What has Israel bashing got to do with defending Islam in Maldives? Quite a lot – at least to some local politicians. In this otherwise lethargic country some people could get really worked up when it comes to Israel and Jews. In fact, over the years, the politicians and Imams in our small country has honed and fine-tuned their skills in anti-Semitism to such an extent that Hitler himself would be turning in his graves. We even have a special home-grown Dhivehi language word, ‘i-yahoodi kan’ - is there an English equivalent? The closest that I can think of is the sleaziest form of trickery and chicanery. Views and opinions on Israel and Jews have been a make-or-break issue for politicians. Gayoom’s early political career, for instance, owes a great deal to a carefully nurtured Maldivian’s fear of Jews. Many believe it was Gayoom who was largely the architect of the about turn President Nasir took in the 70s after being the first country to recognize the state of Israel. Now, after 30 years, yet another aspiring politician Umar Naseer seems to be trying his luck on the same platform.
During Gayoom’s last few years, however, there were some signs of a détente - we co-sponsored the US resolution on holocaust remembrance in 2005; and in 2007 we co-sponsored another US- resolution condemning holocaust denial. Now our pragmatic foreign minister Dr. Shaheed who was accused by the likes of Umar Naseer to have clandestine links with U.S billionaire George Soros and Zionist organizations have gone one step further by saying that he would “not rule out engaging in diplomatic relations with Israel”.
What I as a Muslim cannot understand is why we so often talk about ‘Islamaphobia’ in the west while we ourselves are so much engrossed in such hatred towards the Jews. Is this about doing our bit to defend Islam? I have absolutely no clue, but the Prophet Mohamed that I’ve read about and come to know of did co-exist with Jews in 7th century Yathrib. And I’m sure our today’s ‘Kasautee-moms’, glued to the box 16 hours a day and those lanky Billabong-clad ‘parteys’ out on our streets couldn’t care less about a never-ending centuries old war that’s being waged half way around the world for reasons that they know nothing about. It looks like our hatred of Jews and anti-Semitism is nothing but just another political tool in the arsenal of a few pseudo-religious politicians aspiring to ride on a holier-than-thou kind of political platform.
During Gayoom’s last few years, however, there were some signs of a détente - we co-sponsored the US resolution on holocaust remembrance in 2005; and in 2007 we co-sponsored another US- resolution condemning holocaust denial. Now our pragmatic foreign minister Dr. Shaheed who was accused by the likes of Umar Naseer to have clandestine links with U.S billionaire George Soros and Zionist organizations have gone one step further by saying that he would “not rule out engaging in diplomatic relations with Israel”.
What I as a Muslim cannot understand is why we so often talk about ‘Islamaphobia’ in the west while we ourselves are so much engrossed in such hatred towards the Jews. Is this about doing our bit to defend Islam? I have absolutely no clue, but the Prophet Mohamed that I’ve read about and come to know of did co-exist with Jews in 7th century Yathrib. And I’m sure our today’s ‘Kasautee-moms’, glued to the box 16 hours a day and those lanky Billabong-clad ‘parteys’ out on our streets couldn’t care less about a never-ending centuries old war that’s being waged half way around the world for reasons that they know nothing about. It looks like our hatred of Jews and anti-Semitism is nothing but just another political tool in the arsenal of a few pseudo-religious politicians aspiring to ride on a holier-than-thou kind of political platform.
13 comments:
naimbe. Dr. shaheed ge agenda hinga dheyn ehee vedhenee dho. this is really cheap.
hu says criticizing the State of Israel has anything to do with islam??.... Do you think the greatest advocates for Palestinian rights and the most eminent critiques of the apartheid policies of the jewish State are pseudoclerics??.... the cult of humanitarianism apparently and very conveniently fails to acknowledge the plight of Palestinians, and joins the roll call for taking to the streets with placards against the "crimes" in darfur or rwanada or somalia or east timor or any number of hotspots... comin from western mainstream media poised to glorify pro-Zionist American jingoism this is hardly surprising, but when people like you parrot such evident bias then it becomes a whole nother thing..
you are right, the conflict is a favorite for politicians to inflame public sentiments when it serves them, but this does not change the fact that the State of israel is everything they say it is, and more.
if you look at any international NON-governmental rights group, they remain unequivocal in their condemnation of this States actions... Right and Wrong is not subjective nor should it be dependent on one's perspective or creed; Moslem or non-moslem, such gross violations of the most basic of human rights MUST be condemned.
anonymous 1:55 is right. I thought this Naimbe guy is a little more sensible than this. Now he wants to promote Dr. shaheed's agenda in the hope of getting a promotion. ke ke ke
This topic is gonna b hot. Our opportunistic politicians who know nothn abt islam wil take this chance to boost their support prior to the upcomin elections.
btw nice one naim.
