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Meet Me in the Middle (East)

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Violence and Silence

Extremist voices have been drawn to the surface by the cartoon controversy that is gaining speed like a brushfire. Unfortunately such polarized momentum leaves little room for the voice of moderates or any form of engaged discussion and dissent. The debate over the cartoon depictions of the Prophet Mohammad and its implications have burst into such sensitive territory that some of the responses are reminiscent of the post-September 11th mentality in America.

Following the terrorist attacks in the United States and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, those who wanted to speak out against the war in Iraq were quickly labeled as anti-American individuals that did not support U.S. forces. Some even went so far as to say those against the war were on the side of the terrorists.

The idea of being condemned as anti-American is an upsetting concept to many living within the U.S. and such allegations had a strong chilling effect. People were intimidated into silence. They were unsure how to voice their views without being instantaneously attacked by their own countrymen.

This is the same crisis that faces Muslims today in the face of the widespread rioting and violence that the controversial Danish cartoons have sparked worldwide. Anyone who speaks out against the protests and violence is criticized for not being upset with the defamation of the prophet or the degradation of Islam, when in fact there is no such correlation.

A person could easily be upset by the images AND upset by the reactionary violence and hate speech prevalent in the protests. Yet the issue has been hijacked by the voice of extremists that say they are defending Islam. They protest that the cartoon images are slanderous, incite religious intolerance and hatred, while carrying signs that say “Exterminate those who slander Islam” and “Europe you will pay, your 9-11 is on its way!!

How dare they. I live in Lebanon and as this controversy has erupted I have been both Beirut and in the southern region of the country. Many Muslims and Arabs are angered by the cartoon images and by the response of the Danish government. Most are ashamed and humiliated by the physical and verbal violence of the protests. But some are also at a loss of what to do. They are afraid to speak out and be condemned for standing against the protests (i.e. for the cartoons and their acceptability). This correlation may be fictitious, but in the realm of public opinion the connection has been drawn, and that makes it a social reality.

The escalation to screaming threats and condemnation has silenced the real debate about where lines should be drawn and what should be done from where we stand today. People on all sides are victims of oppression. No one is being heard. There is a need for debate. There must be room for an open and engaged dialogue. It is important that the issues brought to a head by this situation are addressed. And that requires the active participation of Muslims, Christians, Europeans, Iranians, Lebanese, Afghanis (the Arab world, though I hesitate to use the phrase), the United States and anyone and everyone else who feels affected by this controversy.

Anger does not assume aggression. Conflict does not require violence. Dissent does not signify betrayal.

I hope the people of the world can learn from the mistakes of moderate Americans, who allowed themselves to be silenced for fear of being ostracized and condemned by their own.

The ability to think for ourselves, to question and debate the status quo and to respect others’ ability to do the same is a key part of what makes us human. There can be respect and disagreement. Creativity and change are not sparked by homogenization or group think

Silence is not the answer.

Violence is not the answer.

I don’t pretend to have the answers but I believe this much is true.

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