One of the
reasons I allowed myself to come to Egypt was because I was burnt out. Six years of nonstop reading, writing, and thinking
about Middle Eastern politics will do that to you. Not to mention the constant debating,
arguing, analyzing, questioning and critiquing.
It’s educational, no doubt, but also maddening. Your brain never stops. One thought opens the door to a million new
ones. I thought learning to dance in
Egypt would be the perfect way to clear my head of all the political pollution,
but boy was I wrong. If anything, living
here has only the made the wheels in my head turn faster. Especially after the revolution. All people seem to want to do is talk
politics and make history. At work, in
taxis, at cafes, in Tahrir. There’s just
no escaping the political madness these days.
It’s endemic.
reasons I allowed myself to come to Egypt was because I was burnt out. Six years of nonstop reading, writing, and thinking
about Middle Eastern politics will do that to you. Not to mention the constant debating,
arguing, analyzing, questioning and critiquing.
It’s educational, no doubt, but also maddening. Your brain never stops. One thought opens the door to a million new
ones. I thought learning to dance in
Egypt would be the perfect way to clear my head of all the political pollution,
but boy was I wrong. If anything, living
here has only the made the wheels in my head turn faster. Especially after the revolution. All people seem to want to do is talk
politics and make history. At work, in
taxis, at cafes, in Tahrir. There’s just
no escaping the political madness these days.
It’s endemic.
This month was
no exception. Tensions reached an all
time high, seemingly over that disgusting film which denigrates the Muslim
prophet Mohamed. As an American who
lives in Egypt, this is something that greatly troubled me. So I want to share some of my thoughts on the
matter. Note: they are just thoughts. I don’t have an
“agenda,” and don’t present my views as THE truth.
no exception. Tensions reached an all
time high, seemingly over that disgusting film which denigrates the Muslim
prophet Mohamed. As an American who
lives in Egypt, this is something that greatly troubled me. So I want to share some of my thoughts on the
matter. Note: they are just thoughts. I don’t have an
“agenda,” and don’t present my views as THE truth.
Religiously
speaking, Islam prohibits the visual representation of any of the prophets in
the Abrahamic tradition, especially Mohamed (there have been visual
representations of the prophet throughout history without incident, however). It also prohibits blasphemy, much like Judaism
and Christianity. And though there is
debate over whether the Quran and prophetic traditions directly address
blasphemy, early Muslim jurists made it a punishable offense in the Shariah (Islamic law).
speaking, Islam prohibits the visual representation of any of the prophets in
the Abrahamic tradition, especially Mohamed (there have been visual
representations of the prophet throughout history without incident, however). It also prohibits blasphemy, much like Judaism
and Christianity. And though there is
debate over whether the Quran and prophetic traditions directly address
blasphemy, early Muslim jurists made it a punishable offense in the Shariah (Islamic law).
I don’t want
this to turn into a theological exegesis.
I simply want to convey that blasphemy is a serious matter in the Muslim
world, where many are deeply religious (or like to think they are). That mostly explains the angry eruptions we bore
witness to this month—though some attribute it to other factors such as
frustration with the way things are (not) going. No doubt Muslims have a lot of legitimate
political and economic grievances, especially post-revolutions. But to suggest that offended religious
sensibilities had little or nothing to do with the riots seems a bit mistaken.
this to turn into a theological exegesis.
I simply want to convey that blasphemy is a serious matter in the Muslim
world, where many are deeply religious (or like to think they are). That mostly explains the angry eruptions we bore
witness to this month—though some attribute it to other factors such as
frustration with the way things are (not) going. No doubt Muslims have a lot of legitimate
political and economic grievances, especially post-revolutions. But to suggest that offended religious
sensibilities had little or nothing to do with the riots seems a bit mistaken.
