Re: [Marxism] Hijab and my opening thoughts on other Muslim-related stuff

[Octob1917@xxxxxxx]

I agree with you: on the left in the West there is a great deal of confusion
as to the nature of the conflict and politics in the Middle East. Should we
support the Islamic resistance unreservedly because it is fighting imperialism?
Should we only give support to secular forces? What about the Hijab
controversy in France? Is this item of clothing oppressive towards women and 
therefore
rightfully banned by the government there? Or do we support those who claim it
is religious persecution to ban it?

The truth is, I think, that many of us are trying to find a position which
suits the current level or stage of resistance. Though none of us here in the
West without the benefit of a Muslim, Arab or Middle Eastern background will be
able to fully understand the various cultural and religious mores which are
currently at play in the region and at this point in history. It seems ludicrous
to attempt to apply a Marxist analysis to a region and culture of which Marx
never concerned himself. Whilst the same issues of class apply in any society
which is hierarchical in nature, to what extent should religious and cultural
traditions affect such an analysis. On a macro level it seems to me that two
countervailing forces are currently competing for the hearts and minds of the
peoples of the Islamic/Arab world - secularism and fundamentalism - without
much in-between.

Books I have read and found useful in TRYING to understand the region are
Tariq Ali's 'Bush In Babylon' and 'Clash Of Fundamentalisms'. I've also found
Aime Cesaire's 'Discourses On Colonialism' good for an insight into the
psychology those whose cultures and histories are maligned in the interests of
imparting a sense of self alienation and self loathing for the purposes of 
control.
The reaction to this process by the colonised people is often the defiance to be
found in a fundamentalist interpretation of the very cultural and religious
traditions so maligned.

Again, only those who are from that region, and steeped in the history and
tradition, could offer an analysis with any degree of certitude. For the rest of
us, it will always remain a shot in the dark.

Solidarity


Joe




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