For centuries the West has held stereotypical ideas of Arabs. Those ideas are generally contemptuous and demeaning of whatever is Arab. On the other hand, Arabs look at the West from different perspectives.

Those who have studied and lived in the West see in the Western way of life a model to adopt. They cite the progress achieved by Western countries in different areas — obeying laws and respecting human rights. Others see Western countries as corrupt entities wherein human values and principles have long since disappeared, giving way to absolute unrestrained freedom that has resulted in moral degradation and the disintegration of family life. This has given Westerners a sense of superiority and arrogance where others are viewed with contempt.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the West generally viewed Arabs as womanizers with many wives plus concubines and female slaves. He was someone who traveled by camel, glutted himself on rich food and then belched noisily.

In the 1960s which was an era of Arab nationalism and leftist ideologies, Arabs had their share of accusations from the West. They were said to be communist sympathizers, supporters of Gamal Abdul Nasser, leftists, tribal people who knew nothing about democracy and people ruled by tribal chiefs whose word went unquestioned even if known to be wrong.

During the 1970s, Arabs were seen as modern pirates who hijacked passenger planes — following a series of operations by some Palestinian groups. Arabs wanted complete control of their own oil and were eager to use the oil weapon to blackmail and intimidate the West.

In the 1980s, international arms cartels leaned toward the Arabs who were not known as good bargainers and who would buy weapons at whatever prices were offered them. Those who bought from the cartels were treated as friends and allies while those who sought arms from other sources were treated with contempt.

In the 1990s the name of the game was terrorism. Arabs were the first people in the world to be accused collectively of terrorism. Following Sept. 11 the West tried to punish us collectively. The mere accusation of terrorism was enough to have any Arab subjected to the harshest of punishments. There was no need for a trial, judges, jury or lawyers. There was not even time to prepare an indictment.

Arab News From the Local Press 4 June 2003