I’m fully aware that only a tiny,
violent fraction of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims actually rioted and engaged
in violence, and that the vast majority of Muslims don’t kill people for any
reason. I witnessed that myself here in
Egypt. Had my mother not called to tell
me there were protests in front of the US Embassy, I wouldn’t have known about it. I hadn’t checked the news that day, and by
the looks of things, the city was (dis)functioning normally. Nor did I feel threatened in any way because
I’m American. Au contraire, I conducted my life normally, going to work, running
errands, hanging out, and even talking politics with taxi drivers (I don’t
recommend doing this by the way. Unless
you’re dying to get a feel for mainstream opinion like I am, or you want to be
harassed, don’t engage strange men in any type of conversation :D). In short, Egyptians weren’t out hunting
Americans, and there was no carnage.
violent fraction of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims actually rioted and engaged
in violence, and that the vast majority of Muslims don’t kill people for any
reason. I witnessed that myself here in
Egypt. Had my mother not called to tell
me there were protests in front of the US Embassy, I wouldn’t have known about it. I hadn’t checked the news that day, and by
the looks of things, the city was (dis)functioning normally. Nor did I feel threatened in any way because
I’m American. Au contraire, I conducted my life normally, going to work, running
errands, hanging out, and even talking politics with taxi drivers (I don’t
recommend doing this by the way. Unless
you’re dying to get a feel for mainstream opinion like I am, or you want to be
harassed, don’t engage strange men in any type of conversation :D). In short, Egyptians weren’t out hunting
Americans, and there was no carnage.
That being said, I’m having a hard time
believing that offended religious sensibilities had nothing to do with the
protests. It would probably be easier to
make that argument if this kind of thing never happened before. But it has. Or if Egyptians hadn’t held any major protests
since the revolution. But they have. Egyptians have made plenty of opportunities
to voice their very legitimate grievances almost every single week since the revolution. To me, at least, that’s an indication that last
week’s riots in front of the US embassy weren’t exactly about frustrations over rising food
prices or lack of security, as some have suggested. They were about the film. So much so that almost every mainstream media
commentator in Egypt urged people to stop protesting a film most hadn’t even
seen, and start protesting the things that really matter. Such as rising food prices and lack of
security. 🙂
believing that offended religious sensibilities had nothing to do with the
protests. It would probably be easier to
make that argument if this kind of thing never happened before. But it has. Or if Egyptians hadn’t held any major protests
since the revolution. But they have. Egyptians have made plenty of opportunities
to voice their very legitimate grievances almost every single week since the revolution. To me, at least, that’s an indication that last
week’s riots in front of the US embassy weren’t exactly about frustrations over rising food
prices or lack of security, as some have suggested. They were about the film. So much so that almost every mainstream media
commentator in Egypt urged people to stop protesting a film most hadn’t even
seen, and start protesting the things that really matter. Such as rising food prices and lack of
security. 🙂
Also, lest we forget, the Muslim world went
into a similar though much deadlier uproar in 2005 over the blasphemous cartoon
caricatures coming out of Denmark. When
that happened, more than 200 people died because fanatics burned churches and
embassies in various countries. Again, that was in 2005. There
were no revolution-related frustrations to blame, nor any anti-American
sentiment—the producers of that trash were Danish. Not to mention the Salman Rushdie affair (no
explaining needed there (I hope)), and other blasphemous incidents that have been occurring within Muslim countries, some even by Muslims. (Click here and here for other links.) Given that these eruptions predate the
Arab Spring, and that the US doesn’t always play a role, it seems that the
issue of blasphemy is one that can cause widespread outrage on its own.
into a similar though much deadlier uproar in 2005 over the blasphemous cartoon
caricatures coming out of Denmark. When
that happened, more than 200 people died because fanatics burned churches and
embassies in various countries. Again, that was in 2005. There
were no revolution-related frustrations to blame, nor any anti-American
sentiment—the producers of that trash were Danish. Not to mention the Salman Rushdie affair (no
explaining needed there (I hope)), and other blasphemous incidents that have been occurring within Muslim countries, some even by Muslims. (Click here and here for other links.) Given that these eruptions predate the
Arab Spring, and that the US doesn’t always play a role, it seems that the
issue of blasphemy is one that can cause widespread outrage on its own.
Let’s put my analysis on the side
though. It might be more instructive to let
people speak for themselves. Being the
curious foreigner that I am, I spoke to almost every Egyptian I knew and met
about this issue. I realize that the
opinions of a few people are no substitute for scientific polls, and that they
don’t necessarily represent every single person. And, admittedly, all of the people I spoke
with were of the lower and middle classes.
