Mahathir’s Speech - An Alternative Muslim View

The coverage given to Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Mahathir’s speech at the 10th OIC summit on this side of the expanding chasm, even in our so-called "progressive" publications has left me somewhat perplexed. I don’t understand how we (readers and writers alike) fail to see how his stance, premise, style, and language are extremely offensive, not only to Jews, but also to thinking Muslims and all others who want more peace and understanding in this world.

Dr. Mahathir is an educated professional, yet his speech, rather than being diplomatically seasoned, was crude and "dumbed down." It pandered to the least common denominator hateful emotions that we all have experienced at one time or another, but which we must be cognizant of and keep in check (if we want to achieve anything for ourselves). To repeatedly refer to the "few million Jews" as our "enemy," and to speak of 1.3 billion Muslims in such sweeping terms, is not only false and presumptuous, but also terrifically counter-productive. Criticizing Israel’s politics and treatment of Palestinians is one thing - and something for which very strong and valid arguments can be made - but to pit ALL Jews against ALL Muslims, now that’s idiocy in a nutshell.

Then there was Dr. Mahathir’s call to the Muslim ummah to use our "brains" and not just "brawn." Okay, a good piece of advice in and of itself. But what was his context? Weaponry. Get educated, so that you can make your own weapons and not have to import hand-me-downs from more advanced cultures. Implicit by omission was a blatant disregard for using our brains to broaden our brains; to learn, seek, and ponder; to understand and bridge these gaping, widening holes between cultures; to gain power through peaceful means such as education, economics, and more mature politics.

And finally, a lesser transgression, but amateurish and illustrative of bad form nonetheless. I quote:

"The Europeans had to kneel at the feet of Muslim scholars in order to access their own scholastic heritage."

The words "had to kneel at the feet of Muslim scholars" only serve to highlight the speaker’s own hangups, complexes, and insecurities. For example, if you help out someone, and that person later becomes more successful than you, you could inform the world of your earlier help in one of two ways:

You could say: "Mere tukron pay palla hai, aur aaj bohut baree cheez bun gaya hai aur bara itra raha hai."

OR

You could say: "Mujhay baree khushi hai kay iss shukhs kee kamiyabi mein mera bhi haath hai. Abb mujhe chahi-ay keh mein bhi iss say seekhoon."

Which scenario shows YOU in a better light? And which one of the two attitudes are YOU most likely to benefit from?

Unless, of course, your ultimate benefit (or that of your people) is of no concern to you, or you are too shortsighted to see it. Or, your people have been conditioned to respond to high drama and emotion rather than reason, and such inflammatory language does, in fact, guarantee your immediate and personal gain.

Please let it be known that as a Muslim who wants the welfare of all Muslims, and as a citizen of the world who favors peace and diplomacy over war and injustice, I am deeply offended by Dr. Mahathir’s speech. I am also painfully disappointed by the inability of Muslim nations to produce a leader who can see the bigger picture and help us emerge as a powerful, peaceful force to contend with.

And most of all, I am distressed by the title of my own essay.