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Re: The Vienna dialogue by Louis Proyect 18 March 2002 16:39 UTC |
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>Speaking in Vienna's Hofburg palace on Tuesday [12 March], Iranian President >Mohammad Khatami said that wars are waged "when small-minded people think >they are in the possession of the absolute truth". "What we need is humility >and modesty," he said in response to questions that were raised at the >"Dialogue Between Religions", a meeting organized by Austrian President >Thomas Klestil. This reminds me of an article that appeared in yesterday's NY Times Week in Review: March 17, 2002 WORD FOR WORD A Voice to Calm the Angry Americans By ELAINE SCIOLINO KHALED AL-MAEENA, the editor in chief of the English-language Saudi newspaper Arab News, is an unabashed America-lover. He studied in the United States, sent four of his five children to American colleges and, with a tiny budget, built a newspaper staff of young Saudi men and women who are required to speak flawless English. So when dozens of Americans who read his newspaper on the Internet began to send him hate e-mail after Sept. 11, he fought back — with deliberately moderate words. The e-mail exchanges, which he volunteered to show this reporter, who visited him in Saudi Arabia last month, hint at his powers of persuasion and a skill at turning aside nastiness. Five correspondents are represented here. For one, the address is no longer current, and two others did not reply to requests to permit use of their names. One asked that only her initials be used, because she had received death threats in response to postings on other forums. The fifth agreed to allow the use of her name. A reader in Montana, Dec. 15, 2001: I hate you all. The Koran is the book of Satan, the devil, the teachings of evil, the book that is used to justify murder. Anyone who worships Islam is the devil's child. There will be a great conflict in the future, a conflagration between Islam and Christianity, and the crusaders of Christianity will rid the world of the Satanic hell that is Islam. . . . Mr. al-Maeena, Dec. 15: Thank you for the journey in the dark recesses of your mind. The cool Montana weather has apparently not had an effect on you. Your generalization does not help. Today it is the Muslims, tomorrow it will be the one billion Indians whose navy is threatening. Then don't forget the rumbling Chinese, and please don't overlook the Russians, of whom 57 percent expressed satisfaction at America's discomfort. Instead of such vitriol, I would request you to join us in a prayer for world peace. The reader in Montana, Dec. 18: Recent events caused me to write the very nasty e-mail that you received, with the intent to provoke you into an argument so I could "vent" my feelings and make me feel better at your expense. That was wrong, very wrong. I believe that God let me do this to teach me a lesson. The lesson I have learned is that making others feel bad does not, in the end, make one feel better about themselves. I have learned a good lesson, but I must express my most sincere apologies for directing my anger at all of you. I am not the kind of person that my messages would indicate. . . . If my father read what I wrote, I would not be able to type any letters, as he would have broken my fingers. I have never seen nor have I read the Koran. Where I live, it would be hard to find such a book. Anyway, I'm sure the Holy Koran is a good book full of words of goodness, love and peace. I hope you will find it in your hearts to forgive me for my outburst of false emotions. May we all be blessed so that we may one day live in peace, if not for us, then for our children. If any of you ever come to Montana, I would welcome you in my home so that I may gain a greater understanding of Islam. God bless you, everyone. Mr. al-Maeena, Dec. 19: Greetings and peace from Saudi Arabia. I was overwhelmed by your letter. God bless you and all Americans. I would like to welcome you as my personal guest any time you wish to come. As for the Koran or other books you need, please let me know and I shall send them to you. The reader from Montana, Dec. 25: On the eve of Christmas, I have received a wonderful gift. Tonight when I retire, in that time when thoughts pass through one's mind before sleep comes, I shall pray to the Lord and thank him for the understanding and forgiveness you have shown to me. And I will thank him and ask that his blessings be bestowed upon you for the wonderful gift you sent me. The story of the birth of Christ from the Koran was beautiful. M.B. from Texas, January 2002: You have offered nothing to civilization but hate and a perversion of Islam for hundreds of years. Your governments are corrupt. Saudi Arabia is a pest hole of hypocritical "royals" who booze and whore in the West, and spout anti- Semitism and anti-Americanism at home. Your people don't have jobs or hope for the future. No wonder you export terror. You have nothing else to export but oil and terror. America will turn on you in time. As for bin Laden, he's a liar, coward and murderer. Mr. al-Maeena's reply, Jan. 4: Thank you for your e-mail on our online edition of Arab News. I am amazed at your venom. Your points which you wish to come across would have been accepted had they been cloaked in a more civilized tone. I, however, respect your opinion, and do hope we can discuss some of the issues you raised over a cup of coffee. God bless you. M.B., January: Frankly, I am amazed you responded at all. As for a cup of coffee, plenty seem to sit in coffee houses in Egypt and other places, criticizing the West, who sends you billions in support. Democracy to you is inconceivable. Well, okay, must Islam be reduced to fascism in the disguise of religion? This is what it is now. If I see one more stooge royal Saudi prince criticize the U.S., I'm going to collapse in laughter. If it were not for us, that corrupt regime would not be in power. I think we should blow up the military bases we built there and leave them, the Saudis, to their own devices. See how long it takes S. Hussein to invade and take over their oil fields. Mr. al-Maeena, Jan. 7: I replied because I was brought up by my family to be civil no matter what. I am used to getting such letters. Assuring you of my deepest respect and hoping to continue our dialogue. M.B., January: I apologize for my rudeness. Americans are being spoon-fed political correctness, and many are tired of it. Anger must be vented, or it poisons you. I own a company that prepares food for special occasions, weddings, birthdays, holidays, business meetings. I had a good business until 9/11. Now we are barely surviving and I have had to let some of my people find other jobs. I'm sure bin Laden and others find the fact that so many of us are struggling here now is amusing. full: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/17/weekinreview/17WORD.html Louis Proyect Marxism mailing list: http://www.marxmail.org
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