Rushdie on the Secular Revolution in the Middle East

[thejinxedone]

The idea of a dignified life was stronger than the idea of religious fundamentalism. The call for dignity toppled the arab dictators. A similar call for dignity routinely gets snuffed out in India though. India is in dire need of change, of a revolution. But no revolution will come out of India for India is divided into many internecine factions of class, caste, sense of entitlement. I have argued about the matter here at thejinxedone.blogspot.com/2011­/03/on-why-there-wont-be-revol­ution-in.html

[gsprpltv]

What about Qaradawi's speech in Tahrir square? He called for martyrs to free Jerusalem from the Jews. He is so much in step with the Muslim Brotherhood that he was invited to be their leader.

Who will take over but those who are organised? Who besides the Muslim Brotherhood are organised?

What about the increased attacks on Coptic Christians?

[psycin]

The politics of religion often transcend the imperatives of life in the arab states. To overlook this ground reality is only at one's peril.religious fundamentalism exists partly to assure the people in power that people 'beneath' them are responsive towards their manipulations. but much more remains to be done to make people aware of the fact that the more important aspect of their existence on the face of this earth is to makeit a better place for coming generations.

[debgodden]

Having attended the conference last weekend of J Street a large Jewish organization fully committed to a 2-state, peaceful resolution between the Israelis and the Palestinians, I believe that what Salman Rushdie had to say is right on. I heard the same sentiments from Israelis and Palestinians over the weekend. The coming changes will certainly impact on the Israel/Palestine question. It's all secular and a reach for freedom and human rights ... except perhaps in Yeman and Oman.

[Ghazet01]

His analysis is absolutely wrong about middle east and Muslim brother hood .

[mfrances0503]

Agree, these are extraordinary moments. We are witnessing a revolution in which freedom and better future are the main engines. Nonetheless, eventhough this movement must be supported, we as well must not be naive and be prepared to react and act in case this spreaded revolution is to be stolen by those who have been seeking and/or holding for power during last decades: military, religious fanatics, political radicals, etc. The arab world deserves better!!

[vladtepesblogdotcom]

@mfrances0503 In Iran the revolution was also by winderful people who wanted more freedom. The revolution was hijacked. Only 5% of Germans were members of the Nazi party. I bet there are well over 5% of the Egyptians who have been brainwashed into at least half of the Ikhwan narrative.

[mfrances0503]

@vladtepesblogdotcom Then you do agree with me that we need to be ready to act and react in case these revolutions are to be stolen, as it did happen in Iran, including an Ikwhan assault of power in Egypt. Notwithstanding the above, I still believe that these arrests in the Arab World is beyond aby religious control. We will have to wait and see how events will evolve.

[vladtepesblogdotcom]

@mfrances0503 Yes.