Whose Values? Whose Culture?
By Dr Ghulam M Haniff
St. Cloud, Minnesota
By banning the ‘virtual nakedness outfits’ at the Miss World contest Indonesia took a bold step in the right direction. It is about time for some nations, particularly those which are Muslim, to take a stand against this modern form of debauchery rampant in the current world of jahiliya.
The common name for the outfit banned is the bikini and is the most desirable piece of clothing worn by “white” women” in the summer around the world. In the tradition of (look-see) copying many non-white women also wear it.
Because Muslim nations have strong sense of cultural values, which are written in the Qur’an between the two covers, they have individually and collectively, taken a strong stand to stop this form of degenerate behavior. Unfortunately, some of them are too busy fighting one another, or with nations whose values and cultures they cannot understand.
Many Islamic states are ruled by dictators who seem to be under the command of foreign devils, such as the editors of mass media, writers of books, lord masters such as governor-generals and other officials who want to make all the natives into “white men.” These rulers are the likes of Bashar Al-Assad, Saddam Husain, Reza Shah Mohammed and others, too many to mention since they have a rich 500 year old history. Accordingly, they have seen the gates of hell (it’s like the pits of fire) and liked what they saw.
They are not even ashamed to discard their own culture in favor of foreign masters. This is their way of development and achievement of “being somebody” else or having arrived at the Westernization of their society. Of course, the Third World is full of dictators even today, including the Muslim ones, who make it easier to do the Western masters’ bidding. Either they do it their way or the achievement will be acquired through a “coup d’etat” with yet another general in the rulers’ place.
Many Third World nations prefer the values of the West rather than those of their own. The secret admiration for the West is great with almost the entire elite of the Third World countries having been co-opted into it.
The structure of colonialism has been built on the edifice of this nature and it has been going on for several centuries. The entire history of colonialism is the history of transference of culture from the ancient times to the recent ones. Some dictators have, for all practical purposes, become white (if they use the right rouge and powder). If, they are ushered into the right circles some of them may be mistaken for the colonial rulers.
Unfortunately, many countries are too large and can’t all become Western overnight. That’s why these events are held, such as the Miss World contest, to remind them what real beauty is and what proper attire may look like. These events are held around the world and may be seen as a refresher course in beautification.
Previously, they made room for the shaitan (devils) but were unwilling to do so again as the time for independence approached. Now that the glitter is something be done for it to be revived. That is what all these events are about, the revival of culture of the white man so it can be imposed in a more subtle way.
The Miss World contest is one of the many events celebrated throughout the Third World countries. Others are Miss Universe, Miss Europe, and Miss America contests and other countless festivals on a smaller scale. All were held previously for the purpose of spreading the cultural values of the West and now with great fanfare. According to their estimation colonial minds need to be captured, indeed snared, for the purpose of permanent bondage.
The colonial powers ruled the masses by cultivating dancing, sexually suggestive music, and most of all, “white is right” ideology. Dancing was supposed to bring out the bodily desires and to heighten earthly cravings. They took full advantage of it by becoming a progeny of a “new race,” in the colonies known as “the half-castes.”
In the world of today that art form is now being revived by the NATO and American soldiers. Where the Western soldiers had gone before, they left behind small colonies, as in Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam and elsewhere. The power structure in the modern world, given the roots of several centuries, is as subtle as ever.
It was good that a scholarly body called the Jama’t-ul-Ulema (JUI) took the responsibility to stop the pollution of decent people. They were not shouting wildly from the streets but chose to lobby in an effective and quite manner. Their strategy was to express their opinions peacefully without too much commotion.
They won because they demonstrated civility in presenting their arguments. They had done a good job as scholars. Their petition coincided with elections in Pakistan, one of the cleanest ever, and encouraged them to use the same tactics.
This year the Miss World contestant will be devoid of bikinis in deference to the cultural rights of the Indonesian people. Instead, the contestants will be required to wear Bali’s traditional long sarongs which are historically part of the competition. It is going to be designed by Indonesians who have argued that the bikinis are just an excuse to show-off female body parts.
Lady Gaga was forced to cancel her sold-out concert which was scheduled to be held in late May in Indonesia. She was very disappointed given that cancellation meant the loss of millions of dollars. Other events scheduled by Western corporate entities and celebrations were similarly cancelled.
Indeed, for the West it’s all about power and money.
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