Old Europe Versus Ailing Islamic world
The prospect of relation between the Islamic world and Europe does not seem good. Calls by Muslim extremists to boycott European products more specifically Danish, ceasing the flow of oil to the E.U. and other measurements.
On the other hand calls by extremist Europeans to cut the help to the Palestinian authority, and the demand of several European leaders that the E.U. reacts as a block.
The public relation campaign made by France, Germany and other E.U members during the operation Iraqi Freedom was very successful. France and Germany were introduced to the simple Muslim citizens as friends and heroes because of their support to the dictator of Iraq. This was crowned with the historical visit of Mr. Chirac to Algeria where was received by tens of thousands of Algerian as a hero.
Mainstream Arabian media praised the E.U. and its wise leadership, guests on Aljazeera and other anti American channels were talking about a new giant, and a new super power who will replace the defunct U.S.S.R. No incidents of anti European sentiment in the Islamic world since April 2003, with exception of Iraq when the German and French embassies in Baghdad were attacked, looted, and the flags being burned by angry Iraqis because of what they thought German and French support to the dictator of Iraq.
The fact of the matter France, Germany, and the rest of Europe ware teaming with circulation of hatred literature against Islam, its symbols, and history. Any extremist or conspiracy theorist will quote the battle of Tours 732 which saved Europe from Islam,or the siege of Vienna 1529 .A good example what a friend told me about a German daily which wrote " In a visit to Tehran, the Iranian capital, I took a bus, and Iranian women were smelling awfully because of their uniform". In Austria more than 70% of surveyed people viewed Islam negatively.
The recent provocative cartoons did not come out of a sudden, although it brought a big blow to this friendship, "a friendship which was based on emotions rather than on clear, and solid definition of friendship". What made things even worse is that, Jyllan-postsen rejected to publish cartoons dealing with the resurrection of Christ claiming that it will provoke an outcry, therefore Jyllan-Posten will not publish it http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1703501,00.html . This will incite even more violence, and make the rift deeper.
Republication of the cartoon in the rest of Europe, shows that they European and others are not really concerned about their relation with the Islamic word,and that they don't consider it a partner since they know that it is very ailing world incapable of taking any real action, there are many incidents to support this allegation. Otherwise they would have tried to do what the U.S. or Canada did where there are rules against distribution of hatred literature, or at least to imitate the British, American, and Canadian press which abstained from publisheing these provocative cartoons.
In contrast, the reaction of the Islamic world by summoning diplomatic representatives, demanding an embargo against European products , allowing demonstration to take place "it is forbidden to make demonstrations in most of the Islamic world unless it is in favor of the ruling family or party" shows that these nations don't take Europe seriously, and they consider it an old man.
With this mutual misunderstanding and disrespect the monitor should expect more to come.
The prospect of relation between the Islamic world and Europe does not seem good. Calls by Muslim extremists to boycott European products more specifically Danish, ceasing the flow of oil to the E.U. and other measurements.
On the other hand calls by extremist Europeans to cut the help to the Palestinian authority, and the demand of several European leaders that the E.U. reacts as a block.
The public relation campaign made by France, Germany and other E.U members during the operation Iraqi Freedom was very successful. France and Germany were introduced to the simple Muslim citizens as friends and heroes because of their support to the dictator of Iraq. This was crowned with the historical visit of Mr. Chirac to Algeria where was received by tens of thousands of Algerian as a hero.
Mainstream Arabian media praised the E.U. and its wise leadership, guests on Aljazeera and other anti American channels were talking about a new giant, and a new super power who will replace the defunct U.S.S.R. No incidents of anti European sentiment in the Islamic world since April 2003, with exception of Iraq when the German and French embassies in Baghdad were attacked, looted, and the flags being burned by angry Iraqis because of what they thought German and French support to the dictator of Iraq.
The fact of the matter France, Germany, and the rest of Europe ware teaming with circulation of hatred literature against Islam, its symbols, and history. Any extremist or conspiracy theorist will quote the battle of Tours 732 which saved Europe from Islam,or the siege of Vienna 1529 .A good example what a friend told me about a German daily which wrote " In a visit to Tehran, the Iranian capital, I took a bus, and Iranian women were smelling awfully because of their uniform". In Austria more than 70% of surveyed people viewed Islam negatively.
The recent provocative cartoons did not come out of a sudden, although it brought a big blow to this friendship, "a friendship which was based on emotions rather than on clear, and solid definition of friendship". What made things even worse is that, Jyllan-postsen rejected to publish cartoons dealing with the resurrection of Christ claiming that it will provoke an outcry, therefore Jyllan-Posten will not publish it http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1703501,00.html . This will incite even more violence, and make the rift deeper.
Republication of the cartoon in the rest of Europe, shows that they European and others are not really concerned about their relation with the Islamic word,and that they don't consider it a partner since they know that it is very ailing world incapable of taking any real action, there are many incidents to support this allegation. Otherwise they would have tried to do what the U.S. or Canada did where there are rules against distribution of hatred literature, or at least to imitate the British, American, and Canadian press which abstained from publisheing these provocative cartoons.
In contrast, the reaction of the Islamic world by summoning diplomatic representatives, demanding an embargo against European products , allowing demonstration to take place "it is forbidden to make demonstrations in most of the Islamic world unless it is in favor of the ruling family or party" shows that these nations don't take Europe seriously, and they consider it an old man.
With this mutual misunderstanding and disrespect the monitor should expect more to come.
Your profile says you created this blog to counter the link between despots and liberals. I am no liberal, but, Uh... isn't it George Bush who hugs and kisses the Saudis at Brokeback Ranch in Crawford Texas? Isn't Laura Bush the one who calls Egypt's elections a good example of democracy? Isn't Musharaff kept in power in Pakistan by Bush?
ReplyDeletehttp://imran.com/media/blog/2006/02/bush-burning-in-holy-land-and-adding.html for more on that.
On the cartoons issue, http://imran.com/media/blog/2006/02/lets-make-new-cartoons-of-prophet.html
Thanks.
Imran
http://IMRAN.TV
Hi Imran
ReplyDeleteInterms of my support to George Bush I suggest that you read my blog
http://maanalasadi4.blogspot.com/
I am sure that you be more understanding.
Bush is the only american president who made it clear that he is supporting reform in the Islamic world. He is the only American president who made it clear that his predecessors made mistakes supporting dictatorships on the hope that they bring democracy. The rate of opperession in the Islamic world dimished since the coming of Bush. Fair elections in Iraq, Palestine. Women in Kuwait finally have the right to vote, some reforms in Saudi Arabia. It takes some time so that the reform will include all the Islamic world.
thank you