Middle East-North Africa: Secularism Vs. Hypocrisy And Doublethink
- NEWS
- 08/16/12
Washington / Morocco News Board--- At a Conference in Ontario, Canada, Mr. Ahmed Benchemsi, Moroccan Journalist and Stanford Visiting Scholar, spoke about the challenges the people and the secularist movements confront in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).He appealed for what he called “secularism from within” to replace the hypocrisy and doublethink that defines what people across the Arab world understand themselves to be.
He described how Muslims who live by modern secular values are an under-discussed reality in the MENA region, where people are compelled to mentally divorce how they actually live from how they believe people ought to live.
Across the MENA region - despite laws prohibiting everything from premarital sex to alcohol consumption - a powerful sub-culture practices these activities while suffering from a overwhelming sense of guilt for not living up to the ideals encoded in their laws.
So how does a culture live with these contradictions? Benchemsi answered that it is done through an “insane internal dialogue by which Islam is not the defining paradigm of these societies - hypocrisy is.”
From Benchemsi’s experience, the best way this region can overcome this schizophrenic internal monologue is by authentically describing the present - he describes this concept as “secularism from within.” In other words, they should describe the lives they live, expunge the guilt felt for breaking and disobeying unrealistic rules, and adopt the label of secularism to cultivate the individual freedom that is inextricable from democracy.
He concluded that secularism from within is really honesty from within. He believes that is what young seculars should begin practicing, for “a society based on lying and cheating is not sustainable in the long term”. Honesty is a revolutionary force. If secularists can label and practice honesty, who knows? They might win.
Article and Video previously posted at ahmedbenchemsi.com.
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Comments (14)
-1
#1
RE: Middle East-North Africa: Secularism Vs. Hypocrisy And Doublethink —
2012-08-17 06:21
This phenomenon or behavior exists purely because there is no freedom and self determination in all Arab and thus muslim societies. It starts from the government who feels it has to decide how one should practice his or her believes and to deter people acting different as desired there are several penal codes like 222. But not only a state apparatus is at fault here, also the mentality of a large part of the people themself are still feeling the need to interfere with others who are not practicing hypocricy but do what they say and think. Fear uncertainty and doubt that comes not only from poor or no education at all is the root cause according to me.
Ideology is the 3 headed monster consisting of " Doctrine, believe and ritual"
( Hegel’s subdivision of religion into three categories. Similarly, a doctrine, ritual and belief.)
Ideology is the 3 headed monster consisting of " Doctrine, believe and ritual"
( Hegel’s subdivision of religion into three categories. Similarly, a doctrine, ritual and belief.)
0
#2
WHY? —
2012-08-17 08:10
I don't really understand why some poeple try hard to put Morocco and Algeira in the same arab bag?
We are Berber AMAZIGH in Morocco first.
And yes we need laws to protect liberties, stop these lies about religion. the king is the prince of faithfuls in Morocco and he is the owner of the biggest alcohol production company in the country, his subsiday in Indonisia is the owner of gambling casinos in morocco.... and goes on and on
We are Berber AMAZIGH in Morocco first.
And yes we need laws to protect liberties, stop these lies about religion. the king is the prince of faithfuls in Morocco and he is the owner of the biggest alcohol production company in the country, his subsiday in Indonisia is the owner of gambling casinos in morocco.... and goes on and on
+5
#3
RE: Middle East-North Africa: Secularism Vs. Hypocrisy And Doublethink —
2012-08-17 13:08
Thanks MB for bringing this article/video to life. This is in my opinion something worth a debate not some “hammamish” cheap talk.
Bref, I enjoyed watching the clip, I just like the audience got little laughter, and I even enjoyed Ahmed sarcasm when speaking to “Paul” who thinks that
all Muslims are born the same and just because you are Muslim you are automatically placed in the list of the no good people.
Even though Secularists were the ones starting the Arab spring, Ahmed thinks that Islamists were more successful because they were much more organized and have a doctrine.
I somewhat agree with the first argument, the islamists were much more organized, they have been trying to get the helm of power for more than 8 decades, and they have failed because the west
has always supported the dictators and offered them the might to crush them. It is not simply a question of organization; I have to add the maturity. The Arab spring is constituted by a very young individuals, I have no firm data
but it looks like the median age is about 24 years old whereas the Islamists were much older and therefore much more experienced.
