April 27, 2007

Clash of Civility

The deadliest shooting rampage in the history of the United States occurred on April 16, 2007, on a university campus in the state of Virginia, 270 miles southwest from the White House, when classrooms were stormed and students and faculty were shot. It had nothing to do with the ‘war on terror’ (the British have just decided to drop this term). But yet, it has terrified parents, teachers, students, and the larger community in America. It demonstrates that random violence is not just supposedly exclusive to the Muslim hinterland, but also flourishes in the American heartland.
Instead of the intellectually fraudulent clash of civilizations, in reality, it is a clash of civility.
Killings on campuses – a peculiar American phenomenon – are happening too frequently to be dismissed as mere isolated aberrations. They may be pointing to a deeper malaise of alienation and sickness in mainstream American culture.
But good sometimes emerges out of bad. Much bad undoubtedly emerged out of 9/11, including the indiscriminate terrorism of war, a rise in prejudice and an infectious spread of the virus of hate. But some good has also emerged. 9/11 and its aftermath sparked a huge interest in Islam, Muslim issues and heritage. For example, on US campuses, separate departments have been created for Islamic Studies, in which many American students are now majoring and learning Arabic and Persian. Once on the fringes of academic pursuits, Islamic studies are now in the mainstream. Even in America’s premier military academy, West Point, courses on Islam are being taught.
One of the side-effects of America’s Iraq adventure has been a deepening disquiet among American youth about the direction of their nation’s confrontational policies in the Middle East. Some question that, with the burgeoning military involvement, it may, in effect, signal a form of “backdoor draft”, which is forcible conscription to military service, without it being officially designated as such.
Never before in history has information been so easily and instantly available and communicable through Internet, satellite TV, and e-mail. This presents tremendous scope for enlightenment about misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. But it also provides significant potential for disinformation.
One of the hidden strengths of America has been its capacity to self-correct, as it did eventually on its long legacy of officially sanctioned racial discrimination against blacks. This prejudice was further intensified when key black figures embraced Islam. But once shunned personalities like Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali are today icons of respect in mainstream US society. Hollywood has made hit movies about both their lives. President Clinton used to wear a Malcolm X cap while in office and a postage stamp was issued in honor of Malcolm X.
Muhammad Ali, whose boxing title was taken away because of his conscientious objection on the Vietnam War, ultimately was asked to light the Olympic torch signaling the inauguration of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and recently was voted as “Sportsman of the 20th Century”.
There are signs of discomfort with America’s color-blind nexus with Israel. President Carter has criticized it and a major Harvard study highlighted its negative implications for US policy and global peace.
But yet, within campuses, there are some troubling signs. Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406), the father of modern Sociology, wrote centuries ago that the public tends to emulate the conduct of their dominant superiors and rulers. One of the consequences of the so-called ‘war on terror’ has been hate talk directed at Muslims and Islamic beliefs. Ugly actions accompany ugly talk.
This virus of hostility has been contagious and has infected even college campuses. Some youth, instead of questioning the beliefs and biases of their elders, find it safer and easier just to parrot these prejudices. University administrators have told me that this has been one of their major challenges – how to balance respect for diversity in the academic community with the striving to seek a common ground in an environment of rising global tensions.
Despite the climate of negativity, there is a tremendous intellectual curiosity about the world of Islam, with which America now finds itself inextricably linked.
There is also a realization on campus about the limits of sheer military force and the need to vigorously explore non-military solutions. This realization by itself has created fresh scope for dialogue and understanding.
Although Islam is one of the hottest topics on campus, the moneyed Muslim governing elites have not risen to the challenge in that they remain mired in their obsession with palaces, yachts, and other paraphernalia of luxury. The fact that attacks on Islam go unchallenged is partly their doing too, in that they have not attempted to counter negativity by developing world-class think tanks.
Fanaticism has been globalized by its rise everywhere. Thus, realistically, meaningful change in the Muslim world will not and cannot occur unless there is a corresponding change in Western attitudes towards Muslims.