Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Quebec is a haven of peace: protect it from Islamic obscurantism, by Helios d'Alexandrie
Through a comment on the statement of Touhami Rachid Raffa submitted to the Commission Bouchard-Taylor in September 2007, Helios gives us his vision of the Quebec nation and its people. It describes the broader issues that mask the debate on religious accommodations, a tree that hides the forest. He talks about the reaction of politicians, media, courts and the people. He denounced lobbyists Muslims in derogatory speech to the Quebec people whose attitude "slamolucide" is marked by the legitimate concern to preserve its heritage and its values of peace and social harmony that try to disrupt the Islamists present for obscurantist Quebec. In fact, everything was going well in Quebec before the Islamists arrived. - Marc Lebuis
Commentary on the memory Touhami Rachid Raffa, by Helios d'Alexandrie
In the introduction to his brief filed last September in the commission Bouchard-Taylor, Touhami Rachid Raffa would like to link the issue of reasonable accommodations and that, quite alien to debate, the care and the integration of immigrants. It does not spare his criticism to the government and, even if the latter had better fulfill its role in this area, there is no reason that this review should automatically be spread on subjects which are not related.
Criticizing the government, the task of full responsibility, is easy but it is not provided a credible diagnosis of the situation. The failure to integrate have multiple causes, whose main concern people themselves. To ignore this reality is likely to déresponsabiliser those individuals and groups to which they belong.
The critic's function is free to deflect responsibility and the consequences of failure on society or the government, which feed a sense of collective guilt with respect to those who, with a time assistance, must learn to take care and adapt to their new environment. More government intervention will bring no solution is the empowerment of individuals is the key.
But critics also free function of asserting a very good account, the compassion of the author and his interest in the cause of immigrants who are struggling to integrate. It serves as a kind of card.
For the severe judgement as it relates to the Government in its introduction, TR Raffa gives a polemical tone in his memory. While recognizing, he asserts that his presence is "a proof of his sincere desire to make a small contribution to the reflections of two eminent intellectuals of the most credible and most respected who has been assigned a daunting task that some describe 'Impossible'. Raffa handles the censer with such dexterity that handles the verb, we take it for a court poet who praised the sultan. On the premise that it gives nothing for nothing, the flattery seems to provide the author to provide evidence of its sincerity far more tangible than its mere presence before the committee.
Hierarchy of rights
His genuflexion accomplished, Raffa committed in the heart of the matter which has no relation to the introduction to his memory. He expressed his concern about the idea dMune possible hierarchy of rights. At first glance it offers no detail on this point, but it is probably referring to possible conflicts between freedom of religion and gender equality, the latter concept would receive an interpretative clause in the charter of rights giving an precedence over freedom of religion.
Remaining in the wave, it favors without saying so clearly the status quo, citing the delicacy of the topic which he said is "difficult reducible to any hint of standardization and management."
The last provincial election
Then suddenly and without warning, he embarks on a long detour that away for a time of the hierarchy of rights and who engages on the ground accommodate religious and political events that preceded the last provincial election. Suddenly the obséquiosité given way to controversy and Raffa is sparing no attacks against the government, media, political parties and to the Committee on Human Rights. The Quebec people or rather, according to Raffa, "a fringe of the so-called majority population of Quebec strain" is seriously bullied.
To give an idea of your argument, it is worth mentioning these short excerpts: "Spirits stung (it means warmed), controversial and popular media, shameless media hype, confusing and difficult debate started on the language, bad faith, confusion inextricable , Emotional context, old feeling of being besieged, confused framework, bias on the part of government irresponsibility of the state, nationalist passions, xenophobic connotations, guilty silence, tension identity, (who) has slipped without control, historic reflex fear, operated with duplicity and shameless, populist party of the right marginal, and repeated attacks indiscriminately, Quebec society that is hard to tame statements and the expression of identity, Islamophobia and anti-Semitic feelings, sacrosanct gender equality ".
In short if you follow the reasoning of Raffa, the fringe of the so-called majority population of Quebec strain "suffering from chronic insecurity and growing a siege mentality, saw its old fears exacerbated by the media concerning religious accommodations harmless. Old identity reflexes were then put in motion, leading to an uncontrolled skid where nationalist passions, racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are expressed without restraint, and that the government failed, unable or unwilling contain or stop in time and that a populist political party and (horror!) right has managed, not without hypocrisy, to exploit to his advantage! The emotionalism and irrationality of Quebec did impact on Raffa? I could not stop myself from reading his memory to think about the parable of the straw and the beam.
