Pan-Arabism

The Arab world

Pan-Arabism is a movement for unification among the peoples and countries of the Arab World, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Sea. It is closely connected to Arab nationalism which asserts that the Arabs constitute a single nation. Pan-Arabism has tended to be secular and often socialist, and has strongly opposed colonialism and Western political involvement in the Arab world. Pan-Arabism is a form of cultural nationalism.

Origins and Leaders

Pan-Arabism was first pressed by Sharif Hussein ibn Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, who sought independence from the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of a unified state of Arabia. In 1915-16, the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence resulted in an agreement between the United Kingdom and the Sharif that if the Arabs successfully revolted against the Ottomans, the United Kingdom would support claims for Arab independence. In 1916, however, the Sykes-Picot Agreement between the United Kingdom and France determined that parts of the Arab Mashreq would be divided between those powers rather than forming part of an independent Arab state. When the Ottoman Empire surrendered in 1918, the United Kingdom refused to keep to the letter of its arrangements with Hussein and the two nations assumed guardianship of several newly-created states. Ultimately, Hussein became king only of Hijaz (later incorporated into Saudi Arabia) in the then less strategically valuable south.

Additionally, the Balfour Declaration of 1917 as reason to administer Palestine and the subsequent creation of the British Mandate upset pan-Arabists designs for a geographically contiguous pan-Arab state from the Arab Maghreb and Egypt to the Mashreq.

A more formalized pan-Arab ideology than that of Hussein was first espoused in the 1930s, notably by Syrian thinkers such as Constantin Zureiq, Zaki al-Arsuzi and Michel Aflaq. Aflaq and al-Arsuzi were key figures in the establishment of the Arab Ba’ath (Renaissance) Party, and the former was for long its chief ideologist, combining elements of Marxist thought with a nationalism to a considerable extent reminiscent of nineteenth century European romantic nationalism.

Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, whose ideology of "Nasserism" defined the pan-Arabism of the 1960s

In contrast to pan-Islamism, pan-Arabism is secular and nationalistic as many prominent pan-Arabs, such as Aflaq (Greek Orthodox) were not Muslim. Tariq Aziz, an Aramaic-speaking Chaldean Christian and the once deputy prime minister of Iraq under Saddam Hussein, was another prominent pan-Arabist. However, in de-emphasizing the role of Islam, pan-Arab ideology has been accused of inciting prejudice against and downplaying the role of non-Arab Muslim peoples such as the Turks, Persians, and Kurds, amongst others. Additionally, while Lebanon is traditionally thought of as an Arab state, there is a movement in that country supporting the idea that Lebanese are Phoenicians. As such, these groups are quite hostile to pan-Arabism.

Failed and successful attempts at Arab union

There have been several attempts to bring about a Pan-Arab state by many well known Arab leaders that ultimately resulted in failure.

The first was the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan in 1958. It was a confederation between cousins King Faisal II of Iraq and King Hussein of Jordan. This federation fell apart after the Iraqi Army's coup d'etat.

The United Arab Republic in 1958 was the second attempt. Formed under Nasser, it was a union between Egypt and Syria. It lasted only until 1961 when an anti-Nasserist coup in Syria led to Syria's withdrawal from the union.

Two later attempts were conducted by Libya's Muammar al-Gaddafi; these were the Federation of Arab Republics and the Arab Islamic Republic. Both failed before beginning.

Unity between Southern and Northern Yemen, though, was successful. Also, the unity of seven Arab emirates that form the UAE today stand as examples of the possibility of success of Arab unification.

The current Syrian government is, and the former government of Iraq was, led by the Ba’ath Party, which espouses pan-Arabism.

Decline

The high point of the pan-Arab movement was in the 1960s, when the movement was spearheaded by Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, but pan-Arabism was strongly hurt by the Arab defeat by Israel in the Six Day War and the inability of pan-Arabist governments to generate economic growth. By the late 1980s, pan-Arabism began to be eclipsed by Islamist ideologies. It continues however, to exert a strong influence in Arab print media and intellectual circles, particularly in the Levant.

Racism

In General

'Arabism Equals Racism', in an elaborated article, Gerald A. Honigman writes on the "acceptance of anyone else’s political rights in a multi-ethnic region that most Arabs see exclusively as "purely Arab patrimony." That's the Arab-Israel conflict in a nutshell; but it is also the core of the Arab-Berber, Arab-Kurd, Arab-Black African, Arab-Copt, Arab-Assyrian, Arab-non-Arab Lebanese conflicts, as well, among others. The Arabs' Anfal Campaign against the Kurds and their actions in Darfur and the rest of the southern Sudan are just a few of many examples of Arab genocidal actions against all who might disagree." [1].

Walid Phares writes about Arabism's denial of identity of millions of indigenous non-Arab nations as an ethnic cleansing on a politico-cultural level [2].

