The trouble with the Middle-East

The Middle-East is a head-scratcher. How do we solve a problem like the Middle-East. It has been the sight of foreign meddling and aggression for decades - since Britain handed over Palestinian territories to create Israel. And it goes back even further with the Persians, Romans, Greeks, the Crusades in 1095, the Ottomans, the first Afghan war in 1839 and the one that's happening right now. It's a land that is saturated with blood of ages.

The culture and history of the Middle East is so complex. It's the birthplace of three biggest religions in the world. And it's been the jewel in the crown for some of the greatest civilisations the world has ever seen. That's before we've even touched upon its complicated and current political state.

I have no idea what it is about the region that seems to ignite the worst in humanity. Since it was the birthplace of Muhammad, Jesus and Abraham. Even Buddhism and Hinduism came from regions neighbouring the Middle-East, surely it should be the most spiritual and cerebral spot on the planet. I mean, it's certainly not the dusty landscape (as you can see above).

At the moment, the Middle-East is being terrorised by so-called holy fighters ISIS. But I don't know which god they are fighting for, as it's certainly not Allah. 

ISIS have been killing men, women and children - showing no mercy. The Quran says:

"Fight in the way of Allah those who you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors." Surat Al-Baqarah 2:190

Unfortunately, this is one of the few peaceful passages I've found on the internet. It's littered with quotes from the Quran that talk about death to all non-believers and to fight to the death for Allah. However, I think (much like all religions), those passages have been cherry-picked and in fact there are plenty of passive prose that have been neglected in order to build fear and propaganda against Islam. I refuse to believe any religion is purely about hate. And if it was read in context, could it not be interpreted as a personal battle between good and evil, not an outward one against those who choose to be infidels - but the introspection of a believer battling with impurity.

The problem with the Middle-East is that after centuries of enlightenment, the Middle-Easterns (regardless of religion or nationality) aren't very smart. They're gullible and easily led. They are not well read or free thinkers. There are no charismatic leaders, they just listen to the bile spouted by imams and caliphs, and without question, take it on-board.

During the leader's debates in April, Nigel Farage vehemently declared that immigrants have HIV and they come over for free treatment. Twitter, the press and most of the British public scoffed in disgust as such an allegation. When he went onto a radio show and said he felt uncomfortable when people spoke another language on public transport, he was lambasted. However, these are the exact things that people like Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada said and they managed to convert young men and women to give up their lives to 'correct this wrong'.

If this is the case, all you need is a charismatic ayatollah to interpret the Quran into a progressive, peaceful and political way; so governments become secular, people are freed from the constraints of dictatorship and freedom is fought through politics and diplomacy.

First published 14/06/2015