Am I the only one that finds the response to the Gaza crisis from elements in the UK Muslim community, and the response by the media and political community, to be utterly absurd?
The guardian reported this today...
Anger within Britain's Muslim communities over the Gaza conflict has reached "acute levels of intensity" that could have repercussions for national security, leading Muslims will warn Gordon Brown today
I just cannot fathom this logic. It's as if the Muslim community are implying that it's perfectly normal for someone to want to blow themselves up on Britain's commuter network because of something happening two and half thousand miles away in a foreign country - and the press and government don't even bother to question this rationale!
I understand that the conflict in Gaza will radicalise more Muslims and turn them to extremism but separate the symptoms from the sickness people! The Gaza conflict is not the root cause of Islamism and the sooner the press and elements of the Muslim community stop implying that it is the sooner we might begin to address the issue sensibly (both the issue of the Gaza crisis and the radicalisation of extremist communities).
Extremist Islamism existed before the Gaza crisis, it grew independently of the State of Israel and will continue to exist even if Israel ceased to. Islamist extremism is a product of modernity - it is a reaction to a changing world and has a whole plethora of complex political, social and anthropological causes.
Dumbing this thing down and blaming ourselves instead of tackling the issues will get us no where.
Third time lucky....
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with you here
First, those speaking out and giving these warnings are amongst the most moderate of Muslims - people like Ed Husain who has actively spoken out against Islamism
Second, whether you happen to think it is 'right' or not, the issue of the Middle east does unite and activate Muslims like no other. Ask any moderate Muslim and they will confirm this - it becomes, thus, an easy way of introducing people to radical ideas because it is something which Muslims are at one about.
And surely you can see how the very active support of the Jewish diaspora for Israel is much the same phenomena - one thing the Jews and Muslims share is a sense of international connection based on faith and identity
I do think that we are foolish to not listen to moderates within the Muslim community who have a far more profound understanding of their reality than you or I
I can't believe for a second that the 'Muslim brotherhood' gives a flying monkeys about the plight of the Palestinians. Their concern in this conflict is to try and get one over on Israel rather than the promotion of the Palestinian cause.
ReplyDeleteI think Merseymike is quite prescriptive in suggesting that 'Muslims are at one' on the issue of the issue of the Middle East. I'd like to think that Muslims, are individuals and not flock-followers based on their religion.
Something which I know is uncomfortable to discuss but should perhaps be explored in my opinion is the relative youth of Islam as a religion. Other monotheistic religions like Christianity and Judaism have both seen significant upheavals in their mindsets where government and democracy are concerned due to the steady erosion of religion as a uniting (and in many instances detrimental!) factor in governing.
Maybe it's about time for a revolution in Islamic / Muslim governance? Separation of Mosque and State is a pretty reasonable starting point. That way it could put a stop to the absurdity of the claim, that is Islam being oppressed by the West when in fact the only thing oppressing the 'Islamic Street' are the Islamic religious elites.
Mersey Mike - I'm not saying we shouldn't listen to what the Muslim community has to say. Unfortunately they are probably right about this conflict radicalising more muslims. My point is the utter absurdity of the situation and the fact that nobody bothers to address it or even question it. because it is comletely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteJamesh - you're right on the first bit. The second part about the age of the religion is an interesting point but I don't think it is the only factor in play. Many many Muslims are happy and law abiding citizens of democratic states and would not have it any other way. There are also many Muslim groups who argue for democracy and liberalism (although they are always silenced or overpowered by the more traditional and consevrative groups who have much more money, and, dare I say it, support)
I think the problem is not the religion per se but the geopolitical realities of the region.
I wasn't suggesting that all Muslims are running round in fundamentalist states. India, Indonesia and Turkey all have vibrant democracies (although the latter two are open to slightly conservative religious tendencies in their peripheries). That being said I think that an Islamic cultural revolution in governance terms is necessary. The romanticising of Islamic states like Iran or Saudi, only serves to corrupt future generations of leaders.
ReplyDeleteFailing that, we could have a different rule altogether: no-one lives in the Middle East and we use it as a giant petrol station. Of course I am being flippant but think of how easy life would be?! :-)