Abdulateef Al-Mulhim, an Arab opinion piece

[Guest Peeves]

Hard to fault, and supported by history and current events. OK I know other religions, other countries have their warts, but comparatively it's Muslims as the worst enemy of Muslims.

I have followed the history of religions as an interest since my early twenties and as an atheist wondered at the influence of religion on its followers. None, to me has been as divisive sectarian-tribal, as Islam. This author puts things in perspective I think.

I post a selective excerpt, but it should be read in contex at the link.

http://www.arabnews....d-israeli-enemy

The common thing among all what I saw is that the destruction and the atrocities are not done by an outside enemy. The starvation, the killings and the destruction in these Arab countries are done by the same hands that are supposed to protect and build the unity of these countries and safeguard the people of these countries. So, the question now is that who is the real enemy of the Arab world?

snip...

The Arab world wasted hundreds of billions of dollars and lost tens of thousands of innocent lives fighting Israel, which they considered is their sworn enemy, an enemy whose existence they never recognized. The Arab world has many enemies and Israel should have been at the bottom of the list. The real enemies of the Arab world are corruption, lack of good education, lack of good health care, lack of freedom, lack of respect for the human lives and finally, the Arab world had many dictators who used the Arab-Israeli conflict to suppress their own people.

These dictators’ atrocities against their own people are far worse than all the full-scale Arab-Israeli wars.

In the past, we have talked about why some Israeli soldiers attack and mistreat Palestinians. Also, we saw Israeli planes and tanks attack various Arab countries. But, do these attacks match the current atrocities being committed by some Arab states against their own people.

In Syria, the atrocities are beyond anybody’s imaginations? And, isn’t the Iraqis are the ones who are destroying their own country? Wasn’t it Tunisia’s dictator who was able to steal 13 billion dollars from the poor Tunisians? And how can a child starve in Yemen if their land is the most fertile land in the world? Why would Iraqi brains leave Iraq in a country that makes 110 billion dollars from oil export? Why do the Lebanese fail to govern one of the tiniest countries in the world? And what made the Arab states start sinking into chaos?

Edited December 10, 2012 by Peeves

[jacee]

Hard to fault, and supported by history and current events. OK I know other religions, other countries have their warts, but comparatively it's Muslims as the worst enemy of Muslims.

I have followed the history of religions as an interest since my early twenties and as an atheist wondered at the influence of religion on its followers. None, to me has been as divisive sectarian-tribal, as Islam. This author puts things in perspective I think.

I post a selective excerpt, but it should be read in contex at the link.

http://www.arabnews....d-israeli-enemy

Just another anti-Muslim post by peeves.

[Guest Peeves]

Just another anti-Muslim post by peeves.

Do you ever consider the worthlessness of your attacks on me? On the poster? For once have the temerity, balls, intellect and courage to offer something of worth rather than taking a cowards route to ad hominem.

At best it serves only to bump a post, and at worst it makes the responder a fool.

Forum Rules and Guidelines.

Rule of thumb: play the ball, not the person (i.e. Tackle the argument, not the person making it).

[DogOnPorch]

Character assassination is all many of these posters have.

[Guest Peeves]

Character assassination is all many of these posters have.

Hmmm, in the real world one might spot such type by their overhanging brow and slobbering and drooling.whilst here it's by their inability to respond intellectually to most any subject that might be a mite challenging. Hence the diversionary tactic of ad hominem.

I consider them cretins,boors,troglodytes,dorks and boobs.

They seldom get a reply. Most disdain their clumsy attempts at repartee

On occasion some similar subspecies downwind get a whiff of stench and respond in kind, but not often

There are thankfully few that find a need to urinate on a post as to leave a scent and nothing else. There are those that regardless the subject will follow a poster as they would a master gleaning bits of wisdom and carping about the taste. There are others that will fixate on any post that fixes on a pet apologist theme, and hee haw on cue.

All in all they are a sad lot of losers, but they do make the rest of us appear superior so I guess we must persevere and pinch our nostrils as they pass naught but gas.

[Moonlight Graham]

Not sure what dictators have to do with Islam. There are horrible dictators throughout Africa, some are Muslim and some are Christian. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world and it has a mostly healthy democratic system.

Violent Muslim extremists, along with a some twisted policies (re: Saudi Arabia), are the problem.

[Guest Peeves]

Not sure what dictators have to do with Islam. There are horrible dictators throughout Africa, some are Muslim and some are Christian. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world and it has a mostly healthy democratic system.

Violent Muslim extremists, along with a some twisted policies (re: Saudi Arabia), are the problem.

Not sure? Any dictator that subjugates his people or robs his country is bad.

This posted article is by an Arab about Arabs.Obviously since his topic is about Muslims treatment by Muslims, Muslim dictators would be singled out as Assad.

Edited December 10, 2012 by Peeves

[Peter F]

I don't see what is so remarkable. Christians killed other christians in droves (see WWII) why should muslims be any different?

[Guest Peeves]

I don't see what is so remarkable. Christians killed other christians in droves (see WWII) why should muslims be any different?

That old diversion avoids every salient point of the post. It's about what an Arab intellectual condemns of his people. IF you want to off on a tangent about other issues start a different post. He has some points worth thinking about....Perhaps with this statement he makes...

