officials" may not have the consciousness of officials in the Kangxi era.I thought, I must leapfrog and tell Beijing the situation I am in, so that Beijing will allow me to go to the front line.So, I couldn't bear it anymore and picked up the pen: Duty Room of the Photography Department of the Headquarters:

The order to stand by in Amman has been received, and as a soldier I carry out this order with great disapproval, as if obeying the decision issued by Baghdad a week ago, I will appeal to you again.Because, from the perspective of work, there are no more things that can be photographed in Amman. It is a waste of time to put the war photographers in a neutral country to wait for a turnaround.It is hard to meet the photojournalists evacuated from Baghdad here, and they have split their way into Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.Amman is too safe and peaceful. 1.Amman is no longer a springboard for a return to Baghdad.Iraq has closed the border with Iraq and stopped visa processing.I have been to the Iraqi embassy in Jordan and the border area between Iraq and Jordan.

2.Water, electricity, and transportation in Baghdad were paralyzed, making photography, interviews, and publications impossible. CNN has satellite feeds and I have nothing. 3.Unless Israel pretends to fight against others, generally you can't shoot war scenes in Jordan, it's too safe here.There are three reasons: 1) Iraq does not want to lose the quiet border in the west. In order to concentrate the army armored units on the 31° north latitude line to prevent the US military from landing, Iraq hopes that there will be no war in the west; 2) Israel does not need to take the risk of angering the Arab countries. Considering that it will not take the initiative to attack the east bank of the Jordan River; 3) Jordan must not only protect its own interests and keep the Hashemite dynasty, but also boast itself as a "front-line country" to satisfy its economic interests.Therefore, Jordan may very well become the Switzerland of the Middle East.So not suitable for battlefield photography.

4.Whether Israel participates in the war depends entirely on its national interests.Unless they are attacked by Iraqi chemical or biological weapons and suffer heavy casualties, they will generally not fight back with one or two "Scuds".And if Iraq wants to use biological and chemical weapons, it should be when the allied armies penetrate into Iraqi territory and Iraq is on the verge of collapse.The allies will not rush to land until the artillery preparations are less than a month old.So there is no war in Amman. 5.Such as Israel's attack on Iraq is nothing more than two methods: 1) air force bombing.This is impossible, because the Israeli air force cannot be better than the air force of the allies. The Israeli air force, which has always been known for its surprise wins, is now impossible to achieve the surprise effect of the bombing of the Iranian nuclear reactor in the "Babylon Operation" in 1982; 2) The tank attack.This is not possible now, because the supply line is too long, and Israel is unable to guarantee the 2,000-kilometer oil supply.At a speed of 40 kilometers per hour, it cannot cause a surprise effect.Therefore, being a war correspondent has little meaning in Amman.

I am in a position like Patton at Bastogne in December 1944.Yamamoto Fifty-Six was opposed to going to war with the United States, but since the emperor let it go, he fought with all his might.I will abide by the decision to stay in Amman, just as I was evacuated from Bagh a week ago.