Against violence and intolerance? In the countries of the Arab Spring and other nations along the southern coast of the Mediterranean, forces for freedom and democracy have emerged and are growing in influence. I don't know whether a similar movement exists in other parts of the world, among Muslims in the far-flung parts of Asia perhaps? and I will not be talking here about situations where the EU has little influence. But changes in the Mediterranean region are of direct concern for clear geographical and historic reasons. Progress in the Mediterranean is easy to see - political forces and a considerable section of public opinion are speaking out ever more openly against violence and intolerance and calling for closer ties with Europe. Observers point out that the current conflict is not between Islam and the West but between two different kinds of Islam - one that wants peace and that seeks dialogue among different civilisations; and one that wants war.
It is true that religious movements often win local elections in North African countries, but they don't get absolute majorities and there are therefore coalition governments that virtually always oppose Salafists and extremists of any kind. In Tunisia, observers say that everyone supports women's right and anti-violence. One minister made a strong defence of the newly won freedoms, stating in an interview: “Tunisians had the revolution to get more freedom, not to lose their rights.” In Egypt, opinion polls show that most ordinary people's main aim is simply to get a better standard of living, but political forces and the military are still clinging onto their old powers. Observers on the ground see and hear Tunisian women and girls defending their rights and lifestyles and hear intellectuals and leading figures defending a more open type of Islam, far removed from the fanatic image of Muslims seen in Europe, some part of Africa and across Asia.
A different type of Islam. What we are witnessing at the moment is a defining of a radically different image of Muslim civilisation, Muslim lifestyles and Muslim mindsets, even a different attitude towards religion. A peaceful mood, in which the fast majority of Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan much as Christians celebrate Christmas, often as a tradition. The vast mass of ordinary Muslims in the population, whether in Europe or on the other side of the Mediterranean, who are often highly critical of the governments of their countries of origin, are not extremist in the slightest. They are moderate and are often the main victims of fanaticism, coming under greater attack than Westerners. They often feel frustrated - especially young people - when they feel rejected in the countries they are living in.
It is clear to me that this description is not to be taken literally. A rejection of the culture of the host country and a desire to force people to accept their lifestyles certainly exist and this is often the attitude of immigrant Muslims, often second generation immigrants at that; and there is nothing imaginary about the recent wave of anti-Western violence around the Muslim world. Secularism is not a fully established fact of life.
A firm decision? Change is to be welcomed. If the current trends in the Arab Spring continue to build and spread into neighbouring countries, then the prospects for cooperation with Europe will be alive and kicking. These countries are clearly free to make their own choices and decide on their own lifestyles, but it would be unthinkable for the EU to work closely with countries that fail to react vigorously to the assassination of a Western ambassador or that display violence or other types of behaviour incompatible with genuine cooperation. In most countries where Western embassies, and religious establishments and Westerners have been attacked, the governments have intervened swiftly and effectively to protect Westerners.
Tareq Oubrou, rector of a mosque in Bordeaux, France, commented recently: “Freedom of expression is an unchallenged and unchallengeable Western right, a philosophical and ethical step forward for humanity. Any retreat in this domain would not be to the benefit of what makes the human being - namely freedom. (…) The Prophet banned attacks on ambassadors and emissaries. It is one of the ironies of history when Muslims kill for the Prophet - against the Prophet, against the teachings of the Prophet and the teachings of their own religion.”
One wonders whether the recent tragic events have actually encouraged southern Mediterranean countries to plump definitively for an open Islam based on tolerance and freedom, in order to consolidate and expand cooperation with the EU.
(FR/transl.fl)