Dominic Asquith

The courage to debate

Thank you all for your comments on my previous blog about the murder of Marwa El Sherbini - especially those who are posting comments for the first time on a blog.
 
There are some common themes.  For example the role of the news media, which are at fault both for ignoring the case of Marwa, but also for stirring up rage.  Some have referred to the role of the internet as a forum where freedom of speech is abused and insulting language is promoted.  These channels have allowed troublemakers to argue that a whole community (Germany - even the whole “West”) is guilty of what was an individual act. 
 
Others asked whether the religious institutions, mosque and church, should not be playing a greater role in moderating reactions.  Similarly the NGOs.  We should also be targeting youth, particularly at schools, to educate them in what we call the “soft skills” - how to communicate in a way that respects the position of the other person.

There is a further theme that emerges from the blog comments: it is not hate that Muslims feel for the West, but anger.  And the anger comes from a strong feeling that Muslims are victims and are insecure living in a non-Muslim society.  Only by making a great noise will those who ignore them feel their pain.  The “West” does not really care: indeed, focusing on the specific case of Marwa just proves that the much bigger picture of Muslims suffering (Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine etc) is blurred and ignored.  What made me saddest was the comment: “I would really love to see some of us smile again.”
 
All those comments are true.  News media will make more money selling stories of hate and violence than friendship and peace - so don’t count on them being allies of moderation.  Those who want to use mass communication to promote a message of peace will have to compete with those who want to misuse the internet to promote violence.  And insecurity on one side breeds insecurity on the other. Look no further than Israel and Palestine.  As Kissinger once said, “the desire of one power for absolute security means absolute insecurity for all others”. 
 
Hypocrisy is part of the problem.  It is dishonest, betrays a closed mind and is often an excuse for cowardice - not daring to face the reality.   I was therefore genuinely excited by a conversation with the Rector of Al Azhar this week.  He’s just returned from a visit to Britain.  He is conscious of Al Azhar’s role as the manarat al ilm, as the beacon of scholarship.  He met many in Britain, in the best universities, among the NGOs, in the mosques who wanted to collaborate in building understanding, particularly among young people, to counter those who seem determined to promote intolerance. 
 
It made me proud to read how bloggers who had studied in Britain had been welcomed.  But how can one ever protect against an individual act of wickedness?  Well, the best answer is what you suggested - build the experience from a young age of open but respectful debate, without insisting that you are right and the other wrong.  I think that is what could come from this recent visit by the Rector.  I also felt I had something to smile about.

Posted at 12:52 22 July 2009 by Dominic Asquith  |  Comments[3]