I don’t know what the title of this article will finally become or in what section of the paper it will go. It is a series of questions that have been left hanging but they are questions which we ask ourselves. Some are spoken loudly and others are whispered, while looking to the right and left. I can stand it no longer; I need answers. Who will respond?
I am an Arab Muslim woman who is concerned about the Arab attitude. What has become of it? Where has it gone? Is it just a word or a feeling or is it no more than history? What is happening around us?
Please don’t take my questions lightly. Yes, I know very well that what is happening did not come about suddenly or while we were sleeping. We have kept abreast of events as they unfolded and yet, weren’t we asleep? Aren’t we still? What is required of us? Can we object? In front of whom and for whom?
We say that Saddam Hussein is an oppressor and his regime must end. Do we wish for the war to be won as quickly as possible so that there will be the fewest losses — let the winner take what he wants and leave Iraq and its people in peace? Is that an impossible dream? How will this dream come about if the Americans actually win? What has happened in Afghanistan? Then resistance is the answer. But wait; I don’t support Saddam and wish that he had long ago fallen from power. Each time resistance to his regime surfaces, violence against the population increases.
We say that the Arab nations are oppressed. Will someone explain to me then what is happening in the land of democracy, freedom and the American way? Are the voices of citizens listened to there? Do their opinions matter? Has their right to live or die been protected? Let us stop playing to our emotions — there is no justice on earth — it is humans who rule and they have not taken to heart the justice that is called for in all religions.
I am sick and tired of these power games. I am a woman whose concern is to get a good night’s sleep without worrying. I want to see my children grow up without fearing they will be shot. I don’t want to open the newspaper and see pictures of the dead or have to hear about wars and horrors. I want to live in peace, to raise my children in peace and live to see my grandchildren. I don’t want my life to be stolen from me or for my simple dreams to be destroyed. I cannot bear to watch the news anymore or read official statements or Security Council minutes or reports of disarmament. France is with us. Or is she simply on the side of her own interests? Germany, Belgium and even that country many of whose roots are Arab — is Grenada falling again?
Why do we Arabs always argue? Every time we come together, we disagree, shout and threaten. We do not allow a different opinion to be heard. That opinion is wrong and mine is right; that is always the way it is. Who decides the right and the wrong? Are there really any absolute truths? Why do we always give ourselves the right to declare that those who argue with us are wrong and try to shut them up? And if the other person speaks with some logic, we look for holes in that logic in order to disprove him. Do you want to convince me that we Arabs are special creatures with minds and wills unlike those of others?
I have heard about what is called modern dialogue. It is quite rare to see this here or even abroad. Why do you suppose that is so? Do they not disagree? Do they have no important issues and principles that they believe in and stand up for? Definitely not — but they do know how to manage their differences and argue so that they reach a common ground without having to air their dirty linen. As for us Arabs, we slander and backbite and our logic is too often twisted or non-existent.
My belief is that what we suffer from today began in our homes with our way of life. We can only blame ourselves for Saddam and his ilk. Look inside yourself — lest a person planted on good soil err from the path of good as Saddam and Bush have done. Please forgive me if I seem mixed up.
I am no more than an example of the confusion in every person.
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(Suraya Al-Shehry is a Saudi writer. She is based in Riyadh.)
Arab News Features 28 March 2003
