March 10 , 2006

Global Storm

The cartoon row lit a spark that now has gathered into a global storm in spots as far apart as Nigeria, Turkey and Indonesia. Editors and cartoonists of Europe who supposedly wanted to teach European Muslims a ‘lesson in democracy and free expression’ may be learning some lessons of their own. They miscalculated. That miscalculation was borne out of sheer arrogance and spite.
There are some salient issues which need to be addressed.
First, who was the aggressor and initiator of this? By his own admission, this was willfully done by a Danish newspaper editor with an intent to enrage and outrage the Muslims and supposedly to put them in their place.
Second, was there an opportunity to defuse? Yes. Denmark’s Prime Minister had ample opportunities for damage control had he not declined to meet Muslim envoys and had he clearly and unambiguously disavowed and denounced the unprovoked publication of the offending cartoons.
Third, who escalated it? The newspaper editors in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Spain and Switzerland unforgivably and irresponsibly escalated the crisis by coordinating the simultaneous reprinting of the offending cartoons on February 1. It was a taunt to European Muslims as well as throwing a gauntlet at them with the clear message: this is the respect we have for you and your faith, and you Muslims can do nothing about it.
Fourth, what has been the role of the Muslim governing establishment in this crisis? Instead of seizing the initiative, taking ownership and charge of the matter and projecting the massive sense of Muslim outrage across the world, they dawdled, delayed, allowed the situation to drift and, in the process, lost leadership over the crisis.
For its part, the OIC and its chief failed to move quickly and decisively to take actions to defuse and redress the deep sense of moral indignation aroused by the event. This issue is too big to be swept under the carpet. And there is no room to hide.
This is not what the late King Faisal had envisaged when the OIC was set up in 1969 in the aftermath of the attempt to set ablaze the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. It was Faisal, too, who showed the way by convening the Islamic Summit in Lahore in the wake of the October 1973 Ramadan war during which Faisal perceived excessive Western support for Israel.
Finally, what lies ahead now?
The quicker the non-Muslim world realizes the seriousness of the issue and how deeply offensive this is for the Muslims worldwide, the less the chances of it spiraling out of control. On this point, it would be a folly to artificially divide the Muslims into moderates (who will remain mute) and radicals (who will kick up a storm). On this galvanic issue, there will be very few moderates.
European media has been remarkably successful in undermining the forces of dialogue, reconciliation and interfaith harmony. If European editors are capable of simultaneously reprinting cartoons, then surely the leaders of the offending European nations are fully capable of jointly expressing their contrition.
There is an outside chance that the cartoon episode may trigger a strategic reassessment within the Muslim world on the blunders of pursuing its existing priorities of paisa, perks and privileges. This pursuit has inadvertently kept the Muslims powerless by leaving an empty space in the policy arenas that truly matter.
It can be rectified, however, by building an enduring presence in arenas which shape ideas, develop views, and influence the framing of issues – leading to genuine empowerment. If that occurs, the battle of ideas will be well contested and foes will think twice before taking liberties with core Muslim beliefs.