ANALYSIS
The impact of Islamic Revolution of Iran on Lebanon
Compiled by Al Watan Daily
LEBANON: Over the past decade, Hezbollah has undergone a major transformation. From its origins as a radical sectarian militia in the 1980s, it has moved into the core of the Lebanese political life. Hezbollah could acquire the institutional trappings of a state and the capabilities of an army.
This organization wasn''t formed in one day by one man or because of a magic stick, many external and internal factors played major roles in its formation. Local and international events in addition to ideological reasons helped this organization to emerge. When we hear the name of Hezbollah many words and expressions come to our mind such as Shia, Iran, Lebanon the hate against Israel, and Sayed Hassan Nasrallah. Why do we have these preconceptions? Why these words, ideas, and thoughts come to our mind?
This group has a strong connection with the IranianـSyrian regional axis politically and economically. This condition has polarized Lebanon, deepening the divide between the Hezbollahـled opposition and the proـU.S. March 14 forces the 2006 summer war between Hezbollah and Israel, which Hezbollah celebrated as a "divine" victory, completed the realignment and remobilizing of forces in the Middle East. The Middle East policies of Iran and Syria are linking strategically to Hezbollah''s political dominance in Lebanon.
The ideological foundations of Hezbollah were laid in the 1960s and 1970s in Lebanon by three religious scholars: Ayatollahs Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, Muhammad Mahdi Shamseddine and Imam Musa AlـSadr. The party''s Islamist ideology, was affected by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini''s revolutionary doctrine of Velayatـe faqih (Guardianship of the Jurisconsult), which dominated the regime in Iran in 1979. These religious scholars sought to empower and unify Lebanon''s Shi''a community.1
Under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, Iran''s Islamic revolution of February 11,1979 created an earthquake across the region, affecting the map of alliances and the extent of hegemony as well as the very interests of external powers. Iran''s stature shifted from the policeman of the Gulf region and an ally to American and Israel to one of an Islamic regime rejecting American hegemony, supporting the rights of Palestinian, supporting and creating resistance groups in the region.
In Lebanon, religious scholars and Islamic groups detected a source of hope and support in the New Iran. upon the foundation of Hezbollah, it saw a possibility for achieving its goals and aspirations through the backing of Iran.
The relationship between Iran and Hezbollah was developed in a successful way, Many reasons lay behind this success. Both Iran and Hezbollah believe in the jurisdiction of the Jurist Theologian and that Imam Khomeni was himself that leaderـ the embodiment of this Jurisdiction in this time. Therefore Iran and the party met within an international framework of international leadership legitimacy.
On the other hand, Iran''s choice of an Islamic republican system of government meets with the Islamic principles held by Hezbollah. Also, political concord is existed on the many issues such as the Iranian absolute rejection of superpower hegemony and the support of all liberation movements.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The fuel of Hezbollah
The widespread interest in gaining membership of the Hezbollah has increased dramatically after the clear demonstration of the powerful achievements of their resistance against the Israeli occupation. Another reason is the privileges its members enjoy like health insurance, education and several other benefits. It is not an easy process to join the Hezbollah and even believing in the righteousness of Hezbollah as a resistance organization cannot guarantee membership in this organization. In addition, all those who believe in the party''s political movements may not be compliant with the worship and behavioral edicts of Islam.
The leadership of Hezbollah has laid down the following criteria to attract memberships: The creation of a new party framework that reduces the specifications and objectives adopted by Hezbollah. The creation of independent groups and circles, or participation in their creation and the requirement of peripheral membership
An Islamic Saying: Can ye wait for us aught save one of two good things (death or victory in Allah''s way), while we wait for you that Allah will affect you with a doom from Him or at our bands. Await then! Lo! We are waiting with you.1
Islam carries tremendous recruiting potential for followers. It requires concentrating on the spiritual aspects of life, abandonment of physical and soulful pleasures in favor of more virtuous goals. In return we are showered with the promise of paradise and of Almighty God''s blessings. Hezbollah has succeeded in the recruitment and mobilization efforts of their aims because the party is harmonious with Islam''s teachings.
