"The
damage has been done. The Muslim world is in turmoil and demonstrations
knowingly kindled by the fundamentalists are multiplying. … This unwholesome
agitation around that fateful date is revealing. It shows that 'September 11'
is still poisoning international relations. How could it be otherwise?"
It's
always with apprehension that we await the sad anniversary of September 11,
2001. First, because terrorist groups might "commemorate" the day with
new attacks. Then, especially this year, because of the odious conduct of some,
amid a climate of fear and hatred, which is "justified" by the deviance
that infects all religions, whether it's Christianity, Islam or Judaism.
Witness the "Burn the Quran" operation organized by an obscure
self-proclaimed pastor in Florida.
The
fact that this man, who claims to be "of God," has finally (although it
remains to be seen ...) renounced his plans changes nothing. The damage has
been done. The Muslim world is in turmoil and demonstrations knowingly kindled
by the fundamentalists are multiplying, fanned by slogans lumping together the
United States, the West and Christianity, not to mention the "Zionist
plot" that features in every rant of Iranian President Ahmadinejad ...
The
most incredible - and incomprehensible - part of this whole affair, is the
media coverage of the isolated act of a guru of a sect in a largely unknown
small town. Already, there have been a few beautiful souls that have found in
this a pretext to denounce "Islamophobia" in the United States,
undoubtedly forgetting that the construction of mosques - to say nothing of
minarets - is especially problematic in Europe. And unfortunately, it is in
Europe that Jewish and Muslim tombs are regularly desecrated.
Nevertheless,
this unwholesome agitation around that fateful date is revealing. It shows that
"September 11" is still poisoning international relations. How could
it be otherwise? The conflict in Afghanistan has as its direct origin in the twin
attack on Manhattan. It has gotten bogged down and become a political disaster
for the United States and its allies. Neighboring Pakistan, prey to anarchy and
terrorism, is undoubtedly sheltering the al-Qaeda leadership. The
"crusade" (according to George W. Bush) in Iraq to oust Saddam
Hussein, control the oil and, by the way, establish democracy, has resulted in
a bloody stalemate. And since 2001, Iran, a theocracy that applies Sharia Law
even to the point of stoning, has strengthened itself by entering the circle of
nuclear powers. As for Islamic terrorist groups, they have spread from
Indonesia to Africa ...
From
a purely security standpoint, Americans and Europeans have probably learned the
necessary lessons - despite some flaws - from the attacks in New York, London
and Madrid.
