The Misuse of Religion for Political Objectives must be ....

Midan.net News Page

The Misuse of Religion for Political Objectives must be Rejected and Combated

Dr M Mourad*

March 2006


*It is obvious that the cartoon which has been published recently by one of the Danish Newspapers and by some newspapers in other countries, has created a state of instability and chaos in many parts of the world.

*It arose anger, hostilities and strong waves of violence which led to the destruction of properties, burning of western embassies in some of the Moslem countries and led to heavy losses of lives of many citizens.

The governments in the Moslem countries in which the massive demonstrations and riots took place, lost control over the situation. They appeared helpless just looking at what was going on before their eyes.

*Most of the governments in the West were puzzled and surprised. Even the European Union as an institution failed to take a convincing standpoint in connection with the aftermath of the cartoon and its negative consequences.

*As a result of all what had happened, the relations between the West and the Moslem World have been deeply affected.

*The Moslems all over the world felt that they were insulted, humiliated, abused, degraded and were pushed to retaliate taking drastic actions in order to protect their beliefs, dignity and to defend the reputation of their Prophet. But as we have witnessed, the violent reaction which went so far beyond the expected limits. One can say it was contradictory to the rules of Islam and did not coincide with the values of tolerance and peace which the Koran propagates.

*Without any doubt we can say that both the peoples and the governments in the West and in the Moslem World are the losers. The Danish citizens and the Government are to bear the great negative economic and political consequences of the cartoon and now they are going to pay heavily in order to bring back the good relations which have existed with the Moslem World.

*Only the enemies of peace and peaceful coexistence between the peoples and nations, those who seek to profit from wars, conflicts and exploitation are the beneficiary. They are ready to utilize all means not only religious to achieve their goals.

*Those who created the cartoon and the ones who gave the green light to be published, know quite well that they are dealing with a sensitive question which will make it possible for them to achieve what they are planning and what they are aiming at.

One of their aims as we see it, is to pour more oil on the fire of the accumulating conflicts and the miseries in the countries of the Moslem World, in order to divert the attention of the people from the crucial and hot issues they are confronted with and fighting for their solution. Among those issues are: The Palestine-Israeli Conflict, the occupation of Iraq, the fight for freedom and democracy.

*In this connection the Sudanese Communist Party is quite aware that the reactionary forces in the world are misusing the religious sentiments by raising the banner of Islam to realize goals which have nothing to do with the actual essence of the Koran and the interests of the citizens. Their goals are in reality coincide with the interests of the imperialist circles.

*Since the year 1967 the Sudanese Communist Party in its 4th.Congress took a principal standpoint in concern with the question of religion, highlighting its positive role and influence on the development of the political, economical, social and cultural life.

*It is well known the Sudan is a multiethnic, multicultural and multi religious country. Religion composes part and parcel of the daily life of the people. This is a very important fact which has to be taken into consideration when we tackle any issue concerning the Sudanese Society.

*Today the Sudan has entered a new phase in its history after the signing of the Peace Agreement in January 2005 between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement.

*One of the great achievements of the Peace Agreement is Part A of the Agreed Principles about State and Religion. Let us quote here some of the points:


1-Religions, customs and beliefs are a source of moral strength and inspiration for the Sudanese people,

2-There shall be freedom of belief, worship and conscience for followers of all religions or beliefs and no one shall be discriminated against on such grounds,

3-The National Constitution shall guarantee freedom of belief, worship and religious practice in full to all Sudanese citizens,

4-The National Government in all its laws shall take into account the religious and cultural diversity of the Sudanese people.


More than that it had been agreed upon that the two parties shall establish and maintain communications with individuals and communities in matters of religion and belief on the national and international levels.

*We in the Sudanese Communist Party are very happy about what had been agreed upon in the Peace Agreement because it confirms the correctness of our stance and adds to the efforts which we have been making since the year 1976 to put religion in its right course of the development of the Sudanese society. Hence we will struggle for the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

*We know that the imperialists and their followers endeavor and exert hard efforts to stop and put to an end the development of the revolutionary liberation movement in the Arab World. For this reason they are misusing Islam to destroy the already achieved independence of the Moslem countries.

*They interpret and characterize the religion of Islam as a dogma that believes in social differences among people and as an enemy to socialism. But the majority of the people in our region reject this false hypothesis.

*We think that Islam was since the time of Prophet Mohamed and his Caliphs and during the whole history of the Islamic fighters is a driving force for the toiling and poor oppressed people who were fighting against despotism, for freedom, dignity and for socialism which we consider the only system that can create suitable conditions for the people to be able to preserve their dignity, noble values, secure justice and equality.

Hence the Sudanese Communist Party is determined to continue combating all endeavours to misuse the religion of Islam and to destroy the Moslem civilization.


---
Dr M Mourad is a Member of the SCP Commission for International Relations.

http://www.midan.net/nm/private/news/religion_misuse.htm
=====

Sudan for all the Sudanese

(Edited by sultan on 03-19-2006, 06:13 AM)

Arabic Forum