The Quebec and their government are invited to recognize in this caricature, at least Quebeckers committee members must be convinced that it represents reality. To achieve its goal Raffa is absolutely necessary to put the people of Quebec off; this fringe of the so-called majority population of Quebec strain "which presents such an attitude and such behaviour does not merit being taken into account in decisions Equally important on accommodations and… the religious hierarchy of rights! QED.
Praise the status quo
The rest of his memory is a ode to the status quo. We must not affect the dynamics of accommodations and let the judges decide on a case by case indefinitely. The hierarchy of rights is a very bad idea because a law (the religious) can not be less than another (the right to equality of the sexes).
Raffa protests against what he calls the "sacrosanct gender equality." In believe it is a disruptive element, a dog that would launch in the bowling religious accommodations. Those or rather those who are advocating a kind of religious fundamentalists, they are gender equality an icon! The fact that this notion is of course also fundamental equality of citizens before the law does not appear to have retained his attention. Finally, it is not the Islamic veil in all its variations, the imposition of the veil for girls non-pubères, premises for prayer, separate pools, cafeterias halal, the requirements of all kinds in the field of medical care And in child care that deserve to be described as sacrosanct, but the notion of gender equality!
For the commissioners whose mandate is to collect the views of Quebec, Raffa went to say not to listen to Quebec! This is probably at this level that is the unease felt he says facing the mandate of the commission. In other words, it does not recognize the validity of the commission and still less any conclusion which would be based on the opinions expressed with the exception of those who agree with his.
Gérard Bouchard who is a historian and belongs to the fringe of the so-called majority population of Quebec strain "is left to count. It is useful, given the tone and content of memory, put things in terms of history, if only to restore the facts and make the people of Quebec what it deserves.
Algerian-Quebecers and Canadians
But before discussing the topic I would like to emphasize that TR Raffa, in his memory, identified as Algerian-Quebec and Canada. His Algerian identity and its ties with Algeria are present as well must be present to his memory the tragic events in Algeria has experienced over the past twenty years. The killings and abuses of all kinds had both political causes and religious causes. In turn, the Islamists and state security murdered without mercy on poor villagers and urban disarmed. The results of the slaughter: beyond a hundred thousand killed. Such an "Algerian" (Islamist) "resolve problems" is perhaps one reason why he left Algeria and immigrated to Quebec, it is he remembered when he wrote his memory? One thing is certain, many Quebec confronted with requests for religious accommodations remember the causes of these massacres and all the massacres, which until this day, are perpetrated in the name of Islam.
Quebecers: a democratic and peaceful people
If we had only one adjective to describe the people of Quebec, it would choose peaceful. Its history over the past four centuries is disappointing for those who bear an interest in armed conflicts. From the battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, the crisis of October 1970 through revolt patriots in 1830, Quebec has seen very few conflicts. Those of its young people who died in combat fell on the battlefields of Europe during the two major global conflicts. We owe them our freedom to party.
The Quebec have so abhor the violence that any organization or political party who take leaves can be found quickly without support and completely rejected by the population, is the sort experienced by the FLQ after the assassination of Pierre Laporte in 1970. Two referendums on the national question have been held, and although Quebeckers were politically divided over their future, no violence is coming undermine the popular consultation process. That one of 1995 was decided by a very narrow margin, yet the disappointment of the losers has caused or riot or demonstration.
The democratic traditions of Quebec are well entrenched, they go back to the eighteenth century. The country has known no coup d'etat or dictatorship. During the last century it has hosted a large number of immigrants many of whom came from the Middle East. These people are well integrated into the country and the population even if initially they did not speak french. The itinerant trader Syrian or Lebanese, from village to village offering household fabrics and things were very much alive in the memories of grandmothers Quebec, there is barely thirty years, yet spoke with affection and nostalgia.
Arab Presence in Canada
In his book very well documented: "The Arab presence in Canada," published in 1981, Baha Abu Laban, doctor of philosophy and sociology professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, relate to page 107, and I quote "At the beginning, the Arab hawkers were mainly attracted by Quebec because, according to our respondents older, unlike the English Canadians, Canadians french were nice and friendly, they showed less arrogance. One of our respondents spoke for many when he told his fellow as follows its debut in the hawking at the beginning of the century: I can not express the gratitude and friendship for Canadians french. I remember many instances where I could not go home at night, either because of long distances or a snowstorm. At that time, roads were not plowed. I knock at the first door that I met and asked hospitality. Je ne parlais ni l’anglais ni le français. I spoke only English or french. At any time, they were pleased to help me." And the author adds: "This feeling of sympathy for the Canadian french, and the fact that Montreal is a port city and a center of commerce may explain the constant increase in size and importance of the colony in Arabic Quebec. "
In addition to Gagnon, Rivard, Thériault and Tremblay, small towns in Quebec from 1882 hosting of Aboud, Assal, Bounadere, and Khalil. Among these last several made fortunes thanks to their work and their business sense without causing among Quebeckers no negative sentiment. The secret of this friendliness is very little, people lived together, that's all! But there is another point and it should not be neglected. The Quebec are curious when they meet someone who comes by the way, that is why they can not help but ask him what country he comes from, but they never inquired of his religion.