As for the secularists not owning a doctrine, isn’t democracy a doctrine on its own? The problem is the way we see and define democracy is not the same. For instance, many see that the king of Morocco still getting paid from our tax Dirhams
Even though his is the richest man in Morocco is still democracy. Isn’t he the commander of the faithful and deserves every billion?
Ahmed painted the picture as secularists vs Islamists and nothing in between. I say not so fast. I would argue that most Moroccans are somewhat is between and we cannot talk about the latter two without mentioning who I perceive to be the majority.
You don’t have to have a firm data, look around, look into your own family, some of them pray, others like to enjoy red wine, others are obscurantists and think Music is haram, and let’s not forget the Facebook”ers”. After all how many Moroccans
only remember to pray only during the month of Ramadan? Those are for sure not Islamists or secularists. They find it very hard to ignore religion but at the same time they find it very hard to be religious. Unless something has dramatically changed in Morocco
in the last 20 years, I think most Moroccans are between Lebanon in the 60’s and Saudi Arabia now if you know what I mean. Not too open and not too stiff. Bin ou bin as we say.
One thing for sure, the Arab spring was never about religion, it was about jobs, end of corruption and hogra as my Algerian friends like to call it, and dignified living. All of a sudden the power got transferred to the beardoes.
It happened so fast that no one right now including the beardos themselves know how it happened, unless you think back and realize the speed by which M6 and his elite smacked the the F20 movement with his sham constitution.
Lastly, Moroccans are some grateful that what happened in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt has not happened in Morocco, especially when they see that nothing has changed so far, except that have new Islamist in town who is too afraid
To speak his mind. Let’s not forget that M6 was a genius, he handed the social issues to Benkirane who obviously cannot do a thing to raise money to work o his agenda that he promised the voters except raising the price of fuel which in turn will raise the price of other amenities
And he even went as far as terminating free tuition for university students and the king and his elite are sitting pretty laughing their rear off at this so called PJD.
No wonder everyone in Morocco live and die by the slogan “long live the king”.
Bref, I enjoyed watching the clip, I just like the audience got little laughter, and I even enjoyed Ahmed sarcasm when speaking to “Paul” who thinks that
all Muslims are born the same and just because you are Muslim you are automatically placed in the list of the no good people.
Even though Secularists were the ones starting the Arab spring, Ahmed thinks that Islamists were more successful because they were much more organized and have a doctrine.
I somewhat agree with the first argument, the islamists were much more organized, they have been trying to get the helm of power for more than 8 decades, and they have failed because the west
has always supported the dictators and offered them the might to crush them. It is not simply a question of organization; I have to add the maturity. The Arab spring is constituted by a very young individuals, I have no firm data
but it looks like the median age is about 24 years old whereas the Islamists were much older and therefore much more experienced.
As for the secularists not owning a doctrine, isn’t democracy a doctrine on its own? The problem is the way we see and define democracy is not the same. For instance, many see that the king of Morocco still getting paid from our tax Dirhams
Even though his is the richest man in Morocco is still democracy. Isn’t he the commander of the faithful and deserves every billion?
Ahmed painted the picture as secularists vs Islamists and nothing in between. I say not so fast. I would argue that most Moroccans are somewhat is between and we cannot talk about the latter two without mentioning who I perceive to be the majority.
You don’t have to have a firm data, look around, look into your own family, some of them pray, others like to enjoy red wine, others are obscurantists and think Music is haram, and let’s not forget the Facebook”ers”. After all how many Moroccans
only remember to pray only during the month of Ramadan? Those are for sure not Islamists or secularists. They find it very hard to ignore religion but at the same time they find it very hard to be religious. Unless something has dramatically changed in Morocco
in the last 20 years, I think most Moroccans are between Lebanon in the 60’s and Saudi Arabia now if you know what I mean. Not too open and not too stiff. Bin ou bin as we say.
One thing for sure, the Arab spring was never about religion, it was about jobs, end of corruption and hogra as my Algerian friends like to call it, and dignified living. All of a sudden the power got transferred to the beardoes.
