Double Inconsistency
The new Prospect has Aziz Huq’s review of two new books (Murder in Amsterdam by Ian Buruma and Breeding Bin Ladens by Zachary Shore) which deal with the short history of Muslim radicalisation in Europe. Huq presents a polemic-free analysis of the depressing ironies and inconsistencies of the fundamentalisms of both sides - secular and religious.
One such irony: The ideal of “free speech” for the Dutch is rooted in the late nineteenth century tradition of scheldkritten, or “abusive criticism.” The virulent polemicist van Gogh, whose ugly anti-Semitic comments and racist remarks about Muslims should not be reprinted here, fed on this tradition. And yet the very people championing this “free speech” tradition, and van Gogh’s place in it, turn out to be the country’s most vigorous advocates of conformity — and hence silence — for Muslims.
And as for the other side, Huq rightly justifies Shores’ analysis of the intemperrate, disproportionate and ridiculous reaction of Muslims to what they perceive as mortal insults to religious pride.
To understand that alienation, racism, and the deprivation of opportunity is the soil in which violent radicalism might grow is not the same as justifying or condoning violence. People who are wronged can, and often do, commit even greater wrongs in their misguided efforts at revenge. Indeed, perceived incidents of anti-Muslim bias in Europe often trigger reactions among Muslims that are far more hateful, bigoted and stupid than the initial incident.
Read Aziz Huq’s excellent article.