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A Muslim evolution, not
revolution
By Syed Saleem Shahzad
KARACHI - While it cannot be disputed that
Muslims around the world - including youths, scholars,
politicians and militant groups - are opposed to the
United States-led war on Iraq and would like to do
something to assist that country, no one group has
managed to come up with even a semblance of a road map
to achieve this.
And although Muslim scholars
have issued religious edicts, youths have demonstrated
and politicians have came out with statements of
condemnation, as they did during the US invasion of
Afghanistan, there has been no broad-based uprising as
many had predicted, and in the end the protestors must
have been aware that their actions were merely a futile
expression of emotion.
Indeed, the only tangible
manifestation of concrete action has been the widespread
boycott of Western and US products in the Muslim world
and a return to products manufactured by Muslim
countries. This campaign has, for example, proved highly
popular in Pakistan. Traditionally, Pepsi, Coca-Cola,
Sprite and the like have been staple drinks for middle
class families. Now, they are supping the
locally-produced Pakola and RC Cola.
But even
then, market analysts suspect that the motives might
have more to do with commercial factors than religious
zeal, as certain entrepreneurs are believed to be behind
the "drink local" campaign because they would be the
ultimate beneficiaries.
The multinationals are
fighting back, though, by projecting themselves as
international brand names, but with purely local
production. For instance, KFC has pasted posters at all
its outlets saying that all of its products and the shop
are owned by locals. Nevertheless, with the the
franchises the only visible way in which people can vent
their anger, they are likely to be in for a rough ride.
Significantly, even the militant groups have
failed to come up with any viable and unified channels
for their agitation. Contrary to the earlier claims of
the Islamic Jehad and Hezbollah that they would attack
Israel in the event of US attacks on Iraq, all that they
have managed to do is send individual volunteers to Iraq
to fight alongside the Iraqi army.
And following
concerted action by intelligence agencies spearheaded by
the US, much of the top leadership of Osama bin Laden's
al-Qaeda has been rounded up, leaving it with
uncoordinated cells across the world. Important ones
exist in Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan,
but they suffer from the lack of an overall
communication system, and as such they are virtually
dormant at present.
However, once they fully
accept this fact, they could be forced to further their
own cause by themselves. Perhaps this is what Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak meant when he said that the
post-Iraq war era would give birth to "100 bin Ladens".
The only militants who have been able to seize
the moment are those in Afghanistan, whose concerted
campaign against foreign forces in the country began
when US President George W Bush issued Saddam Hussein a
48-hour ultimatum to step down or face war.
Afghan guerrilla troops are now attacking US and
allied forces across Afghanistan and Afghan President
Hamid Karzai has virtually become a prisoner in his
palace in the capital Kabul. The most daring raids have
taken place in Zabul, Paktika, Paktia and Hilmand, where
Afghan official troops surrendered to Taliban forces.
Their weapons were confiscated, and they were set free
with a warning not to cooperate with US and allied
forces.
Reports emerging from Afghanistan
indicate that much of eastern and southeastern
Afghanistan has been recaptured by Taliban and
Hizb-e-Islami forces led by Gulbuddin Hikmatyar, even
though the Kabul-appointed provincial governors remain
nominally in charge. The situation is expected to
further deteriorate in the coming weeks.
A
Muslim voice
Soliman Albuthi is an agriculture
engineer by profession, based in Saudi Arabia, where he
has earned the respect of the Saudi clergy and
authorities. He has been an active voice in the United
Kingdom and the US in presenting a balanced view on
Islam, the Prophet Mohammed and Muslims. He speaks to
Asia Times Online.
ATol: Iraq is
geographically situated in the heart of the Arab world.
Now that the country is under attack, what are the
general feelings of the public?
Soliman:
They feel that this is a war of aggression, not only
against Iraq but against all Arabs and Muslims. The
people here in Arabia right now strongly identify with
their brothers and sisters in Iraq. They feel as if they
are being attacked as well. The imams during their
Friday prayers are praying for their Iraqi brethren with
tears in their eyes. Much of the congregation cries as
well. The emotional impact that this horrible war is
having on our people is tremendous. On the street, the
strain on the people's faces and in their behavior is
quite visible.
ATol: The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state that follows the
Islamic tenets in letter and in spirit. The Islamic
clergy commands great respect and influence in the kingdom,
yet the country has given flying rights to US warplanes and
it indirectly supports this war. How do the people, the
ulemas (religious leaders) and other elements
take this development?
Soliman: The
government declared that it had prohibited America from
using Saudi territory to launch attacks against Iraq.
The scholars of Saudi Arabia have unanimously declared
that it is unlawful for any Muslim to assist the United
States in its aggression against Iraq and its people.
ATol: Did the Saudi ulemas also
interpret the war as aggression on Iraq and thus talk
about a jihad against the US? If so, are people ready to
take part in combat, like thousands of Pakistani people
did in the fighting against the US in Afghanistan after
September 11, 2001?
Soliman: Yes they do,
and many of them do talk about jihad. I am sure that
many people do take part, though this is not declared.
There are scholars who have advised against volunteers
going to Iraq to resist America, but they are arguing
that individual volunteers will not make much of a
positive contribution in this type of war. They are not
saying that fighting in Iraq is not jihad.
ATol: What is the general perception
about this war in Saudi Arabia in the press, among the
elites and decision-makers?
Soliman: The
general public, including the classes you have
mentioned, perceive it as an unjust war. No one, as far
as I know, supports it. People differ as to the real
motivation behind America’s behavior. Most people see it
as motivated by America's desire to have hegemony over
the region and to protect Israel. Others see it as
motivated by oil. No one seriously believes it is about
disarming Iraq.
ATol: What political
impact do you see in the post-war era?
Soliman: I think that Iraq will continue
to defend itself and cost the aggressors a heavy price.
It is therefore too early to talk about a post-war Iraq.
ATol: How do you see a post-war Arab
world?
Soliman: I think this aggression -
insha-Allah - will help to awaken the public and
convince them that they are one nation and must
therefore be united. There used to be many people in the
Arab world who had a positive attitude toward America.
Such people do not exist anymore. America has attacked
the Arabs as a people now. This will definitely affect
the way people respond in the Arab world to
international issues. I also believe that it marks a
stark change in American policy toward Arabs and the
Arab world. America probably recognizes that it has no
friends any more among the Arab people.
ATol:
What reaction is expected in Saudi Arabia if it is
announced that bin Laden has been caught in Afghanistan
and is being held at Bagram airbase?
Soliman: As far as I know, no one
believes this to be true.
(©2003 Asia Times
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