It happened so fast that no one right now including the beardos themselves know how it happened, unless you think back and realize the speed by which M6 and his elite smacked the the F20 movement with his sham constitution.
Lastly, Moroccans are some grateful that what happened in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt has not happened in Morocco, especially when they see that nothing has changed so far, except that have new Islamist in town who is too afraid
To speak his mind. Let’s not forget that M6 was a genius, he handed the social issues to Benkirane who obviously cannot do a thing to raise money to work o his agenda that he promised the voters except raising the price of fuel which in turn will raise the price of other amenities
And he even went as far as terminating free tuition for university students and the king and his elite are sitting pretty laughing their rear off at this so called PJD.
No wonder everyone in Morocco live and die by the slogan “long live the king”.
+8
#4
THIS IS AN EXEMPLE —
2012-08-17 20:42
Maroc : Benkirane et le #Benkishow, de la gouaille à la gaffe
Jusqu'à récemment, ses bons mots faisaient mouche. Seulement voilà : à force de tirer sur la ficelle, Abdelilah Benkirane finit par déraper. Et par lasser son auditoire.
« Dieu pardonne ce qui est passé, mais celui qui récidive, Dieu le punira. » En faisant « fièrement » de cette citation du Coran le slogan de sa politique de lutte contre la corruption, Abdelilah Benkirane a provoqué l'ire de la société civile marocaine . Non démentie par la suite, cette amnistie générale qui ne dit pas son nom tranche avec le discours d'hier, quand son Parti de la justice et du développement (PJD) faisait campagne - et remportait les élections - sur le terrain de cette même lutte anticorruption.
Dans une longue interview accordée à l'émission Sans limites d'Al-Jazira, diffusée en deux parties le 25 juillet et le 1er août, Benkirane a multiplié les gaffes et les passes d'armes avec Ahmed Mansour, le présentateur vedette de la chaîne qatarie, justifiant son refus d'une « chasse aux sorcières » (en français dans l'interview) par les différences culturelles entre le Maroc et les pays du Machrek. Sur internet sont apparus ces derniers jours des montages vidéo soulignant ce virage rhétorique à 180 degrés. Même revirement s'agissant des rapports du chef du gouvernement avec l'entourage royal. Alors qu'en mars 2011 le tribun réclamait sans ambages le départ de Mounir Majidi et de Fouad Ali El Himma, respectivement secrétaire particulier et conseiller politique du roi Mohammed VI , Benkirane s'est refusé sur Al-Jazira à donner des noms, basculant de l'opprobre à la louange : « Je ne parle pas de l'entourage du roi. Il y a parmi [ses] proches des personnes de grande valeur. »
Chignon
Le leader islamiste est apparu sur la défensive. Quand le journaliste lui demande si toutes les nominations relèvent de ses prérogatives, il répond d'abord oui, hésite, puis se tourne vers une personne hors champ (qu'on devine être Abdellah Baha, le numéro deux du gouvernement), qui lui souffle la bonne réponse : « Sauf les emplois religieux et militaires. » Et le chef du gouvernement s'agace à chaque fois que l'intervieweur le relance : « Laissez-moi parler », « Vous n'êtes qu'un simple journaliste »... La discussion tourne à la joute verbale, jusqu'à cette réplique d'anthologie : « Je suis là pour gérer les affaires de l'État, pas pour me crêper le chignon comme les femmes au hammam. » Elles apprécieront...
Salué pour sa gouaille bonhomme après son accession au gouvernement à la fin de 2011, Benkirane commence-t-il à lasser ? Sur Twitter, beaucoup de ceux qui, sans voter pour le PJD, lui accordaient le bénéfice du doute ont rivalisé de critiques sur le #Benkishow.
Maroc : Benkirane et le #Benkishow, de la gouaille à la gaffe
Jusqu'à récemment, ses bons mots faisaient mouche. Seulement voilà : à force de tirer sur la ficelle, Abdelilah Benkirane finit par déraper. Et par lasser son auditoire.
« Dieu pardonne ce qui est passé, mais celui qui récidive, Dieu le punira. » En faisant « fièrement » de cette citation du Coran le slogan de sa politique de lutte contre la corruption, Abdelilah Benkirane a provoqué l'ire de la société civile marocaine . Non démentie par la suite, cette amnistie générale qui ne dit pas son nom tranche avec le discours d'hier, quand son Parti de la justice et du développement (PJD) faisait campagne - et remportait les élections - sur le terrain de cette même lutte anticorruption.
