LONDON - Former British prime minister Tony Blair has apologised for “mistakes” made in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Blair also said there are “elements of truth” in claims that the invasion was the main cause of the rise of the Islamic State group.
Blair’s decision to send troops to back the US-led invasion is still a live political issue in Britain, where a six-year public inquiry into the conflict is yet to publish its findings. 
Asked whether the offensive was the principal cause of the rise of Islamic State, which now controls large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria, Blair said there were “elements of truth” in that. “Of course, you can’t say that those of us who removed (former Iraqi dictator) Saddam (Hussein) in 2003 bear no responsibility for the situation in 2015,” Blair told CNN in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
Critics say the US decision to disband Saddam Hussein’s army after the invasion created a huge security vacuum exploited by Al-Qaeda, which was eventually replaced by Islamic State. 
Some former Iraqi army officers, members of the Sunni minority which says it has been marginalised by the Shi’ite-led government backed by Western powers, are senior strategists in Islamic State. The Iraqi government says it has not marginalised Sunnis.
Blair said the “Arab Spring” uprisings across the region also affected Iraq, and pointed out that Islamic State had risen out of a base in Syria, not Iraq.
Blair apologised for what he described as mistakes in planning and intelligence before the war and in preparations for what would happen once Saddam was removed, but said it had been the right decision.
“We have tried intervention and putting down troops in Iraq; we’ve tried intervention without putting in troops in Libya; and we’ve tried no intervention at all but demanding regime change in Syria. It’s not clear to me that, even if our policy did not work, subsequent policies have worked better,” he said.
“I find it hard to apologise for removing Saddam. I think, even from today in 2015, it is better that he’s not there than that he is there.” 
By the time the war officially ended on Dec. 15, 2011, more than 4,000 US troops and 179 British servicemembers had died and over 100,000 Iraqi civilians were killed, according to the website Iraq Body Count.
More than 3,000 American soldiers are currently in Iraq, training and advising government forces and police.
The comments from Blair, a divisive figure for leading Britain into the Iraq war, come shortly before a timetable for the publication of the much-delayed public inquiry into the Iraq war is due to be announced.
Amid intense pressure to publish from lawmaers and families of military personnel killed in the war, John Chilcot will write to Prime Minister David Cameron by November 3 saying when the inquiry, launched in 2009, will be completed.

Source:
The Nation

Khanum Syeda Tayyaba Bukhari is a world renowned personality gifted with many varied and valuable attributes.  She is a highly educated religious scholar, well versed in the Holy Qur’an,  Hadith, Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic History having spent around 15 years, from 1984 – 1998, gaining specialist education in these subjects.  Her education began at the age of 9 in Qum, the educational capital of Iran.

Madam Bukhari is an eloquent and talented speaker fluent in six languages; Urdu, Arabic, Persian, English, Punjabi and Siraiki and makes regular appearances before both live audiences and the camera for recorded and also live broadcasts on a variety of different international television channels.

Khanum spends much of her time tirelessly working for the poor and needy providing food and shelter as well as education for the masses.  This influence was gained from being brought up in a religious family unit with both parents active in the social service of the people and thus, there never seemed to be a career path more fitting.

Where other people would stop upon recognition, Khanum strives to take one step further and when asked what motivates her, her answer is simple and selfless, “The satisfaction lies in serving God’s creation”.

Educational Background

Khanum Syeda Tayyaba Bukhari has been gifted with comprehensive knowledge and expert understanding of the Holy Quran, Nahjul Balagha, Sahifa-e-Kamila, Islamic Law, Hadith and Islamic history.  She undertook her specialist studies at the University of Qum under the expert guidance of luminaries such as Ayatollah Qazi Zahidi, Ayatollah Tehrani, Ayatollah Fazil (Marja-e-Taqleed), Ayatollah Abbasi, Agha Amin, Ghulam Raza Moosvi & Agha Mehmoodito name but a few.  Until 1998, she was resident in Iran and upon relocating to Pakistan, Khanum continued to pursue her studies.  In 2002, she successfully graduated with a Bachelors degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies and then in 2004, Khanum obtained a Masters degree in Arabic from the well known establishment “Wifaq ul Madaris”.  Regardless of her established status and worldwide recognition, Khanum continues to study towards her Doctorate which will be awarded from the University of Qum, Iran.

