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Category Archives: Fundamentalism

The Algerian War: the Aftermath

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by michelinewalker in Fundamentalism, North Africa, Socialism, Terrorism, War

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algerian Civil War, Ben Bella, Boumédiène, Christophe Novel, Harkis, ISIL, Middle East, Salafist Islamic revivalism, Shephardi Jews

er001.jpg

Peuples du désert, C. Novel

Leaving Algeria: the Harkis and the Shephardi Jews

In 1961, as the War of Independence was drawing to a close, Algerians were drowned in Paris. (See Massacre of 1961, Wikipedia.) Moreover, before the mass exodus to France, the French disarmed the Harkis and left them behind. Harkis, now called French Muslims of Algerian descent, had been loyal to France during the eight-year War of Independence. It is estimated that as many as 150,000 were massacred. Torture was used on both sides of this conflict, the French and the National Liberation Front (FLN), and it was deemed acceptable. Harkis had to flee and did so with the assistance of French officers acting “against orders.”   

“About 91,000 managed to flee to France, some with help from their French officers acting against orders, and today they and their descendants form a significant part of the Algerian-French population.” (See Algerian War, Wikipedia.)

In 1962, Sephardi Jews also fled to France and some to Israel. They had identified with the French during colonial times (1830-1962). They were the descendants of Jews who had escaped the Spanish Inquisition and many spoke Spanish. (See Algerian War, Wikipedia.)

The cease-fire was declared on 18 March 1962 by Charles de Gaulle, at great risk to his life. He would not listen to his bodyguards. De Gaulle pronounced Algeria independent on 3 July 1962 and Independence Day is celebrated on 5 July. French settlers wanted to stay in Algeria and were bitterly disappointed when De Gaulle declared a cease-fire and set about freeing Algeria. For some settlers, it was betrayal.

In fact, there was resistance. Settlers who wanted to stay in Algeria formed a secret army, the OAS, or Organisation de l’armée secrète. The OAS fought against the National Liberation Front (FLN). Both factions were Muslim Algerians. (See Algerian War, Wikipedia.)

The fate of Harkis and Sephardi Jews is discussed under various entries in Wikipedia: Algerian War, Guerre d’Algérie, Independence Day, Algeria (5 July), etc.

Harki-j

A Young Harki, 1961 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Aftermath: Ben Bella and Boumédiène

  • socialism
  • Arabization

After France left Algeria, the country contemplated socialism. Its first president was Ahmed ben Bella, who described himself as an Islamist of “mild and peace-loving flavour.” (See Ahmed ben Bella, Wikipedia.) The Sand War, fought in October 1963, occurred during ben Bella’s presidency. Morocco was claiming ownership of Algerian territory. Ben Bella grew into an autocrat and a thief. He was deposed by his friend and colleague Houari Boumédiène (FLN). Boumédiène was a popular leader, but he fell ill and died in 1978, at the age of 46. Houari Boumédiène also contemplated socialism and put into place measures reflecting the influence of socialism.

Algerians are not Arabs. They are descendants of Berbers who converted to Islam. As we have seen, initially, Algerians were not attracted to Islamic fundamentalism and jihadism. Consequently, when Algeria’s neighbours to the east started promoting intégrisme, Islamic fundamentalism, resistance to Islamism culminated in the Algerian Civil War (1991-2002).

The Algerian Civil War, 1991: Fundamentalism

The Algerian Civil War “followed a coup negating an Islamist electoral victory.” (See Algerian Civil War, Wikipedia.) In December 1991, the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) seemed about to defeat the National Liberation Front (FNL). The election was cancelled in January 1992 and a High Council of State was formed under the presidency of Chadli Bendjedid. During the Algerian Civil War, the government of Algeria, the National Liberation Front, opposed members of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) who, contrary to the government, the FLN, were fundamentalist Muslims advocating Sunni Islamism and djihadism. 

Barbaric massacres occurred during the Civil War. Most followed the hijacking of Air France Flight 8969 (1994), to which I have referred in my last post (See Related Articles). It was an act of terror that found a tragic echo in the attacks of 9/11 in the United States. The terrorists’ intention was to blow up the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but France’s anti-terror unit, the Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN), killed the terrorists at Marseille.

In 1999, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, a member of the National Liberation Front (FLN), was elected president of Algeria. It could be that Islamic fundamentalism had lost its appeal, but given the wars waged in the Middle East during the 2000s, some fundamentalism  could not be averted.

“In 2006, the GSPC, the Groupe salafiste pour la prédication et le combat,[1] was officially accepted as a branch of al-Qaida in a video message by Ayman al-Zawahiri; soon thereafter, it changed its name to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).” (See Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Wikipedia.)

Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algeria’s President, has not been seen since January 2016, which has fuelled rumours that he is extremely ill.

Conclusion

To sum up, after Algeria gained its independence, its leaders identified with socialism. However, groups were progressively drawn into the fundamentalist Islamism that was rooting itself in neighbouring Arab countries of the Middle East. It was called Salafist “Islamic revivalism.” Algeria resisted Islamic fundamentalism, but it found supporters.

