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What the IRI Can Learn From Hamas
13-Jul-2010
I was reading this very interesting piece on the daily life in Gaza by David Rose, and a couple of quotes in the article struck me as especially interesting about Hamas. Here, they are:
“As darkness falls over the beach, students are holding impromptu parties by the phosphorescent Mediterranean. Above them, on the decks of the waterfront restaurants, men and women sit and talk far into the night, sucking on endlessnarguileh waterpipes. Most of the women are wearing headscarves - but strikingly, by no means all.”
“Hamas, one is invited to believe, is close to creating an authoritarian Islamic emirate that will require all women to wear burqas and govern through Sharia law. After spending a week in Gaza City and other parts of the Strip, however, all I can say is that I found little evidence for such a project.”
“Did Hamad and his colleagues intend to introduce Islamic Sharia law? He denied it, saying: ‘The people of Gaza are conservative, and most of them support the principles of Sharia anyway. They don't need or want their state to be governed by it.'” (Quote is from Fathih Hamad, the Hamas interior minister)
Well said, Mr. Hamad…well said.
So, you see how much socially progressive Hamas is compared to the IRI? Unlike the IRI, Hamas has the decency to understand that Islamic Sharia law and a compulsory dress code should not be imposed on a society, even if a minority within the society (as is the case in Gaza) do not follow those laws. In that sense, Hamas is far more progressive than the IRI in legal and social matters. Perhaps the IRI can learn a thing or two from an organization that it funds and holds in such high regard.
Incidentally, I have noticed that the Lebanese Hezbollah follows the same model, i.e., no compulsory dress code, no stonings, no chopping off hands…perhaps the IRI can learn a thing or two from them also.
BTW, for all the flotilla chest beaters out there on Iranian.com (who have never set foot in Gaza and leach themselves comfortably to the “Western” societies that they hate so much), why don’t you put away your pretentious crocodile tears and listen to a real Gazan for a change to see what the real problem is with Gaza”
“‘To be sure, if you do have money, things have gotten easier,' said another locally-based reporter. ‘I've travelled all over Europe and America. But until a few months ago, as a Gazan, I couldn't get a permit to leave. The Israelis have no security issues with me, but I was stuck inside the Gaza Strip for almost three years. They can do with you what they want, and that's what makes the blockade so unbearable - not the shortages, but the total restriction of people's movement and opportunities.'”
Gaza doesn't need any more flotillas by governments whose only intention is grand standing and propaganda. It needs freedom and dignity for its people so that they can leave the prsion that they are in and expand on their abilities. That means trade, economic grwoth, jobs, etc. So, stop it with this stupid "flotilla" propaganda already.
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Good comparison
by divaneh on Wed Jul 14, 2010 05:27 PM PDTWell, we are not such bad extremists. Mix it with dictatorship and you get the formula used by the consecutive governments in Iran. Our Talibans will be learning from their Eastern neighbour.
Actually, ISK, I think that they have learned from Iran's
by Onlyiran on Tue Jul 13, 2010 08:13 PM PDTexperience. They have realized that forcing a dress code--when even a portion of the population may be opposed to it--not only accomplishes nothing tangible for the regime, but it will also create an unnecessary headache and animosity toward it. Put simply, the costs outweigh the benefits. It's just too bad--and too sad--that the Iranian people had to be the guinea pigs for this cruel experiment in theocracy.
What Hamas and Pals knows that Iranians don't know
by i_support_khamenie on Tue Jul 13, 2010 02:06 PM PDTThey know how to read Arabic. Hence, they know how to read the Quran and the Hadith.
They don't need someone to interpret the verses for them and interject his own personal take on the issues.
They have read the Quran in which a certain act is allowed in one verse and then it is disallowed four chapters later.
They have read the Hadith where Mohammed tells his followers to do one thing and 3 years later he is doing it himself.
In other words, they have read and understood the contradictions in the Quran and Hadith. Plus, the fact that Allah has been on standby and not helping their cause makes them more doubtful.
In Iran though, all the contradictions are never mentioned to an Arabic illiterate population. And if someone dares bring them up, they accuse Mohammad's friends like Omar and Abubakr and Othman of trying to ruin his image.
benross
by Onlyiran on Tue Jul 13, 2010 02:03 PM PDTI think that even Hamas has come to that conclusion. Israel is not going anywhere. There will be a peace settlement at some point, which will include Hamas. The unfortunate thing is that because of 60 years of being led by incompetent and corrupt leaders, and after being abused for the past 60 years by every Tom, Dick and Harry loser Middle East leader, the Palestinians will be at the losing end of the peace settlement with Israel gobbling up more land before it's all said and done.
