Dear Editor,
I am writing this article to highlight and stress what I think is a very dangerous and hazardous threat looming . . .[restrict]around Libyans.
The purpose of this letter is to describe and show how the new sociocultural breeds (Islamic political parties) that appeared after the revolution seem to give Libya a rather dangerous outlook. Dangerous in the way that it has become unsafe for Libyans to walk the streets freely, dangerous in the way that it has become unsafe for foreigners to visit Libya, dangerous in the way that is has blocked the positives and benefits of globalization to enter the Libyan society and expand the Libyan economy, dangerous in the way that a great number of Libyan intellectuals, scientists, engineers, economists and financiers have found Libya more of a hostile ground than a prosperous destination.
Libya is far from becoming a nation that is on the verge of writing history and officially subscribing to the path of sustainable economic development and human capital advancement. After toppling Qaddafi and his regime during an eight-month nation-wide fiery and bloodly revolution, Libya finds itself divided into camps of differing ideologies.
But the question is: how did such a situation get formed in the first place?
The answer to this question lies in the many mutations that Libya’s society has experienced after the 17th of February, 2011. In my opinion, I strongly believe that the sudden rise of various political camps that base their ideologies on religious concepts and beliefs seem to pose a striking threat to the future of Libya. Such an allegation from my own perspective will most probably stir more debate than concurrence. However, I will give my own reasons.
We were forced to leave Libya by Qaddafi but before the revolution, I used to visit Libya every summer. From my visits, I have come to understand that Libyans in general are very kind people, but most importantly, what stroke my attention was the fact that Libya, unlike its Maghreb neighbors, is a very conservative country, and a country in which the people are very sentimental and emotional towards religious matters. People in Libya tend to give religious persons a lot of respect, and tend to trust those same people more than any other people in Libya. Make no mistake, by religious people, I mean Muslim religious Libyans. Again, I have my own explication and reasoning to this matter.
I think we Libyans show such a behavior because of the extended years of oppression of Qaddafi’s regime. Qaddafi’s actions towards Libyans were extremely brutal and inhumane. Qaddafi exercised all forms of violence against Libyans who opposed his political ideologies.
When you get abused physically or verbally by a walking-by pedestrian in the streets, you will most probably react to such transgression to defend your ego and dignity. However, whenever Libyans reacted to Qaddafi’s ruthless killings and barbarous acts to defend their dignities, they got even more abused. So Libyans decided to either leave the country looking for a better life, or restrain their offended dignities and egos in forms of solitary confinement expressions. As a result, the effects of Qaddafi’s acts were largely manifested on Libya’s culture and on Libyans’ personalities. Libyans gradually turned from an open society (similar to what Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia’s societies look right now) to a more conservative and most importantly, religious society. Libyans repressed their offended dignities and feelings to the only creator of mankind. As a result, the bond between Libyans and Islam became a very strong one. But let me explain what kind of bond. When I say that the relationship between Libyans and Islam became a very strong one, I do not mean that Libyans were pure saints walking the streets. On the contrary, Libyans were far from that stance; however, a very big chunk of Libyan families did and still do apply Islam’s teachings.
Now, how does all what I have been saying so far reflect on the fact that numerous political parties that base their agendas and ideologies on religion (Islam in specific) seem to pose a threat to Libya’s promised prosperity? In my opinion, I believe that Libyans’ sentimental bond to Islam is a very good sign. Indeed, it is a sign that Libyans believe in a divine power and submit to God when things get to anarchy. However, many Libyans must widen their gaze. They have to assess the ongoing political situation from an objective standpoint. Libyans have to judge and assess the efficacy of any political party based on what the party will be able to give to Libya without regards to religion. The reason why religion should not be part of parties’ political campaigns in future is simple. Those political parties are exploiting Libyans’ blemish with regards to religion; they know that Libyans are sentimental towards Islam and thus, are presenting their agendas based on what Islam teaches us. I agree with the fact that all Libyans should learn from Islam the maximum they can, but I would like to see what those political parties have in their minds, what are their intentions regardless of sticking to religious norms. I would like to see what kind of strategic objectives they set to expand the Libyan Economy.
Palpably enough, I believe that those parties are and will conceal their mistakes behind Islam. They will find it very easy to use Islam as a shield to their mistakes. I fear that those parties exploit Libyans’ sentimental bond with Islam by advertising their electoral campaigns on applying Islam’s teachings and norms. Let me tell you something, many Libyans will fall for such a farce, mainly because they are unable to broaden their contemplation and think free of religious constraints, free of social constraints, and free of traditional and cultural constraints.
If Libyans are to build an equal society, they have to make sure that every Libyan is subject to Islam’s teachings and norms, and no Libyan has the right to speak in Islam’s voice.
Yours,
Mohamed Assed [/restrict]