Christians of Iraq site published an extensive historic account on "The Foolishness of imposing Oppressive Arab Nationalism on Non Arabs, Non-Arab Muslim minorities such as the Amazigh, or Berbers, Kurds, and Turkmen found themselves officially out of favor. They faced the prospect of becoming "Arabized" or of being denied political and even civil rights. Groups that identified themselves as neither Arab nor Muslim had it even worse: Southern Sudanese, Copts, Jews, and Assyrians were plunged into a protracted nightmare that saw their communities ground into anonymity, forcing many to emigrate permanently. Even Maronites, whose retention of political power in Lebanon immunized them from utter marginalization, watched with alarm as Arab nationalist propaganda increasingly portrayed them as a foreign and sinister element in the heart of the Arab nation." [3]

Adel Makhoul wrote in May 1, 2005 about Pan-Arabists: Hiding Arab Racism, that they're agents of racism: Arab Racism, that always supported Arab unity and "Islam" at the expense of non-Arab and non-Moslem peoples and tries to deflect the world's attention from Arab and Moslem attrocities committed against Christians, Kurds, Jews, Israelis, Coptic Christians, non-Arab Sudanese, etc. he also points to the fact that Sadam Hussein's poisoning of the Kurds has never been condemned by one Arab intellectual or leader. This is because a racist prevalent attitude in the Arab mind is that the entire Middle East should be Arab. This also explains the attitude towards Israel, a country that is predominantly non-Moslem and speaks a Middle Eastern language other than Arabic.[4] Michael Totten decries the tired Arab nationalist myth that Arabism protects Christians. [5]

The linkage to terror - Protecting terrorism, Pan-Arabism: the inhuman progenitor of Islamic Terrorism [6].

Anti-Persian

A historic account of Pan-Arabism's Legacy of Confrontation with Iran & Arab racism against Iranians. [7], Iran Heritage says that It was in Saddam Hussein's Iraq where Arab racism attained its most vulgar ... The "Arabization" of Persian contributions on the world stage was in full. [8]

Anti-Kurd

The Kurds in Syria between 2 to 2.5 million [9] they're second class citizens, for many not citizens at all, the attempts of Erasing Ethnic Identity. Syrian Kurds were banned from giving their children names reflecting their ethnic identity. Pary Karadaghi, Director of Kurdish Human Rights Watch in Washington, says one of the most basic ways of showing Kurdish identity was taken away. "The campaign of 'Arabization' actually replaced the Kurdish names, People could not have Kurdish names on cities, buildings [and] businesses. Children's names could not be Kurdish." Syria's Kurds struggle for years to survive despite government oppression on many fronts. [10] And a cry against syria's oppression has gone out. [11]

Iraq's Saddam Hussein's Anfal campaign was designed to depopulate ethnic cleansing the Kurdish regions in northern Iraq. [12], Kurdish writers decry the massacre of Halabja and The Racism of so-called Arab Intellectuals towards Kurds and Kurdistan [13] [14].

Anti-Berber

The UN documented the racism against Indigenous peoples Multi-ethnic States, The Imazighen Berbers are the indigenous peoples of northern Africa and the Sahel [15]. Despite Arabization's oppression in north-Africa, they are a proud people[16], Morocco's Berbers Battle to Keep Their Culture [17], in 2004 they spoke out and attacked Moroccan state racism [18]. Berber Leader Belkacem Lounes: ’There Is No Worse Colonialism Than That of the Pan-Arabist Clan that Wants to Dominate Our People’ [19].

Kabylia info writes about oppression and tyranny of its people by Arabic-Islamic colonialism [20], the IHT's description: This is Kabylia, one of Algeria's most restive regions - home to a stubborn and proud ethnic minority of Berbers who since the end of the colonial era four decades ago have fought to preserve their cultural identity and independence. [21]

On Caucasians

SHEIK Taj Din al-Hilali: "The Western people are the biggest liars and oppressors and especially the English race," the Mufti of Australia said in Arabic during the extensive interview in Egypt, his birthplace. [22]

On the racist gang rape spree by Arab Lebanese in Australia targeting specifically white girls, From the Sydney Morning Herald 2002 Racist rapes: Finally the truth comes out, So now we know the facts, straight from the Supreme Court, that a group of Lebanese Muslim gang rapists from south-western Sydney hunted their victims on the basis of their ethnicity and subjected them to hours of degrading, dehumanising torture. The young women, and girls as young as 14, were "sluts" and "Aussie pigs", the rapists said. So now that some of the perpetrators are in jail, will those people who cried racism and media "sensationalism" hang their heads in shame? Hardly. [23]

Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Bin Abdul-Aziz, Jeddeh 1993: "I summon my blue-eyed slaves anytime it pleases me. I command the Americans to send me their bravest soldiers to die for me. Anytime I clap my hands a stupid genie called the American ambassador appears to do my bidding. When the Americans die in my service their bodies are frozen in metal boxes by the US Embassy and American airplanes carry them away, as if they never existed. Truly, America is my favorite slave." [24]

In 2006 Arab "Youths” Kick Man to Death on Crowded Bus in Antwerp Belgium [25].

