Reformatting Mideast -2

While I agree with with much of Dr. Khaled Batarfi’s analysis, I would like to point out to him a disastrous policy that the Middle East has followed from the early mid-period of the Ottoman Empire — that of burying the head in the sand. It would seem that nations are content to live within their own “virtual reality” created through disillusionment and apathy rather than facing cold, hard facts. For instance, how logical is it to seek “aid” from those who robbed you in the first place? Do you honestly think that after plundering and looting, the aggressor will suddenly “see the light” and repent? How can you expect foreign powers who, to this day, are imposing economic difficulties on you because it makes money for them, to suddenly decide that the billions they are sucking out of you isn’t worth it? Why would a country actively supporting and even instigating violent aggression against your peoples, the United States for example, be interested in a peaceful resolution to any conflict in the region — especially if the conflict serves its interests? Morality is a fairy-tale when it comes to business, whether of promoting war or of promoting corporate values that kill the environment. The Middle Eastern nations need to decide collectively through grass-roots action and simple logic that they’ve had enough and they want a change. But this means doing things as opposed to saying them. It also requires the absence of apathy, cowardice and ignorance. Easier said than done — but definitely not impossible.

Yaser El-Buckley, Jeddah, published 27 October 2005

2000 is Just Another Milestone (In Bush-Land)?

George Bush created the urgency of invading Iraq! The Bush administration created the milestone for success in Iraq! The Bush administration made democracy in Iraq a policy doctrine! The Bush administration has constantly ratcheted up the rhetoric that brought us to this deepening tragedy! When the fighting stops there is still the massive cleanup!

The carnage in Iraq is measured by the daily count of American soldiers dying in Iraq! Why are these the moving goalpost for our humanity. The death of an Iraqi defending his nation from armed aggression is far more unnecessary! Simply it is a waste and we should not be involved in nation destruction!

No matter how much PR is poured on the death of Americans the deaths of Iraqis are as tragic and as unnecessary!

Otis G. Barlow, East Orange, NJ 07017, published 27 October 2005

Multiculturalism

I read with interest William Corr’s letter (Oct. 24) on the difficult issue of multiculturalism. At least it wasn’t quite as extreme as the more overtly racist diatribes of other correspondents, in particular Francis Andrew. However, Mr. Corr is a little too eager when he leaps from “Cheap and tractable labor from the Indo-Gangetic plain was welcomed by Lancashire and Yorkshire mill owners...” to “Whole areas of Oldham and Rochdale are now controlled by Asian gangs.” Surely, some information is missing here. The Industrial Revolution saw a massive increase in the demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labor in Britain, particularly in the economic boom years of the 1950s. Consequently, the engine of economic growth was fueled by government policy encouraging the importation of the Irish to build our roads, houses and factories, the West Indians to keep our public transport system running, and people from the Indian Subcontinent to keep our garment houses in business, and so on. Let us not forget that these people came from countries where their labor had already been exploited by Britain for many generations through the expropriation of wealth from its satellite territories. Just as they were exploited in their countries of origin, they underwent a more voluntary form of economic exploitation upon their arrival in the UK. This led to them literally earning the right to become British citizens, albeit in an environment of racial intolerance. It is in this context then, that ethnic communities have a tendency toward self-preservation manifested through looking after their own first and foremost. Would it have been as reasonable to expect British colonials in India in the days of the Raj to fully integrate into Indian society as to expect the same of modern day migrants to the UK? Clearly not, particularly as the former operated as a ruling class and therefore dictated the rules of the game.

A people’s identity is firmly rooted in their history of social customs and religious faith. These things can evolve over time but can’t change overnight due to the perceived demands of other social groups.

Mr. Corr, in the fashion of many who hold beliefs similar to his own, neglects to mention the fact that the great majority of those belonging to the ethnic groups he refers to, are law-abiding, economically and socially productive members of the community. Furthermore, they form an influential proportion of the electorate whose needs in a democratic society can be ignored only at the peril of any political party seeking a mandate to govern. Multicultural Britain is a fact of life. The only reasonable way forward is for all British citizens regardless of background to take this on board and work together for a better Britain. Is Britain “richer as a result?” In economic terms it undoubtedly is. Is Britain a “happier” society? Well, according to a New Scientist study, it ranked 24th out of 65 countries surveyed for happiness, but then again, who knows, that might have something to do with the weather.