Oratory Experience

Khanum is well versed in 6 languages; Arabic, English, Persian, Urdu, Punjabi and Siraiki and isan accomplished lecturer having visited no less than 49 cities in 14 different countries to lecture in one of the variety of languages she has mastered.  She has been invited upon special request to communities all over the world and many commendations have been received from community leaders worldwide. Khanum has also worked selflessly travelling to many different areas in Pakistan although the journey may be long and gruelling; cities and villages in Pakistan include areas such as Quetta, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tando Mohd Khan, D I Khan, Peshawar, Attock, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujrat, Lalamusa, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhelum, D G Khan, Muzaffargarh, Sangharr, Nawabshah, Mirpur Khaas, Hyderabad, Wah and Taxila.

Internationally, Khanum has captivated audiences in: the USA (Hawaii, Austin, Chicago, California, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Houston and Pennsylvania), the UK (Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Manchester, Newport, London, Northampton and Slough), the United Arab Emirates(Umm Ul Qawain, Ajmaan, Raasul Khaimah, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), Canada (Toronto, Mississauga, Montreal and London), Germany (Frankfurt), France (Paris), Azerbaijan (Bako), Oman, Muscat, Qatar, Australia (Sydney), Norway (Oslo), Turkey (Istanbul and Ankara), Iran (Mashhad, Tehran, Qum, Isfahan, Zahidan etc.), Iraq(Najaf, Karbala, Kazmain, Baghdad and Samarra), Syria (Damascus and Halab), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Makkah and Madina), Tanzania (Dar es Salam, Zanzibar and Bagamoyo), China(Beijing and Urumqi) and Kenya (Nairobi and Mombasa).

Specialist Topics

The following is a list of specialist areas upon which Khanum has delivered a series of ten lectures, each ranging from 60-90 minutes:

• Dua -  The philosophy and power of supplication
• Sajda - The philosophy of prostration
• Istiqamat - Non deviation from the right path
• Sabr - Patience
• Rajat - The time of The Return
• Wahabiat - The sect of Wahabi-ism
• Falsafa e Namaz  - The philosophy of the Salat Prayer
• Ikhlaqiat - Islamic morals and etiquettes
• Khawateen Kay Haqooq - Social and Religious
• Afw wa Darguzar - Pardoning and forgiveness
• Tarbiyat e Aulad - Correct upbringing of children
• Falsafa e Hajj - The philosophy of Hajj Pilgrimage
• Falsafa e Sawm - The philosophy of the Fast
• Safina e Nijaat - The Ark of Salvation
• Amr bil Maaroof wa Nahi Anil Munkir - Inviting to good and forbidding from sin
• Taqwa - Piety
• Tazkiya e Nafs - Purification of the soul
• Ilm o Eimaan - Knowledge and Faith
• Jamal e Khatamiyat der Karbala – Significance of the final message in Karbala
• Jamal e Sahaabiaat der Karbala - Significance of the Companions in Karbala
• Jamal e Kerbala der Aaina e Fitrat - Karbala: In the reflection of Human Nature
• Shaiyr e Illahi ki Taazeem - Reverence of the Signs of Allah
• Taqwa ki Alamat - Signs of Piety
• Bina e La'Illah - The Foundation of La'Illaha
• Shajra e Tayyaba - The Noble Bloodline
• Mohabbat e Haq - Love of the Truth
• Tasleem o Riza - Complete faith in the will of Allah
• Falsafa e Qiyaam e Karbala - The philosophy of the uprising of Karbala

Conferences

As well as a lecturer, Khanum is regarded as a much sought after panellist in many religious and social & contemporary events and conferences in all corners of the world where she has presented herself as a standard bearer for her country.  Wherever she has been known to speak, people have been left in awe of her knowledge and eloquence.

Conferences that Khanum has participated in include:

2001:   Hazrat Khadija tul Kubra Conference (Karachi)

            Seerat ul Nabi Conference

2002:   Maleeka Tul Arab Conference

            Imam Hussain(as) Seminar

2003:  Hazrat Khadija tul Kubra Conference (Karachi)

Seerat ul Nabi Conference (Islamabad)

Imam e Zamana conference 28th Feb,2003

2004:  Hazrat Khadija tul Kubra Conference (Karachi)

Imam-e-Zamana conference, 28th February 2004 (Lahore)

2005:   Hazrat Khadija tul Kubra Conference. (Lahore)

Khatoon e Jannat Conference (Lahore)

International Seerat Conference (Islamabad)

2006:   Hazrat Khadija tul Kubra Conference, 2nd July 2006 (Islamabad)

Seerat e Fatima tuz Zahra Conference, 8th August 2006 (Karachi)

2007:  Khadija tul Kubra Conference (Karachi)

2008:   Seerat ul Nabi Conference (Karachi)