Having themselves suffered colonization and have colonized person, Quebeckers do not morbid sense of guilt towards the Third World countries. They have shown solidarity with the peoples who have obtained their independence while noting in many instances, the emergence after the decolonization of leftist dictatorships whose most notable achievement was to loot, and impoverish the délabrer countries on which they ruled. "The proverbial ignorance" of Quebec on international issues is a myth which has a tough life. From the fifties emissions such as "Focus" and "Format sixty" got ratings listening very high. The communicators the most knowledgeable and brightest such as René Lévesque, Andre Payette and the inspired Pierre Nadeau.
Distrust face of Islam
It is because they are familiar with the situation in Islamic countries that Quebeckers are rightly very cautious in everything related to Islam. Their flair rarely the wrong, even when it comes to missed their elites. To observe and draw conclusions from what we see is easy for whom a good eye and did not suffer prejudice or mental block. This is what ordinary Quebeckers whose collective behaviour so reflects their desire for change but continuity, especially smooth and without violence.
The thrust of Islamic world after the first oil shock was seen in Quebec since the advent of Khomeini in Iran. The assassination of Sadat by Islamists followed shortly unrest in Iran. Since then, it does not happen a week without the Islamic fanaticism does about him. From the Salman Rushdie affair in the assassination of Theo Van Gogh, taking power of the Taliban attacks of September 11, news had ceased to show the bloody events which radical Islam has been blamed. Alongside these events, the ordinary citizen observed a phenomenon no less disturbing that a theater for Islamic countries. The thrust of Islamism in countries like Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Thailand is invariably associated with intolerance and violence against non-Muslims. The repression and violence also reached the progressive or modernist Muslims, particularly artists, thinkers and journalists (this phenomenon has been particularly active in Algeria and Egypt). The correlation between the strict observance of Islam and intolerance against another is very high wherever Islam has succeeded in winning a significant number of followers.
Status of Women
But that's not all, Quebeckers and more the Quebec have found that this surge of Islamism is a worrying deterioration of the status of women. The claim of the veil by some Muslim women (activists) is an attempt sewn white wire to divert attention from the distressing situation affecting women in Islamic countries. The UN report on social development in countries of the Middle East could not be more eloquent. Where women are oppressed, relegated to household chores, forced to hide, few in public spaces, social development is at its lowest. This phenomenon associated with the absence of democracy is responsible for this stagnation and even regression of the Arab and Muslim countries.
The example of European countries
Last but not least, the example of European countries made with an immigration uncontrolled and poorly integrated from Islamic countries is enough to incite caution anyone with judgement. The desire not to repeat the example of the United Kingdom, Belgium and Holland, besides that of France, is more legitimate and should be credited to Quebec.
That is why attempts by Islamists to reproduce earthen Quebec and Canada the same scenario they managed to impose on Muslim countries and Europe, faced as much resistance on the part of Quebec. This resistance is not only legitimate, it is also beneficial.
That is why everything must be done to prevent the Islamists to impose their program. It is our future as the peaceful nature of our society. The debate on religious accommodations or on the hierarchy of rights serves as a screen to more fundamental issues, it is sort of the tree that hides the forest. Islamism seeks to impose itself on spare parts that would later be collected to build a wall separating Muslims from non-Muslims. It is useless to discuss how best to respond to requests for accommodations. Whatever the honourable compromise that the host society will strive to find, it will never be regarded as definitive, the Islamists will use as a springboard, or at best a new starting point.
Progress of radical Islam in Quebec
The inclusive and pluralistic society that Quebeckers have established for decades is threatened by the rise of Islamism in Quebec. The Quebec strain is not the only ones to say, the vast majority of immigrants, including Muslims say the same thing. Those who come from the Middle East and who fled oppression Islamist are well placed to detect signs which do not hide: the veil in all its variations, the imposition of the veil for girls non-pubères, premises for prayer , Separate pools, cafeterias halal, the requirements of all kinds in the field of medical care and child care, sermons in mosques hate, hate literature imported Arabia, honour killings, assassinations because apostasy and proved the presence of jihadists are all indicators of the progress of radical Islam.
