Islamofascism

The now-notorious awareness week has come and gone, but the term "Islamofascism" lingers in the post-9/11 American lexicon. Campuses throughout the United States played host to Islamofascism Awareness Week supporters, who welcomed the likes of Ann Coulter, and detractors, who staged large counter protests.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (better known as CAIR) was alarmed at some of the dubious backgrounds of speakers invited to American campuses for Islamofascism Awareness Week.

"There appear to be growing links between anti-Muslim bigots in the United States and European racists and anti-Semites," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Those who promote and exploit such links are doing a disservice to our nation and to its traditions of interfaith tolerance and understanding."

Hooper said other speakers on the "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" lecture tour have been accused of racism and anti-Semitism, or have been linked to European racists.

Now that the dust has settled and the word has stuck, I posted queries on listservs, poked people on Facebook and sent out a flurry of emails asking for interpretations of "Islamofascism." Responses came from students, educators and activists who focus on Arab/Muslim issues. Some of the respondants included photos of the events on their campuses. Here's a sampling of the reactions:

HOSSAM EL HAMALAWY

It was heartwarming that those who were involved in the action against the organizers of Islamofascism Awareness Week did not only come from Muslim backgrounds. The counter events, like the Oct. 25 protest, were sponsored by a variety of leftist, liberal, green, ethnic and religious organizations. This is a sign of a healthy community.

Hossam el Hamalawy is an Egyptian activist, journalist and blogger who is a visiting scholar at the University of California-Berkeley. He took photos of local Islamofascist Awareness Week events. To see them, click here.

MANAL OMAR

When I first learned of the infamous Islamofascist Awareness Week to be held on the campus of my alma mater, I simply shrugged my shoulders and pressed delete. I have been working for an international NGO for the past 10 years, primarily working in Islamic countries. It was never my intention to target Islamic countries. Just happens to be where all the wars are these days, and my particular humanitarian focus is post-conflict.

As a result, it takes quite a lot to jolt me into my student-days action. However, the next email did manage to get my attention. It was from a fellow alum who was trying to protest the week, calling for its cancellation or, as a last resort, putting together a counter-protest. I quickly pressed "reply" and added my two cents' word of caution.

There are many things that I hold dear. First and foremost are the tenets of my religion. Second is the right to be heard -- aka freedom of speech. In this sense, I have been accused of being an idealist. Yet I have seen many nations struggle for this simple right, and stand firm by the notion that everyone has the right to express opinions. Yes, even those screaming and running around with their hands waving about their heads as they yell, "The Islamofascists are coming!"

Naturally, there are caveats to this rule. Similar to screaming "fire!" in a crowded movie theater, any words that inspire hate should be closely monitored. It is a fine line that needs to be taken carefully, and my advice to my Muslim Students Association was to do research. In the past, did similar talks create a rise in hate crimes against Muslim students on campus? What materials were presented?

If it was an attack on the tenets of Islam, then I firmly believe my religion can handle it. If it was an attack on those who were using Islam to do horrible things, then the people who have done such crimes deserve it. For too long Muslims have adopted an apologist tone towards the crimes committed in the name of Islam. At the heart of the civil rights movement, people were able to distinguish between the tenets of Christianity and those of the KKK's version. The millions of deaths in history over trying to make Europe Catholic then Protestant and Catholic again is yet another example of how religion has been wrongfully used to spread bloodshed.

I had faith in the general public to distinguish the role of religion from the conduct of people. Those who wanted to believe that Islam preached death and destruction could find plenty of slanderous material on the Web. Overall, my advice was to do nothing except lead by example, demonstrating Muslims' respect and tolerance for others' space.

Manal Omar is the Middle East regional program manager for an international nongovernmental organization. She is a longtime humanitarian worker who has served in Iraq, Palestine and other conflict zones.

RAY HANANIA

I was really excited to hear that, finally, someone in the United States is making an effort to recognize Arabs and Muslims in a broad way, under the banner of "Islamofascism." We are so excluded and marginalized that any time someone recognizes us, we should try to make the best of it.

I am not exactly sure what "Islamofascism" means, surely a public relations spin master's creative way to combine two incongruent terms. But I was thinking, if this week is successful, we should expand it to include everyone. Let's make sure everyone as an "O-fascism Week." Diversity is everything in this country. How about JudeoFascism Week? Oral Roberts-o-Fascism Week? Christian-o-Fascism Week?" Another popular one might be GOP-o-Fascism Week.

...Rather than calling it Islamofascism Week, organizer David Horowitz should instead call it what it really is, a Celebration of Hatred. Horowitz and his Web site, Front Page Magazine, lead the pack when it comes to Muslim and Arab bashing. My biggest problem is that clearly his intent is to slander Islam and Arabs as he paints all Arab and Muslim groups as being "Islamofascist."

