The Oslo-Tragedy calls for Introspection

Thursday, 11 August 2011 18:13

The Oslo-tragedy left us all with great horror. Images of the innocent victims of the bomb attack in the center of Oslo and the following massacre on the island Utøya were undoubtedly dreadful. The surprise got even bigger for many people when the perpetrator turned out to be a Norwegian associated with right-wing circles. The perpetrator, an Israel-sympathizer and former member of Norway’s Progress Party, subsequently substantiated his crimes as a wish to save Norway and Western Europe from Muslim and Cultural Marxian influence and take-over. The debate about the tragedy then took an unexpected turn and unleashed legitimate demands of introspection from several debaters. In this connection we deem it vital to point out the following:

•    The astonishment about the perpetrator not being Muslim was obvious in the media and among experts, even though statistical information from Europol shows that only 6 of the 1890 planned or executed ”terror activities” could be connected to Muslims! And according to the official registry of the FBI only 6% of “terror attacks” on American soil between 1980 and 2005 were committed by Muslims. In spite of these facts the media, debaters, experts and especially politicians and security institutions sharply focus on the so-called “Islamic terror”. The majority of circles in the Western countries are therefore occupied with an over-dimensional threat or a politically constructed illusion of the Muslim presence in the West being a security threat! The factual threat from right-wing extremism has on the contrary not been rated particularly high in the political agenda despite the growing tendencies of hate-crimes from this environment and the clear forewarning of a dangerous development, which we amongst others experienced with the Swedish Malmø-sniper! This anomaly can rightfully be ascribed to political interests as a serious focus on the threat from right-wing extremism can unleash an accounting of politicians for this phenomenon due to its clear connection to the rhetoric and agenda of politicians, including the so-called War on Terror and the xenophobic integration policy.

•    The Oslo-tragedy has now set-off a legitimate criticism of the right-wing nationalist circles because of their xenophobic politics and demagogic rhetoric which promotes Islamophobia and right-wing extremism. But can one neglect the fact that these forces are a product of their age? Can we ignore the fact that these forces are often constituted essential instruments in the "War on Terror"? They contributed to the legitimacy of the xenophobic immigration policy and "War on Terror". And since September 11, 2001, several parties in the Western world have established themselves by co-operating with right-wing nationalist circles and even secured a parliamentary basis through such parties. The right-wing nationalist parties were therefore promoted by established political circles and media and their rhetoric was legitimized legally and even morally. With the xenophobic climate and Islamophobia which the so-called War on Terror gave rise to, fertile grounds for right-wing nationalists were created and right-wing extremists prospered in the West. A prosperity that has spurred even left-wing politicians to replicate the right-wing demagogic rhetoric to appeal to voters. The causes of the prosperity of right-wing extremism cannot be reduced to rhetoric from the right-wing nationalist circles, especially as several established political circles, mainstream opinion makers and the media share the same visions and attitudes and use the same demagogic rhetoric.

•    The demands for introspection after the Oslo-tragedy now drives some towards dismal attempts of washing hands or to acquit those opinion makers, media and especially political circles who constitute the ideological source of inspiration for the perpetrator behind the Oslo-tragedy as they portray the Muslim presence in the West as a security threat as well as portraying their opponents as traitors. The dismal attempts take place by amongst others reducing the tragedy as being the work of a mentally deranged psychopath and by declaring that others cannot be blamed for the atrocity of a single man … Remarkable is that the choir behind these dismal attempts counts people who would not hesitate to blame whole of the Islamic world and Islam itself due to individual atrocities against civilians. It is truly time for self-criticism and introspection!

•    September 11, 2001, legitimized the so-called War on Terror by military attacks against several Muslims countries as well as a cultural attack against Islam where mockery, ridicule and demonization replaced sober criticism and decent debate. July 22, 2011 shows in all its clarity the fatal consequences of the War on Terror which has created polarized and xenophobic societies. As September 11 unjustified and disproportionally could legitimize a war against several Muslim countries and attack against the Islamic culture, July 22 can then rightfully and consistently legitimize a clash with the rhetoric of the Islamophobic assailants and the polarized agenda of the irresponsible politicians!

•    We deeply hope that the ongoing introspection leads to a recognition of the fact that a decent tone of debate is necessary in order to promote a good co-operation between all groups across their beliefs as well as a recognition of the right of people to have different values and beliefs, not to mention a recognition of the demonization of Islam under the pretext of freedom of speech and that the current military and cultural attacks against Muslims contribute to the xenophobic climate. The recognition of these facts is crucial in order to rebuild tolerant societies and resist the threat from right-wing extremism. The Norwegians are now paying the price of a cowardly and unsuccessful policy. All reasonable humans should co-operate in order to change this policy before it claims more victims!

Chadi Freigeh
Media Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir – Scandinavia
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