Across Syria & Inside Homs

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Have a seat ,please....

This 18th-century Syrian chair had been carefully designed to your full satisfaction and comfort,whatever your location,biological characteristics,and beliefs are...you will enjoy relaxing ....
have a seat ,rest your hands and tounge and let your mind lead you....

photpgrapher: Marwan Musselmani

I had a discussion 2 days ago with someone i met,who pleasently agreed to summerize the points we discussed..

this article is addressed to all people intrested in having a wider picture of the conflict that is going on ,between what we may call the east and the west ...maybe the first paragraph is more addressed to the west,mean while the second one for east, in attempt to allow the wise ones to see between the lines. it includes some facts and statements published by the elite thinkers (names mentioned),yet with a personal openion based on his reading .i hope you enjoy it as much as i did,it contains no harm to any one , just simple facts and theories.



Since the reduction of distances between the corners of the globe, and since the increase of growth of societies, and since the increase of communication between societies, the human being started looking around his environment in an attempt to define his identity.

Some Western elite thinkers opted to define the identity through determining what is different from it. Hence, developing a bi-polar system built upon “us” and “them”, or “west” and “east”. In this system, the “us” is applied to everything that relates to the superiority of the western human being. This racist point of view led the west to look at the world as divided into a superior civilized west, and an inferior undeveloped east.

Those elite thinkers of the west started a huge operation to widen the gap between the east and west. This operation was carried out by portraying the eastern human being as inferior and as a representative of evil; in contrast with a radiant picture of the western human being, the representative of good throughout the world.

The gap reached its peak when the west gave itself the right to control the east under the sign of “civilization attempt”, and calling this right “the white mans burden”. This is the school of Orientalism which lasted for decades with a goal to paint the current picture of the east in the western society’s view (Refer to ‘Orientalism’ by Edward Said).

The result of this Orientlism took shape in the form of the crusades and colonization endeavors, in an effort to control the east through continuous waves. All these waves came under different justifications, while they had the goal of control and colonization.

In a quick analysis of the last five centuries, we find that the western control project was at times under a religious cover and at other under an occupation cover; until our present time where it takes a cultural form.

- The American philosopher ‘Francis Fokoyama’ saw that the fall of the Soviet Union, along with its satellite states, the end of the cold war, and the control of the west represented in the Great power, as the end of history. The end of history meaning the end of the progress of human ideology and setting liberal democracy as the governmental standard for the whole world to follow. He also says that world conflict is at an end, save for a few skirmishes that might surface in the third world.
From this point of view, we can sense a new western control project over the east, this time, under the cover of spreading western liberal democracy, even if force is to be used to end conflict between people. Isn’t it clear that this is an introduction to a new conflict between people who support this theory and want to force it upon the world, and those who refuse this new control project?

- ‘The clash of civilizations –remaking of world order’ which is offered by the American philosopher Samuel P. Huntington, sees the world as divided into numerous cultures, and hence numerous civilizations. The world is divided into eight civilizations: Western, Confusionist, Japanese, Hindu, Orthodox, Latin America, African, and Islamic. The source of danger of this theory stems from the fact that Huntington sees a clash between all of the above civilizations, and between the Confusionest and Islamic civilizations, owing this to the inherent evil in these two civilizations, and their inability to achieve the same civilized standard enjoyed by the west.

This is politics again, opportunism by definition, the art of managing interests, but every time with a new cover under which they hide an attempt to exercise the control over others.

The presence of such pilots on the west’s ship will steer it in the direction of more disparities leading to a clash of civilizations with the east.

The printing of the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in most western countries, and in clear provocation of the Muslim emotions, if not an unorganized mistake, then it is a push by some western groups towards a greater clash of civilizations by directing a greatly calculated deed and waiting for a response, which they hope to be violent, in order for it to be used by those who exercise this control as an additional stepping stone towards the clash that they desire to happen soon.

There is no doubt that an appropriate response to this intentional insult is necessary. However, the required response must be properly calculated in order for the muslims not to fall into the trap of a violent response that the supports of the clash of civilizations are waiting for. With the muslims falling into this trap, the supporters of the clash of civilizations will get the results needed to unite themselves against what they call ‘the danger from the east’. A proper and calculated response is a duty of the muslims, which will waste this golden opportunity for who believes in the clash. In defending the prophet (PBUH), this response is at a higher level then a response fueled by emotions, and higher then economic boycotts whose effects will fade with time, bearing in mind that boycott is the accepted, peaceful expression of anger..