I always thought there were anti-hate laws to prevent events like this from taking place. But then, if neo-Nazis can march in Skokie, why shouldn't Horowitz regale in his own version of provocation? Arabs and Muslims should use Horowitz's hatred. But instead of responding to him with protests, we should organize our own "Islamo-Peace-and-Love Festivals" at universities around the country.

Ray Hanania is a Chicago-based writer and columnist of Palestinian descent. He's active in the National Arab American Journalists Association and has toured as a stand-up comedian.

MAHDA JAHANGIR

Islam in particular is not fascist at all. It is a peaceful, humanistic religion marked by a moderate lifestyle. Islam tries to help people return to their humanity instead of abandoning it. So, what's with this "fascist" label they're adding to Islam?

The word is not very new for Iranians. Before the Islamic revolution, in the last riot years of the Shah's era, Shapour Bakhtiar, the former president, used the word in his speeches. "Radical Islamist" or "Islamofascist." Then again, he was reportedly a drug addict and heavily dependent on the West, especially the United States.

Nowadays, we're hearing the word again. Interesting that when the Taliban was in power, we never heard "Islamofascism." But now that Iran pursues a nuclear energy program, the word comes up. They say it's a marker to separate modern, moderate Muslims from "fascist" Muslims.

Well, I'm a Muslim and I reject those titles. I think even writing about "Islamofascism" only helps Bush to propogate his stereotyped ideas.

Mahda Jahangir is a journalist in Tehran, Iran.

DR. MERIEM REIK

An appropriate response to the purely derogatory "Islamofascism," a nonsense word since there is nothing fascistic about Islam, is to recall that it was coined by people who belong to the world of Judeonazism, Shahak's term that draws real meaning from observed Zionist phenomena.

Dr. Meriem Reik is a former congressional staff member, former journalist and activist.

ARON KADER

I witnessed Islamofascism Week here from Los Angeles and saw the University of California (the alma mater of my Palestinian father and my brother) host two of the worst political hacks for a speech to the student body: Ann Coulter and David Horowitz. I was surprised to see there were supporters of these narrow-minded speakers who view them as celebrities or rock stars.

At risk of sounding redundant, I have to say the irony in all this was that they united the protesters who represented the Jewish, Muslim and peace activist groups on the campus. Well, finally the Right Wing brought Jews and Muslims together for peace! Although by accident, it could be a good sign that they are isolating themselves into a sect of crazy warmongers that force the other side to galvanize.

I wanted to point out a quote by David Horowitz, the leftist-turned-neoconservative, that was incredibly ridiculous: "This is a greater threat than the Nazis or the communists because these people have modern technologies...They want to exterminate Jews and impose religious law on everyone, through the state."

What the hell does that mean? Is he referring to the WMDs in Iraq?

At the beginning of WWII, the United States was so behind with its technology that our military still had horse cavalries from our civil war. We had muskets and WWI helmets that looked like woks. The German Nazis were incredibly technologically advanced and modern. In fact, without them, we would not have advanced our satellite or radar technology, nor would we have had Einstein or Oppenheimer, who invented The Bomb. Not to take anything away from the terrorists, but I don't think they are modern or technologically savvy.

These political hack talking heads that are out speaking to the drones, encouraging group think, should stop and realize that Ann Coulter and David Horowitz are just really bad and unfunny comedians. As a comedian myself, I want to encourage them to go to the open mic night over at the Laugh Factory on Monday mornings to work on their acts.

Aron Kader is a comedian who has been on the road with the critically acclaimed Axis of Evil Comedy Tour. He has performed on Comedy Central and recently filmed a TV pilot for NBC.

             
   

' 

Comments

[Ben]

The reply by Dr. Reik speaks volumes. Israel has been called a Nazi state far longer than Islamofascism has been a recognized term. Ironically many of the people who lowered the discourse with such slander are now making a self-righteous pose when the chickens come home to roost.

[davinca]

I found I very remarkable Broadcasting on this issue by TPMtv and published it on my blog http://anotherworldispossiblenow.blogspot.com/2007/10/islamo-fascism-awareness-week-and-what_31.html
I will refer to your blog too if you don't mind ...

[Thomas I Green]

Before we're irrevocably led by the nose into their hoped and prayed for Armageddon we need a Christo-Zionist Nazi Awareness Year.
Americans of all faiths need to be aware of these subversive agents freely operating in our country who are destroying the US Constitution and the laws of the land for all Americans.
Christian fascists who align themselves with Zionist neo-
nazis are doing everything possible to continue the war in Iraq and have the USA jointly expand the that war into Syria and Iraq for Israel' "Drag Nach Osten" for their Zionist Empire.