Dans une longue interview accordée à l'émission Sans limites d'Al-Jazira, diffusée en deux parties le 25 juillet et le 1er août, Benkirane a multiplié les gaffes et les passes d'armes avec Ahmed Mansour, le présentateur vedette de la chaîne qatarie, justifiant son refus d'une « chasse aux sorcières » (en français dans l'interview) par les différences culturelles entre le Maroc et les pays du Machrek. Sur internet sont apparus ces derniers jours des montages vidéo soulignant ce virage rhétorique à 180 degrés. Même revirement s'agissant des rapports du chef du gouvernement avec l'entourage royal. Alors qu'en mars 2011 le tribun réclamait sans ambages le départ de Mounir Majidi et de Fouad Ali El Himma, respectivement secrétaire particulier et conseiller politique du roi Mohammed VI , Benkirane s'est refusé sur Al-Jazira à donner des noms, basculant de l'opprobre à la louange : « Je ne parle pas de l'entourage du roi. Il y a parmi [ses] proches des personnes de grande valeur. »
Chignon
Le leader islamiste est apparu sur la défensive. Quand le journaliste lui demande si toutes les nominations relèvent de ses prérogatives, il répond d'abord oui, hésite, puis se tourne vers une personne hors champ (qu'on devine être Abdellah Baha, le numéro deux du gouvernement), qui lui souffle la bonne réponse : « Sauf les emplois religieux et militaires. » Et le chef du gouvernement s'agace à chaque fois que l'intervieweur le relance : « Laissez-moi parler », « Vous n'êtes qu'un simple journaliste »... La discussion tourne à la joute verbale, jusqu'à cette réplique d'anthologie : « Je suis là pour gérer les affaires de l'État, pas pour me crêper le chignon comme les femmes au hammam. » Elles apprécieront...
Salué pour sa gouaille bonhomme après son accession au gouvernement à la fin de 2011, Benkirane commence-t-il à lasser ? Sur Twitter, beaucoup de ceux qui, sans voter pour le PJD, lui accordaient le bénéfice du doute ont rivalisé de critiques sur le #Benkishow.
-3
#5
Not the whole story —
2012-08-17 22:45
As a person who met Benchemsi few years ago and knows many journalists who worked with him and for him, I always doubted the critics that were directed against him. Yet, here's the bad news. It's not what you think. There is something that Benchemsi forgot on his notes: Opportunism. I was so confused and having hard time to understand the very poor, simplistic, narrowed, yet disappointing explanation to the reasons of the outcome of what he called the Arab Spring. Mr. Benchemsi needs to go little back to history and gathered more information to understand why we see what we see now. Furthermore, I just don't see the relationship between Benchemsi's Main Topic in his presentation and what he focused primarily on. By the way, I like Moroccan wine too, just not to get it wrong in case you read my comments. Thanks.
Joseph Delasalle
j.delasalle75
gmail.com
Joseph Delasalle
j.delasalle75
gmail.com
+3
#6
RE: Middle East-North Africa: Secularism Vs. Hypocrisy And Doublethink —
2012-08-17 23:25
I think it would be a mistake to blame Benkirane for what is happening in Morocco.
Benkirane and co are used to run mosques instead of governments. These guys are basically a toy of M6 and his shadow government, M6 could not help himself and made sure to place the PJD government on the spot during his last speech knowing very well that this government is helpless to do a diddly-squat. M6 ordered his previous government to spend every riyal in the coffers on subsidies to save his throne from what was going to end up as a revolution and not an evolution as many were led to believe, now SURPRIIIIISE!!! ! the PJD gov has no money to spend, their solution is to raise fuel price and charge tuition, which is of course the worst thing to do. HHAHHAHAHAHA, very clever hun?
Of course this is exactly the opposite of what they promised, adding to their misery Europe is going through austerity plans and spending/donati ng less and less to Morocco.
Who is looking good now inaugurating few local mini schools here and there. you guessed it, the KING.