Why we do not see a group of enlightened thinkers coming out, a group that is familiar with the west and can speak their language, a group that can discuss this insult logically, to go as an envoy and meet with the moderates of the west and explain to them about this person that was in an unrealistic, untrue image.

It is certain that their lack of knowledge about the savior of humanity prevents them from seeing the insult they caused to his person, and to 1.5 billion muslims. If they knew him, they would only be able to love him. The west’s lack of knowledge about our religion, our prophet, and our holy places is a factor behind a deed like this, and the worst of my fears is that a similar ignorance on our side causes an uncalculated response that would have negative consequences. These emotional responses would be employed by people in different camps for their own benefits.
In our holy book (Qouran) , these issues were clearly addressed:
‘Discuss with others in better ways’
‘good and bad cant be the same ,respond in a good way,you turn your enemy into a close friend’
‘a good statement is a good tree,with a strong root,and branched into the sky,giving fruits everytime’

Hope this data enlighten our minds to what mistakes all people might fall in,bearing in mind that we live on one land ..the earth....

12 Comments:

  • Clash of civilization idea is a well known theory, however it is argumentative and controversial theory, I believe the inevitable solution is to redefine the fundamental root that capacitated our predecessors with their superiority. Unless we discover what could strengthen us and work hard to acquire it, we and the next generations will be spending our time randomly in imitating and chanting against the West.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/18/2006 6:51 AM  

  • There is an Arabic provoke that says : this is the straw that broke down the camel' s back" this outrage and wide reaction throughout the Moslem world was not just in response to this one incident, nor it was directed against Denmark specifically.
    It was actually the kind of "that is it,, we have had it"…. I know Amr Khaled is one of these sensible people whom already took an initiative action towards opening a direct dialogue between Moslem/western people. Let us hope it works well for all.

    I also wish to see the same anger and same determination to work on our defaults which we all know they are not few at all.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/21/2006 2:32 AM  

  • Hello, I am from Denmark. I agree that the drawings were an attempt to provoke - freedom of speech is for when you have something important to say, not just for the right to insult people. I also agree, that it was - as we say in Denmark - "the drop, that made the cup overflow" of, I'm sad to say, ignorant treatment from "the west" towards "the east". AND it is obvious, that hateful people in both camps are using these events. As one thing, I can tell that the Imams who went travelling to show the pictures also brought some wery offensive pictures that were 1)not from Denmark 2)not depicting Muhammed but 3)just some guy from France, who happened to have a beard and was participating in an "pig-lookalike" competition - so he was wearing a pig outfit. Why do you think they showed that picture? Why did they say it was the Prophet, when it wasn't? They were hoping for more hate. And they succeded.Let us all oppose stupidity and lies! Discuss with others in better ways! Love your neighbour! Check blogs for peace www.forsoningnu.dk and www.anotherdenmark.dk

    By Anonymous Cecilie, at 2/22/2006 4:41 PM  

  • The article you posted contains the words of extremists. They are the cancer in all of our societies, and they are the ones who are having a clash of civilizations because of their closed minds.



    Is it getting better?
    Or do you feel the same?
    Will it make it easier on you now?
    You got someone to blame
    You say

    One love
    One life
    When it's one need
    In the night
    One love
    We get to share it
    Leaves you baby if you
    Don't care for it

    Did I disappoint you?
    Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
    You act like you never had love
    And you want me to go without
    Well it's

    Too late
    Tonight
    To drag the past out into the light
    We're one, but we're not the same
    We get to
    Carry each other
    Carry each other
    One

    Have you come here for forgiveness?
    Have you come to raise the dead?
    Have you come here to play Jesus?
    To the lepers in your head

    Did I ask too much?
    More than a lot.
    You gave me nothing,
    Now it's all I got
    We're one
    But we're not the same
    Well we
    Hurt each other
    Then we do it again
    You say
    Love is a temple
    Love a higher law
    Love is a temple
    Love the higher law
    You ask me to enter
    But then you make me crawl
    And I can't be holding on
    To what you got
    When all you got is hurt

    One love
    One blood
    One life
    You got to do what you should
    One life
    With each other
    Sisters
    Brothers
    One life
    But we're not the same
    We get to
    Carry each other
    Carry each other

    One

    One


    God bless you Bono.

