Gloat By Rote

Tim Cavanaugh | September 23, 2005

Middle East Media Research Institute has a roundup of gloating over Hurricane Katrina in the Arab/Islamic press. It seems to be less virulent than I was expecting, though about as predictable (Zarqawi gives Katrina two thumbs up, a Kuwaiti government official calls Katrina a "soldier of Allah," and a Saudi Shiekh issues a fatwa requiring rejoicing). MEMRI, which has branched out somewhat since its original incarnation as an LGF-style outrage collector, focuses on the objections of columnists who condemn the gloating. Though publicly urging people not to gloat always seems to be an insidious way of gloating yourself, these are pretty wide-ranging: from be-good-Muslims injunctions toward charity to theological arguments against seeing divine judgments to a Kuwaiti urging his countrymen to stand by their allies. But the most encouraging comment may be one that's neither pro nor con:

In an article titled "Katrina -- Between Legend and the Koran," 'Ali Al-Dhaidi, head of the cultural committee of the Union of Kuwaiti Teachers, wrote in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Qabas:

"We believe that Allah punished ancient nations such as the [old Arab tribe] 'Aad, the makers of the pit, [13] and others, following their crimes. [Similarly, we believe] that perhaps Allah punished one nation for a reason that some will consider petty. [In the Koranic tale of the Prophet Saleh] we saw how Allah destroyed a large nation because of a she-camel worth not even a few dirham. [That is,] everything in the universe goes according to the planning of Allah, and Allah's punishment of the rebellious nations is a certain way [of the world].

"But if we attribute everything to punishment from Allah, instead of thinking of the earthly reasons for these events, this is likely to interfere with man's capability for thought, and paralyze his ability to think about the world of Allah.

"Instead of analyzing the scientific reasons that cause the formation of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters, and instead of conducting scientific studies that will interpret these phenomena for us, there are those who prefer to take a shortcut, and to attribute all these events to the wrath and grievance of Allah. It seems that this is because this is the easiest solution -- instead of wasting time, money, and effort on researching geography and the universe, by means of which it will be possible to know the reasons for the formation of these phenomena, and how to prepare for them and deal with their results."

Back in the USA, a creepy National Guard chaplain babbles about voodoo, cannibalism, and witchcraft while exorcising abandoned buildings in the Big Easy.

Comments

|9.23.05 @ 12:42PM|#

Instead of analyzing the scientific reasons that cause the formation of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters, and instead of conducting scientific studies that will interpret these phenomena for us, there are those who prefer to take a shortcut, and to attribute all these events to the wrath and grievance of Allah.

Forsaking science and reason for mystical explanations? Where else have I seen this? Oh, right, it's touted by the "intelligent" design folks.

Jeff P.|9.23.05 @ 12:45PM|#

"See how the Great Satan squeals like a woman!"
(Pounds head with fists)
"Feel the lash of Allah!"

Are Arabs offended that Allah's righteous vengence is being facilitated by storms named after women?

|9.23.05 @ 12:48PM|#

Didn't Iran have a earthquake that killed over 10 thousand people less than a year ago?

|9.23.05 @ 12:52PM|#

Allah, voodoo, cannibalism, and witchcraft...

Heh... religious folks...

|9.23.05 @ 1:20PM|#

"[That is,] everything in the universe goes according to the planning of Allah, and Allah's punishment of the rebellious nations is a certain way [of the world]."

i guess that means that allah was also responsible for the invasion of iraq?

|9.23.05 @ 1:23PM|#

Back in the USA, a creepy National Guard chaplain babbles about voodoo, cannibalism, and witchcraft....

For believers, of course, the absence of any hexes, spells etc will be sufficient evidence that his exorcism was effective. :)

|9.23.05 @ 1:45PM|#

Back in the USA, a creepy National Guard chaplain babbles about voodoo, cannibalism, and witchcraft while exorcising abandoned buildings in the Big Easy.

Maybe he should run for mayor.

|9.23.05 @ 1:45PM|#

Back in the USA, a creepy National Guard chaplain babbles about voodoo, cannibalism, and witchcraft while exorcising abandoned buildings in the Big Easy.

Maybe he should run for mayor.

drf|9.23.05 @ 1:47PM|#

Jeff P:

not since nature's fury is clad in the cosmic islamic tarpulin called "cloud cover".

:)

|9.23.05 @ 1:56PM|#

I thought this was some eurotrash minister whinning about global warming and gloating over American misfortune. I can't keep the nutcases straight anymore.

|9.23.05 @ 2:46PM|#

If I am remembering correctly recent disasters have killed far more Muslims than non Muslims in recent years. For example the earthquake in Iran previously mentioned and the asian tsunami. Doesn't this mean that God, Allah or who ever hates Muslims?

|9.23.05 @ 3:00PM|#

Actually, zero, NPR interviewed a number of religious officials after the tsunami on this very topic and there were some interesting divisions.

The mainstream (catholic, episcopalian etc) basically said no it was entirely a natural event and that the bible stories about god's wrath were just metaphorical.

While one fundie xian did say something like yes it's possible that God might punish the wicked this way but it was not for him to judge whether that was the case here.

The Muslim they interviewed (an iman in US mosque) was absolutely emphatic that this was god's punishment for the wickedness everywhere in the world and a message for us all to change our ways.

My reaction to that was to think, great fucking god ya got there fella. I'm a fucking heathen so he drowns some innocent three-year-old halfway around the world so I'll get the message and repent and come to Allah. Good luck with that one, dude.

|9.23.05 @ 3:31PM|#

zero, those were all apostates and heretics of one sort or another, who Allah hates even more than those born infidels.

Why the fuck do I even know that?

|9.23.05 @ 4:02PM|#

joe

You'll note in my post that the iman (who may or may not speake for islam in general) was basically saying that God killed those innocents as a message to the unfaithful.

I must say that for a religion that was many centuries ago considered progressive 21st century islam is totally fucked up.

|9.23.05 @ 8:52PM|#

"I must say that for a religion that was many centuries ago considered progressive 21st century islam is totally fucked up."

A non-belief in original sin and a firm belief that everything that happens is God's will can make for some really scary ideas.

|9.25.05 @ 6:17AM|#

I have to wonder if God isn't an athiest, what with all the smiting of the faithful he seems to engage in.

Okay it's a halfbaked thought, maybe someone else can figure out the right oven temperature and fully bake it.