Now of course everyone will blame Benkirane who is a teacher by profession and not life saver.
Let me just summarize it by saying that no government ever can change a thing in Morocco, it is impossible, it is not in the benefit of the king for the government to succeed. If the gov succeed people will eventually start asking: what do we need this king for?
Benkirane and co are used to run mosques instead of governments. These guys are basically a toy of M6 and his shadow government, M6 could not help himself and made sure to place the PJD government on the spot during his last speech knowing very well that this government is helpless to do a diddly-squat. M6 ordered his previous government to spend every riyal in the coffers on subsidies to save his throne from what was going to end up as a revolution and not an evolution as many were led to believe, now SURPRIIIIISE!!! ! the PJD gov has no money to spend, their solution is to raise fuel price and charge tuition, which is of course the worst thing to do. HHAHHAHAHAHA, very clever hun?
Of course this is exactly the opposite of what they promised, adding to their misery Europe is going through austerity plans and spending/donati ng less and less to Morocco.
Who is looking good now inaugurating few local mini schools here and there. you guessed it, the KING.
Now of course everyone will blame Benkirane who is a teacher by profession and not life saver.
Let me just summarize it by saying that no government ever can change a thing in Morocco, it is impossible, it is not in the benefit of the king for the government to succeed. If the gov succeed people will eventually start asking: what do we need this king for?
+3
#7
RE: Middle East-North Africa: Secularism Vs. Hypocrisy And Doublethink —
2012-08-18 10:45
Joseph,
I don't know if yourself meeting the author and his staff has anything to do with his talk. It is ridiculous to think that just because you met someone therefore you are entitled to have the right story. You mentioned Opportunism, Actually the author did mention that Islamists that ate now in the government used Opportunism to get to power, if you want to call it power, i don't, Power is and will always reside with the king. The F20 did all the work, forced the king to "share" some of his power with the PJD. None of us have seen the PJD demonstrating but look who is on top now? for sure not the F20 or al adl wal ihsan who were marching on a daily basis, if that's not Opportunism , i don't know what it is.
Besides, I am not sure that the author could have spoken on every single point on his mind in 30 minutes speech.
In a talk, your time is redetermined, you chose a main topic and you stick with it, I am sure that if you go back and you sit with him, he will actually agree with you that some were opportunistic during what everyone calls the Arab Spring and not just the author.
The King was opportunistic as well, he changed the constitution leading people to believe that change in the air, of course it would be foolish to think that is the truth.
What I find impressive is that he has less than couple of years in the US and he is already leading talks in English.
Finally, little story about Moroccan wine, Back in the days one of our friends used to work in Meknes where wine is produced. He would witness and participate workers urinating on the the grapes just for fun, it's like in the US when hidden cameras caught Restaurant Servers spitting on food.
Next time you take sip, think about the Moroccan urine. :lol:
I don't know if yourself meeting the author and his staff has anything to do with his talk. It is ridiculous to think that just because you met someone therefore you are entitled to have the right story. You mentioned Opportunism, Actually the author did mention that Islamists that ate now in the government used Opportunism to get to power, if you want to call it power, i don't, Power is and will always reside with the king. The F20 did all the work, forced the king to "share" some of his power with the PJD. None of us have seen the PJD demonstrating but look who is on top now? for sure not the F20 or al adl wal ihsan who were marching on a daily basis, if that's not Opportunism , i don't know what it is.
Besides, I am not sure that the author could have spoken on every single point on his mind in 30 minutes speech.
In a talk, your time is redetermined, you chose a main topic and you stick with it, I am sure that if you go back and you sit with him, he will actually agree with you that some were opportunistic during what everyone calls the Arab Spring and not just the author.
The King was opportunistic as well, he changed the constitution leading people to believe that change in the air, of course it would be foolish to think that is the truth.
What I find impressive is that he has less than couple of years in the US and he is already leading talks in English.
Finally, little story about Moroccan wine, Back in the days one of our friends used to work in Meknes where wine is produced. He would witness and participate workers urinating on the the grapes just for fun, it's like in the US when hidden cameras caught Restaurant Servers spitting on food.