    By Blogger Hattori Hanzo, at 2/22/2006 9:58 PM  

  • dear cecilia and hattario:
    i hope that all of us understood the goal of my article...i clearly stated that it is message for both parties in order to avoid anymore clashes,,by accepting the others,,
    regarding the 3 points that cecilia stated,if it was true ,i wished that an official confirmation of this misunderstanding was addressed by the magazine or anyother party who can speak on behalf of them,,i never heared about it ...
    second ..for months the arabic people in yr country (as i saw on tv) tried to talk to the goverment to get an answer or an apology or even to explain how dangerous it is to such things ..but no reponse untill the fire was set all around the world...on the other hand any damages to the danish buidings or people is completly wrong and not accepted by almost all arabs..but when th anger starts..with some misleading info and a rejection from the other party to deal with it fast and logically ..y cant control it ..
    the article was to show that such thoughts and mentality exist in both cultures,,,but i am sure y know that the pressure is on us now ..accused of being guilty ALWAYS...i love yr site and beleive me we talk the same language ..
    hattarion..when y say 'The article you posted contains the words of extremists' do u mean the theories of the writrs.or my own openion..
    the first case ..yes i agree with y ..the second case ..not really..cos it is not my words..i am pasting the thougths that all of us feel that it is becoming pratical..i stated this data to make them clear and avoid implementing them ...

    By Blogger Haider Droubi, at 2/23/2006 2:25 AM  

  • Haidar,

    1. The danish paper, Jyllands Posten, did offer an apology earlier in the year. They did state that some of the pictures going around were not published or drawn by their cartoonists. Sadly, after this apology, I saw people in Pakistan burning the cross. This is not an act towards Denmark, but towards a relegion. I know that you do not accept these acts, but as I said in my comment earlier, these are extremists, and they are the ones who are having a clash of civilizations.

    2. The goverment in Denmark, since it seems to be a good democracy, is not in a position to apologize for Jyllands Posten, nor is it in a position to tell them what to print and what not to print. Jyllands Posten is not Tishreen or Al Baath newspaper!!

    3. No, I did not mean that you are an extremist, because you stated in your post that you did not write it. I mean that I think that whoever wrote the article and Mr. Huntington are extremists.

    For a timeline of the conflict, check,

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4688602.stm

    you will find that Jyllands Posten gave an apology on 31st of January, why are there protests still?
    This of course is not criticism directed at you, its just a genral wondering.

    By Blogger Hattori Hanzo, at 2/23/2006 3:12 AM  

  • dear hattori:

    1.the apology came a little late ..but good that it came ...even if they r not convinced of it ..but what can i say ..the newspaper wanted to see the reaction ..and they saw it ..when someone ask something,he should expect an answer..regardless of how suitable it is ...regarding the cross..i think not considering the huge process of the arab world and concentrating on minor actions to generalize it on what happened is not accepted...when there is a conflict ,expect some misunderstanding ..but no one can generalize this accident.or lets all focus on some minor/fatal mistakes that scratched our humanity with a knife due to some sick minded people taking picturs of arab prisoners under the control of others... but y stating that arab reaction was against a religion..is completly untrue,the other religion u r talking about is a part of our believes...and its symbols are of our icons...
    2.i do understand the position of the danish goverment ..that why ( to my knowledge) no officail apology was requested by our official authorities..it was a test between the newspaper and the muslim people.so far it is like that ..
    no further comments.
    3.mr.huntigton is ,the one who wrote the article isnt , if y pointed out the devil to help others doesnt mean y r a devil..thats how i see it . ...
    anyway...this accident helped both parties to understand actions and reactions ..

    By Blogger Haider Droubi, at 3/01/2006 6:39 AM  

  • I read your blog with interest. I would like to add a couple of comments on the issue of the so-called 'cartoon war', on which I have commented in my blog.

