The conclusion of the Islamic Summit at Kuala Lumpur has witnessed a huge outcry in the West over the remarks of outgoing Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohammad. The former medical doctor spoke of Jewish domination. Ironically, his remarks reflected deeply entrenched traditional attitudes of Christendom on world Jewry. Mahathir may have done better if his remarks were more nuanced in drawing a distinction and differentiation between Jews, Israelis and Zionists. There are many Jews who are non-Zionist and remain deeply critical of Israeli policies against Palestine and Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. For example, Chomsky and Bruzonsky. Conversely, there are many right-wing Christian evangelicals who are Zionists and endorse the Zionist movement for supporting the state of Israel in Palestine.
However, the outburst against Mahathir serves merely to reconfirm his point, especially in the Muslim world. Among the obstacles in the path to Muslim empowerment are dummy leaders and dummy organizations and the absence of shame on being seen as such. Mere chair-occupation is inconsequential unless linked to performance. In this connection, the OIC has to work as a unit and display sufficient mental toughness to face the challenges.
Paradoxically, when Gen. Boykin said that Christianity is involved in a struggle with Satan, there was a silence of the lambs not only among many Muslim governing elites (who form a part of the problem) but also among top Western leaders. US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld refused to disavow the remarks of a serving US army general and sent a message of selectivity and duality. The issue appears not one of principle but who says what to whom. Instead of pointing fingers, there is need for self-scrutiny and self-critique with a view to self-correct.
To suggest a coming clash between Islam and the West is to fall into the trap of foes of Islam who wish to isolate the Muslim world by depicting it as a hotbed of hate.
There is a multiplicity of views in the West. For example, there are deep reservations within the Roman Catholic Church on the policies of the Bush administration in the Middle East. Likewise, US actions there have come under critical scrutiny from Episcopalian and Presbyterian branches of the Protestant Church. The Anglican Church of England led by the Archbishop of Canterbury was scathing in its attacks of the US-led invasion of Iraq. Pakistani Christians, many of whom are represented in the Parliament, were equally vocal on the Iraq issue. Then, too, one cannot overlook the role of Palestinian Christians, many of whom have been in the forefront of the resistance movement, through pen or by the gun. Edward Said was a leading light in highlighting the plight of Palestine and the misreporting on Islam. To date, Dr. George Habash remains adamant in his views. Hanan Ashrawi and Leila Khalid fit in the same category of resistance through pen and the gun.
Considerable human goodness thrives in the Western world. While Muslims capitals were quiet, huge rallies held in Washington, London, Paris and Berlin protested against the occupation of Iraq. The large-heartedness and commitment to principles of many individuals in the West are also evident in the areas of philanthropy and humanitarian relief, and by standing up as conscientious objectors to the policies of their own governments.
Now is the time to eschew over-generalization and over-simplification. The issue is fundamentally one of injustice and specific Western policies that enhance the sense of oppression. There are vested quarters that seek to depict the Christian West and Muslim East as on a collision course. If they are no friends of the Muslims neither are they wellwishers of the Western world.
The events of 9/11 and its aftermath show that the world can no longer be compartmentalized as before. Globalization has assumed new meaning, as a large part of the brunt of 9/11 fell on Pakistan 10,000 miles away. The facts have changed; it is time for opinions to change as well. It is a world of sharing a similar fate with no place to hide. Now is the time for new thinking, a fresh approach, and a truly enlightened strategy.
