The recent roits in Harrow have shown at least two things: (1) there are groups in the UK who disapprove of Islam's advance and (2) that Muslims are quick to defend themselves. But is violence the answer to the problem posed by the advance of Islam in this country? Is violence the way to respond? Yet what excatly is the problem of Islam's advance around the world?
While many people have different views and issues with Islam, two major problems I see are (1) the advance of Wahhabi Islam, the most conservative form of Islam promoted in and sponsored by Saudi Arabian oil-dollars, and (2) the anti-assimilation attitude of most Muslims. Wahhabism is very conservative and strict, extremely discriminatory towards free thinking and women, and seeks serious domination of society. Many university chairs in the US are sponsored by Saudia Arabia, and thus they determine how Islam and the Muslim world is being presented in the West (i.e., important facts are whitewashed or simply ommitted). Wahhabi Islam is very intolerant and often the breeding ground for extremism. Yet such kind of intolerant, strict extremism simply doesn't fit into the Western world! While I take many issues with modern Western society, there are elements deeply rooted in our Judeo-Christian heritage that are invaluable (values non-Jews and non-Christians value, too!): the tradition of the freedom of speech and thought, the freedom to analyse religion and politics and form one's own opinion, the freedom of variety and pluralism, and pursuit of individual aims, the democratic attitude of discussion and sharing of views and opinions to find the best solution, the right to protest and object to government policies, and the security among decent citizents. There is more to share, but these are elements few Westerners would trade for a rigid religious regime that imposes almost everything on its citizens from dress-code to creed, from food-laws to forms of worship. The other serious problem with the advance of Islam is the anti-assimilation attitude one finds among most Muslims. While we respect and appreciate different cultures and their customs - many of which enrich society and make it pluralistic and open-minded - the refusal to adapt and assimilate in some way is alarming. Islam is not just a set of beliefs for private religion; it involves every aspect of life, including politics. The thought of democracy does in fact contradict the very core of Islam: it's not about what people want, but what Allah commands (the most recent example: Iran). That does not fit into the West, and certainly not into a secularised West! Ironically, it is the humanistic, free-thinking, secular people group who don't seem to understand what really is at stake. The very people who condemn Christianity for its Crusades a thousand years ago (!) and hate Isrel for defending herself as she sees fit, are those who all but welcome the spread of the undoubtedly most intolerant religion of all time. Strange...
However, the way to deal with the issue is not violence, but open, tolerant discussion, the free expression and sharing of information about all religions, including Islam, and the possibility to critically evaluate the nature and consequences of religious teachings. The last point is the biggest problem for many Muslims. As soon as someone even questions any element of Islam or the Quran, it is considered blasphemy - and there's only one punishment for that: execution. In our liberal society this is unthinkable, yet Western politicians sucumb to the pressure in order not to offend any one. But you cannot be tolerant towards people who are not tolerant towards others. Appeasement doesn't work with a hungry crocodile! Winston Church is reported to have said, "An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last." Appeasement is giving people tolerantly want they want, while the other side doesn't make concessions whatsoever. Yes, of course, these are usually radical politicians and leaders (e.g., Hamas) - but that is exactly the very war Israel is fighting for over 60 years now. Peace treaties are rejected by Arab leaders, and whenever one was signed, it was soon broken by stirring a riot (e.g., Arafat). These kinds of leaders will simply not give in until they reach their goals: and their goals are the destruction of Israel, the subordination of Western, Anglo-Saxon society, and the complete control of Islam in every area of society. It's that simple; it's that serious. While a few cartoon strips about Muhammad apparently gives the 'right' for Muslim riots, Israel-haters are allowed to weekly, often daily, publish the most gross and false caricatures of Jews - and no-one objects, oh yes, except the Jews, but who takes them serious enough? Well, some do, but too few. They know exactly how to fight this war, and instead of the West trying to tell Israel how to do things, we should learn from them.
But again, in terms of demonstrations etc the answer is not violence - on neither side - but open, tolerant discussion, the free expression and sharing of information about all religions, including Islam, and the possibility to critically evaluate the consequences of religious teachings. National politics is another matter: sometimes a pre-emtive strike is necessary in order to prevent a great evil (Israel is facing this dilemma with Iran's serious nuclear threat). But one thing is certain: Western politicians cannot surrender these core values of our society, else we WILL wake up in another dictatorial nightmare, for most Westerners are already dreaming!
Churchill has the last word: "I never worry about action, but only about inaction."
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