    To quote from a local newspaper, The Iberian Times - "Akkari [the imam who distributed the cartoons around the middle east] now finds himself regretting the results of his brief journey, the somewhat distorted message of which flashed around the muslim world by internet".

    I find I have little sympathy for the man personally, since he was convicted of hitting a child in his care at the school he taught at in Copenhagen. I do find some sympathy with his views though. If you are a minority group, in a country with very different cultural values, and newspapers (who are notoriously insensitive, at least in the west, to their minority readers' sensitivities) publish what is, on a belief, i.e. religious level, offensive then I can see his sense of outrage. This happens all over the western world (and from what I can see via the internet, all over the world). It appears he did try the 'conventional channels' to remedy this by writing to the newspaper, challenging them in the courts, etc. but to no avail. His last resort was to publicise the issue. He seems to have been näive enough to have believed that the issue would remain focussed on his complaint. Instead, the issue was hijacked by others with a more sinister agenda of generating anti-western hysteria amongst the moslem world - this is indeed what happened.

    to quote again, "friends, strangers and close family members are now blaming Akkari for exactly the thing he says he was trying to prevent: the caricaturing of muslims as violent fanatics". Although his motives were genuine, the effect has been to widen even more the perceived cultural gulf between western secular society and moslems.

    This is where a blog such as yours can have a great deal of influence. Thanks to Yahoo and Kevin Sites, I like many others, have discovered your blog and I wish to see the 'other side' of the society which is so demonized by vested interests in the west.

    By telling us how you see us, we can perhaps understand (if not agree) your view of the world a little better.

    By Blogger El Casareño Ingles, at 3/03/2006 2:36 AM  

  • dear El Casareño Ingles

    'the issue was hijacked by others '
    is true ..but it doesnt change the idea that these cartoons were offensive and of no use to who published them ...so my point is that there was no need to write or publish anyhting that can have no use for any party still with an insult to some people...
    above all...if these pictures were about other muslims which we know that they did cause any damage or violance ,,beleive me we wouldnt react ..but the person that was attacked has nothing to do with what they tried to show ..i wish that they provide at least one supportive document or refer to any local or western book that pictured the prophet(p.b.o.h) in that way..to my knowledge no records of that ,,,but the opposite ,,so these cartoons were fiction ..of no use ...and not true ...
    groups who used this issue were from both parties ..so we shouldnt give them a chance ..thats it ..

    By Blogger Haider Droubi, at 3/05/2006 6:46 AM  

  • Dear Haidar,

    I think that me and you are the only ones left talking about this issue! :)

    If you allow me, your problem is that you are making assumptions. A wise professor once taught me that "assumption is the mother of all f*ck-ups". You assume the following,

    1. The aplogy was not meant. "even if they r not convinced of it".

    Who made you the judge?

    2. That the cartoons had no use. "publish anyhting that can have no use for any party".

    Why, if it wasn't for the cartoons we would not be having this discussion, and we would not be looking at our relegion in constructive criticism. Well, at least I am looking at it that way. So, if they had no use for you, it does not mean that had no use for other people.

    In addition, you are putting words in my mouth. Please read my previous post to see that I did not say that arab reaction was against a relegion. I gave the example of pakistanis burning the cross after the apology, which they were demanding, came from Jyllands Posten. I was trying to show that the people who burnt the cross are extremists and do not represent muslims, and they defenitely do not represent arabs. Which is why I say that it is the extremists with their closed minds who are having a clash of civilizations, on both sides.

    By Blogger Hattori Hanzo, at 3/05/2006 10:16 PM  

  • dear hattario
    ya..i found out that the long articles..r not very popular..no one has time to read,,all r busy ..fast life ...
    anyway
    1.they ment or didnt ..we accept or dont ..details..i think the message was clear for all of us ...conflicts can easily be developed at these times..we should be carefull
    2.yes ..i agree with y that this issue can help understanding our and otherselves..but at this time ..we have more daily-life issues to discuss.
    i didnt mean to put words in ur mouth ..if i did ,i apologize

    i see that we agree on 90% ...which i think is very good ..lets talk about the daily life issues ...any suggestions?

    By Anonymous haider, at 3/09/2006 2:57 AM  

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    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3/17/2007 12:38 PM  

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