Yet in my 4 years here, I’ve noticed that the opinions of a few are
usually a pretty good indication of how the mainstream is feeling. Usually.
though. It might be more instructive to let
people speak for themselves. Being the
curious foreigner that I am, I spoke to almost every Egyptian I knew and met
about this issue. I realize that the
opinions of a few people are no substitute for scientific polls, and that they
don’t necessarily represent every single person. And, admittedly, all of the people I spoke
with were of the lower and middle classes.
Yet in my 4 years here, I’ve noticed that the opinions of a few are
usually a pretty good indication of how the mainstream is feeling. Usually.
In speaking with people, I discovered a
few things. The first was that I didn’t
really have to broach the topic with anyone.
Those who know me wanted to speak with me about it, while those who
don’t just wanted to speak to anyone. The second thing I noticed was that people’s
opinions changed as the days went on. On
the very first days of the anti-film protests in Cairo, people seemed to be all
fired up, saying that they supported the protesters, and that if they have to
accept America’s freedom of speech, then America should accept their “freedom
of action.” When I asked what the US
embassy employees had to do with the whole thing, people responded that they
represent the US government, and that they need to communicate to Washington
that our freedom of speech needs to draw the line at blasphemy. Pretty much how Morsi himself responded.
few things. The first was that I didn’t
really have to broach the topic with anyone.
Those who know me wanted to speak with me about it, while those who
don’t just wanted to speak to anyone. The second thing I noticed was that people’s
opinions changed as the days went on. On
the very first days of the anti-film protests in Cairo, people seemed to be all
fired up, saying that they supported the protesters, and that if they have to
accept America’s freedom of speech, then America should accept their “freedom
of action.” When I asked what the US
embassy employees had to do with the whole thing, people responded that they
represent the US government, and that they need to communicate to Washington
that our freedom of speech needs to draw the line at blasphemy. Pretty much how Morsi himself responded.
Then, when people learned that extremists
killed the US ambassador in Libya during the riots, I started detecting a slightly
different tone. Everyone who spoke with
me, as well as everyone who made an appearance on TV, condemned the violence
that claimed the lives of the ambassador and others in the region. Some even apologized for the actions of their
violent co-religionists. They maintained
that while Muslims should protest the film, they should do so peacefully. They also explained that the violence has
nothing to do with Islam, which is true.
Religion might explain why people were outraged, but it doesn’t sanction
violence against blasphemers. Yes, the Shariah criminalizes it, but it’s the job
of the courts to mete out justice, not angry individuals or mobs.
killed the US ambassador in Libya during the riots, I started detecting a slightly
different tone. Everyone who spoke with
me, as well as everyone who made an appearance on TV, condemned the violence
that claimed the lives of the ambassador and others in the region. Some even apologized for the actions of their
violent co-religionists. They maintained
that while Muslims should protest the film, they should do so peacefully. They also explained that the violence has
nothing to do with Islam, which is true.
Religion might explain why people were outraged, but it doesn’t sanction
violence against blasphemers. Yes, the Shariah criminalizes it, but it’s the job
of the courts to mete out justice, not angry individuals or mobs.
Come day three and four of the protests,
people seemed to change their tune completely.
By that point, mostly everyone was fed up with the whole thing. They realized that the film was distracting
them from more important matters. I also
heard a lot of people say that this was an evil plot by the West to create fitna (sectarianism) between Muslims and
Christians. And for that reason alone, Muslims
shouldn’t give the West what it wants.
people seemed to change their tune completely.
By that point, mostly everyone was fed up with the whole thing. They realized that the film was distracting
them from more important matters. I also
heard a lot of people say that this was an evil plot by the West to create fitna (sectarianism) between Muslims and
Christians. And for that reason alone, Muslims
shouldn’t give the West what it wants.
The thing that I found most disturbing,
however, was the contention that the protesters who went a little overboard
were nothing but lowly thugs (baltageeya)
who were paid by Mubarak and the West to instigate riots. So that the revolution fails. So that Egypt is prevented from developing
into the great nation it is destined to be.
I don’t know. I have hard time digesting
this one. Honestly, every time there’s a
national catastrophe, Egyptians brush it off by blaming “thugs and foreigners.” The Port Said soccer massacre, the gang rapes
that occur in Tahrir, the crime wave, etc.
