From: Kevin (kevin@xap.com)
Date: Thu Apr 03 2003 - 19:24:52 BST
I sent this response weeks ago and it somehow didn't get through. I'd
still like to offer these comments despite the fact that the discussion
has devolved since Nargess' comments:
Nargess:
When Moslims came to Spain they gave Knowledge,Philosophy,Art and many
other valuable things
to West.They did not impose anything to them.When North Europeans
fighted with each other
for food,Moslims dedicated culture,Music and the basis of Philosophy to
them.The Europeans
became familiar with Greek Philosophers by Arabic translations of their
books,although Europeans
were very close to Greece.The era of Moslims' power in Europe was one of
the most brilliant eras of raising the culture in history.
Now West wants to invate Moslims' society.But what are you trying to
dedicate Moslims?
West previously gave "Taliban" to Moslim world.Bin Laden's mission was
defaming Islam .He
was made by West for this especial reason.He was successful in that way
,
but West did not need him any more;so they said he was a terrorist.What
a key word:TERRORIST.
Moslims are not stupid.They can distinguish a real moslim from an
artificial(forged) moslim.
They know very well that Bin Laden is an illusiory moslim.
West gave Israel and its problems to Moslims.
West took Moslims' oil and in return gave them the gift of many
wars.Moslims' oil burns in
weapons with which West is killing Moslims.
How many Moslims were killed by west in 1967?It is just an example.There
are many of these
examples.If you compare the number of Moslims killed by West with the
number of Westerners
killed by Moslims you can see clearly that Westerners are more terrorist
than Moslims.
The only thing that Moslims want West ,it is that West leave them free
and doesn't interrupt and interfere in their life.Freedom,democracy and
humanrights are something that moslims know very well,themselves.Islam
is the religion of freedom.
Moslims gave knowledge to Westerners and they gave death to Moslims.
So it is clear that they dont rely on you.
Kevin:
I have to say that I'm very glad you had the courage to express this
point of view. This is the point of view that goes largely ignored on
this topic.
It's easy for Idealists to sit around and dictate The Good to people
without considering what the people themselves have to say on the
matter.
Nargess has acted as the voice of the overwhelming majority of Muslims
in the world who are caught in the middle of this "war". On the one
hand, they abhor terrorism and what it stands for. On the other hand,
they feel conflicted by the fact that only violence seems to get the
attention of the world powers when it comes to the injustices and
humiliation endured by Muslims around the world. They shudder at the
murderous acts of 9/11, but somehow feel it might have been necessary
since no one seemed to be listening.
Just goes to show how when you are voiceless and powerless, you might
welcome almost anything that stands up and speaks for you, even when
it's clearly wrong. I encounter these type of conflicting emotions among
many of my Arab and Muslim friends. They are truly torn between their
respect and adoration of many things in the West, but feel tremendous
anger, frustration and (probably the most underrated motivation)
humiliation for what has happened to an ancient, proud and once glories
culture.
I think it is wrong to blame the West for all of the problems facing the
Muslim world. Too often this blame game results in nothing more than
reinforcing the misplaced notion that we don't have tremendous room for
building on common ground.
Clearly the West has been complicit in supporting brutal, authoritarian
regimes that have humiliated and exploited their own people. Clearly
Muslims have complicated their own situation by focusing on blaming
outside forces for what they have failed to secure for themselves.
Muslims have been manipulated into continuously externalizing the causes
for their cultural crisis.
Perhaps a constructive dialogue can occur if we begin by accepting our
various responsibilities and recognizing our respective mistakes.
The Western Imperialism of this century has clearly contributed to
what's wrong, but we often forget that Western Imperialism was proceeded
by an era of brutal Muslim Imperialism which is also responsible for the
gulf between East and West. The blame game so often results in a kind of
"chicken or the egg" game of trying to pinpoint who bears ultimate
responsibility for the Cultural Divide. Can I be so bold to suggest that
it doesn't matter?
For Westerners, sitting around and prescribing The Good for other
cultures, irrespective of their feelings, is part of the historic
problem. It's a continuation of the Colonial mindset that is largely
responsible for this mess.
For Muslims, allowing the most destructive and radical element to become
their only political voice in the world will only continue to reinforce
the Colonial mindset. Allowing Islam to be hijacked by the most unholy
of men and used as a tool of destruction will not result in a blossoming
of your own culture. I'm positive that Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri does NOT
speak for the overwhelming majority of Muslims. Resisting them and
discrediting that message is something that can only happen at home.
Just a starting point, I hope, for what can be a constructive dialogue
for how to heal this gulf before it becomes irreversible.
-Kevin
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