Having started to read TE Lawrence's book, 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom', I am immediately taken by the extreme tribalism of the Middle East and the Arabian peninsular in particular. Whereas in the West, tribalism used to exist as no more than amicable banter about Yorkshiremen and men from Kerry, that of the Arab fraternity still retains much of the blood feud mentality. I say used to exist in the West because I have noticed that recently, following the influx of Muslim immigrants, tensions have risen and 'politically correct' prohibition of sectarian 'jokes' has fuelled a widening divide.
It is not hard to see why tribalism is rife in the Middle East. Resources are scarce and defended vigorously. Water is vital and tribes protect their wells and oasis as if their lives depended on it; which they did. It is part of the Arab character, as a matter of honour, therefore, to be defensive to the point of death.
Religion, too, has become tribalised. The Shia Iranians side with the Alawyte Syrians of Assad. They are loathed as infidels by the Sunnis especially the Wahabi sect of Saudi Arabia, thought to be behind the Al Quaeda terror group. Tribalism was rife in Hussein's Iraq and Gaddafi's Libya, only held in check by the brutality of the regimes in charge. With the leaders deposed, old feuds have been reignited causing widespread unrest in these Countries and their neighbours. Talking of old feuds reminds one that the Crusades were instigated to deprive the tribes of territory they felt they owned, land they were determined to defend with force. So too after the 1948 Palestine deal to create modern day Israel. The tribal lands taken are still being fought over. It must be recognised, therefore, that the resurgence of the tribal in fighting has directly led to the modern day terrorism against the West. The Arab character does not do compromise, as negotiators with ISIL can confirm.
It must also be said that because of this tendency to fight, Islam, too, has always been promoted by force. It is not, therefore, a religion of peace. Mohammed, forced to leave Mecca because of his beliefs, fled to Medina to raise an army against his adversaries. Even after his defeat at Uhud, he maintained that God hadn't abandoned him and was only testing him. The Prophet then raised a bigger army before pressing his claim, quickly realising that the bigger the army he had the more God favoured him in battle.
It is my belief that the battle for peace will only be won when the major Abrahamic Churches finally abandon Yahweh, God and Allah before administering peace and goodwill to all men; comfort and compassion to those in need for all mankind has a spiritual side that often needs mending in the same way that medicine cures the physical body.
Friday, 20 November 2015
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