2009:   Allama Rasheed Turabi Centenary Lecture, 20th August 2009 (Karachi)

Hazrat Ali Conference (Islamabad)

2010:   International Hajj Conference, 3rd October 2010 (Islamabad)

Seminar on Inter Faith Harmony, 27th March 2010 (California)

2011:   International Seerat Conference, 5th May 2011 (Islamabad)

4th Session of PM’s Dialogue with Nation, 3rd August 2011 (Islamabad)

International Hajj Conference, 28th September 2011 (Islamabad)

Lecture on Inter Faith Harmony, 8th September 2011 (Oslo)

Seminar On “Quran: Kitab-e-Zindagi”, 29th March 2011 (Karachi)

Azmat e Quran wa Nabi e Akram Conference, 19th July 2011 (Islamabad)

2012:   International Seerat Conference, 5th February 2012 (Islamabad)

            Family & Globalisation Conference, 12th & 13th May 2012 (Tehran)

            Interfaith Harmony Seminar, 11th June 2012 (The Marriott, Islamabad)

Career

As well as Khanum’s phenomenal oratory experience, there are many other impressive aspects of Khanum’s work history.  One of these is her never-ending quest for social justice.  Many years ago, she founded the well known charitable organisation, Bukhari Relief Foundation, a non-governmental organisation,  and has since worked tirelessly towards helping people all over Pakistan that have been displaced by major natural disasters such as the earthquake of 2005 and then the floods of 2010 & 2011, both of which events changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.  BRF, under the leadership of Madam Bukhari visited affected areas such a Rajinpur, Jampur, Layyah, D G Khan, Sangharr, Nawabshah, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad,Muzaffargarh, D.I. Khan, Noshera, Pabbi, Sukkhar, Jacobabad, Quetta and Gilgit in order to distribute aid directly to those in need of it.  Amongst Madam Bukhari’s main aims for the future, there is much emphasis on the objectives to be achieved by BRF. If there is hope for tomorrow, it comes in the form of Khanum Syeda Tayyaba Bukhari and her heartfelt efforts.

As a passionate and dedicated social welfare worker, Khanum is committed to reaching out to people in order to provide them with the support and opportunity they require.  In the hope of providing people with a chance at a better future, Khanum Bukhari has arranged the mass weddings of many couples where under normal circumstances, families would not have been able to afford this.  She is not only Chief Executive Officer for BRF but also supports other organisations that engage in efforts to ameliorate society.  Having dealt with simple and also complex cases where she has spent much time and resources in resolving matters, Khanum has acquired a reputation for being an exemplary humanitarian and one of the greatest of her time at that.

Due to Khanum’s extraordinary social and theological awareness, she has the ability to penetrate the most unyielding of minds, coupled with her flair for writing; her literary prowess has been displayed in her regular contributions as columnist for national Urdu paper, “Daily Jang” (Pakistan).  Madam Bukhari has also contributed the content to a book published in Toronto, Canada entitled “Tohfa E Abbas” which has been widely distributed and is also available on the internet.

Accolades and Awards

Khanum Bukhari has no shortage of admirers over all countries and continents because of her magnificent persona and has been honoured many times with various ceremonial orders and awards on her knowledge and work for the cultivation of humanity.

• Quran e Hakim Award 2007 awarded by The Institute of Islamic Teachings and was the first ever distinction to be received by any female scholar.
• Allama Rasheed Turabi Centenary Award 2009 awarded on the occasion of the centennial remembrance of the birth of the great Allama Rasheed Turabi.  The recipient of this award was discussed, debated and assessed by a panel of jurists over a period of twelve months and of the many esteemed scholars, male and female, from all corners of the world, nominated.  The honourable Khanum Syeda Tayyaba Bukhari was selected as the most deserving scholar.

• Quran e Hakim Award 2011 awarded by The IIT (Karachi, Pakistan)
• Wonder Women Award 2012 awarded by the National Hero Foundation (NHF).  The Wonder Woman Awards are a yearly celebration of the achievements of Pakistani women in a range of different categories.  Each category has many nominees from all ages, well known for their service to the people.  The award under the category of Religious Scholar was awarded to Khanum Syeda Tayyaba Bukhari on March 8th 2012.

International communities have reached out to Khanum to congratulate and appreciate her efforts upon her receipt of the various awards and recognitions in her honour.  She has numerous mentions in many national and international newspapers dedicated to her achievements by her many followers.  Khanum is seen as not only an inspiration to women all over the world but an asset to her people and her country.


Source:
KhanumTayyabaBukhari.com