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GHANI: Is Western Civilization Truly
Civilized..?
Sep 03, 2005
By Nadeemul Ghani
Western civilization is surrounded by contradictions. These contradictions
are in their ideological concepts, values, and positions and between Westerners
speech and actions.
Despite all these contradictions, this civilization
is considered, by its people and the rest of the world (except for those upon
whom Allah has bestowed His Mercy), the premiere civilization of our time. They
consider it the model civilization for those who wish to attain respectable
status within this era. If one decides not to follow the footsteps of this
civilization, he is considered to be an outsider in his soul and way of
thinking. He is labeled as radical and against enlightened progressivism.
One of the clearest examples of this contradiction between the
pronouncements and actions of this civilization is how their shouts and turmoil
centered on freedom of individuals and nations contradict their aggressive
behavior in using all means to impose their moral standards, political
experiences, economical system and even their religious concepts on the
remaining nations on Earth.
They go a step further to accuse anyone who
opposes their systems and standards, or even remains impartial of violating
human rights, to be threatening global interests, practicing terrorism, or being
backward in addition to other outrageous accusations and false claims.
The
fanatics of this Western civilization are prejudiced against the culture of
other nations. They are infected with some type of cultural disease that hinders
their vision. They see their cultural values, including false concepts, as a
great value system. Therefore, they believe that those are the pre-eminent human
values and standards that all nations should believe in and commit to their
requirements. They evaluate others based on Western standards. The closer a
nation is to their standards, the more humane it is. Based on these standards,
they determine who qualifies for their alliance and assistance, as well as
enmity and sanctions.
Commenting on the Western mentality toward
opposing cultural values as reported by members of the American media, the
Pakistani delegate to the United Nations session on Womens issues said : The
problems of women in Pakistan are to find clean water to drink and not marrying
women (Lesbianism) or having free sexual relationships with men as they wish.
This issue of prejudice and supremacy has greatly concerned scholarly
writers and, as a result, several books have been written on this topic. Among
these publications is the famous book of Edward Said entitled The Cultural
Colonization. In this article the focus will be on the last two manifestations
of this supremacy. The first is the conference held by the United Nations on
Womens Issues, and the second is a book written by one of the leaders of the
feminist movement.
At the United Nations conference non-governmental
organizations from Western countries were the largest in numbers and the loudest
in voicing concerns. Those who were not from Western countries were mostly
supporters of the Western organizations. Some were only an echo of these
organizations, (e.g., an organization from one of the poorest African countries
spoke most enthusiastically in support of ideas promoted by Western
organizations).
It came as no surprise that the language of the
conference in its entirety was English. Those that did not know this language
were unable to participate effectively. Additionally, the main speakers were
important figures from American society including the First Lady. She spoke at
the non-governmental organizational sessions. The United States Secretary of the
Exterior spoke at the General Assembly. Indeed most of the other speakers were
mere trumpets of the West. The speakers from other non-Western countries were
not of the same caliber or number as those from the West.
The issues
that were discussed at this conference were primarily issues of concern and
interest to the West. Some of these issues and concerns are related to the
influence by cultures of others living in the West. Among these issues was
circumcision of women, which was so exaggerated by the western participants and
their puppets from other countries that it was considered one of the principles
for determining loyalty and enmity.
This issue was also discussed in a
book written by one of the leaders of the Feminist Movement, entitled The Whole
Woman. In this book, the author expressed her firm opposition to the issue of
circumcision of women. When she traveled, and was exposed to other cultures, she
realized that the Western opinion on this issue sprang forth from its attitude
of supremacy and contemptuous regard of others. She gave examples of some
Western practices that could be perceived as similar to this issue however the
West does not condemn these Western practices. She mentioned the practice of
circumcision of men in the West. This is not a major issue simply because it is
widely practiced in the West.
Another example given was the practice of
breast reduction and enlargement for women in the West through cosmetic surgery.
The author stated: When I mentioned this to some Sudanese women, they were so
surprised, much as we were shocked to hear about circumcision for women. The
Sudanese women explained the different forms of circumcision to them, some of
which are not harmful. They also stated that circumcision is not something men
force upon women, although this is what Westerners would like others to believe.
This author also mentioned the strange practices of body piercing within the
West. Weird parts of the body, such as the tongue, the bellybutton, or even the
private parts are pierced and rings or other types of jewelry are then
introduced into the pierced hole.
Let us assume that all forms of
circumcision for women are harmful, are they then more harmful than some of
these Western practices? Are they more harmful than drinking alcohol, which
every single day results in hundreds of fatalities within the West especially
during holiday periods? Is circumcision more harmful than freely being allowed
to bear arms resulting in innocent people, including children, being killed
every day in the West? Is it more harmful than the indecent code of dress and
its consequences such as rape? Is it more harmful than adultery or homosexuality
which results in serious diseases such as AIDS or other physical and
psychological diseases or disorders? Is it even more harmful than smoking
cigarettes that every year results in killing thousand in the West? The ironic
thing is that substances like cigarettes and guns only allowed by their law for
the benefit of manufacturers only.
The truth is that the issue of
circumcision for women is not more serious nor harmful than any of these issues,
but as Allah said: indeed it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the
hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind. {22:46}
The
material power of the West is, without a doubt, a trial that deceives people,
including some who claim that they are Muslims, blinding them from seeing its
defects and evils. Whereas, the weakness of Muslims has also become a trial that
hinders people from seeing the goodness of Islam and accepting it.
Our Lord, make us not objects of torment for the disbelievers and
forgive us, our Lord, indeed, it is You Who is Exalted in Might and Wise.
{60:5}
The Mulindwas Communication Group
"With
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
"avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans
l'anarchie"
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