Anti-Jewish

'Historical and Investigative Research' examins if Arab anti-Jewish racism in the first half of the 20th c. (that was marked already then with slaughtering of Jews with the racist shouting of Itbach al Yahud - kill the Jews) was fundamentally different from the European variety [26]. On March 1, 1944. the infamous Mufti: Amin Al-Husseini makes speech from Berlin addressing Muslim SS Nazi troops: “Kill the Jews wherever you find them. This pleases God, History and Religion. This saves your honor. God is with you.” [27].

The Arab league participated in Holocaust "denial" symposium [28]. Egypt has published a gross anti-Jewish TV extravaganza "Horse without Horseman" [29]. so is anti-Jewish Propaganda in Syrian and Hezbollah Media. [30] Memri Has been documenting the racism and antisemitism in the Arab world [31]. So does the ADL [32], Saudi Arabia bans Jewish visitors [33]. in 2003 Arabs Attack Jews on Board Jordanian Royal Air Flight. [34]. Pew's finding in 2005 found that in Muslim nations such as (even) in (moderate) Arab Jordan 100% viewed Jews unfavorably [35].

But it knows no borders, of the ADL's records that documents antisemitic attacks wordlwide [36], the larger portion of those listed since 2002 (to 2008) were attributed to Arabs, especially those in Europe, in a sport game in Chile, Non-Jewish Goldberg (mistaken for Jew) made headlines after fans of Palestino, a Chilean team set up by Palestinian Arabs hurled racial slurs, 'They called me J. garbage' [37]. The university of Columbia's investigation into charges of anti-Jewish intimidation by Arab professors [38] [39] there were charges (jn 2002) of militant Arabism in Canada's Concordia University.

A few examples in France: Already in October 2000 Jews threatened and shoved by Arabs outside O.Y. Synagogue in Paris (first of two incidents) [40], between 2000-2001 200 Arabs attacked Jews on the Champs Elysees [41], in March 2003 French Arab Muslims attack Jews in Paris in an "anti-war" march [42], in 2004 Six Arab youths attacked a twenty three year old young mother with her thirteen month old baby [43] in March 2006 Jews attacked in Paris suburbs by Arabs [44] in June 2008 Jewish Boy Attacked by Arab Muslim Mob in Paris [45], A 17-year-old French Jew Rudy Haddad attacked by North-Africans (Arabs) Jewish teen brutally beaten in apparent anti-Semitic attack in Paris, "[Sarkozy] assures the victim and his family of his support and renews his total determination to fight all forms of racism and anti-Semitism," said a statement from Sarkozy's office. A 23-year-old French Jew, Ilan Halimi, was found naked, tortured and covered in burns near Paris on February 13, 2006, after being held captive for three weeks. He died on the way to the hospital. The crime shocked France and raised fears of surging anti-Semitism among French Muslims. In February of this year, another Jewish teenager was tortured in the same town in which Halimi was killed, in yet another anti-Semitic attack. [46].

Roots and cause of Middle east conflict

Pundits explain that the conflict in the middle east Arabs Vs Israel (that started with racist massacers on Jews accompanied with the slogan "Itbach al Yahud - Kill the Jews" [47] already in the 1920's [48], through Hitler's buddy [49] the Mufti Mohammad Amin al-Husayni is just another Arab Muslim intolerance, the plight of Israel - being a minority in a majority hostile middle east. [50] [51] [52] And even progressive, left wingers in Israel realize that Arab racism must go, and that "There will be no peace around here before Arabs view Jews as human beings." [53], or as others have phrased it: Racism and Middle East Politics, As long as middle-eastern Arabs teach their children to hate Jews, there will be no lasting peace [54]. 'Facts and Logic About the Middle East' asks: Racism in the Islamic World How can peace prevail in the Middle East in the face of Islamic bigotry and hate? When will moderate Muslims speak out? [55], and the phenomenon of the new anti-Semitism which demonizes Jews and Israel alike, has fused itself with the "old" European anti Jewish bigotry [56]. Saddam Hussein's "Three Whom God Should Not Have Created: Persians, Jews, and Flies" [57] who also led a racist [58] genocide campaign [59] against the Kurds, coinsides with that in moments before his death, he shouted: 'Palestine is Arab', meaning only Arab. [60], as part of a culture of hatred, the racism that denies historic roots of the Jews to Israel [61].