The driver of the death truck of the 2016 Nice attack, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, was Tunisian. It has now been determined that the attack was planned over a year and that Mohamed Bouhlel had accomplices. He responded to calls to attack citizens of coalition countries fighting ISIL. Yet, he was not a suspect. (See 2016 Nice attack, Wikipedia.)

The Kouachi brothers (Charlie Hebdo shooting) were of Algerian descent and the two were radicalised in the Middle East. In other words, after France left Algeria, the Arabization of Algerians led to a degree of Islamic fundamentalism and at least two of the three major attacks on France have been perpetrated by descendants of the population of France’s Colonial Empire. ISIL, however, remains at the heart of terrorist attacks on France and European cities. Last week, Munich was attacked. When will it end?

These are terrible days, but I doubt that radical Islamism will abate until it is rejected by Islam itself. Neither Islamic fundamentalism, nor autocratic leadership, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad‘s, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, can benefit the Middle East. Its citizens are walking out. It seems that Assad is ready to talk. (See Malta Today.)

President Obama is still the President of the United States and he is a man of peace, despite the strikes. The talks have to occur soon. Participants should be supplied  with plenty of good food and drinks, sit at a round table, and put an end to this misery. Muslims are not migrating because they want to. They are migrating because they have to. This is self-destruction. Make Syria safe for Syrians, Iraq safe for Iraqis and free Saudi Raif Badawi. It is difficult to imagine why King Salman of Saudi Arabia fears an innocent blogger whose wife and children are living in my town. They are awaiting a beloved husband and father.

Reconciliation should happen soon, because members of the extreme Right could be voted into political office in mostly tolerant countries.

The Arab Spring was a call for greater democracy. It was energetic opposition to Islamic fundamentalism and Islamic radicalism, i.e. ISIL, by Muslims themselves.[2] But Assad was led by his fear of losing power. If he acts as he should, the migrant crisis will end and he may save himself.

Apologies for a long absence due to migraines.
Love to everyone. ♥

RELATED ARTICLES

  • France in North Africa (21 July 2016)

Sources and Resources

  • Wikipedia
  • Britannica
  • Films on YouTube
  • The Atlantic Monthly
  • The Economist
  • Touareg de l’Ahaggar, by Christophe Novel (image below video)

____________________
[1]  Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat
[2] The Arab Spring began in Tunisia, but Algeria was not a participant.

The Battle of Algiers
music by Ennio Morricone (a very good composer)

dscn3655

Touareg de l’Ahaggar, C. Novel

© Micheline Walker
25 July 2016
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Orlando: the Many Issues

21 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by michelinewalker in Fundamentalism, Gun Control, Middle East, Terrorism, The United States

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

discrimination, Donald Trump, Gun Control, LGBT, Orlando Massacre, terrorism, The Middle East, the United States

Generated by IJG JPEG Library

Donald Trump (Generated by IJG JPEG Library)

I have read several articles about Mr Trump and my opinion remains unchanged. In fact, I believe he may jeopardize the safety of I do not understand that the Republicans chose him as their nominee to the office of President of the United States.

However, Republicans have started to distance themselves from Mr Trump because of his avowed intention to prevent not only Muslims, but Mexicans and people originating from Latin-American countries, from entering the United States.

Although Mr Trump has lost the support of some key members of the Republican party, he remains defiant. He will finance his way to the Presidency. But will the citizens of the United States vote for a man who does not represent a party?

The Atlantic Monthly

The Atlantic Monthly published a series of articles on Mr Trump, one of which is about his mind. I am a little wary of such articles, but do believe that Mr Trump’s manners and language preclude his being considered an appropriate candidate to the office of President of the United States. As we say in Quebec, Donald Trump n’est pas sortable (he’s not fit to be seen). It may therefore be difficult for those Republicans who have turned their back on him to adopt a new stance.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/06/the-mind-of-donald-trump/480771/

http://www.theatlantic.com/notes/all/2016/03/trump-nation/473955/#note-487724

Discrimination

The tragic Orlando Massacre invites serious reflection on the issue of discrimination, a sturdy perennial. The President of the United States cannot discriminate against people on the basis of ethnicity and faith. Nor can he discriminate against people on the basis of gender and sexual orientation. But Mr Trump does discriminate against Muslims, all Muslims, and Mexicans as well as other Americans of Latin-American origin. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:

“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
See Discrimination, Wikipedia.)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/jun/19/donald-trump-paul-ryan-republicans-congress-loretta-lynch-nra

Gun Control

The good news is that Mr Trump now agrees with President Obama “for watch list gun ban.” Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association disagrees, but the fact remains that one cannot shoot without a gun and that arming people will not address the problem of terrorism. Omar Mateen had access to a powerful weapon and several guns.

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/06/theyre-coming-nras-wayne-lapierre-responds-to-orlando-shooting-with-unhinged-fearmongering/

The Second Amendment lost its validity the moment the United States had a militia. However, if one enjoys marksmanship, there are facilities where such individuals may  engage in their sport. Marksmen and women will not hurt anyone if their weapon is kept in a secure area. Sadly, some gun owners do not put their weapon(s) away from the reach of children which has caused siblings to shoot a sister or a brother. Children may think the gun is a toy.

