A war over who deserves to be called a ‘martyr’
Diana Moukalled/Al Arabiya/December 29/15
Media outlets affiliated with the “Axis of Resistance” have described Lebanese militant Samir Qantar as a “martyr” after he was killed in Syria in a suspected Israeli attack earlier this month. Many in the Arab world are quick to label those killed by Israel as a “martyr.” But this description angered opponents of the Assad regime; how can someone who professed support to Assad’s criminal regime and fought alongside it be called a martyr, even if “the enemy” Israel killed him? Many took to social media to voice their anger about this, pointing to Qantar’s “involvement in the killing of the Syrian people.”But again, it was only few days later that media outlets who oppose the Assad regime described leader of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group, Zahran Alloush, as a martyr when he was killed in a suspected Russian strike. Alloush is the warlord whose name was associated with the kidnapping of many symbols of the Syrian revolution, such as Razan Zaitouneh, Samira al-Khalil, Wael Hamada and Nazim al-Hamadi. Alloush was also linked to the execution of a photojournalist and to the jailing of Alawite civilians in metal cages on rooftops a few weeks ago. This is in addition to the detentions and executions witnessed in areas under his control. Media outlets affiliated with the “Axis of Resistance” and who tried to avenge the murder of Qantar tried to rejoice in the murder of Alloush and ridiculed those who considered him a martyr. It seems we’ve begun to grant titles of “martyrdom” while overlooking the biographies of these “martyrs”
And so, the war of the martyrs began and arguments surfaced over who deserves to be called a “martyr,” Qantar or Alloush. What made this even more surreal was how the people who opposed Qantar’s role in Syria sided with those describing him as a “martyr” – just because it was Israel that killed him. The same applied to those who were criticizing Alloush and his practices; they decided to describe him as a “martyr” because Russian warplanes targeted what they viewed as a spearhead of the Syrian opposition. In the space of two weeks, we have witnessed two extreme examples of political and moral schizophrenia. In both of the killings, the murderer’s identity played a role in purging the victim of all his sins. It’s as if it has become essential to condemn a murder while declaring the victim as innocent of the crimes and violations they committed, simply because the identity of the murderer is the focus of our disputes.
Playing enemies against each other
I want to think freely, and write freely
Jamal Khashoggi/Al Arabiya/December 29/15
I have been affected by the Arab Spring. Some criticize me for calling it a “historical inevitability,” as if by attacking the Spring we can put an end to it. My problem began after what happened in Egypt in the summer of 2013. I have been losing friends since. I did not call it a coup – I believe the military regained a power it had held for 1,000 years. Maybe they were not friends, as a real friend cannot be lost just because your opinions differ. Some also claim I misled them because I portrayed myself as a liberal but did not welcome the “popular revolution” that brought down the Muslim Brotherhood. I was unable to convince them that my stand is based on the principles of freedom and democracy, because they are the best solutions for Arab states that have failed due to military rule. Some said my enthusiasm for the Egyptian revolution of Jan. 2011 was due to me being a latent supporter of the Brotherhood. The numerous articles in which I have criticized the Brotherhood and blamed it for the collapse of democracy did not change their opinion. At editor-in-chief at a prominent newspaper disapproved that I applauded the Friday sermon by Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Tahrir Square a week after the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak. I was astounded by the symbolism of the moment, and considered it a sign of the rise of freedom of expression in Egypt. However, the editor-in-chief only saw the Brotherhood in this picture. He wrote an article entitled “The deceivers,” in which he said I had fooled him and others because they knew me as a liberal. He, who was supposed to be a friend, was unable to understand that liberalism is for everyone, and if applied selectively will no longer be liberal. The holder of a free pen defends principles and refuses to be restricted.
I wrote articles in which I urged stable Arab countries to help their neighbors, and called for an Arab Marshall Plan. “You want a Marshall Plan to support the Muslim Brotherhood,” replied a colleague in an article in the same newspaper, who is proud to support non-transparent rule and describes his position as courageous and noble. In the Arab world, everyone thinks journalists cannot be independent, but I represent myself. What would I be worth if I succumbed to pressure to change my opinions? A few weeks ago, my friend Nawaf Obeid admonished me, saying: “You need to write an article in which you confirm that you are not a supporter of the Brotherhood.” I replied: “Whatever I say, I’ll never convince those who suffer from Brotherhood-phobia. They say I support this party because I criticize their favorite regime. Do that and you too will be accused of being a Brotherhood supporter.”
Journalistic independence
In the Arab world, everyone thinks journalists cannot be independent, but I represent myself, which is the right thing to do. What would I be worth if I succumbed to pressure to change my opinions? The atmosphere of freedom must be preserved, and I am happy that my government is doing so. A public meeting I had with a group of youths in Riyadh to discuss the volatile regional environment was recorded and broadcast online without any curtailment. That was the best cure for the articles that were attacking me and the friends who were abandoning me. I talked to the youths for more than two hours, and answered their questions freely. I felt then that the world cannot bring down someone who is free on the inside. I want to be free, to think freely and write freely. I am free to do so.
