Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Prof. Nissim Dana: Warning Bells on the Golan



by Prof. Nissim Dana


In contrast to the accepted norms in the Western world -- countries like the United States and Canada, and in Europe -- where religion is an internal matter for different sectors of society and is generally considered a private endeavor stemming from a personal choice for a person or community, in Islamic countries religion plays a prominent role in the collective consciousness. This applies to individual lifestyles, but is also an element which dictates the behavior of many countries in the region where we live.

Let us quickly review some of the issues arising from the pivotal role religion has played in civilian life: the religious radicalization of Islam in Turkey, the years-long bloodbath occurring in Syria, the revolution in Egypt that gave rise to Islamic fundamentalist elements (Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis), the internal strife in Lebanon involving Shiites (Hezbollah), Christians and Maronites, Sunnis, Alawites and others.

The Syrian Golan Heights is populated by Alawites, Druze and Muslims, among others. Two religious groups -- the Alawites and Druze -- are seen by classical Islam as heretical. At the foundation of their faith is the concept of "taqiyya," or in other words: Adherents may conceal their religion when they are under threat, persecution, or compulsion from the dominant religion. Muslims are well aware of this practice, which is why these "infidels" live in constant fear amid the Muslim majority.

Coalitions in the Middle East are complex and are predicated on religious and belief-based principles. The current tidal wave of Islamic extremism aptly expresses the aspirations of the Islamic State group (ISIS) to target all infidels or suspected heretics, such as Christians, Yazidis, Druze, Kurds and Alawites. It is not coincidental that ISIS, the Nusra Front, rivals of the Syrian regime and other Sunni gangs are all taking aim at the rule of Alawite Syrian President Bashar Assad. Many dozens of Assad's soldiers -- if not hundreds as many have claimed -- have been executed in cold blood by ISIS and other Sunni gangs. 

A few days ago a similar attempt was made against the Druze in the village of Dama, where ISIS forces were met with stout resistance and were courageously turned back with heavy casualties. 

In recent years we have been witness to a sweeping and diverse Islamic awakening in Europe as well, beginning with "occupation" ("Islam is the future") accompanied by physical violence. History shows that this awakening goes hand in hand, among other things, with anti-Semitism. The beheading of enemies, as perpetrated by ISIS, is not new in Islam: The prophet of Islam, Muhammad, used this method, and others, in his war against the Jews of Arabia. After laying siege to one of the Jewish tribes (Banu Qurayza), he exploited their lack of preparedness on the Jewish Sabbath, and attacked and murdered many hundreds of them in cold blood. 

Will the Western countries, most of which are Christian, internalize what is transpiring here and be willing to display active resistance against these brutal gangs? The current signs point to this not being the case.

Israel, until now, has maintained a neutral posture on these ruthless clashes taking place all around it, but I am afraid that sooner or later it will need to face these gangs. Considering the circumstances, Israel must take the initiative and build a joint front with the Druze, Alawites, Christians, Yazidis and other "infidels" in the war against these merciless gangs -- and the sooner the better.


Professor Nissim Dana is an expert in Middle Eastern religions and the director of the Multidisciplinary Department for Social and Humanities Studies, Ariel University.

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=9861

Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.

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