Walking down the street carrying a gun can also lead to tragedies. For instance, the police may at times pull the trigger too quickly because of fear of being shot. It would be my opinion that endangering the life of innocent people is a breach of the social contract and that it negates the Second Amendment.

The Pulse

The Pulse was a club where L.G.B.T. (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans) socialized as is their right. Discriminating against people on the basis of sexual orientation seems extremely narrow-minded. As a WordPress colleague pointed out to me, people of different sexual orientation have a right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I agree fully. Gays deserve the same respect as other law-abiding members of society, which includes gathering on a Saturday evening to socialize and relax. No one was creating a disturbance at the Pulse. I encourage you to read Half-man of Orlando  (colltales.com). Virginia Woolf wrote Orlando (1928).

Islamic Fundamentalism

As stated in an earlier post, although Mr Mateen claimed allegiance to the Islamic State, it does not appear he was directed to kill for Isil. However, as he was in the process of murdering people, he did tell the police that the United States should “stop bombing” Syria and Iraq. The Obama administration considers the Orlando massacre a crime of terror and hate, and it will welcome more Muslim refugees. The refugees are the victims of Islamic fundamentalism and rigid autocracies.

Americans are divided with respect to the role they should play in the Middle East, but in the end, it will be, and should be, for the Middle East to determine its fate.

Conclusion

In short, the Orlando Massacre has so many facets and it raises so many issues that it may well be one of the most significant events in recent history.

Love to everyone. ♥

RELATED ARTICLES

Half-man of Orlando (colltales.com) (16 June 2016)
Donald Trump as President? No! (16 June 2016)
Orlando (13 June 2016)

 

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Donald Trump, The Atlantic Monthly

© Micheline Walker
20 June 2016
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Raif Badawi: a New Trial

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by michelinewalker in Fundamentalism, The Middle East

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Apostasy, Ensaf Haidar, Raif Badawi, The Middle East

saudi-blogger-flogging

Ensaf Haidar, wife of blogger Raif Badawi, says she won’t stop fighting for his freedom. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Yesterday morning, I read the News in complete disbelief. How could they?

Raif Badawi had been accused of insulting Islam, but it is my understanding that he now stands accused of committing apostasy, or renouncing his faith. If he is found guilty, the sentence will be death by beheading. That is the law.

If apostasy there is and the Saudis find Raif guilty, the Saudis, not Raif, will have committed apostasy. In other words, Allah is not asking for the blood of an innocent man. Men are, and men can be merciless. That is their only might. God, however, is infinite mercy.

According to this morning’s paper, there was some effort to free Raif on the part of Ottawa, Canada’s federal government.

I doubt that there will be justice for Raif. Not now that he stands accused of apostasy. Yet, we must continue to hope and fight. Ensaf Haidar, Raif’s wife, is alive, and so are three small children. They need our support.

There have been miracles.

With my kindest regards to all of you. 

Sufi Music

Raif.5

© Micheline Walker
3 March 2015
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Quebec Supports Raif Badawi: a Vote

13 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by michelinewalker in Fundamentalism, Raif Badawi, The Middle East

≈ Comments Off on Quebec Supports Raif Badawi: a Vote

Tags

Ensaf Haidar, Quebec Premier Phiippe Couillard, Raif Badawi, Stephen Harper, The Middle East

JQB109_QUEBEC_BADAWI_20150211

Ensaf Haid[a]r, right, wife of Raif Badawi, walks with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, left, to his office, after the legislature voted unanimously in favour of a motion to free her husband from a Saudi Arabia jail, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/quebec-legislature-votes-to-support-jailed-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi/article22936237/

One cannot be too optimistic. However, I am reassured by the fact that, on 11 February 2015, the Quebec legislature voted unanimously to ask, as a government, that Raif Badawi be released.

Raif Badawi is not a Canadian citizen, which hinders diplomatic efforts. Yet, if an entire legislative assembly votes to help an innocent young man, the Saudi judiciary and its Royals may respond favourably. They are human beings and they have seen one of their own burned alive.

Canadian Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, will not contact the Saudi embassy regarding Mr Badawi’s sentence. Mr Badawi is not a Canadian citizen. However, if a member of Parliament (Canada) should submit a motion asking for the release of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi and a vote should ensue supporting Mr Badawi, that could be helpful. I may be wrong.

Unfortunately, converts are still flocking to the Middle East to join ISIL. How can we stop them? It’s a serious issue.

I wish to thank premier Philippe Couillard and all members of the Quebec legislature for supporting Ensaf Haidar’s effort to free her husband. The motion to support Mr Badawi was made by Luc Fortin, a Member of the National Assembly (Quebec).

“Sükun” de Hüseyin Özkılıç (Egypt)

Ensaf Haidar
Ensaf Haidar

© Micheline Walker
13 February 2015
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