Sunday, July 31, 2005
A different perspective: Via Harry Shearer (at the Huffington Post), we are directed to this story in the Times of India: (excerpts, emp add) Why there are no Indian Muslims in al Qaeda
... there are two probable reasons. One is the assurance of a level-playing field for all citizens in India because of the success of the democratic system. The other is the absence of American influence on Indian policy all through the Cold War years and, to a large extent, even now.
... it has been observed that a majority of the terrorists come from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and some of the North African countries. What is common about these countries is the lack of a genuine democracy, despite the adherence to form, and longstanding virtual patron-client links with the US. What is more, these two factors are interconnected.
A basic reason why the military or feudal autocrats control these countries is that the US propped them up to serve its economic and diplomatic interests.
[...]
... during the Cold War, India was regarded by the US and the West as being in the anti-American camp despite its claims to be non-aligned. This perception gave India a certain dignified status in the eyes of its own people since the Western world was still seen as being engaged in a colonial enterprise.
The pro-American countries seemingly lacked this sense of self-esteem, as was evident from the title of one of America's favourite dictator [of the 1960's,] Ayub Khan's book, "Friends, Not Masters".
The Pakistan president's grouse was that the US tended to behave like a viceroy. The result was that while the governments of these countries were pro-American, most of their people were not.
[...]
One of the reasons why the al Qaeda has gained ground among impressionable youth in the Middle East and elsewhere is that it portrays Muslims as an oppressed community. The Times goes on to claim that Muslims are doing pretty well in their country - another reason why no Indian Muslim terrorists. Now we must point out that India doesn't have a sterling reputation when it comes to their minority groups (including Muslims), but still, the essay makes some important points.
posted by Quiddity at 7/31/2005 06:31:00 PM
4 comments
Stat tidbit,
Religions in India:
Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)
SOURCE: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html#People
Very good point to make- no threat arises when the cutural/religious segment have a level of security and success to exchange values, ideas, with other groups in that context.
Totally self-serving article by the Times of India.
The reason why Muslims in India are not fighting the West as part of Al Qaeda is because they are too busy fighting oppression (and all too often mass killings) from the Hindu majority.
"The reason why Muslims in India are not fighting the West as part of Al Qaeda is because they are too busy fighting oppression (and all too often mass killings) from the Hindu majority."
The Hindus react violently to the terriorist acts of the Muslem community which may have some inhibiting effect on homegrown terriorism. History has shown no reluctance of the Hindus to be as brutal as AlQueda.
Nobodies hands are clean in this area so this self patting on the back of this article is a bit off putting. The worm could turn in an istant in India. Becarful about bragging.
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