Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Submit Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel: American Arabs
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8 American Arabs
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community Activism
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores Activism
  • Imam Jamal Saad leads the more than 1,000 muslim attendees in payer at SeatGeek Stadium's open grounds at the Eid al-Fitr celebration May 2, 2022 in Bridgeview
    Local Illinois officials join Chicagoland Muslims for Eid Celebration at SeatGeek stadium American Arabs
  • DCEO Panel discussion on business support opportunities for all businesses including Arab American businesses, April 26, 2022
    DCEO Access to Capital: Arab American Heritage Month business workshop American Arabs
  • DCEO Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) American Arabs
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez addresses the gathering at an Iftar hosted by Radi Abuhashish Thursday April 21, 2022 joined by Dr. Willie Wilson and other candidates for Chicago Mayor.
    Political candidates join local Arab leaders for Iftar Activism
  • U.S. Congressional Candidate Rob Cruz in the 6th District GOP Primary election June 28, 2022
    Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress, Rob Cruz, Opens a Dialogue with the Palestinian Community American Arabs
  • Peak Rock Capital affiliate completes acquisition of Ziyad Brothers, a leading provider of brander Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot American Arabs
  • April 24, 2022 Illinois DCEO American ArabChamber event
    American Arab Chamber and DCEO host online panel to help Arab Businesses secure funding Activism
  • Oussama Jammal presents Congresswoman Marie Newman with the Courage Award during the USCMO Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Photo courtesy of Marie Newman Facebook Page
    Newman endorsed by major Arab and Muslim leaders Activism
Flag of the terrorist group ISIS (ISIL) courtesy of WIkipedia

Freedom of religion might revive Arab Spring

Posted on September 30, 2014September 24, 2018 By Ghassan Rubeiz No Comments on Freedom of religion might revive Arab Spring
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Freedom of religion might revive Arab Spring

By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz

Ghassan Michel Rubeiz

The pendulum of world reaction to the Arab awakening has swung too far: from admiration to worry and despair.

The first wave of the Arab Spring showed that oppressed people are able to depose their rulers but the second lesson revealed that the military and the religious institutions are not ready for change. The Muslim Brothers Party and the military have suppressed civil uprising in Egypt, the center of the Arab Spring.  To revive the Arab Spring, where should the reformers aim at first, the military or the religious establishment?

Two realities point to starting with freeing the mindset of people. The first fact is that the freedom to believe or not to believe in deity (liberty of conscience) is a foundation for other types of human rights. Second, curbing  the powers of Mideast armed forces is unrealistic given their investment in lucrative business and the strong support they receive from the outside powers, particularly the US, Iran and Russia.

It is not so easy, however, to reform well entrenched religious institutions. Cultural norms prescribe submission to men of the cloth.  It is hard to interpret the religious text.  Religious law narrows decisions in choice of the marriage partner, in other family life decisions and in relations with people of other convictions. Intelligent questions are discouraged. Religious leaders expect their people to ignore injustice pertaining to gender equality, protection of minorities and other social values.

As state power weakens religion’s influence on politics intensifies.   And when the state fails to protect its people “God- sponsored” militias seem to fill out the political vacuum.  Militias easily degenerate to criminal political formations. Sheltered by angry local communities for which they provide services and short term security, motivated by sectarian sentiments, rewarded by money, drugs, ransom fees and captured national resources, criminal groups would fight with any opposition, even with their own religious community. In the later phase of Lebanese civil war Christian militias fought other Christian militias, Shiites fought other Shiites and Sunnites fought Sunnites.

ISIL’s recent emergence is a dramatic manifestation of how the breakdown of the state (in Iraq and Syria) has led to the development of adventurous, chaotic political structures. Thousands of maladjusted citizens living in foreign countries have partnered with local, humiliated Sunni communities, in Iraq and Syria, to build a terror system ornamented by religious symbols.

ISIL has created a disturbing social climate in Syria and Iraq where Sunnites fight Shiites and confront other Sunnites in the surrounding countries. Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf are now mobilized to degrade ISIL, ironically after the oil- rich states had been funding groups like ISIL.

Spreading ISIL-fear has created new political dynamics: shifts in alliances and some soul searching. Last week Iran started to negotiate with Saudi Arabia on how they could strangle ISIL. If Saudi Arabia and Iran collaborate to defeat ISIL three immense, side benefits might emerge. Involving Iran as an international partner in the US-led coalition against ISIL may facilitate the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and major world powers. Tehran and Riyadh might reconcile to reduce regional sectarian tension. Lastly, Syria badly needs Iran’s best diplomacy to save it from further deterioration.

However, defeating ISIL will not recover the original goal of the Arab Spring: the renaissance of society. Reform requires addressing intolerance at the roots; curbing the power of patriarchal orders of religious institutions is a tall order. It will take a while to create culturally suitable Islamic “liberation theology”.

Arab liberation theology is not absent in the region but this literature is written by Christians and focused on the liberation of Palestine.