Next time you take sip, think about the Moroccan urine. :lol:
-3
#8
You need to read more into my comment —
2012-08-18 20:40
Dear Morcelli,
Please read more between my comment's lines. I don't think you got what I said. Your fast reaction shows that you need to spend sometime before you react. Trust me, It's good behavior to learn.Also,just a reminder, I said "I like Moroccan wine", and I didn't say I drink it.
Please read more between my comment's lines. I don't think you got what I said. Your fast reaction shows that you need to spend sometime before you react. Trust me, It's good behavior to learn.Also,just a reminder, I said "I like Moroccan wine", and I didn't say I drink it.
-2
#9
Stagnation or utter Destruction? —
2012-08-18 20:56
The Arab/Islamic world, as much as I hate to lump Morocco with the Loserstans out there, from the the Ocean to the Khber Pass, was built on very suspect foundations. Islam being the main one.
In my opinion.
So. Everything and everyone are your basic Hwalas being shepparded into the inchallah Boukra makinch Mushkil abattoir.
We don't actually say that in Morocco. The old IBM.
But thanks to the asphyxiating corruption inside the House of M6 and his evil father's blood-soaked legacy of keeping Moroccans as mahgorine and freedom-deprive d as sub-Saharan Chad or a Burkina Faso or any of them Africanistans
It sucks to be a Moroccan living in Morocco these days! If you're of a certain age, say 15 to 40, The hopelessness is unimaginable!
And YES! The King is RESPONSIBLE! The corrupt regime should and MUST END run its course of yesteryear of ARAB/MUSLIM dictatorship! Just like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya... Syria.
And whatever happens.
It's a pipe dream. I know.
In my opinion.
So. Everything and everyone are your basic Hwalas being shepparded into the inchallah Boukra makinch Mushkil abattoir.
We don't actually say that in Morocco. The old IBM.
But thanks to the asphyxiating corruption inside the House of M6 and his evil father's blood-soaked legacy of keeping Moroccans as mahgorine and freedom-deprive d as sub-Saharan Chad or a Burkina Faso or any of them Africanistans
It sucks to be a Moroccan living in Morocco these days! If you're of a certain age, say 15 to 40, The hopelessness is unimaginable!
And YES! The King is RESPONSIBLE! The corrupt regime should and MUST END run its course of yesteryear of ARAB/MUSLIM dictatorship! Just like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya... Syria.
And whatever happens.
It's a pipe dream. I know.
0
#10
The doctor's prescription —
2012-08-19 15:46
The bottom line is.,most of the arab populations are a psychologicaly damaged goods,if you examine them closely on modern standards basis,they all have different degree of schizophrenia, anxiety,add to that the religion virus factor ravaging the youth and the old brain alike ,and which compounded the problem resulting in a neurological disorder,making them act like sheep and becoming dumber and dumber by the day.honestly if they’re willing to go on living that way.they ought to take some oxycotton(oxyco ntin),or Prozac to numb themselves more than they already are.
-4
#11
Honesty, western way —
2012-08-20 11:59
What's unrealistic is the way Benchmisi describes the so-called democracies. No lying no cheating right? no hypocrisy right? These honest secular societies don't need any laws to govern their behaviors, right? They don't need laws to protect minors from honest secular adults, they don't need laws to restrict the use of certain drugs, they don't need laws that restrict certain speech, they don't need police forces or prisons to locked honest secular citizens, etc
Well I think It is Benchmisi who is not been very honest.
He is misleading us by pretending that all our problems will go away once we become "honest with ourselves", the western way of course!
Well I think It is Benchmisi who is not been very honest.
He is misleading us by pretending that all our problems will go away once we become "honest with ourselves", the western way of course!
+1
#12
There can be no democracy without secularism —
2012-08-20 17:14
Secularism is not an ideology against religion, nor it is a rejection of religion. Secularism is based on the fact that all people, regardless of their religious orientation, are equal. Without accepting this principle, it is not possible to consider people equal. Therefore, there can be no democracy without secularism.
Only under secularism can one free oneself from religious or sectarian mentalities, and as a consequence think and choose with his/her mind. What helped create the western modernity was first and foremost philosophy, a product of the mind. The prevailing culture in Morocco is based on stirring up emotions (i.e. Benkishow), instead of stimulating the mind. A mind is only a mind if it is critical.