One of the greatest events in history took place in Karbala where Imam Alـ Hussein2 and 70 (or 73) of his followers, the finest of his family, faced martyrdom in defense of the nation. "I have come out seeking to mend my grandfather''s nation,"3 Imam AlـHussein said. His quest was to abolish the rule of Yazid, the oppressing deviant governor, the killer of venerated souls, promulgator of lechery and wantonness. "He who is of my kind can''t elect his kind," he added. Knowing that his stance would lead to martyrdom, Imam Hussein declared: "God, to Who belongs all might and majesty has willed to see me die, killed and slaughtered, in cruelty and aggression."
The organization of Hezbollah is nurtured with the exemplary story of Imam AlـHussein and his followers and is enriched and reinforced by their conduct. Man deems these sacrifices little as compared to theirs, and understands the importance of confrontation even with no hope for victory. Simply put, this story is the fuel of Hezbollah.
1 Surah .9, AlـTawbah, Verse 52
2 The grandson of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), The son of Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb
3 Imam Hussein
The leadership of Hezbollah has laid down the following criteria to attract memberships: The creation of a new party framework that reduces the specifications and objectives adopted by Hezbollah. The creation of independent groups and circles, or participation in their creation and the requirement of peripheral membership
An Islamic Saying: Can ye wait for us aught save one of two good things (death or victory in Allah''s way), while we wait for you that Allah will affect you with a doom from Him or at our bands. Await then! Lo! We are waiting with you.1
Islam carries tremendous recruiting potential for followers. It requires concentrating on the spiritual aspects of life, abandonment of physical and soulful pleasures in favor of more virtuous goals. In return we are showered with the promise of paradise and of Almighty God''s blessings. Hezbollah has succeeded in the recruitment and mobilization efforts of their aims because the party is harmonious with Islam''s teachings.
One of the greatest events in history took place in Karbala where Imam Alـ Hussein2 and 70 (or 73) of his followers, the finest of his family, faced martyrdom in defense of the nation. "I have come out seeking to mend my grandfather''s nation,"3 Imam AlـHussein said. His quest was to abolish the rule of Yazid, the oppressing deviant governor, the killer of venerated souls, promulgator of lechery and wantonness. "He who is of my kind can''t elect his kind," he added. Knowing that his stance would lead to martyrdom, Imam Hussein declared: "God, to Who belongs all might and majesty has willed to see me die, killed and slaughtered, in cruelty and aggression."
The organization of Hezbollah is nurtured with the exemplary story of Imam AlـHussein and his followers and is enriched and reinforced by their conduct. Man deems these sacrifices little as compared to theirs, and understands the importance of confrontation even with no hope for victory. Simply put, this story is the fuel of Hezbollah.
1 Surah .9, AlـTawbah, Verse 52
2 The grandson of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), The son of Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb
3 Imam Hussein
U.S.A: The economic devil
Jameel Karaki
The U.S. is controlling the wealth of the world in many ways and through deliberate manipulations. Since the abandonment of the gold standard as a universal monetary system and its replacement it with the fait currency system, the U.S. is financing its domestic growth through the savings of the world. It is the only country in the world that has the right to issue dollars for worldwide use and set the interest rates in a way that meets its domestic interest rates rather than global interest rates. In addition, the United States of America has promoted for the concept of ''Trade Liberalization'' which has opened the access for American businesses to conquer the markets of poor and developing countries by exporting its goods cheaply, in fact, even below the market prices to those countries. This strategy has forced producers in those countries incapable of competing in their own local markets. These factors have also led some countries to fall into the trap of debts and are compelled to borrow money from organizations such as International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to invest in economic development projects. However, these countries invest in economic development projects, yet, they cannot compete with American companies who control the factors of productions and markets directly or indirectly. In general, polices and conditions tied to IMF loans lead to the foreign control and domination of their economies especially in the financial sectors. Some of these conditions force local financial institutions to open the gates for foreign companies to own the biggest shares in local financial institutions. Through these games, American corporations invaded the markets of developing countries in an easy, free and unique way that discouraged local corporations in those countries from boosting their own products and exporting them to the global market.
The American domination over the world economy and financial systems are presented to us through organizations such as the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund. No one can be nominated for a highـranking position in these organizations without the American approval of the potential candidates. This domination can be as simple as the hamburger sandwich from American franchises such Burger King or MacDonald''s.