As if no one in this country does anything wrong. As if no one does anything of his own
volition. As if ordinary Egyptians don’t
have intellects and beliefs and feelings!
I don’t know about all of you, but I find this kind these implications patronizing,
and a bit untrue. There were reports of
ordinary people peacefully protesting the film, including students from the American
University in Cairo.
however, was the contention that the protesters who went a little overboard
were nothing but lowly thugs (baltageeya)
who were paid by Mubarak and the West to instigate riots. So that the revolution fails. So that Egypt is prevented from developing
into the great nation it is destined to be.
I don’t know. I have hard time digesting
this one. Honestly, every time there’s a
national catastrophe, Egyptians brush it off by blaming “thugs and foreigners.” The Port Said soccer massacre, the gang rapes
that occur in Tahrir, the crime wave, etc.
As if no one in this country does anything wrong. As if no one does anything of his own
volition. As if ordinary Egyptians don’t
have intellects and beliefs and feelings!
I don’t know about all of you, but I find this kind these implications patronizing,
and a bit untrue. There were reports of
ordinary people peacefully protesting the film, including students from the American
University in Cairo.
Perhaps one of the reasons Egyptians tend
to brush everything off as baltaga (thuggery)
is that many of them are in denial. They
simply aren’t used to all the mayhem that’s been happening. It’s almost as if Egypt’s national conscience
has been shocked. Blaming violent
catastrophes on thugs and foreigners is thus more psychologically convenient
than coming to terms with reality.
to brush everything off as baltaga (thuggery)
is that many of them are in denial. They
simply aren’t used to all the mayhem that’s been happening. It’s almost as if Egypt’s national conscience
has been shocked. Blaming violent
catastrophes on thugs and foreigners is thus more psychologically convenient
than coming to terms with reality.
Secondly, foreign powers have a history
of meddling in regional affairs. In
Egypt’s case, foreigners ruled the country for most of its history. Most recently, the United States has been the
major player. It’s thus no wonder that
history has conditioned Egyptians (and Arabs) to point their finger at
foreigners every time there’s a catastrophe.
of meddling in regional affairs. In
Egypt’s case, foreigners ruled the country for most of its history. Most recently, the United States has been the
major player. It’s thus no wonder that
history has conditioned Egyptians (and Arabs) to point their finger at
foreigners every time there’s a catastrophe.
The other factor I hold responsible for people’s
unwillingness to take responsibility for national catastrophes (and this is
just a thought), is the absence of a culture of self-critique. In the US, for example, we learn in our
elementary schools that Christopher Columbus was a murderer, that the Founding
Fathers were slave holders, that America was built upon a genocide, that we
stole land from Mexico, and that patriotism is for losers. We learn that
Christianity is oppressive, that capitalism is evil, and that our involvement
in world affairs has been entirely destructive.
For Heaven’s sake, not even Santa Clause gets a pass! 🙂 We’ve reached a point in America where none
of our founding myths or values remain unchallenged. We know we are capable of terrible things,
and lots of us have no problem admitting that.
unwillingness to take responsibility for national catastrophes (and this is
just a thought), is the absence of a culture of self-critique. In the US, for example, we learn in our
elementary schools that Christopher Columbus was a murderer, that the Founding
Fathers were slave holders, that America was built upon a genocide, that we
stole land from Mexico, and that patriotism is for losers. We learn that
Christianity is oppressive, that capitalism is evil, and that our involvement
in world affairs has been entirely destructive.
For Heaven’s sake, not even Santa Clause gets a pass! 🙂 We’ve reached a point in America where none
of our founding myths or values remain unchallenged. We know we are capable of terrible things,
and lots of us have no problem admitting that.
The same can’t really be said of this
part of the world at this point and time.
Though I’m sure there are a few intellectuals doing the relevant
research to question their countries’ historical, religious and political
myths, western-style skepticism hasn’t infiltrated the mainstream universities
and media. Here, schools teach patriotism
and skimp on the humanities—subjects that teach you how, not what to think. Given that, I wouldn’t be surprised if most people
go through life never once wondering whether everything they ever learned was a
big fat lie (the one’s who do may wind up in jail). This lack of critical
thinking results in an inability to see how ingrained customs and beliefs may
actually be a cause some of the turmoil that afflicts their countries—that it’s
not just outside powers doing all the damage.
part of the world at this point and time.