“My people are going to learn the principles of democracy the dictates of truth and the teachings of science. Superstition must go. Let them worship as they will, every man can follow his own conscience provided it does not interfere with sane reason or bid him act against the liberty of his fellow men.”
― Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
“If I were a dictator, religion and state would be separate. I swear by my religion. I will die for it. But it is my personal affair. The state has nothing to do with it. The state would look after your secular welfare, health, communications, foreign relations, currency and so on, but not your or my religion. That is everybody's personal concern!”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Only under secularism can one free oneself from religious or sectarian mentalities, and as a consequence think and choose with his/her mind. What helped create the western modernity was first and foremost philosophy, a product of the mind. The prevailing culture in Morocco is based on stirring up emotions (i.e. Benkishow), instead of stimulating the mind. A mind is only a mind if it is critical.
“My people are going to learn the principles of democracy the dictates of truth and the teachings of science. Superstition must go. Let them worship as they will, every man can follow his own conscience provided it does not interfere with sane reason or bid him act against the liberty of his fellow men.”
― Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
“If I were a dictator, religion and state would be separate. I swear by my religion. I will die for it. But it is my personal affair. The state has nothing to do with it. The state would look after your secular welfare, health, communications, foreign relations, currency and so on, but not your or my religion. That is everybody's personal concern!”
― Mahatma Gandhi
0
#13
It takes balls —
2012-08-27 16:18
Morocco will never see positive change. I and almost every Moroccan looks at Morocco with pessimism. What Morocco needs is a leader with a strong personality who doesn't fear the elites, the makhzen or the King. This leader can be from any political party from any political persuassion but is someone who wants to topple the current system and brng change. The problem is everyone who is like that is either living abroad or rotting in prison.
-1
#14
student —
2012-08-29 06:00
The fact that Islam is not only a religion but a way of life as well, deeply seeded in the Moroccan culture, it would be a delicate task to separate Religion from Politics in order to become a Secularist society. However, it is Not impossible to accomplish this mission, for Malaysia, Turkey and Indonesia have succeeded at becoming secularist..... .. There is No such thing as a secular State. The United States is as secular as it can get, a State of all faiths & no faith, but everyone accepts : 1) "In God We Trust" on American money 2) " One Nation Under God" in the pledge of allegiance 3) U.S. Presidents, Senators & Congresspeople sworn into office on holy books. 4) Senate Chaplains saying payers in the U.S. Capitol 5) Mandatory prayers at Armed Forces Academies...... . American Muslims are mainstream America now. They live as Muslims in harmony with all other American religions, alhamdulillah.
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| Nass El Ghiwane Film: "Trances" Sun May 19 @ 5:00PM |
| Film Screening: Tinghir- Jerusalem Wed May 29 @ 6:30PM |
| conference: Morocco’s Rule of Law Reforms @ GWU Sun Jun 02 @10:00AM |
| Moroccan Kaftan Gala in Orlando Thu Jun 06 @ 3:00PM |
| ADC Convention, DC Thu Jun 13 @ 8:00AM |
| IBN Academy Summer Camp Mon Jun 24 @ 8:00AM |
| Moroccan Play In NYC, DC Fri Jun 28 @ 7:00PM |
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- Iron Qarkabeb Castanets
- CASHIER/SALES ASSOC.
- Peace Corp Job Morocco
- Moroccan product
- trip 2 Ouzoud Waterfalls
- 2011 LEXUS LX570
- Painting Classes
- Help visit parents
- Domain for sale
- Jobs In Seattle
- land 4 sale Tangier
- Arabic Interpreter
- Appt 4 sale Cabo Negro
- Add Properties 4 free
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- Med Marijuana 4 sale
- Morocco Guide Wanted
- fundraising 4 trip !
- Carpentry services
- 3% interest Loan
- TIME SHARE - Orlando
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- pro Martial Arts & Jujitsu
- Info on medical program
- Apt 4 Sale- KENITRA
- luxury appartement
- video editor/studio intern
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- Drivers
- Vintage Rug
- Bouznika Bay
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- AU PAIR
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- Bride
- Riads in Marrakech
- Morocco: Biz 4 Sale
- Lux Apt in Marrakech
- Muslim Matrimonials
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