The Shattering Dreams
By A Khokar • Sep 22nd, 2008 • Category: Politics • 7 CommentsFew of us would have heard of Pan-Arab nationalists, such as Satia Al-Husri, Sami Shawkat, Michel Aflaq or Khairallah Tulfah. Their version of Arab nationalism is as anti-Western as it is anti-Persian. The philosophies of these men have done much to inspire generations of Arab leaders such as Gamal Abdel Nasser, who passionately advocated the changing of the Persian Gulf to ” Arab Gulf “, or Saddam Hussein, who defined his Arabism by the extent of his brutality against Iranians (Kurds, Persians, etc.).
Satia Al-Husri spawned a whole generation of men who advocated violence. One example is Sami Shawkat who is famous for his 1933 speech “Sina’at al-Mawt” (manufacture of death) in which he rationalizes mass violence and war as the way to achieve Arab aspirations. Tragically, this speech was widely distributed in Arab schools and in Iraq in particular. It is interesting that Shawkat teaches that “force is the soil which sprouts the seeds of truth” and death (Suicidal actions) the only way left for Arabs to win back the lost glory of Arabs.
Pan-Arabism is simply defined as the desire to forge a single Arabian super state. The movement has its roots in the Arab revolt against Ottoman Turkish rule in World War One. British intelligence agents, personified in Thomas Edward Lawrence (1888-1935) “Lawrence of Arabia” or “Al-Lawrence”, excited the Arabs against the Turks, with promises of an Arab super state stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Suez Canal (and beyond…). The Arab revolt was not anti-Persian; it was, for all intents and purposes, an independence movement against Ottoman Turkish rule.
But this Broad sword drawn out for the glory of Pan- Arabist went blunt and was ditched into Suez Canal in 1956, when Gamal Abdel Nasser conceded to US terms that in order to avert the raging storm of Anglo-French and Israeli attack on Egypt. Gamal Abdel Nasser sought protection of USA and entered into bondage with US, to keep open the Suez Canal. The said attack was averted but Egypt the seat of knowledge and aspiration for the entire Muslim world went into deep slumber. Fifty years gone; no awakening has ever been witnessed emerging from that land. This saying is sad but true that no miracles may take place in slavery.
Earlier in Afghan war of Jihad, the prime aim of entering and cooperating in Jihad by many Muslim states was based on the premise that where as it would help US to topple the Soviet Union; the Muslims had the hope that many break away states of Central Asia predominantly with Muslim population, after having freed will join in to form a super Islamic block. One Big Super Islamic Imperialist State; from Pakistan to Caspian Sea, to Turkey, Middle east and to far west corners of North Africa –Morocco. Saudi Arabia also came in fore front to support the war. Many volunteers from Muslim countries were asked to join in the Jihad. Soviet Union got defeated; Afghanistan was freed but in the post war scenario, Muslim Ummah could not produce any Charismatic leader or a visionary who could handle the fluid and fragile situation or take charge of newly freed states; the whole plan went awry. Specially Afghanistan dipped into lawlessness and fell in the hands of warlords.
Osama Bin Laden (OBL) who emerged on the scene in Afghanistan after war is in fact the latest product of such pan-Arabism. The only difference between Bin Laden and previous pan-Arabists such as Gamal Abdel Nasser or Saddam Hussein is that he overtly perverts the spiritualism of the Islamic religion, to further aggrandize his vision of pan-Arabist imperialism.
Osama Bin Laden (OBL) with no political bearing came forwarded to lead the show, disguised as spiritual leader but before he could take a good start; the US invasion of Iraq followed by the Tsunami of Global war on Terrorism took OBL by surprise because Al Qaeda of OBL was indicted for 9/11 incident. The stateless identity Al Qaeda with its purported vision to come to power by means of violence and spreading terror in the west and with the hope to be accepted in the Muslim world on spiritual ideology; this concept failed miserably on morale grounds. It even could not achieve its due recognition or backing, any where in the Muslim world. The raging tsunami of ‘War on Terrorism’ initiated by USA targetting Al Qaeda and her terrorism, swept the entire vision of Pan- Arabist Imperialism away along with Al Qaeda and their vision.
Pakistan in the light of Pan- Islamism is believed to be the ‘Fortress of Islam’; there are many a conspiracies staged and many other under ground forces are extensively mobilized by our foes; the movement in Pakistan like ‘Tehrik e Taliban in Pakistan’ are the brain child of India and CIA. They want to see this fortress in peril and disintegrated . At this stage although the myth of Al Qaeda is found eliminated but its concocted media hype is still in use by USA to carry forward the Global War on Terrorism and to justify the prolonging of their stay in our lands. If Al Qaeda or Osama were ever alive in any form; they would have come forward to defend the interests of Pakistan. They are seen no where; their old dream is dead and buried.
But we know that our exterminator USA, who saw the Broad sword of Pan-Arab Nationalism being ditched in Suez Canal by Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1956, is now knocking at the doors of this Last Fortress of Islam-Pakistan.
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Great article! I’ve been coming here just recently after discovering this site. This is a great site, good writers who are informed.
Sir, you are right. Specially your last 2 paragraphs are thought provoking.
There is no doubt that Osama Bin Laden or Al Qaeda hardly exists these days. CIA and India got an opportunity to work on their own agenda and they are usinf these 2 brands for moving forward. I see this Marriott bomb attack as their strategy to show world that now Pakistan and its force can not stop these Taliban so we are coming to rescue Pakistanis and its atomic assets. They did the same when entered in Iraq. But they are forgetting that in Iraq, Iraqis first welcomed them to get rid of Sadam Hussain…here case is totally different. We, Pakistanis are standing on the back of our Army to defend country without any if and but.
I have seen real change in the views of Pakistanis after Army command has been shifted from dictator to active general Kiyani hands. People have stopped commenting against Army and they are not fully supporting Army to crush and kill these bloody Taliban. Previously, it was not like this. Main target were always Army and Army officers and people have no reaction on it, including me. Now when our Army guys dies in any attack in FATA etc…people feel sad and sorrow on it.
Dear sir, we are aggressive and short tempered nation but telling you frankly.. Pakistanis are one of that nation who do cares about their country in true manner and when ever they feel that now Government or Army need us, they open hearty forgets their pains and reservations and joins them. 8 Oct 2005 earth quake is a real example in recent years.
I am proud to be a Pakistani and a Muslim. It is my firm believe that Pakistan will remain on this world map till End of Time. InshAllah.
Pakistan Zindabaad, Paaindabaad!
I truly agree with the second last paragraph in the comments made by Mr.Slaeem, Pakistanis do care and that 8th October Incident truly demonstrated that to the full extent. I am from Kashmir(Azad), lot of help was endorsed by the Pakistanis when that tragic event happened.
The only problem though is that with every day passing by we are becoming more and more used to the comforts and it is this phenomena only that is hindering us back.
Lets hope and pray that we stand up when is needed.
Where as USA prefers to have slavish like cooperation from its allies like Pakistan to avail their full cooperation on her dictated terms but it is a bad habit of US which frustrate all her allies that it invariably spoils the situation for them on ground and they are left to suffer, the consequences.
It is a known fact that in the FATA area of Pakistan; the fugitives of Al Qaeda as well as Taliban escaped from Afghanistan have got themselves organised into a dissident force in Pakistan. They are against US occupation in Afghanistan as they were earlier on against Russian occupation. It is a difficult task for Pakistan as a US ally to carry out cleansing of these dissident who are since found melted into fabric of Pakistani society; where the local population happens to be Pro-Taliban and are united in their stance to see US going out of Afghanistan.
Pakistan is extending its fullest cooperation and wants to sort out the prevalent turmoil for her own survival also. These dissidents have now turned against Pakistan and the worse situation is turning into the anarchy for which as per plan, Pak Army is carrying out a clean up operation. More than thousand Pakistani soldiers have been killed in operation and in thousands; dissident are also killed. Pak army is winning back the writ of its government very successfully; and ultimately peace will return.
But pity is that; USA is carrying out drone attacks and raids in same very area inside Pakistan which has since been won by Pak Army and order is restored. This is a most provocative action on part of USA to kill innocent peoples which amount to creating anarchy in area and Pakistan finds itself destabilized.
But probably destabilization of Pakistan and to see it in peril and finally disintegrated is the prime aim of USA. After all; why America is here; just to win their hegemony! In Pakistan; USA may avails the best possible strategic location; poised to control the economic resources of area of Middle East and Central Asia; as well as to keep a check on the new emerging and re-emerging powers like India, china and old Russia.
Under the current precarious situations; in the forth coming meeting with President Bush of President Zardari of Pakistan; whether Zardari is able to win a grace full line for nation or will he also concede like Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt to for go its national rights in Middle east on the Suez Canal in 1956?
What takes off from the platform of intended false theme and materialized deviated desire, though under ethical slogan, terminate ridiculously, ditching all passengers within, thereby landing without ethics and rule, as landed crashed.
Motive based deceiving bereaved mottos have similar fate of endings.
Misuse of any thing is hazardous, especially this self made all-time circumstantial slogan for every, ifs and buts, the jihad, being commanded by dick and Harry and asked by Osama, baitullah or mangal.
This term” jihad” is the basic principality of belief of Muslim, but astonishingly irrational usage has created tolerance and resistance among host and antigens.
Muslims need to understand this term as basic in belief and practice.
The so called champions of Islamic flag holders of the era, such as General Zia ul Haq and another spy master Osama bin laden along with few insane separatist from other nations have put every thing at the stake of termination and turmoil, by deliberate move of omission and falsehood, thereby fulfilling the plan and motive of their bosses.
Fine! If you think you should make a global power as some Islamic bomb in terms of nation, America or any other nation has equal right to reach the same height by freight.
If you think and consider Pakistan as” fortress of Islam”, you shall be dealt accordingly and should be prepared for the same.
This is a simple rule of logic, a tit for a tat.
Arabism = Racism
http://therealityshow.blogtownhall.com/2008/09/28/arabism_=_racism!.thtml
ARABISM = RACISM!