[gosciu]

For anyone who believes this islamofascist myth, here is a video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=554201962695917482

[gosciu]

For anyone who believes this islamofascist myth, here is a video
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=554201962695917482

[Muslims Against Sharia]

Muslims Against Sharia congratulate David Horowitz FREEDOM CENTER and Mike Adams, Tammy Bruce, Phyllis Chesler, Ann Coulter, Nonie Darwish, Greg Davis, Stephen Gale, David Horowitz, Joe Kaufman, Michael Ledeen, Michael Medved, Alan Nathan, Cyrus Nowrasteh, Daphne Patai, Daniel Pipes, Dennis Prager, Luana Saghieh, Rick Santorum, Jonathan Schanzer, Christina Sommers, Robert Spencer, Brian Sussman, Ed Turzanski, Ibn Warraq and other speakers on the success of the Islamofascism Awareness Week.

Islamofascism (or Islamism) is the main threat facing modern civilization and ignorance about this threat is astounding. We hope that this event becomes regular and reaches every campus.

A great many Westerners do not see the clear distinction between Islam and Islamism (Islamofascism). They need to understand that the difference between Islam and Islamism (Islamofascism) is the same as the difference between Christianity and Christian Identity Movement (White Supremacy Movement).

Original post

[Hannah]

Hello there. Just wanted to say thanks to the two commenters who left links related to this topic. Very interesting! Many thanks.

[Shahrzad]

@ muslims against shari'a,

I really dont get your point.
What you mean about islam without a practising shari'a?

So In the world that muslim being is the most dangerous title, why there is a need that you suffer to call yourself, a muslim?

It is like you call a person that never cure people, as a doctor.
Or calling a person that never writes, as a writer!!

[john kall]

so nobody thinks islamofascism exists?Hoo la la.

[acondon]

Why does anyone cite CAIR for anything. It is clearly discredited, racist organization that hates everyone and everything.

[davinca]

the Demons of David Horrorwitz
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/the-demons-of-david-horow_b_71441.html

[Muslims Against Sharia]

Shahrzad,
Sharia is a perversion of Islam. Visit our site www.reformislam.org if you are interested in answers.

[hamdey]

Valley Of The Kings

The Valley of the Kings was the royal cemetery for 62 Pharaohs, and is located on the west bank at Luxor. The only entrance to this place was a long narrow winding path. This was a secret place, where sentries were placed at the entrance of the Valley, as well as along the top of the hills, in the hopes of discouraging tomb robbers, who had in the past plundered all royal tombs, including the treasures of the Pyramids! Some thefts were probably carefully planned, but others were spur of the moment, as when an earlier tomb was accidentally discovered while cutting a new one and workmen took advantage of the opportunity. This may have happened when KV 46 was found during the cutting of KV 4 or KV 3 nearby. The tombs in the Valley range from a simple pit (e.g. KV 54), to a tomb with over 121 chambers and corridors (KV 5)

John Gardiner Wilkinson first established the present numbering system, in 1827, as part of his preparation of a map of Thebes. Wilkinson painted the numbers 1 through 21 at the entrances of the tombs that were then visible. The numbers were assigned geographically, from the entrance to the Valley southward. Since Wilkinson's day, tomb numbers have been assigned in chronological order of discovery, KV 62 (Tutankhamen) being the most recent. Wilkinson's is not the only system of tomb designation that has been used in the Valley though. Several explorers assigned numbers, letters or descriptive labels to the tombs, as the accompanying chart indicates, but Wilkinson's is the only system that is still in use. There are two main wings to the Valley of the Kings, west and east! You will find that eastern side has the majority of the tombs, the western part having very few, but including the tombs of Amenhotep III and Ay.

A list of the KV's discovered (so far!)

KV 01 Ramses VII
KV 02 Ramses IV
KV 03 Cache of Ramses III
KV 04 Ramses XI
KV 05 Sons of Ramses II
KV 06 Ramses IX
KV 07 Ramses II
KV 08 Merenptah
KV 09 Ramses V / VI
KV 10 Amenmeses
KV 11 Ramses III
KV 12 Unknown
KV 13 Bay
KV 14 Tausert / Setnakht
KV 15 Seti II
KV 16 Ramses I
KV 17 Seti I
KV 18 Ramses X
KV 19 Mentuherkhepshef
KV 20 Hatshepsut
KV 21 Two Queens
KV 22 Amenhetep III
KV 23 Ay
KV 24 Unknown
KV 25 Akhenaten (?)
KV 26 Unknown
KV 27 Unknown
KV 28 Unknown
KV 29 Unknown
KV 30 Unknown
KV 31 Unknown
KV 32 Unknown
KV 33 Cache of Tuthmosis III
KV 34 Tuthmosis III
KV 35 Amenhetep II
KV 36 Maiherperi
KV 37 Cache of Tuthmosis III
KV 38 Tuthmosis I
KV 39 Unknown
KV 40 Unknown
KV 41 Unknown
KV 42 Hatshepsut-Meryetre
KV 43 Tuthmosis IV
KV 44 Anen (?)
KV 45 Userhet
KV 46 Yuya and Thuya
KV 47 Siptah
KV 48 Amenemopet
KV 49 Maya (?)
KV 50 Animals
KV 51 Animals
KV 52 Animals
KV 53 Unknown
KV 54 Cache of Tutankhamen
KV 55 Tiye, Akhenaten or Other
KV 56 Unknown
KV 57 Horemheb
KV 58 Cache of Ay
KV 59 Unknown
KV 60 Two Women (Setri In?)
KV 61 Unknown
KV 62 Tutankhamen
KV 63 New Tomb - Unknown