The hamburger sandwich is presented based on a system. It is impossible to take half of the sandwich or take one part and leave the other. You may decide to leave the onion or tomato but when you pay, you pay for the price of the whole sandwich. After all, the only way to have a better global economic system is to help developing nations to start preparing their own hamburgers in their own kitchens and this will never happen in the short run because it requires a full control of the factors of production in America.ـ
The U.S. is controlling the wealth of the world in many ways and through deliberate manipulations. Since the abandonment of the gold standard as a universal monetary system and its replacement it with the fait currency system, the U.S. is financing its domestic growth through the savings of the world. It is the only country in the world that has the right to issue dollars for worldwide use and set the interest rates in a way that meets its domestic interest rates rather than global interest rates. In addition, the United States of America has promoted for the concept of ''Trade Liberalization'' which has opened the access for American businesses to conquer the markets of poor and developing countries by exporting its goods cheaply, in fact, even below the market prices to those countries. This strategy has forced producers in those countries incapable of competing in their own local markets. These factors have also led some countries to fall into the trap of debts and are compelled to borrow money from organizations such as International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to invest in economic development projects. However, these countries invest in economic development projects, yet, they cannot compete with American companies who control the factors of productions and markets directly or indirectly. In general, polices and conditions tied to IMF loans lead to the foreign control and domination of their economies especially in the financial sectors. Some of these conditions force local financial institutions to open the gates for foreign companies to own the biggest shares in local financial institutions. Through these games, American corporations invaded the markets of developing countries in an easy, free and unique way that discouraged local corporations in those countries from boosting their own products and exporting them to the global market.
The American domination over the world economy and financial systems are presented to us through organizations such as the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund. No one can be nominated for a highـranking position in these organizations without the American approval of the potential candidates. This domination can be as simple as the hamburger sandwich from American franchises such Burger King or MacDonald''s.
The hamburger sandwich is presented based on a system. It is impossible to take half of the sandwich or take one part and leave the other. You may decide to leave the onion or tomato but when you pay, you pay for the price of the whole sandwich. After all, the only way to have a better global economic system is to help developing nations to start preparing their own hamburgers in their own kitchens and this will never happen in the short run because it requires a full control of the factors of production in America.ـ
Boycotting the products of hate and ignorance
Jameel W. Karaki
Several fundamental groups in the Arab World keep calling the mass public to boycott American products and companies through the media and or via the Internet. This boycotting issue can affect the interests of major American corporations and seal the fate of those contracts that are worth millions to American companies in a way that can force local governments to use the services of European or Asian companies. In this stage the logic of boycotting makes no sense and is illogical too. We take pains to send a flood of emails to boycott American products and forward them online by using the wonderful Microsoft software''s called "Which is not an Arabic company." The contradictions also come at a time when we hear some religious leaders and clerics calling on us to boycott the American products and yet, when we meet them outside mosques to be blessed by the holy halo surrounding them, we see them driving the ultimate luxury of a Chevrolet sedan. Moreover, the motherboards of their laptops and desktops are powered by Intel. In addition to that, all those who describe the U.S. as the enemy, go to wars with the M16 American assault rifles and use the American night vision binoculars to watch over their enemies on the battlefield.
To be more objective, we suffer from the "knowledge of compound ignorance." In order to produce alternative products we should have the required human and financial capital. We lack innovation, freedom of expression and investment in research and development. However, what we do not lack is the ability of talking about our previous glories and the pride of having three religions revealed on our lands. We attack the positive sides of American education, yet dare to talk about the dream of procuring a green card.
Let''s take a look at the system of liberal arts at American universities and how they produce well educated critical thinkers. In sharp contrast, let''s look at the Arabic universities and their weak curricula that enhance the concept of memorizing and abolishing the concept of critical, logical and systematic thinking that destroy the students'' potential. The top ranked universities around the world are located in America. To be fair enough, it is the Americans who encouraged some of the Arab elites and scholars to promote liberalism and scientific advancement in the region. Boycotting American products without finding alternative products and factors of production would be only futile and unreal.
