I was very surprised to learn that the so-called peace movement, Malaysians for Peace, were still around and harping on issues such as the liberation of Iraq. Sometimes I wonder whether these people have got their heads screwed on right.

Before the war they claimed they were not pro-Saddam but pro-peace. Now, when the Iraqis have finally gotten the chance to build a democratic and free nation with the help of the international community, they are condemning the US and its coalition that is trying to rebuild that country.

It is no wonder that the Iraqis regard their so-called Muslim brothers in other countries with so much suspicion. After years of looking the other way and tolerating Saddam, now Malaysia and the rest of the Muslim countries are suddenly so concerned for Iraq and calling for the 'occupiers' to leave, just when the Iraqis have a chance to live free lives.

There are even those who claim that since the US started this war, they should then the peace as well. "Why should they ask us for aid now?" they gloat. That is a reasonable position to take, but it smacks of hypocrisy by the very same people who speak of their compassion and love for their Muslim brothers.

Obviously these particular Muslim brothers, e.g. the Iraqis, are not deserving of help because it was the US who helped to liberate them from Saddam. And for those who say that the war was illegal because it was not sanctioned by the UN Security Council, please recall that the war in Kosovo a few years back was also not sanctioned by the United Nations. Malaysia supported it anyway. I did not see any Malaysians for Peace campaign calling for Nato not to remove Milosevic, did I?

Say what you will about the US and its faults, at the end of the day they spilt their own blood and freed a Muslim country from one of the worst dictators of our times, saving the people from years of torture and misrule.

The sad thing is that some Muslim countries would rather be on the sidelines with their 'peace' movements and their catchphrases. I wonder whose side history will judge favorably?