nov 13th
she coined this term some time ago, and it's turning out to be prescient.
http://www.worldmag.com/subscriber/displayarticle.cfm?id=11271
No 'cheap souk'
Egyptian-born scholar Bat Ye'or has written extensively about the treatment of dhimmis, or non-Muslims, under Muslim domination. Her latest book, Eurabia (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2005), chronicles Arab determination to subdue Europe as a cultural appendage to the Muslim world-and Europe's willingness to be so subjugated. It is her first book to be published in English before French, a decision Bat Ye'or now says took into account U.S. terror threats but did not foresee the dramatic spike in Muslim-led violence in France. Its publication in French is soon due out.
WORLD: Have the intensity and longevity of the uprisings in France surprised you?
BAT YE'OR: Yes, I was surprised. I did not expect such violence for the accidental deaths of two youths, a tragedy that can happen at any moment in any city, including in Muslim countries; in fact, such a reaction in a Muslim country is not conceivable. Nor did I expect the lethargy and incapacity of parents and the people in the suburbs to control the youth. However, it is the state of total unpreparedness to deal rapidly with an intifada that is worrying.
WORLD: Please explain how its roots go back to the 1970s and even further.
BAT YE'OR: In the 1960s after decolonization, France and Great Britain wanted to establish good relations with their former Arab colonies, while the Arab League was trying to bring Europe to adopt an anti-Zionist and pro-Arab line. The nine countries of the European Community (EC) made a deal with the Arab League countries based on a strategy: the creation of a Mediterranean multicultural and united society. This Euro-Arab alliance was based on three pillars: anti-Zionism and the promotion and support by Europe of Arafat; anti-Americanism and a European policy contrary to that of America; the guarantee of oil supply to Europe. Within this framework, specialists set up numerous unofficial agreements. Muslim immigration is a part of these agreements with a view to create a multicultural Mediterranean society where Christians and Muslims would be reconciled-on the base of anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel and its withering away.
WORLD: Is Europe's Muslim population seeking to be ghettoized?
BAT YE'OR: The radicalized youths of the suburbs of Paris and elsewhere want to control their "territory." [They see] state control as an occupation and an infringement on their rights.
WORLD: Muslim leaders are, according to press reports, working as mediators between angry youths and authorities. Can Islamic leaders come alongside a secular state?
BAT YE'OR: This would make of France an Islamic-type state, or two states: one ruled by French law, with extraterritorial entities ruled by Islamic laws.
WORLD: With these uprisings spreading through Europe, what can European leaders do to halt the violence?
BAT YE'OR: The first thing to do is to stop immigration, and this is not in the cards. Then they should reassess European laws, values, and identity. These have been depreciated by our leaders, fascinated by multiculturalism-the Andalusian utopia, the greatness of Islam-and business profits. We need to re-establish European identity and stop making it a cheap souk open to anyone. Europe must stop its antisemitism and anti-Zionism, because the biblical values are at the root of Christianity and of Europe's civilization.
WORLD: You have a provocative chapter in Eurabia on "The Islamization of Christianity" . . .
BAT YE'OR: There are many processes of Islamization. One of them is through theology and the adoption of the Muslim replacement theology, whereby the biblical figures from Adam-Abraham, Moses, down to Mary and Jesus-are all considered as "Muslim prophets." Hence, Israel's history is transferred to the Muslim Palestinians, and it is easy to see from there the final transition to Islam where the Jewish Jesus becomes an Arab-Palestinian-Muslim prophet.
WORLD: How is Eurabia being received in Europe?
BAT YE'OR: It brought me enemies, and I was calumniated in The New York Times. A major French weekly ran several articles against me, forcing me to take a lawyer, obliging them to publish my response. Half a dozen European publishers have shown interest to publish it in different languages, and there is a great interest from the public as well.
3 comments:
The Muslim world's desire to subjugate Europe has evident for a long time. But the claim that Europe is willing to be subjugated is ridiculous. Bat Ye'or like any other Jew, clubs all supporters of Palestinians as anti-Zionist. If you look it from a neutral perspective, the Jews are no better that the Muslims. The Muslims was to dominate the world by violence and the Jews are using their control over the US economy to further their own agenda. Jews control a major part of the US economy and are also trying to get the support of Christians by claiming to be their biblical roots.