Mark Read, Saudi Arabia, published 27 October 2005

Dear Amr Al-Faisal, as long as they enjoy themselves and reap benefits, in my opinion it’s OK. I wish my wife could dance around the pole. The only thing I’d object to is the woman being abused and subjected to ridicule.

Mar, United States, published 27 October 2005

Mehlis Report

This refers to your editorial on Mehlis Report (Oct. 22). Rather than toss out and encourage conspiracy theories, it needs to be remembered that this is a UN report, and members of the world body have a responsibility in this. The last part of the edit alludes to what action should be taken. That is for members to question deeply all allegations ensuring that the substance of the report is accurate, and then to demand that those responsible be held accountable, rather than penalizing the citizens. This is the most rational route, but there must be confidence in the membership to take such corrective action.

Merel Pepper, Canada, published 27 October 2005

Raunchy Sexy Things

Amr Al-Faisal’s “Raunchy Sexy Things” (Oct. 24) is a good article and I enjoyed reading it. It is unfortunate that the young, especially in the Arab world, are under intense pressure to ape the West so that they can “progress”.

It is the responsibility of the media to highlight the dangers of such an approach. Approximately 50 years ago Mohmmad Asad (formerly Leopold Weiss) wrote a book called “Islam at the Crossroads” where he clearly explains how the Muslim world must interact with the Western civilization. We need to take the scientific attitude and innovations from the West but should reject the culture they seek to impose on us. Unfortunately the opposite seems to be happening now. Most of the Arab youths ape the culture of the West and the Arab world has become hopelessly corrupt. When will this change? Certainly the Arabs will remain weak before the West unless they change themselves.

Saif, Saudi Arabia, published 27 October 2005

Education System

This is in response to the report “Book Sheds Light on Flaws in Education System” (Oct. 23). I agree 100 percent with Dr. Fawziah Al-Bakr’s observations. She is right that the girls at school live as though in a jail. I lived in the Kingdom for 10 years and finished nine grades in Saudi schools. In those years, I experienced what Fawziah described. When I was going to school, I used to compare my life with my brother’s who was in the same grade. He had sports in his school and many other activities. Girls also should have sports. It is very important for overall health. Then there is the question of access to computers and ... well, I have a lot to say.

Ayesha Ahmad, Canada, published 27 October 2005

Banadir Community

Banadir is the coastal region of southern Somalia, which extends from Warsheikh in the north to as far south as Ras Kiamponi. The world knows Somalia as one of the worst cases of failed states in post-colonial Africa. Since 1991, the Somali people have struggled to survive without a central government. Political loyalties are based on clan and region. For over 14 years, Banadir has remained occupied by thugs and armed militias. People have no civil rights. No school was ever built and no clinic ever planned for us. But the most oppressive police units are always assigned to this region. Extortion, kidnapping and blackmail are the order of the day. All men and women remain at the mercy of lawless bandits.

We do not have support from Arab governments, agencies or NGOs. It is the hope of the Banadir community to set up a community development program to reduce our poverty. While self-help is the best help, we cannot do all this on our own. We are looking for any Arab civil-society organization that is willing to sponsor our initiative.

Mohamed Abati, Mogadishu, published 27 October 2005

Reformatting Mideast

This refers to Khaled Batarfi’s “Reformatting the Middle East” (Oct. 23). As I see it, the problem is hate. Human nature despises cooperation unless it is necessary for self-preservation. All people will protect their own first, and then maybe, just maybe, cooperate for a short time in order to attain a mutual goal. Once that goal is accomplished, people return to their old ways. The masses of modern poor are a direct result of colonial greed, left over from European exploration. I use the term “modern poor” because they were not always poor. They had empires when Europeans were still living in caves. Europe’s weapons enabled it to subdue them and acquire unimaginable wealth and resources. Thus began new wealth for Europe and dire poverty for the conquered empires outside Europe. It has been that way ever since. Look at America. Its history is a perfect example of ruthless acquisition of others’ land and exploitation of human labor while destroying the environment. The American colonialists did not need anyone to tell them how to colonize others. They were themselves, or descendants of, Europeans.

John Latham, Riyadh, published 27 October 2005