Regarding the racist expulsion of 850,000 to 900,000 Jews from Arab countries [62] [63] the ethnic cleansing of the Jews [64], the UN Watch Mar 19, 2008 has raised the importance of Historic truth in: Testimony at the UN - "Racism and Historical Truth: Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands" [65].

On anti-Jewish racism's effect on clarity of the middle east, Interfaith Office Acknowledges (May 2008) Anti-Jewish Motifs and Stereotypes in Commentary About Arab-Israeli Conflict [66] and veteran historian of Islam and the Middle East Bernard Lewis is concerned that the “Arab strain of racism, untruths and hatred against Jews and Israel is not only more virulent than its European counterpart, but is not counterbalanced by true scholarship or competing reason.” As a result, he believes, attitudes and beliefs “long discredited in the modernity of western countries take root with gullible, impressionable Middle Eastern audiences from a pre-modern culture.” [67].

There's extensive research on 'Palestinian Anti-Semitism' [68], In its official media, the PA daily described: The Fable of the Holocaust [69], the JCPA elaborates About Anti-Semitism among Palestinian Authority Academics and how The Palestinian Authority's academic anti-Semitism has built an extensive case against Jewish existence [70] This Palestinian racism is particularly dangerous because this hatred of Jews is portrayed as the will of Allah. [71] The Arab-Palestinian racism of killing only Jews In Israel, for the sole reason of being Jewish. they target every Jew, regardless of his or her individual political views, and they apologize when they accidentally kill a non-Jew, regardless of his political view. [72]

Rachel Neuwirth Wrote "Judenrein Palestine?" about Arabs forcing Israel to remove Jews from their historic Judea and asks: Why can’t Jews live in their historic homeland if there really is peace? After all, there are 1.2 million Arabs living as citizens of Israel in the one Jewish country in the world, while there are only a handful of Jews living in any of the 22 Arab countries. In fact, in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, not only is it illegal for Jews to be citizens, they are not even allowed to live there. Therefore, she proves, instead of Israel being the "apartheid state" in the region, it is the Arab world that is not only apartheid, but also racist and religiously exclusive" [73].

Anti-African

Arab Racism against Black Africans [74] [75], Darfur is but one example of Arab racism toward non-Arabs within the broader Arab world [76]. In the New York Times June 5, 1988 about Libya's leader: Qaddafi is bringing a truly racist crusade against Chad and Africa, Chad's President, Hissen Habre, told [77]. blacks who live in Arab countries subject to racism, most Arabs refer to blacks as "Abed" which means "slave" in Arabic. [78]. Umarlee details it: “Ugly Black Women”, Perfect Arab Wives, and Matters of Race, Arab racism is not akin to American white racism. Let it be said that Arab racism is different from white (American) racism [79]. In an article in The Guardian 2008, titled 'A paler shade of black' a former Sudanese Arab described his growing up (by his family) as "superior" to blacks, that were referred to as "abd" (slave), yet when he moved to Saudi Arabia he found out that his Arabness didn't measure up, he wasn't Arab enough in Saudi Arabia's racist society. [80]

Eritreans in Egypt suffer from racism [81], in 2008 alone at least 20 Darfurian refugees (who tried to break free from Egypt's oppression into democratic Israel) have already died at the hands of Egyptian forces [82].

Palestinian-Arab Racism: Secretary of State Rice has been the subject of some vicious racial attacks [83] including an anti-black Racist Rice Cartoon in Palestinian Authority's controlled Press Al Quds 'Black spinster' label pinned on Condi Rice Palestinian media use racist terms including 'colored dark skin lady'[84] Condemned by Black Activists [85].

Genocide in Sudan

The Christian Science Monitor 2004 affirms that Racism is at root of Sudan's Darfur crisis [86], a writer at RaceandHistory.com calls it 'Arab Racism And Imperialism In Sudan' [87], Darfur crisis linked to Arab racism, Slavery [88]. and this genocide has been described as an example of Arab racism at its worst [89]. Sudanese decry the "Apology of racism", that some Sudanese people of Arabic origin consider themselves superior than the indigenous Sudanese [90]. Der Spiegel writes about the Janjaweed: Sudan's War within a War - regime that uses tribal conflicts and Arab racism [91]. Pundits of Sudan write about "Arab racism, Islamic bigotry and discriminatory practices are the most divisive issues in the Sudan" and its terrible effect, crimes on non-Arab Sudanese [92].

See also

• Arab Revolt
• Nasserism
• Arab nationalism
• Arab socialism
• United Arab Republic
• Arab Federation
• Federation of Arab Republics
• Arab Islamic Republic
• Arab Maghreb Union
• Pan-Arab colors
• Pan Arab Games

External links

• Arab Nationalism: Mistaken Identity by Martin Kramer