Some Maldivians have no clue about what really happened in Yathrib ( renamed Medina). - "the Prophet Mohamed that I’ve read about and come to know of did co-exist with Jews in 7th century Yathrib."
http://arabiguitar.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-really-happened-in-yathrib.html
raees nasheed verikamaa havaaluvumaa eku dharubaarugeygai erey beyvvi haflaagai, aailee rattesseh ge gothugai isarael rayyithaku ves fenigen dhiya. nasheed men beynunvanee rayyithun beynun vaa goiy kamugai, nuvatha dhivehi gaumuge maslahathu kamugai dhivehinnah dhakkaigen israel aa ves gulhun gaaaim kuran.
Naimbe, the last sentence of your post I totally agree with.
Personally, for practical reasons, I am all for establishing diplomatic relations with Israel -- and as soon as possible.
Israel is arguably one of the most politically influential and technologically advanced countries in the world. Materialistically Maldives can benefit greatly from establishing ties with such a state.
On another note, I am baffled why Muslims are offended when anti-Islamic articles or pictures appear in Western media but that Muslims have no reservations when it comes to their own publishing of anti-Jewish propaganda. Even in Maldives, check how many openly anti-"Yahoodhy" articles you can find in Maldives' newspapers and magazines.
And oh, I forgot to mention: why aren't Muslims concerned when human rights abuses are carried out against themselves in their own countries?
Read the Amnesty International reports on countries like Saudi Arabia, Syria, etc, but I don't see any Muslims in Islamic or Arab countries demonstrating against things like "honor" killings, male and female circumcision, marital rape, child marriage and child sexual abuse, etc.
No wonder people are not taking Muslims seriously, except as an issue of political and human threat in the form of extremist terrorist attacks.
Don't insult Hitler he was visionary he didn't hate the Jews infarct he wanted to give Madagascar to the Jews.
Aryans Rules
Thought provoking post. Yet, I believe it is quite human to hold an opinion or a position on a matter that is so talked about throughout the world.
We all have a right to an opinion, and that is a basic human right I guess. Umaru Naseer has a right to have his own personal opinion on a political issue.
Israel is the Jewish State for all practical reasons. Jews need not be hated; but Israel should. Then again, in this globalized world; we have diplomatic relations with both friends and foes alike.
[I can't think of a reason for Maldives to be a foe with Israel; though we should condemn their human rights violations and territorial integrity of the Palestinians! But then, we don't really have a clue as to what really led to the current conditions either!]
Too confusing! Yeah, that's what it is; this whole thing about anti-Semitism and the terrorism of the Jewish State against Palestinians!
Actually nobody can afford to be anti-Semitic. That will be outright racist. Both Palestinians and Israelis are Semites. So if we are anti-Semitic we are not against only Israelis but Palestinians as well!
We shouldn't condemn people but their actions!
Many thanks, anonymous 11:55, Hilath, Shihab and others for your comments.
@ anonymous 11:55 – I don’t think I’ve said anything here that proves I have failed to acknowledge the plight of Palestinians. I think I commiserate with the sorrows of the Palestinians as much as you do. And I have no intention, whatsoever, of parroting anybody’s bias. We are all entitled to our views, right? It is my personal belief that the extent of Israel bashing that we Muslims, and particularly the Maldivians, have done for so long is unjustified and that we have failed to look at this multifaceted problem rationally.
@hilath 11:31 – I agree with you fully. I personally believe that it is time that we establish diplomatic relations with Israel (as if that means anything). But as my friend Uvais jokingly said, by saying so I have crushed any hope for me to ever run for majlis, even if I live to be as old as Obama’s Anne Nixon Cooper!
And, Hilath, as you’ve pointed out both Jews and Palestinians are Semites. Doest that tell us how close we actually are, in spite of the artificial differences we have created?
@Shihab – yes, you are right. Umar Naseer is entitled to have his views. That’s his prerogative. This is a free country. My only concern is that one day his views might come to infringe upon my liberties.
Israel is not a jewish state! The state of israel is run by atheists and agnostics. pls get your facts correct first. Henry Ford knew this. and he wrote about it.
Post a Comment