Resurgence of Islam is inevitable fact

The Toronto Star January 22, 1992, Wednesday, AM

Copyright 1992 Toronto Star Newspapers, Ltd.
The Toronto Star

January 22, 1992, Wednesday, AM

SECTION: LETTER; Pg. A18

LENGTH: 291 words

HEADLINE: Resurgence of Islam is inevitable fact

BODY:

The insightful Jan. 13 piece by Robert Fisk, Islam not army, fascinates modern Arab, stated that there are similarities between the Shah’s repressive regime in Iran before the revolution and the National Liberation Front’s rule in Algeria for over 29 years.

We can deduce additional similarities that are bound to arise between the recent events in Algeria and the Iranian revolution.

First, the choice of the Algerian people will overcome any obstacles placed in their path, regardless of the nonfeasance on the part of the Western world, including the self-proclaimed guardian of democracy, the United States.

Second , the indignation and resentment toward the West for its double standards with respect to democracy will grow and manifest itself in a more anti-Western Islamic movement.

This will be very similar to the Iranian experience as demonstrated by Columbia University Professor Edward Said in his book Covering Islam. He argued that the West’s indifference to the plight of the Iranian people under the U.S.-backed Shah, and its subsequent rescue of the Shah from imminent trial and execution for crimes against humanity, alienated the Iranians and fuelled their anger.

The resurgence of Islam is an inevitable fact and cannot be simply ignored away. People in nations as diverse as the former Soviet Muslim republics and Bosnia to Algeria wish to return to their Islamic roots after a failed tango with secularism.

The West has to make a choice: a) accept this fact and take a position of co-operation and understanding for the choice of these people to govern themselves according to their standards, or, b) oppose this trend and enter into a new cold war – with the Islamic world.

FAISAL KUTTY

Ottawa

Tags: Islam

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