Good news from Darfur
Tehran Times Political Desk

A British peace delegation to Darfur has triggered a landmark initiative.

The Muslim-only venture, which included journalist Yvonne Ridley, has captured the imagination of political opponents and rivals in the troubled region of Darfur.

Tribal leaders and government opposition rivals sat down and talked to the delegation about their concerns.

Ridley, the first Western woman to sit and address such a group in Darfur, told the meeting: “We have come here to listen and not to lecture. There has been a propaganda campaign which has demonized the people of Darfur.

“Today we want to cut through the media myths, lies and manipulation to get to the truth and to listen to your concerns.”

Ridley, a presenter for Press TV, added: “Too many have sat down to talk peace whilst bringing to the table their own hidden agendas, political ambitions, corporate greed and self interests.

“None of us on this delegation has anything to gain and are motivated by nothing more than compassion and love for our brothers and sisters in Islam. Your suffering and pain is felt across the Ummah and now we want to come up with a practical healing process, reconciliation and peace.”

To the astonishment of skeptics, the delegation has laid the ground for a very real chance to find a solution to a conflict which has consumed politicians in the West for years.

Lord Ahmed said: “There is no quick fix solution but what makes this initiative different is that it has been driven from the grassroots upwards by a group of people who have nothing to gain personally or politically and, because of that, what we have achieved already is a basis for trust.

“The delegation has worked around the clock to bring together tribal leaders in Darfur to establish an agenda and a venue for a forthcoming conference.”

Lord Ahmed’s delegation met with senior leaders from the heart of the five-year-long conflict. All pledged their support for the initiative.

The British peer added: “This initiative will compliment the prime minister’s peace conference and is not intended to undermine the good work done by the European Union, African Union and the United Nations.”

Syed Lakht-e Hussnain, the chairman of the Muslim Hands charity, which has offices in Khartoum and several projects in the Darfur region was also a member of the delegation

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