From: hakim@bigq.enet.dec.com (Kamran Hakim)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.arabic,soc.culture.iranian
Subject: Re: ARAB/IRANIAN --Harmony
Date: 1 Sep 92 15:14:16 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <1992Aug29.054729.1100@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>, lhermi@magnus.
acs.ohio-state.edu (Lotfi Hermi) you write:

LH>Did any of the netters come upon any writings by traditional Muslim Ulema
LH>from Iran in which the question of culture, or nationality has been discussed.
LH>I mean people such as Imam-e-Ghazali, or any Muslim thinker of the past. I
LH>wonder what would their reaction be at us dicussing Arab/Iranian "hatred" If
LH>such a thing exists. 

Perhaps a more fundamental question for the religious-minded individuals 
would be what the Founder of Islam said about hatred and fractionation
among Muslims. After all Sunnis and Shi'ahs are both Muslims and religious 
brotherhood must by the virtue of definition supersede any form of national 
brotherhood.

Whatever the thinkers of the past have written on the Iranian/Arab Issue
is, in my opinion, irrelevant to the present situation. Evidently certain
frictions presently exists between the two nationalities which have their
roots in racial/ethnic, religious and national prejudices which I do not
believe is going to disappear by the virtue of examining what the Ulema 
have said. Ulema have widely contradicted one another on various issues
including the Arab/Iranian friction. If people were to stop hatred what 
their Scriptures and Prophets had suggested must have sufficed. Regrettably
mutual prejudices do exist and the key to its elimination is not in the
hands of the Ulema. Perhaps the time has come for the individuals from both 
nationalities to contemplate on the inherited negative feelings and make an 
honest attempt to overcome our prejudices. We must all strive on a personal
level to build BRIDGES of friendship rather than WALLS of hatred. 

LH>Most people in the past ( in traditional school) used to 
LH>learn both arabic and farsi as part of their required curriculum.  

Not quite true. Learning arabic along with Farsi has been a historical 
requirement in Iran for different reasons such as force, religious duty,
and scholastic pursuit. Has learning Farsi along with Arabic been a 
requirement throughout the Ottoman Empire or the previous Muslim dynasties? 
As a side note I'd like to clarify that I do not resent either learning 
Arabic or its inclusion in the old Persian language, thus the formation of 
Farsi. I believe that such an inclusion transformed the Old Persian into a 
more poetic and descriptive language.

The purpose of language is COMMUNICATION. Furthermore, the purpose of 
communication is MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. Unfortunately language has 
historically served as a source of polarization and hatred among 
different groups of people. It would be wonderful if the peoples of 
the world would agree on a secondary language and script. This will
greatly reduce the barrier of misunderstanding from among us.

LH>it is funny
LH>to know that if you are from north africa and you go as a tourist or for 
LH>a visit to Iran most probably you will end up in Jail in your own country.
LH>I guess most of the east (iran, pak, afghan, and now include anything that
LH>ends with a -stan + sudan) most probably you know where you will end up. 

Very interesting.

LH>What do you think of these policies. They promote love and harmony between
LH>Islamic countries, hein !!! 

To promote love and harmony between Islamic countries the religious leaders
MUST stop interfering with politics and MUST refrain from agitating the 
emotions of the masses of their followers. Religious leaders must focus
on their task which is the spiritual development of the community. A
spiritually developed community will of necessity be capable of erecting
a very capable government. 

Therefore, Islam's effect on politics MUST be through the betterment of 
the characters of individual Muslims rather than direct interference with 
politics. Implementation of the laws of the Qur'an in any country whether 
Shi'ah or Sunni without the presence of the most fundamental religious 
characteristics such as truthfulness, mercy, justice, respect, tolerance, 
etc..., etc..., in the hearts of the individual members of that society, 
and the members of its government is like a body without a soul or a house 
built on sand. It will only be a source of hate, resentment and disharmony 
both within and abroad as clearly exemplified throughout the Muslim world.

The goal in this reply has been to make an observation and not criticism.

Warm regards,

Kamran Hakim