Finally, it is utter shame for a nation like ours; a nation that eats vegetables that it does not grow and fights with weapons that it does not manufacture. The Americans have conquered space while our prisons and planes have no space, yet we still live in an isolated world created by our own selves. Their products have conquered global markets and our own ignorance has invaded us. Also we are a nation that enjoys a lot of resources that have been bestowed upon us in an unfeasible way. We lag behind in the changes happening around us. We can never be an advanced nation and liberate ourselves from the ignorance that we live in unless we boycott the products of hate and ignorance that are produced by us.
Several fundamental groups in the Arab World keep calling the mass public to boycott American products and companies through the media and or via the Internet. This boycotting issue can affect the interests of major American corporations and seal the fate of those contracts that are worth millions to American companies in a way that can force local governments to use the services of European or Asian companies. In this stage the logic of boycotting makes no sense and is illogical too. We take pains to send a flood of emails to boycott American products and forward them online by using the wonderful Microsoft software''s called "Which is not an Arabic company." The contradictions also come at a time when we hear some religious leaders and clerics calling on us to boycott the American products and yet, when we meet them outside mosques to be blessed by the holy halo surrounding them, we see them driving the ultimate luxury of a Chevrolet sedan. Moreover, the motherboards of their laptops and desktops are powered by Intel. In addition to that, all those who describe the U.S. as the enemy, go to wars with the M16 American assault rifles and use the American night vision binoculars to watch over their enemies on the battlefield.
To be more objective, we suffer from the "knowledge of compound ignorance." In order to produce alternative products we should have the required human and financial capital. We lack innovation, freedom of expression and investment in research and development. However, what we do not lack is the ability of talking about our previous glories and the pride of having three religions revealed on our lands. We attack the positive sides of American education, yet dare to talk about the dream of procuring a green card.
Let''s take a look at the system of liberal arts at American universities and how they produce well educated critical thinkers. In sharp contrast, let''s look at the Arabic universities and their weak curricula that enhance the concept of memorizing and abolishing the concept of critical, logical and systematic thinking that destroy the students'' potential. The top ranked universities around the world are located in America. To be fair enough, it is the Americans who encouraged some of the Arab elites and scholars to promote liberalism and scientific advancement in the region. Boycotting American products without finding alternative products and factors of production would be only futile and unreal.
Finally, it is utter shame for a nation like ours; a nation that eats vegetables that it does not grow and fights with weapons that it does not manufacture. The Americans have conquered space while our prisons and planes have no space, yet we still live in an isolated world created by our own selves. Their products have conquered global markets and our own ignorance has invaded us. Also we are a nation that enjoys a lot of resources that have been bestowed upon us in an unfeasible way. We lag behind in the changes happening around us. We can never be an advanced nation and liberate ourselves from the ignorance that we live in unless we boycott the products of hate and ignorance that are produced by us.
Boycotting the products of hate and ignorance
Jameel W. Karaki
Several fundamental groups in the Arab World keep calling the mass public to boycott American products and companies through the media and or via the Internet. This boycotting issue can affect the interests of major American corporations and seal the fate of those contracts that are worth millions to American companies in a way that can force local governments to use the services of European or Asian companies. In this stage the logic of boycotting makes no sense and is illogical too. We take pains to send a flood of emails to boycott American products and forward them online by using the wonderful Microsoft software''s called "Which is not an Arabic company." The contradictions also come at a time when we hear some religious leaders and clerics calling on us to boycott the American products and yet, when we meet them outside mosques to be blessed by the holy halo surrounding them, we see them driving the ultimate luxury of a Chevrolet sedan. Moreover, the motherboards of their laptops and desktops are powered by Intel. In addition to that, all those who describe the U.S. as the enemy, go to wars with the M16 American assault rifles and use the American night vision binoculars to watch over their enemies on the battlefield.
To be more objective, we suffer from the "knowledge of compound ignorance." In order to produce alternative products we should have the required human and financial capital. We lack innovation, freedom of expression and investment in research and development. However, what we do not lack is the ability of talking about our previous glories and the pride of having three religions revealed on our lands. We attack the positive sides of American education, yet dare to talk about the dream of procuring a green card.
Let''s take a look at the system of liberal arts at American universities and how they produce well educated critical thinkers. In sharp contrast, let''s look at the Arabic universities and their weak curricula that enhance the concept of memorizing and abolishing the concept of critical, logical and systematic thinking that destroy the students'' potential. The top ranked universities around the world are located in America. To be fair enough, it is the Americans who encouraged some of the Arab elites and scholars to promote liberalism and scientific advancement in the region. Boycotting American products without finding alternative products and factors of production would be only futile and unreal.
Finally, it is utter shame for a nation like ours; a nation that eats vegetables that it does not grow and fights with weapons that it does not manufacture. The Americans have conquered space while our prisons and planes have no space, yet we still live in an isolated world created by our own selves. Their products have conquered global markets and our own ignorance has invaded us. Also we are a nation that enjoys a lot of resources that have been bestowed upon us in an unfeasible way. We lag behind in the changes happening around us. We can never be an advanced nation and liberate ourselves from the ignorance that we live in unless we boycott the products of hate and ignorance that are produced by us.
Several fundamental groups in the Arab World keep calling the mass public to boycott American products and companies through the media and or via the Internet. This boycotting issue can affect the interests of major American corporations and seal the fate of those contracts that are worth millions to American companies in a way that can force local governments to use the services of European or Asian companies. In this stage the logic of boycotting makes no sense and is illogical too. We take pains to send a flood of emails to boycott American products and forward them online by using the wonderful Microsoft software''s called "Which is not an Arabic company." The contradictions also come at a time when we hear some religious leaders and clerics calling on us to boycott the American products and yet, when we meet them outside mosques to be blessed by the holy halo surrounding them, we see them driving the ultimate luxury of a Chevrolet sedan. Moreover, the motherboards of their laptops and desktops are powered by Intel. In addition to that, all those who describe the U.S. as the enemy, go to wars with the M16 American assault rifles and use the American night vision binoculars to watch over their enemies on the battlefield.
To be more objective, we suffer from the "knowledge of compound ignorance." In order to produce alternative products we should have the required human and financial capital. We lack innovation, freedom of expression and investment in research and development. However, what we do not lack is the ability of talking about our previous glories and the pride of having three religions revealed on our lands. We attack the positive sides of American education, yet dare to talk about the dream of procuring a green card.
Let''s take a look at the system of liberal arts at American universities and how they produce well educated critical thinkers. In sharp contrast, let''s look at the Arabic universities and their weak curricula that enhance the concept of memorizing and abolishing the concept of critical, logical and systematic thinking that destroy the students'' potential. The top ranked universities around the world are located in America. To be fair enough, it is the Americans who encouraged some of the Arab elites and scholars to promote liberalism and scientific advancement in the region. Boycotting American products without finding alternative products and factors of production would be only futile and unreal.
Finally, it is utter shame for a nation like ours; a nation that eats vegetables that it does not grow and fights with weapons that it does not manufacture. The Americans have conquered space while our prisons and planes have no space, yet we still live in an isolated world created by our own selves. Their products have conquered global markets and our own ignorance has invaded us. Also we are a nation that enjoys a lot of resources that have been bestowed upon us in an unfeasible way. We lag behind in the changes happening around us. We can never be an advanced nation and liberate ourselves from the ignorance that we live in unless we boycott the products of hate and ignorance that are produced by us.
The ineffective American placebo effect
Jameel W. Karaki
A Hollywood movieـdrama has been presented to the Arab World by the American administration called ''The twoـstate solution" that has been the basis for serious peace negotiations since the 1967 ArabـIsraeli War. When Arabs decided to join the cast and crew of this movie and participate in its action. Israel in turn expanded its settlements in the West Bank and a large number of disgruntled Arabs started to disbelieve the peace process.
Reinvigorating the peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Authority and relinquishing preference for the use of force to address the region''s problems by the American administration will never lead to a twoـstate solution or solve the historical IsraeliـPalestinian conflict. Yet, it works as a dummy medication (placebo effect) for all those who believe in this solution of the ArabـIsraeli dilemma.
For most Arabs, President Obama is proـIsrael too. They believe that he is just different in his speeches as compared to his two predecessors namely Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. We should admit that President Obama possesses professional oratory skills. He knows precisely what others want to hear. In addition, he was wise enough to choose Cairo as the first station to launch his speech to the Arab World because Egypt is considered as an important center for culture, learning and knowledge.
President Obama''s new Middle East policy, that addresses the needs, interests and aspirations of all those who believe in his expected change will not lead to any sort of concessions from the Israeli side even if Arabs keep offering concessions under the name of the art of negotiation and the theory of meekness.
The twoـstate solution is impossible and unrealistic for many reasons. First of all, creating two states means the existence of two independent states preserving their own security, economy and political life. In contrast, the security of Israel is a threat to Palestine and some of the Arab countries, while the security of Palestine is a threat to the Israeli regime and its existence in the Middle East.
Secondly, the White House is a good listener of the sentiments of Arabs but yet, it is a vital protector and supporter of the Israeli regime in the Middle East. The twoـstate solution is also futile because it requires offering both sides; the Palestinians as well as Israelis their needs and interests on an equal basis. Under the umbrella of the twoـstate solution, the West Bank is supposed to be a Palestine state yet, Israel rejected calls by President Obama to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank, a move that would merge up the Palestinian state with the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader peace agreement. On the other hand, Palestine is divided into two authorities and its leaders ignore calls for the formation of one authority to accomplish the peace process and create internal stability.
Negotiating with Israel under the American sponsorship is a new chapter of the decisive American diplomacy regarding this issue. The U.S. can freeze the construction of the settlements by cutting down on its aid to Israel or imposing sanctions against it. It has the absolute power to impose sanctions and judgments against any country in this world.
President Obama will fail to achieve any realistic progress with his twoـstate solution. And both sides will keep the conflict ongoing for all future generations to come, in a way that the issue will become a challenge for the American interests in the region. This solution works only as placebo effect for all those who believe in the solution of the Arabـ Israeli dilemma. It is a placebo effect for Arabs who have got addicted to the American supply of dummy medications.
A Hollywood movieـdrama has been presented to the Arab World by the American administration called ''The twoـstate solution" that has been the basis for serious peace negotiations since the 1967 ArabـIsraeli War. When Arabs decided to join the cast and crew of this movie and participate in its action. Israel in turn expanded its settlements in the West Bank and a large number of disgruntled Arabs started to disbelieve the peace process.
Reinvigorating the peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Authority and relinquishing preference for the use of force to address the region''s problems by the American administration will never lead to a twoـstate solution or solve the historical IsraeliـPalestinian conflict. Yet, it works as a dummy medication (placebo effect) for all those who believe in this solution of the ArabـIsraeli dilemma.
For most Arabs, President Obama is proـIsrael too. They believe that he is just different in his speeches as compared to his two predecessors namely Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. We should admit that President Obama possesses professional oratory skills. He knows precisely what others want to hear. In addition, he was wise enough to choose Cairo as the first station to launch his speech to the Arab World because Egypt is considered as an important center for culture, learning and knowledge.
President Obama''s new Middle East policy, that addresses the needs, interests and aspirations of all those who believe in his expected change will not lead to any sort of concessions from the Israeli side even if Arabs keep offering concessions under the name of the art of negotiation and the theory of meekness.
The twoـstate solution is impossible and unrealistic for many reasons. First of all, creating two states means the existence of two independent states preserving their own security, economy and political life. In contrast, the security of Israel is a threat to Palestine and some of the Arab countries, while the security of Palestine is a threat to the Israeli regime and its existence in the Middle East.
Secondly, the White House is a good listener of the sentiments of Arabs but yet, it is a vital protector and supporter of the Israeli regime in the Middle East. The twoـstate solution is also futile because it requires offering both sides; the Palestinians as well as Israelis their needs and interests on an equal basis. Under the umbrella of the twoـstate solution, the West Bank is supposed to be a Palestine state yet, Israel rejected calls by President Obama to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank, a move that would merge up the Palestinian state with the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader peace agreement. On the other hand, Palestine is divided into two authorities and its leaders ignore calls for the formation of one authority to accomplish the peace process and create internal stability.
Negotiating with Israel under the American sponsorship is a new chapter of the decisive American diplomacy regarding this issue. The U.S. can freeze the construction of the settlements by cutting down on its aid to Israel or imposing sanctions against it. It has the absolute power to impose sanctions and judgments against any country in this world.
President Obama will fail to achieve any realistic progress with his twoـstate solution. And both sides will keep the conflict ongoing for all future generations to come, in a way that the issue will become a challenge for the American interests in the region. This solution works only as placebo effect for all those who believe in the solution of the Arabـ Israeli dilemma. It is a placebo effect for Arabs who have got addicted to the American supply of dummy medications.
Can cinema cement the relationship between US, Muslim communities?
Jameel W. Karaki
The cinema is not a screen or medium that disseminates moving pictures neither is it the product of billions of dollars invested by Hollywood, Bollywood or Arabic producers but it is a humanitarian message that reflects and incarnates the different aspects of our lives. During my attendance at the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, I could not but help to observe and see how the cinematic power can be utilized to further the goals of interـcultural understanding among people from different cultures and civilizations. It was also a reflection on the relationship of cultural identities and diversities among all the participants.
On the first day of my arrival, and hours before the opening ceremony, I was totally nervous and tense because of the excitement of my first coverage of such a prestigious cinematic event. The first person received me with a smile and a warm greeting. She was none other than Dr. Connie Van Horne, a Canadian professor, from the Zayed University who volunteered to establish new communication channels and to observe the environment around her and add values of her academic researches about the tourism industry as well as her exposure to different cultural initiatives.
Another volunteer that I met was Maryam Keivani an Iranian cartoonist, who described her volunteering experience as an opportunity to meet new people from different cultures. In my opinion, such events can create mutual respect among the people from different countries and it eradicates preconceived and negative stereotypes that are usually associated to lack of communication.
Recently, President''s Barack Obama administration has been trying to establish a new start with Muslim communities around the world. This new and long road of travel can only start by investing in Hollywoodـproduced moves that reflect what Islam is actually all about? Who is Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), his family and companions? Americans should be educated about the current situation of Islamic sects and the various interpretations of the holy Quran and the Sunnah.
How can we expect some Americans to accept the Islamic cultural notions while some of the American media and cinema expose Muslims as ignorant, stupid, terrorists and trouble makers? To them all Iraqis are Saddam Hussein, they see women are being degraded and all the Muslim communities are camel riders while brandishing swords around the clock aiming and planning to assassinate the American dream. Finally, it should be the role of the US media to promote the positive aspects in the Islamic World in an objective way instead of using cheap film scenarios that degrade both sides and waste the taxpayers'' money on some cheap T.V serials scripted by some cheap writers.
The cinema is not a screen or medium that disseminates moving pictures neither is it the product of billions of dollars invested by Hollywood, Bollywood or Arabic producers but it is a humanitarian message that reflects and incarnates the different aspects of our lives. During my attendance at the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, I could not but help to observe and see how the cinematic power can be utilized to further the goals of interـcultural understanding among people from different cultures and civilizations. It was also a reflection on the relationship of cultural identities and diversities among all the participants.
On the first day of my arrival, and hours before the opening ceremony, I was totally nervous and tense because of the excitement of my first coverage of such a prestigious cinematic event. The first person received me with a smile and a warm greeting. She was none other than Dr. Connie Van Horne, a Canadian professor, from the Zayed University who volunteered to establish new communication channels and to observe the environment around her and add values of her academic researches about the tourism industry as well as her exposure to different cultural initiatives.
Another volunteer that I met was Maryam Keivani an Iranian cartoonist, who described her volunteering experience as an opportunity to meet new people from different cultures. In my opinion, such events can create mutual respect among the people from different countries and it eradicates preconceived and negative stereotypes that are usually associated to lack of communication.
Recently, President''s Barack Obama administration has been trying to establish a new start with Muslim communities around the world. This new and long road of travel can only start by investing in Hollywoodـproduced moves that reflect what Islam is actually all about? Who is Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), his family and companions? Americans should be educated about the current situation of Islamic sects and the various interpretations of the holy Quran and the Sunnah.
How can we expect some Americans to accept the Islamic cultural notions while some of the American media and cinema expose Muslims as ignorant, stupid, terrorists and trouble makers? To them all Iraqis are Saddam Hussein, they see women are being degraded and all the Muslim communities are camel riders while brandishing swords around the clock aiming and planning to assassinate the American dream. Finally, it should be the role of the US media to promote the positive aspects in the Islamic World in an objective way instead of using cheap film scenarios that degrade both sides and waste the taxpayers'' money on some cheap T.V serials scripted by some cheap writers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)