The earliest known tomb of the New Kingdom within the Valley of the Kings, is that of Tuthmoses I, who started to use the valley as a royal burial site. It is located in a desolate part of the valley, which is supposed to add greater protection as it was small enough to be closely guarded. The good quality of the stones gave the ancient Egyptians the chance to cut many tombs close to each other.
Most of the tombs were found already plundered! A few, like the tomb of Tutankhamen (KV 62) or that of Yuya and Thuyu (KV 46), contained thousands of precious artefacts. Some tombs have been accessible since antiquity, as Greek and Latin graffiti will attest. Some were used as dwellings, or as churches during the Greco-Roman and Byzantine Periods. Most of them have been discovered in the past two hundred years.

Some, like KV 5, had been "lost," and their locations only recently rediscovered. The very well known Egyptologist, Kent Weeks, who is still working in the valley, on many projects, among them the Theban mapping project , Kent spent more than 6 years exploring and trying to uncover the secrets of this massive tomb. KV5 is the largest tomb ever found in the valley! Re-excavated in 1995, it contains at least 121 chambers and corridors! Mr Weeks believes that it was built for the children of Ramses II. If you wish to see KV5’s location (it is closed to the public!), on your way to the inner side of the valley, if you look to your left you will see "a sketch Plan of KV5" as well as the locked, gated entrance to the tomb.

Since 1922, and Howard Carter’s discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen (KV 62), there had been no new tombs discovered in the valley until, on February 9, 2006, the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt announced the discovery of a new tomb. Designated the number KV63, it was discovered by a joint effort between the University of Memphis (in the USA) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt. This is one of the smaller tombs that have been found, consisting of a vertical shaft with an adjacent chamber at the bottom. Some artefacts have been found, but as this is an ongoing project, the details are still to be released
http://www.hamdey.php0h.com/

http://www.hamdey.php0h.com/LuxorWest%20Bank.htm

[hamdey]

Mummification in Egypt Mummification was practiced in Ancient Egypt tin order to preserve the body for the after life . Ancient Egyptian believed in life after death This practice started and early as the old kingdom time in Ancient Egypt but it reach it is peak during the new kingdom. This ritual was essential to guarantee the survival of both the soul and the body. The ritual of mummification has been through many stages of evolution and, but most of its secrets have not been completely revealed yet. Traditionally all what we know of the mummification came to us the classical sources of history such as Greek writers and papyrus drawing and wall relives and the rest through studying the mummies that e found intact inside the ancient Egyptian tombs., The most common way of mummification was as follows: The brain was removed through the nose and was discarded. The viscera was removed and stored in jars known today as the canopic jars, while the body was soaked into naturn salt for 70 days until it was dehydrated, artificial ayes were placed instead of the real eyes which had dehydrated , then body is wrapped with 100 's of meters of gum coated linen and the jewels were inserted within the layers of the wrapping. Canopic Jars: It was necessary to complete the mummification conserving the interior limbs such as the brain , the viscera and so on , putting them into a square chest which was at first , during the old Kingdom it was divided into 4 compartments and was placed into a pit near to the sarcophagus, this box was made of stone or wood. Then apart from the ends of the Tth dynasty and en general during the Middle Kingdom and the Modern Kingdom that chest was turned to 4 jars .The stopper s of these jars are taken the shapes of 4 different heads ( according to the shapes of the 4 sons of Horus ) The Canopic jars are as follows: -The first was Am-sty, with human head shape. -The 2nd one was Hapy with a monkey head,. -The 3rd one was Dwa-mut-f with a Jackal head, -The 4th was kbh-snw- f with a falcon head. The Greeks called these jars the Canopic Jars relating them to the deity of the old City ”Canop” now it is village in the province of (Abu Kyr). That deity was carry the name of Osiris and was represented in the shape of a jar with Osiris head. And during the Ptolemaic period these jars were called the canopic jars. http://www.hamdey.php0h.com/ http://www.hamdey.php0h.com/LuxorHistoricAreas.htm