"The common thing among all what I saw is that the destruction and the atrocities are not done by an outside enemy. The starvation, the killings and the destruction in these Arab countries are done by the same hands that are supposed to protect and build the unity of these countries and safeguard the people of these countries. So, the question now is that who is the real enemy of the Arab world?"

Edited December 11, 2012 by Peeves

[guyser]

"The common thing among all what I saw is that the destruction and the atrocities are not done by an outside enemy. The starvation, the killings and the destruction in these Arab countries are done by the same hands that are supposed to protect and build the unity of these countries and safeguard the people of these countries. So, the question now is that who is the real enemy of the Arab world?"

Why that sounds just like the Christian/Catholic handbook in Africa with respect to AIDS.

[Bonam]

Good article Peeves. Thanks for posting. It is too bad that certain posters here reflexively ignore and deride any legitimate discussion on this issue. In regards to this article, it should be emphasized that it is about Arabs: an ethnic/racial group, rather than about Muslims, a religious group. While there is obviously a strong overlap, they are not one and the same. No one gets confused between "white" and "Christian", neither should they get confused between "Arab" and "Muslim". And it is unquestionably true that Arab nations have been their own people's worst enemies for decades, just as the author says.

[Guest Peeves]

Good article Peeves. Thanks for posting. It is too bad that certain posters here reflexively ignore and deride any legitimate discussion on this issue. In regards to this article, it should be emphasized that it is about Arabs: an ethnic/racial group, rather than about Muslims, a religious group. While there is obviously a strong overlap, they are not one and the same. No one gets confused between "white" and "Christian", neither should they get confused between "Arab" and "Muslim". And it is unquestionably true that Arab nations have been their own people's worst enemies for decades, just as the author says.

Point taken. Persians (Iran) and Turks make up Muslim countries along with the Indonesians*.They're not Arabs.Another point, there are many differing tribes and sects in Islam. Many don't get along. Even some rather of a secular bent. Initially in Egypt Christians (I think) were the majority. and Kurds are another faction often in distress.

*Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia, which also has a larger Muslim population than any other country in the world, with approximately 202.9 million ..."

Edited December 11, 2012 by Peeves

[Hudson Jones]

It's a good article and I agree with a lot of what he's saying. The Arab anger and sense of justice is hypocritical and selective.

That said, Peeves, you are unfortunately selective and hypocritical. You spend majority of your time justifying Israeli actions. Many actions which are not justifiable. So it's a little difficult to sit down here and discuss the truth behind the article with you, when you are unable to be truthful and honest in other areas.

I saw something remarkable the other day on here, while the usual "Israeli defenders" like jbg and american woman were here defending the new settlement plans, Bonam took an unexpected stance and spoke out against the settlement building and against the status quo. Not only did my respect for him increase, but it also made me evaluate my own approach to these debates. That I need to learn to resist from encouraging the debates from turning into mud slinging. This also takes us to an article written by Abdulateef Al-Mulhim:

The world was full of joy and people were now optimistic that there can be a two-state solution and the world was hoping for a long lasting peace. At a time when the whole world was partying and full of joy, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu spoiled the party. He announced the go ahead to build 3,000 new homes on occupied territories. Now the whole world said, well, here we go again.

Many people, including Israelis, thought the building such settlements would be ab obstacle to any peace negotiations. On Dec. 3, I saw an article written by Professor Alon Ben-Meir who is born in Iraq and in his article, the professor said, “One would think that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cohorts would one day come to their senses and realize that there are limits to which they can defy the international community, including the United States, without serious, if not perilous, repercussions for the state of Israel. As long as he is in power, Netanyahu has no intention, now or ever, to allow for the establishment of a functioning and independent Palestinian state.

“His talk of a two-state solution is nothing but an empty slogan designed to mislead the international community, and tragically he is leading the Jews’ third commonwealth to a historic disaster akin to the destruction of the Second Temple. Those Israelis from the left and center of the political spectrum must wake up and stop him in his tracks before it’s too late. Otherwise, they will be judged as harshly and mercilessly as history will judge Netanyahu by not preventing the looming disaster from destroying the Jews’ last refuge.”

The above part of my article is written by a professor who is well known for his drive to achieve peace in the Middle East, and had a taste of the agony when someone had to leave his home. He left his home in Baghdad and ended up going to school in Tel Aviv.

link

I am curious to see how much you agree with this article of his.

[Guest Peeves]

"That said, Peeves, you are unfortunately selective and hypocritical. You spend majority of your time justifying Israeli actions. Many actions which are not justifiable. So it's a little difficult to sit down here and discuss the truth behind the article with you, when you are unable to be truthful and honest in other areas."

When I want your opinion on me which I don't, I'll be sure to let you know.

I seldom if ever read your posts, and certainly will avoid any link you provide as propaganda and agitprop.

[Hudson Jones]

When I want your opinion on me which I don't, I'll be sure to let you know.

Unfortunately for you, I will give my opinion no matter how you feel.

I seldom if ever read your posts, and certainly will avoid any link you provide as propaganda and agitprop.

This propaganda article is written by the same person who wrote the article you posted. The irony of your comment is delicious.