Latin America, Africa and East Asia ended much of their tyranny only after human rights movements won the hearts and minds of their people. Societal change preceded political liberation in places like Brazil, South Africa and India; think of the impact of the (Brazilian) liberation theology pedagogue Paulo Freire, the ecumenical civil right leader Nelson Mandela and the renowned reconciliation figure Mahatma Gandhi.

There are some new signs of attitude change. Muslim leaders now voice strong opinions against terror and abuse of religion.  They rightly remind their people that in Islam it is forbidden to teach the faith coercively: Arabic: la ikraha fi din. Opinion makers point fingers at the quality of religious education and rising clerical power.

The next phase of the Arab Spring may not take place in the public square; it may ferment in the poet’s den, the artist’s exhibit, the humorist theater, the cartoonist’s message, the activist’s seminar and the literature of liberation theologians. The Arab Spring must address institutional fanaticism with honesty and courage.

The original message of the Arab Spring needs to be recovered.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ghassan Rubeiz
Ghassan Rubeiz
Blogger, writer at The Arab Daily News online
Dr. Ghassan Rubeiz is an Arab-American writer, journalist and commentator on issues of development, peace and justice. He is the former Middle East Secretary of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches. Reach him at rubeizg@gmail.com.
Ghassan Rubeiz
Latest posts by Ghassan Rubeiz (see all)
  • World community should do more than rejecting Israel’s baseless terrorist accusation against Palestinian NGOs - January 12, 2022
  • Lebanese political system cannot fix itself, responsible external assistance is badly needed - October 23, 2021
  • Lebanon’s power sharing scheme is no longer sustainable - August 20, 2021

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Ghassan Rubeiz, religion, Spotlight Tags:Arab Spring, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, ISIL, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United States

Post navigation

Previous Post: Podcast: Who’s Who in Iraq, Syria conflicts
Next Post: Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim

Related Posts

  • Protests in Tunisia, 2014. Copyright (C) 2014 Abdennour Toumi, All Rights Reserved. Tunisia has hope
    United Nations expresses concerns over Tunisian repression Arab World
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8 American Arabs
  • Arab American Institute President Jim Zogby addresses the Arab American Democratic Club brunch March 19, 2017. Photo courtesy of Steve Neuhaus
    Zogby named to Democratic Unity Commission American Arabs
  • What Governor Rick Scott Needs to Know About Senators Nelson, Rubio and the USS Liberty Arab World
  • Ramallan Morning in Chicago American Arabs
  • DISSENT Keeps America Great #MAGA #merylstreep #FreePalestine #FreeVanunu American Arabs

More Related Articles

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, courtesy of the Joe Biden presidential campaign website Biden weaponizes anti-Semitism to smother criticism of Israel American Arabs
Shimon Peres: State Funeral, Hollywood and Nuclear Mordechai Vanunu Arab World
The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews ADC officials warn of worsening discrimination against Arab Americans American Arabs
Mordechai Vanunu Reports Latest News at Twitter Arab World
American Muslim group stands with U.S. President Bloggers
US Census will “test” using Middle East in count American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Palestinian refugees forced to flee their homes at gunpoint by Jewish terrorist groups operating in Palestine in the 1930s, 1940s and after Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Photo courtesy of the United Nations
    Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
    May 7, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • Chicago's racist Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered more than 150 Arab owned stores closed in 2021 in a racist effort o fight street gang crimes
    Arab Daily News launches Arab American Network to fight racism
    March 12, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday
    May 15, 2022
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot
    April 15, 2022

The Tabboun Column

The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
  • Tabboun
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021
    December 16, 2021
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Chicago remains strongest Palestine voice
    September 7, 2016
  • The Tabboun: Israeli human rights violations hit
    June 30, 2016
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria
    November 3, 2015
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Tabboun: Dearborn removes statue of racist former mayor
    September 29, 2015

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • HANANIA Arab News Op-Eds
  • Ukraine conflict gives Palestinians chance to redefine their conflict
    March 9, 2022
  • Mishmeshan PHC medical center destroyed in Syrian Government assaults. Photo courtesy of UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations
    President Biden’s dyslexic policy in Syria is a mess
    October 20, 2021
  • Annissa Essaibi George and family
    Annissa Essaibi George faces “race hypocrisy” in campaign to be Boston Mayor
    October 20, 2021
  • Jerusalem image of Jews and Arabs walking together. Shutterstock. Courtesy of Arab News Newspaper
    Jewish Michigan lawmaker leads push for Two State Solution
    October 7, 2021
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • Girl Fighters, new book on Yemen Book Cune Press
    New Book: Girl Fighters: Break Tradition in Yemen 
    October 25, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022
  • “Rupture”, the psychological thriller produced by MBC STUDIOS, has won Best Saudi Film at the 2021 Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
    MBC GROUP’s Rupture wins Best Saudi Film at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival
    December 15, 2021
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme