Why is reflecting on the anatomy of the Egyptian revolution important? We see
traces of it creeping up in the writings of Bin Laden's ideologue, the Egyptian Ayman al-
Zawahiri. In his 2002 book Knights Under the Banner of the Prophet he
describes a failed coup attempt by jihadists in 1981 right after the assassination of
Sadat. The coup involved mobilizing against broadcasting stations and also plans to
recruit cells from within the Egyptian military. Additionally, the 1952 revolution was
model for several military coups in the region like Syria and Iraq, although the Egyptian
model was less violent. We can begin to understand the influence of a revolutionary
group in the region by compre- hending elements and the history of successful coups.
Sources:
(1) Egyptian Magazine Akher Saah, special edition on 50th
anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. Asrar al-Thawra, Yarweehah Naguib,
Nasser wa al-Sadat (Secrets of the Revolution, as told by Naguib, Nasser and
Sadat. 24 July 2002. Cairo, Egypt.
(2) Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Knights Under the Prophet's Banner: Meditations on the
Jihadist Movement. Published in Al-Sharq al-Awsat in January 2002.
__________________
THE PROTECTION OF MODERATE ISLAMIC THOUGHT
On May 3rd, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz gave a speech to the World Affairs
Council in Monterey, California. The Deputy Secretary of Defense implored, "The west
needs to understand that there are many different interpretations of Islam, and the
secular authority and Islam can live peacefully together." He also said, "We must work
to appeal to a broad population, as well as voices struggling to rise above the din of
extremism, voices that tell us that the Islam of Muhammad is not the religion of Bin
Laden and suicide bombers." His remarks have been an inspiration to me personally as
his words ring true for every Muslim scholar who cannot debate his own religion or write
publicly regarding ideas of Quranic interpretations without being a target of Islamic
extremism. Operation Enduring Freedom not only protects our country but the concept
of whether one form of Islam that of intolerance, bigotry and abject domination will
succeed over a religion as diverse as the other monotheistic religions of the world.
When officials and scholars say that Islamic militants have hijacked a religion, let
us be specific. What Al-Qaeda, Al-Jihad, and other militant organizations have done is
to take elements of the Quran (Islamic Book of Divine Revelation) and only quote to the
masses certain verses that justify their violent acts. For instance, the Quran indeed
sanctions a violent form of Jihad against infidels, but what the Islamic terrorist and their
ideologues to not say is that these versus were revealed when Prophet Muhammad
was trying to establish an infant Islamic society amidst a program of genocide
conducted by the Meccans who lived at the time and found his message of monotheism
and social justice threatening. Listening to the words of Bin Laden and his reference to
fighting crusaders have no basis in the original founding of Islam in the seventh century
but is hateful language that found its way into Arabic vernacular during the crusades
that began in the eleventh century.
Bin Laden and Islamic militants have neglected key verses of the Quran that adds
credence to Mr. Wolfowitz's remarks. Sura 49, verse 13 of the Quran states, "O
mankind we created you from a single (pair) of a male and female and made you into
nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you should hate one
another) verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of
you." This verse encourages Muslims to engage a variety of people and be inspired
by the variety of thought, ideas, religions and viewpoints that God created. It is this
verse that made the Arabs one of the most prolific traders and seafarers from the ninth
to the fifteenth centuries. The suicide bombers who claim for themselves paradise did
not think of Sura 5, verse 8, "O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as
witnesses to fair dealing and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to
wrong and depart from Justice. Be just, that (justice) is next to piety and fear Allah, for
Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do."
How would the Palestinian issue be resolved had its people been steeped in a
rational thinking of their religion. In Sura 60, verses 7 to 8 of the Quran, "It may be
that Allah will establish friendship between you and those whom you hold as enemies.
For Allah has power (over all things); and Allah is forgiving and most merciful." It is
not the interest of those wanting to propagate violence to quote the many passages of
the Quran that appeal to the message of brotherhood, forgiveness, charity and
respecting the rights of all persons. Instead Islamic terror organizations bring out those
elements of Islamic scripture that encourage violence and even them take it out of its
historical context to further their cause.
When Mr. Wolfowitz says that Islam and democracy is compatible he is absolutely
on the mark and there are Islamic clerical commentators that back his statement. One
of the main pillars of Jihadist groups is the reestablishment of the Caliphate, which was
abolished in 1926 with the collapse of the Ottoman Turks. The concept of the Caliphate
is not one present in the Islam of Muhammad's time; the Prophet left no guidance about
how his community should govern itself. What is clear however is that government is
sanctioned by the Ummah (the community) and not by one person. This concept of self-
government by the community represents some of the basic elements of modern
democracy, which is not incompatible with Islamic thought. Islamic scholars have also
correctly identified that the Caliphate is not one of the principles of Islam and therefore
not the only form of governance for Muslims. Islamic militants want to forcibly graft their
version of government, religion and tyranny on the community of Muslims; we have
seen a glimpse of what could happen when diverse Muslims are subjected to one form
of tyrannical Islam with the Taliban.
Through our efforts at thwarting terrorism, the United States can also ensure
freedom to express and bring out a Muslim majority who will not stand for a single,
intolerant and tyrannical form of their religion to the exclusion of all others. Mr.
Wolfowitz said, "America and the west must encourage moderate Muslims who believe
in a vision of Islam that embraces free thought, free speech and tolerance," to this
statement I must respond with the traditional navy, "Aye! Aye! Sir!"
2004, Foreign Area Officer Association
Herndon,
Virginia
Maintained by LTC Steve
Gotowicki.
http://www.faoa.org