Though I’m sure there are a few intellectuals doing the relevant
research to question their countries’ historical, religious and political
myths, western-style skepticism hasn’t infiltrated the mainstream universities
and media. Here, schools teach patriotism
and skimp on the humanities—subjects that teach you how, not what to think. Given that, I wouldn’t be surprised if most people
go through life never once wondering whether everything they ever learned was a
big fat lie (the one’s who do may wind up in jail). This lack of critical
thinking results in an inability to see how ingrained customs and beliefs may
actually be a cause some of the turmoil that afflicts their countries—that it’s
not just outside powers doing all the damage.
Back to the
film. Based on what I was hearing, most
Muslims seemed to be outraged by the film. As they had every right to be. That’s NOT to say that they all became
violent, or even protested. I myself saw
the 14-minute trailer before they banned it in Egypt, and I can tell you that
as a non-Muslim, I was deeply offended and saddened. I can only imagine how Muslims felt. And
though I firmly believe in free speech, I can’t imagine why anyone would want
to make a mockery of someone else’s faith.
Especially knowing what the consequences are likely to be.
film. Based on what I was hearing, most
Muslims seemed to be outraged by the film. As they had every right to be. That’s NOT to say that they all became
violent, or even protested. I myself saw
the 14-minute trailer before they banned it in Egypt, and I can tell you that
as a non-Muslim, I was deeply offended and saddened. I can only imagine how Muslims felt. And
though I firmly believe in free speech, I can’t imagine why anyone would want
to make a mockery of someone else’s faith.
Especially knowing what the consequences are likely to be.
As for those of us who
refuse to be swept up in holy wars, rather than deny Muslims’ sensitivity to
blasphemy and make excuses for it, we might do better to acknowledge it. Maybe we should appreciate that on the whole,
the Muslim world’s relationship with religion is a little different than the
West’s. And that admitting so (as many Muslims themselves do), does not make us
guilty of being “Islamophobes” or of promoting negative stereotypes. We also shouldn’t assume that since
anti-Christian blasphemy doesn’t create as big of a stink, that it’s OK to insult
other religions as well. I’m not
suggesting we change our free speech laws to prohibit blasphemy. That would be establishing a state religion.
It would also be sliding down a very slippery
slope of silencing legitimate intellectual discussion. Nor do I believe that any creed should be
above critical examination. However, with
great freedom comes great responsibility.
If people absolutely MUST engage in religious polemics, they should do
so factually and respectfully, not with mockery. Though honestly, I can’t understand why in
this day and age, we’re still doing this.
Can’t we all just get along already?!
refuse to be swept up in holy wars, rather than deny Muslims’ sensitivity to
blasphemy and make excuses for it, we might do better to acknowledge it. Maybe we should appreciate that on the whole,
the Muslim world’s relationship with religion is a little different than the
West’s. And that admitting so (as many Muslims themselves do), does not make us
guilty of being “Islamophobes” or of promoting negative stereotypes. We also shouldn’t assume that since
anti-Christian blasphemy doesn’t create as big of a stink, that it’s OK to insult
other religions as well. I’m not
suggesting we change our free speech laws to prohibit blasphemy. That would be establishing a state religion.
It would also be sliding down a very slippery
slope of silencing legitimate intellectual discussion. Nor do I believe that any creed should be
above critical examination. However, with
great freedom comes great responsibility.
If people absolutely MUST engage in religious polemics, they should do
so factually and respectfully, not with mockery. Though honestly, I can’t understand why in
this day and age, we’re still doing this.
Can’t we all just get along already?!
Based on what I've heard most non-Muslims here in the US found the film outrageous and offensive as well. I guess that is something that we have in common even if those in Egypt don't know it.
I found your analysis of the political situation there in Egypt fascinating and want to give you this really long and intellectual response. Then I found that Jon Stewart had already summed up what it's been like here pretty succinctly.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-october-1-2012/american-terror-story
Yeah. That about covers it.
Ariadne Eleni.
OMG that was so funny, thanks for sharing! Obama's spin notwithstanding, I still maintain that a lot of those eruptions were a spontaneous reaction to the film. I don't know why the media failed to talk about similar incidents in the recent past that prove that blasphemy is a sensitive topic here.