Samer
by Onlyiran on Tue Jul 13, 2010 01:23 PM PDTthat's the whole point. In Hezbollah controlled parts of Lebanon, as well as in Gaza, there is no government imposed dress code, which is ironic because the IRI constantly points out to those two entities as model Islamic organizations that are fit to run their respective nations.
I personally don't care if someone has the heajb on or not. It's a personal choice. You want to wear it, fine, you don't want to wear it, that's fine too. In fact, recently, I had a job opening at my company. There were several applicants. One of those applicants wore a hejab. I hired her over the rest of the job seekers. I just thought that she was the most qualified. The fact that she was wearing a heajb was a non-issue. And that's how it should be. I think most people in the Middle East will agree with me on that issue. We can maintain our culture, and embrace various schools of thought.
shiis in lebanon
by Samer Srouji on Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:25 PM PDTare well integrated into society. Some of the young ladies wear veils, some of them do not and are indistinguishable from Lebanese from other denominations (christians, druzes, sunnis, etc). In the nightlife areas, you cannot distinguish muslims from christians. Overall it is a good model and it works, I think that in our societies if we can be inclusive and embrace both conservative and liberal elements, while maintaining our middle eastern culture, we can be progressive societies.
Good piece
by benross on Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:02 PM PDTAt the end of the day, the issue is to recognize Israel is here to stay. Recognize it, not by political posturing, but at heart.
If I hate you, you would notice it and I don't have to spell it out out-loud. You'd know it. This the situation now between Palestinian PEOPLE and Israeli PEAPLE. If politicians on both camps, try to run a business out of this hatred, they will perpetuate and accentuate this hatred. It is not enough to be 'mooshi mooshi' with some small group of peace advocates in Israel as a tool to 'get back' at the dominant politics. This is exactly within the framework of running a business out of hatred and it will be understood as such on both sides.
In many ways, what the IC Israel bashers are preaching for 'green', they should preach for Palestinians. When they do that for 'green', it feels like IRI asking for leniency. And most likely that's what it is.
OnlyIran: fully agreed but
by Bavafa on Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:24 AM PDTOn that note and logic, which I agree with, it would be fair to say that if Hamas loses the next election, it would be greatly on the part of misery that Israel has inflicted on Palestinians for electing Hamas, essentially punishing them.
The sad & ironic part of this is that Hamas was created by Israel which they can not get rid of now, just as Ben Laden clan that was created and supported by CIA and we know how that has turned out to be.
Mehrdad
Mehrdad, true, but
by Onlyiran on Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:10 AM PDTyou have to understand the circumstances under which Hamas was elected. Fatah corruption, never ending occupation, the population's unfamiliarity with what Hamas was really about---and even Israeli interference and manipulation behind the scenes. While I agree that Hamas was elected legitimately at that time, circumstances have changed. I doubt that they will be reelected if elections are done today and there is a viable alternative.
There are even bigger differences, fundemental differences
by Bavafa on Tue Jul 13, 2010 09:49 AM PDTbetween IRI and Hamas.
It is a fact and verified by international observers that Hamas and Hezbollah for that matter were elected in a free and democratic election, unlike the regime in IRI.
This is some thing that Israelis and American hawks have conveniently forgotten.
In regards to the shortage of goods, restictions of movement and more importantly exporting of goods, there are ample reports that shows how awful the situations are.
Mehrdad
delete - double post
by Onlyiran on Tue Jul 13, 2010 09:49 AM PDTdelete.
COP Jaan - It is indeed embarrassing
by Onlyiran on Tue Jul 13, 2010 09:48 AM PDTthat a radical Arab Islamist organization which is on several nations' list of terrorist groups has a better understanding of democracy, and is more sensitive to the needs of the society, than a regime that has ruled one of the most progressive nations (Iran) for the past 31 years. What shame....
And this whole "flotilla" business in nothing but grandstanding....that's all...
OI Jon, this is most logical
by Cost-of-Progress on Tue Jul 13, 2010 09:25 AM PDTGreat argument!
It is rather embarassing when even the Arabs understand what civility means and that you do not force 7th century assbackward "laws" on a whole nation.
It appears that Iran has slipped backward a lot more than originally believed.
But, the flotila saga is loved by all the chest beaters of islamist persuation here - closeted and otherwise.
This is one topic they will milk for as long as they can.
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