Atmosphere of the Bush Years

The usual collusion of supporters of the “clash of civilizations” has caused new ravages. We do not yet know the details of the entanglement between the mass distribution of an obscure video containing the most vulgar Islamophobia and the cause of violent demonstrations, in which thousands of extremists took part under the pretext of the defense of religion, which had been gravely offended. Though, all of this is far too organized to have been a coincidence.

Attacks on embassies and other symbols of the Western world – sometimes deadly clashes with the Tunisian police in Islamabad, immediately following the death of the U.S. representative in Libya – are often all that is necessary to get the European and American media talking about an “Arab world that has ignited.” We may be tempted to say that it’s the media that has been lit on fire. There develops an insulting mix between the immense majority of the people of Arab-Muslim countries and the small minority of activists. They are seizing the opportunity offered by a crooked Californian [movie] producer with the support of a Quran burning pastor.

We can easily see who benefits from these crimes. In the United States, certain orphans of the Bush era might be tempted to recreate an atmosphere of intolerance and fear, only two months away from the presidential election. This atmosphere could determine whether Barack Obama is reelected or defeated. In Arab countries or countries with a Muslim majority, the most radical Islamic forces, notably the Salafi Muslims, want to extend their influence in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. In this offensive, however, those targeted are mostly citizens, democratic and progressive forces, rather than American or European interests. In this context, the call to reject religious fundamentalism and to respect the beliefs and convictions of individuals, made by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Lebanon, certainly has a particular resonance in other parts of the Middle East where people from various denominations still live together, such as in Syria and Palestine.

In France, the right and the extreme right are trying to make a small profit from the overflow of demonstrations that were made on Saturday by hundreds of people around the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Francois Fillon selected himself to give a lecture to the government, and Marine Le Pen shook the black cloth of 100,000 Salafists who will soon invade the streets of Paris. Quick, let’s leave the Bush era nightmare!