In this context, it is not surprising that provincial elections in spring 2007 have caused "surprises". Several factors have contributed to the results, including dissatisfaction with the outgoing government and doubts about the ability of the head of the official opposition to fulfil the mandate of prime minister.
Hérouxville and elections
However, the Hérouxville factor has played a significant role. Against a small municipality that had the courage to define what its inhabitants do not want to, the reaction of media and elites has proved to be derogatory. There have been few voices were raised to recall that the gesture of hérouxvillois reported a real concern, but they were drowned in the flood of accusations of racism. Politicians, with the exception of outgoing prime minister who has been condescending, preferred discretion. The leader of the ADQ had merely repeating what some columnists have said while stressing the fact that immigrants have a duty to integrate respecting the culture of the host society. In this position he was dealing with Jean-Marie Lepen of Quebec!
The Hérouxville event has proved important in the eyes of Quebec because he uncovered the inability of the major parties and elites to acknowledge the threat that radical Islam poses to society. Rarely has the divide between the people and those who claim to represent him has been so blatant. This factor largely explains the postponement of hundreds of thousands of votes in favour of the ADQ. The people of Quebec has indicated in the polls for its refusal of political correctness when it prevents the government to cope with problems.
The Quebeckers are known for their collective wisdom when it comes time to launch a powerful message, they have done democratically and peacefully as they have the habit of doing so. The government regularly lends an ear to the complacent pressure groups was called to order: it is the people which is the source of power and not the representatives more or less self-certain groups of citizens.
Legitimate concerns
The Quebeckers in the many briefs they submitted to the commission Bouchard-Taylor frankly explained their concerns regarding Islamism. They did not fail to emphasize the commissioners their fears that immigrants in Quebec to import the serious troubles that afflict their country of origin. Can we say that these legitimate concerns were taken seriously? In fact, despite the unequivocal warning served by Quebeckers in the polls, the government finds it very difficult to take note of the situation. It continues to set its eyes on the tree (the religious accommodations) behind which hides the forest (radical Islam).
It is both surprising and gratifying to see how the people is more insightful than its elites. The think-on, even the judges of the Supreme Court do not come, in terms of common sense, the kingpin of the ordinary citizen. Seeking to settle on some requests for religious accommodations, our brave judges have chosen to rely solely on test of the sincerity of the applicant. That, they say, not to find themselves caught in the skein contradictory interpretations and not set itself up as religious courts because of their incompetence in the matter. This reasoning apparently flawless suffers from a defect of the most profound: the test of sincerity is entirely subjective and does not take into account the context of the applicant. In terms of religious belief, Buddhist and Islamic placed on the same footing, they are accepted as sincere, but the first for a spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the second Osama bin Laden!
Given the close correlation between the strict observance and religious intolerance should be openly acknowledge this reality. The impasse mental and self-censorship are only push forward the confrontation of the problem while the amplifying. A very narrow legalistic attitude has so far prevailed. It is also defended by all those who have no interest in change, but it is contrary to the general interest. No one from the Islamists has interest in seeing the look Quebec in Lebanon or Bosnia. That is why the most basic wisdom requires that we take as soon as possible preventive measures and this is certainly not giving more and more religious accommodations that will succeed in avoiding disaster.
CONCLUSION
The brief filed by Touhami Rachid Raffa the commission Bouchard-Taylor is derogatory in respect of Quebec. Its author is showing arrogance and contempt for the society that has welcomed and gave it all constitutional rights including the bashing in a public forum. Do not dislike him, Quebeckers are a people and Quebec is a nation and not as he defined as "a fringe of the so-called majority population of Quebec strain."
The people of Quebec since 1882 hosts and integrates immigrants from the Middle East, they are Jews Christians and Muslims. Everything was going well until the arrival of Islamic fundamentalism. This religious ideology obscurantist and retrograde is a source of problems wherever it seeks to relocate and expand.
It is good to live in Quebec! Of all the countries that is probably the one who most deserves to be known as a haven of peace. These good ancestors Quebec (and j'inclue here Aboud, Assal, Bounadere, Khalil and all other originating in the Middle East and elsewhere) we have conveyed this deposit which is also a priceless treasure. Will we sacrifice on the altar of religious obscurantism?
Helios d’Alexandrie Helios Alexandria
Labels: Québec
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