by Prof. Nissim Dana
In contrast to the
accepted norms in the Western world -- countries like the United States
and Canada, and in Europe -- where religion is an internal matter for
different sectors of society and is generally considered a private
endeavor stemming from a personal choice for a person or community, in
Islamic countries religion plays a prominent role in the collective
consciousness. This applies to individual lifestyles, but is also an
element which dictates the behavior of many countries in the region
where we live.
Let us quickly review
some of the issues arising from the pivotal role religion has played in
civilian life: the religious radicalization of Islam in Turkey, the
years-long bloodbath occurring in Syria, the revolution in Egypt that
gave rise to Islamic fundamentalist elements (Muslim Brotherhood and
Salafis), the internal strife in Lebanon involving Shiites (Hezbollah),
Christians and Maronites, Sunnis, Alawites and others.
The Syrian Golan
Heights is populated by Alawites, Druze and Muslims, among others. Two
religious groups -- the Alawites and Druze -- are seen by classical
Islam as heretical. At the foundation of their faith is the concept of
"taqiyya," or in other words: Adherents may conceal their religion when
they are under threat, persecution, or compulsion from the dominant
religion. Muslims are well aware of this practice, which is why these
"infidels" live in constant fear amid the Muslim majority.
Coalitions in the
Middle East are complex and are predicated on religious and belief-based
principles. The current tidal wave of Islamic extremism aptly expresses
the aspirations of the Islamic State group (ISIS) to target all
infidels or suspected heretics, such as Christians, Yazidis, Druze,
Kurds and Alawites. It is not coincidental that ISIS, the Nusra Front,
rivals of the Syrian regime and other Sunni gangs are all taking aim at
the rule of Alawite Syrian President Bashar Assad. Many dozens of
Assad's soldiers -- if not hundreds as many have claimed -- have been
executed in cold blood by ISIS and other Sunni gangs.
A few days ago a
similar attempt was made against the Druze in the village of Dama, where
ISIS forces were met with stout resistance and were courageously turned back
with heavy casualties.
In recent years we have
been witness to a sweeping and diverse Islamic awakening in Europe as
well, beginning with "occupation" ("Islam is the future") accompanied by
physical violence. History shows that this awakening goes hand in hand,
among other things, with anti-Semitism. The beheading of enemies, as
perpetrated by ISIS, is not new in Islam: The prophet of Islam,
Muhammad, used this method, and others, in his war against the Jews of
Arabia. After laying siege to one of the Jewish tribes (Banu Qurayza),
he exploited their lack of preparedness on the Jewish Sabbath, and
attacked and murdered many hundreds of them in cold blood.
Will the Western
countries, most of which are Christian, internalize what is transpiring
here and be willing to display active resistance against these brutal
gangs? The current signs point to this not being the case.
Israel, until now, has
maintained a neutral posture on these ruthless clashes taking place all
around it, but I am afraid that sooner or later it will need to face
these gangs. Considering the circumstances, Israel must take the
initiative and build a joint front with the Druze, Alawites, Christians,
Yazidis and other "infidels" in the war against these merciless gangs
-- and the sooner the better.
Professor Nissim Dana is an
expert in Middle Eastern religions and the director of the
Multidisciplinary Department for Social and Humanities Studies, Ariel
University.
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=9861
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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