Just because Europe protests against the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by Israel, this does not make them antisemitist and anti-Zionist.
>>>> Are Indian Christians comfortable when another country interferes in their matters? Why are they silent?
Good one Indian Patriot. That traitorous bastard Dilip D'Souza who writes columns in Rediff, actually called for the US and other western countries to invade India after the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Friends,
I must warn you that what will follow is a rambling of sorts, so I have not bothered to check for spelling or grammar. Just squeezing in time between our daily professional and personal chores. I regret in advance for any misgivings I might cause, to any of you, in echoing my thoughts.
The problems that Hindus seem to be distracted by today, can be broadly classified under a few categories:
1. Brahmin versus non-brahmins
2. Upper castes versus lower castes
While all of us agree that casteism is a challenge, the real and immediate problem is socio-economic:
1. Population control
2. Unemployment
3. Illiteracy
4. Poverty
The 400M+ Hindus in rural India, in 525 districts, in over 600K villages, who are suffering from these socio-economic factors are easy prey for chistists and islamists. These predators have proliferated a propaganda of hate in these far and wide areas to sustain thier vested agendas. If we solve these then there will be significantly less christist and or islamist problems in india.
Having said this, we must also recognize that social transformation requires the coming together of Hindu NGOs, media groups, political groups and a network of well meaning "Bhumiputras" (meaning sons of the soil, from these locales), to work tirelessly and selflessly to alleviate the pains of these down-trodden. Remember any poor and suffering "non-brahmin" is equally worthy of our concern as a poor and suffering "brahmin". "Jaati gal illayadi papa, kulam thazhthi uyathisolal pavaum papa.." (Bharathi said, there are no jaathis, only kulams and making a prejudiced distinction on kula is wrong -- he has written this beautiful song in the form of instructing a child)
When Yudhistra asks Vidura for advice on the responsibilities of a king, one of the first advice he gets is to take care of the basic needs of the people, namely water, food, clothing and modest housing -- this is so true in all societies, in all times. When the basic needs are met then it is easier to get the attention of the people. This is what the christists and islamists employ to convert -- provide basic needs, gain attention then show them the love of "thier true God" and in time we have converts!
Why do I say all this. Well, I am involved in service; in my own small way, I contribute, time, money (and in other forms) to the cause of the upliftment of the millions in rural India without distinction to religion or caste --I have been involved since 1998. For various reasons I do not want to disclose my identity but I have contributed to many of the following organizations (besides reasonable contributions to the armed services of India).
My suggestion is to work tirelessly and contribute towards organizations that are doing yeomen service, namely, Ammachi, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Swami Dhayananda Saraswati, Saibaba, Shankarcharyas of Kanchi, Arya Samaj, and other organizations so that we have an all-India coverage. Pledge your time, money, canvass your friends and family and help grow the samaj! We need sama (reason), dhana (charity), bedha (politics and negotiation) and danda (fight) (in that order -- please do not ridicule any of these if your own preference is not for any of them). Let us recognize that inherently Hindu Dharma is secular and democratic, which guarantees liberty, freedom and justice for all. We must also tirelessly work towards cleansing our Hindu society of casteism.
We can visit all these blogs and talk and vent out our frustrations but the problems will not be solved if there is no concrete action. Let us resolve to work with Hindu organizations that we trust in and contribute to sustain the very foundation of our society Hindu Dharma -- let that not become a casualty to hate propaganda.
Please pardon this bandwidth and the sermon, if you will. I mean well for our nation and its people. I reached a conclusion long time ago -- there is no way I can reason with those that are unreasonable but I can help contribute towards the welfare of those who are suffering, perhaps that is better use of my time, money and life.
I look forward to a Hindu rennaisance, where we can manage our own religious affairs, where we can bring the love and value of Hindu Dharma to every household in India and across the world. Not that other religions are bad -- all have very profound messages but I believe that it is only the Hindu Dharma and indigenous faiths such as Sikh Dharma, Buddha dharma, Mahaveera dharma that really practice what they preach. Let us recognize that all are inherently good except that many are prone to manipulation by the industries of christism and islamism, let us work to convert the minds of all from physical to spiritual, then there will be "Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi..." across our world, our common home.
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