The Root Cause
Dec 14, 2006
Dr. Al Aswany is interviewed by National Geographic. (Link via here.)
There is much talk now of a "clash" of civilizations between the Muslim world and the West. How do you see this clash?
I don't think it's a question of civilizations. Civilizations are the best part of human creation. They don't cause any kind of clash—they are a means to communicate. The clash comes from the aggressive interpretation of some religions. Religions have been used throughout history as a cause to wage war and kill people, but it's my opinion that religions are the same everywhere.
Aswany is an idealistic fool. He thinks that all religions are equal. By this he risks the ire of Islamic extremists but more cleverly, he takes Islam out of the equation. And so, we end up with the following inanity:
Where do you think the current fanaticism is coming from?
Poor areas, because the poor are desperate. The current regime here is dealing with them in an inhuman way, arresting and torturing them. Religion is being used as a cover for social unrest, a way to empower these people who are not empowered.
The fact that some terrorists are poor doesn't mean that they wreak havoc because of their financial status. For example, most of the 9/11 hijackers came from two of the richest Islamic nations in the world.
If poverty were the cause of terrorism, then the world would be witnessing a wave of mayhem from Africa. Yet, for some odd reason, the terrorists who commit atrocities in the West are a) well off and b) have Muslim names.
Aswany is foolish in other matters as well:
What do you think of America now?
I believe America has made a big shift to the right. The whole world has shifted to the right, in a way. From the 1950s to the 1980s, people were more liberal. We don't respect free choice anymore. The globe has one superpower, and that superpower has to choose to be either a moral superpower or a capitalist superpower. This choice will influence history. America should say, "I am very strong, but I am fair." This isn't happening now.
The US can't please these people.
- If the US deals with the dictators in the Middle East, then it's "supporting" them. For that, the Muslim hate the US.
- If the US doesn't deal with a regime (see Iraq 1991-2003), then the US is killing innocent Muslims. For that, the umma hates the US.
- If the US tries to lay a foundation for democracy and freedom (see Iraq and Afghanistan), then the US is there for OILLL. For that, these morons hate the US.
"From the 1950s to the 1980s, people were more liberal."
This guy should be a comedian...
Posted by: Alex | Dec 15, 2006 at 12:56 AM