When a friend posted a clip from the Hindi movie Kurbaan on facebook, I was surprised at what a strong negative reaction I had to the clip, despite the fact that the clip displayed someone who was trying to defend Islam.
I should preface my comments by saying the movie was wonderful, but I still disagree with some of the comments made in the clip above. I understand what Riyaz (the character in the clip) is trying to say: there is much more to the story of terrorism than what is shown on Western TV. It is ignorant for people to simply believe what they hear and not take the time and effort to learn more without forming opinions. Americans fail to realize how much death and destruction they caused before a backlash occurred.
BUT – that doesn’t justify the backlash – especially when innocent people are involved. People like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi have shown us that that there are alternative methods to fighting – that the movement for development in political ideology and civil rights can be done peacefully – and that those methods can be effective. I understand: it is extremely hard not to endorse the “eye for an eye” policy when you are the one standing there with your eye torn out and bleeding and the other person staring back at you with both eyes fine. In fact, I don’t know if I would have enough strength to resist the “eye for an eye” policy. But, there is another way – death and destruction should not be used as a tool for development, even if you are the victim. I really disagree with the last line Riyaz says: its not about getting people out of “my” country or allowing them to kick me out of their’s. Prominent Muslim leaders like the Aga Khan (IV) have talked about the importance of cultures coming together and of celebrating plurality. Prominent Muslim leaders like the Aga Khan have acknowledged how Canada has been a role model politically for other countries.
In the end, its about recognizing we are all humans, with the same essence: the same feelings, the same trials and tribulations, the same red-coloured blood, irrespective of culture or religion or race or gender or sexual orientations. Both sides need to recognize that. We can never expect to see development if we fail to be the change we want to see in the world.
- Fariya Walji
CEO of Change Tomorrow’s World
great response Fariya. However a couple of notible points I’d like to address.
To quote: “that doesn’t justify the backlash – especially when innocent people are involved. People like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi have shown us that that there are alternative methods to fighting – that the movement for development in political ideology and civil rights can be done peacefully – and that those methods can be effective”
Here’s the problem. There should be “alternative” methods, but the problem is the way the financial system works. It’s imperative to understand how the world is inter connected financially, and that is how you will really understand what really goes on behind the scenes. The US has power not because it is the world’s super power (it’s declining every single day in terms of that) but because it is still the world’s reserve currency. Because it is used as the reserve, it has the power (so far) and all commodities of importance (oil, gold, etc) are priced according to it. The dispossessed in the third – world revolt because most of their wages go to pay for the price of food, and the lacklustre leaders they are given. The U.S. has time, and time again, backed and instilled leaders in many many countries around the world, and backed dictators (who are enemies to capitalism) as long as they give nice perks to US corporations. The dictators are hated by the people, just take a look at Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, etc, etc. And the price of food also rises, because the Wall St financial firms engage in risky speculative bets on the world markets, playing bets on food commodities on the exchanges, and this rises the world price of food. And also since the US dollar is what the world’s commodities are priced in – it affects everyone equally. Although I agree that both sides should work together, the problem is not a political one, – it’s a financial one. And 95% of people don’t understand this because they don’t understand macro economics. and just how important the world markets are, especially in terms of unchecked derivatives, credit default swaps, collateral debt obligations, etc, etc. This is why I created my blog, because I will be bringing a financial perspective into this whole mess and really explain what most commentators really miss – that the problems facing the world are hidden lock step – within the confines of the financial industry. The heart of the corruption is there, and that is exactly what the Wall St and Occupy movements around the world were addressing back in 2011. The people understand now where the problem is, but they still haven’t been able to channel *who* exactly should be targetted. And this is where the stage for 2012 will begin – to define whether people can rise against their oppressors whether through political vote, financial activism, or through mindless violence. And in some cases, when all else fails, a revolution is necessary because there is just no other way to change the status quo – but that decision rests on whether the king pins of the financial industry will relinquesh their control, and the heart that beats the corruption around the world is in the U.S.