The Islamic State’s vision of conflict in the Middle East as part of a
centuries-old struggle between faithful Muslims and infidel crusaders
is apocalyptic and insane. But there is a less-crazy version of this
narrative – involving colonialism and oil – that many people accept,
especially in Arab countries.
The dictators who held power in the Middle East for much of the 20th century, propped up by the West, were brutal in repressing the Muslim Brotherhood and other religiously inspired political movements. Yet even when they were outlawed and driven underground, these movements managed to survive – and grow.
When Hosni Mubarak was deposed in Egypt, creating another of those sudden vacuums, the political force most ready to step in was the moderate Muslim Brotherhood. Mohamed Morsi had the chance to show the world that a government led by an Islamist party could be fair, tolerant and effective. The United States and its allies had the chance to help Morsi succeed.
He failed, and so did we in in Europe and the US.
Had things worked out differently, Obama would be able to point to Egypt as an example for frustrated young Muslims who feel powerless. Instead, the jihadists point to Egypt and say: Look, my brothers, it is as we told you. They will never allow pious Muslims to hold power, not even in our own lands.
There is much about fundamentalist Islam that is incompatible with – even abhorrent to – the modern world. I’m not talking about the Islamic State’s obscene and theatrical violence, which appalls and disgusts devout Muslims and others alike. I refer mostly to a set of attitudes about women that need to be aired, challenged and reformed. This kind of positive change can take place, but only in the open. Repression strengthens the hand of the hard-liners.
Political Islam cannot be bombed away. If it is not somehow allowed constructive expression, it unfortunately will make itself heard, and felt, in more tragic ways.
Note EU-Digest: Indeed the politics of Islam can not be bombed away but need to get a Martin Luther type modernization. Martin Luther in the 16th Century challenged the authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church . Luther taught that salvation and subsequently eternity in heaven is not earned by good deeds but is received only as a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the redeemer from sin and subsequently eternity in Hell. Luther also set a model for the equality between men and women and promoted the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry. Change must come from within Islam, like it came to Christianity through Martin Luther.
EU-Digest
The dictators who held power in the Middle East for much of the 20th century, propped up by the West, were brutal in repressing the Muslim Brotherhood and other religiously inspired political movements. Yet even when they were outlawed and driven underground, these movements managed to survive – and grow.
When Hosni Mubarak was deposed in Egypt, creating another of those sudden vacuums, the political force most ready to step in was the moderate Muslim Brotherhood. Mohamed Morsi had the chance to show the world that a government led by an Islamist party could be fair, tolerant and effective. The United States and its allies had the chance to help Morsi succeed.
He failed, and so did we in in Europe and the US.
Had things worked out differently, Obama would be able to point to Egypt as an example for frustrated young Muslims who feel powerless. Instead, the jihadists point to Egypt and say: Look, my brothers, it is as we told you. They will never allow pious Muslims to hold power, not even in our own lands.
There is much about fundamentalist Islam that is incompatible with – even abhorrent to – the modern world. I’m not talking about the Islamic State’s obscene and theatrical violence, which appalls and disgusts devout Muslims and others alike. I refer mostly to a set of attitudes about women that need to be aired, challenged and reformed. This kind of positive change can take place, but only in the open. Repression strengthens the hand of the hard-liners.
Political Islam cannot be bombed away. If it is not somehow allowed constructive expression, it unfortunately will make itself heard, and felt, in more tragic ways.
Note EU-Digest: Indeed the politics of Islam can not be bombed away but need to get a Martin Luther type modernization. Martin Luther in the 16th Century challenged the authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church . Luther taught that salvation and subsequently eternity in heaven is not earned by good deeds but is received only as a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the redeemer from sin and subsequently eternity in Hell. Luther also set a model for the equality between men and women and promoted the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry. Change must come from within Islam, like it came to Christianity through Martin Luther.
EU-Digest
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