Global Intifada

We’ve heard this phrase so many times before.

When tyrannical monarchies hiding behind the guise of religion oppressed people, we were told “Don’t make waves.”

When European imperialists came to our lands, robbed our natural resources, subverted elites into their peons, enslaved millions, dispossessed the lands of its native inhabitants, and created a patently discriminatory and unfair global economic system, we were told “Don’t make waves.”

When our forefathers came to America, either on the slave ship or through Ellis Island and they were discriminated against based on their skin color or because they dressed funny, we were told “Don’t make waves.”

When a candidate in one of the most hotly contested elections in American history has volunteers in his campaign who didn’t allow Muslims to sit behind him in a televised address, we are again being told “Don’t make waves.” We are being told that Obama’s campaign had no choice, or they attempt to justify it by saying “Look, here are some pictures of Obama with some Muslims” as if being pictured with a general mass of people with one or two Muslims in the crowd makes up for the affront, or they say “The campaign has apologized” but not Obama himself. These events illustrate a fundamental contradiction in Barack Obama’s campaign.

There is hope in America to combat racism - but not Islamophobia. Yes we can, if you’re white, black, or whatever, as long as you ain’t Muslim. The audacity of hope seems to be not so audacious anymore. Obama’s campaign seems to have spent more time distancing themselves from the Muslim community rather than condemning Islamophobia itself. While there are certainly statements from the Senator stressing how stereotyping all Muslims is wrong, on his website and in his speeches, we see more of a focus contesting the notion that he is Muslim rather than stating the real problem which is that there is nothing wrong with being Muslim.

Some American Muslims will be satisfied with Obama’s campaign and point out that there’s nothing he can do. I disagree, there is something he can do. If he is going to be the President of the most powerful country in the world and he cannot stand up against Islamophobia, then who will? If Obama makes a commitment to combat racism in America, but not Islamophobia, he will fail as a President whose primary focus will be national security in the war on terror. If Obama can’t keep bigoted people from fanning the flames of hatred and feeding into the propaganda of terrorists now, then what will he do when he is president?

How long will we have to submit to racism against Arabs or Islamophobia merely because rich white folks don’t like the fact that we’re different? If his campaign is truly about uniting America and making a difference in the world, then he should put his money where his mouth is and live up to his ideals of pluralism and diplomacy.

I don’t think this is the time to sit by idly and let elites govern the course of history anymore. I think its time to stand up and make waves. I think its time to get mainstream America to realize that it has a problem with its portrayal and treatment of Islam and Muslims. The war on terror isn’t a sufficient reason to stereotype an entire people, especially when such bigotry preceded the war by years. These two Muslim women had nothing to do with terrorism, they represented the best and brightest of the American Muslim community, they were fully “integrated”, they were active participants in the American democratic system and solely because of an outward representation of their faith, they were castigated.

Islamophobia is the governing issue in the Western Muslim community. Thats the primary interest of our community at the domestic level. Islamophobia then becomes the basis for the belligerent narrative of the entire Muslim world and results in wars of aggression. I don’t think you can separate the obvious nexus between Islamophobia and the war on Iraq. Without the former, the latter would not have been possible. Islamophobia legitimates neocolonialist enterprises whether it is in America, Europe, or Israel. Now, some will argue, “Muslims need to suck it up” or that “they need to think of the greater good”, but what compelling interest is being served by constantly degrading Islam or Muslims? It doesn’t serve any national interest, in fact it hurts it by fostering feelings of anti-Americanism based on a perceived prejudice that may undermine our efforts in the war on terror. It doesn’t serve any economic interest. It doesn’t fulfill any viable social function at all - and thats the problem. We are being told to tolerate the demonization of our faith and not make waves.

And to be fair, no special interest group EVER operates on the mythical construct of utilitarianism.  They do not operate on lofty ideals, but self-interest. Thats the entire purpose of a lobby or a special interest group in general. The Israeli lobby doesn’t benefit America in any way shape or form. Israel doesn’t provide America with any economic benefits, its not a strategic asset, in fact, its a strategic liability, its contribution to the war on terror is minimal. The oil lobby doesn’t give a damn about the average American. The racial and religious groups primary purpose is promoting their self-image and ideals.

The Muslim political action interest is (a) self-preservation of the community at home and (b) self-preservation of the community abroad, and (c) the promotion of social justice. If we can’t defend ourselves, how can we defend others?

Moreover, in the interest of justice, I think its entirely justifiable for Muslims to be concerned about their self-image and the preservation of the community abroad because they are issues of global concern. No offense, but I don’t see the average American suffering to the absurd degree as Palestinians, Iraqis, Afghanis, Somalis, Chechens, Uighurs, etc. How many Americans have to fear getting blown up by an IED or getting gunned down by a helicopter or having Tomahawk cruise missiles? How many Americans truly have to worry about their civil rights being unlawfully violateld? About being tortured in secret prisons at GITMO, Iraq, and Afghanistan? The issues regarding Muslims are global issues and we are often the victims of decrepit domestic and foreign policy and to stand up for one’s rights isn’t being selfish at all and even if it is, its not any different from how other interest groups behave.

And lets be honest here, if the volunteers told a black couple they couldn’t sit behind a candidate, that would be universally condemned. If they did it with Jews, that would be condemned. But for some reason, its acceptable to discriminate against Muslims? We can’t even get a strong condemnation of this cultural segregation where Muslims are open game and subject to ridicule? Muslims are invited to share in the American dream - but through the back door.

Islamophobia is a domestic issue, its a foreign policy issue, its a human rights issue, its an issue of global concern. Its not something that should be brushed under the rug. There are legitimate grievances that must be addressed. To be clear, I am not calling for American Muslims to stop supporting Obama, he’s clearly the strongest candidate. What I am calling for is a clear statement from ALL of the candidates to condemn Islamophobia and the demonization of all Muslims without compromising on the war on terror.

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