Questions of perception

A lot has been written and said about Arabs and the West since September 11, 2001. Academic books, research papers, sensational photographs and videos, press reports and features have discussed the subject — many focused on Islam versus the West. Yet Andrew Hammond's book, What the Arabs Think of America, is a needed addition to the stack.

In less than 250 pages, the book — published by Greenwood World Publishing — presents a panorama of past and present trends in the Arab world that are relevant to the people's perception of the United States and the West.

In his prologue, the author mentions a symbolic incident in Makkah that reflects the way Arabs view America. During the Haj, the stoning post had a word sprayed on it in red: "BUSH".

In his concluding chapter, Hammond presents the complex issue in the context of a superpower inheriting the colonial mantle from Britain and France — taking with it the consequences. That is not exactly how the Arabs see America but, in a simplistic way, the argument is valid.

Hammond's book might not mean much to Arabic readers, but it may not be so for English-speaking readers, who are most likely misinformed by the biased and distorted coverage of Arabs in the Western media.

As a Western journalist who has lived and worked in the Arab world for more than a decade, Hammond is capable of giving a different version — and he does.

Though heavily referenced, the narrative in journalistic style makes the book interesting and appealing to the average reader.

The author has built his arguments around the perceptions of the West regarding the socio-political development of the Arab world since its independence in the mid-20th century.

Clear insights

The book clearly distinguishes between the Arab people's stance towards American administration and policies, and their perception of the American people and their culture. Hammond devotes a full chapter, Domestic America, to highlight the Arab world's obsession with American culture, mainly films and soap operas.

The author's knowledge of the Arabic language has helped him follow the region's media — from Al Jazeera to the Egyptian tabloid press.

This is clearly reflected not only in the quotes he uses but also in the spirit of the narrative.

The book contains deep analyses and insights delivered in a palatable manner.

The chapter on Palestine makes interesting reading; the author's witty style appears in coining terms such as "Amerisrael" as a demonstration of Arabs' perception of the relationship between the US and Israel.

Throughout the book, Hammond stresses his assumption that three main trends prevail in the Arab world: Islamist, nationalist and liberal democratic.

The author has assigned three chapters — Egypt, Sudan and Iraq — to put forth his arguments on the Arab perception of America as an ally of Israel.

The book says Egypt was the first to make peace with Israel because of which the Islamists and nationalists in the Arab world opposed the country.

Sudan is another example of perceived American sabotage of a country that was adopting Arabic and Islamic policies. The Iraqi example is a yet another case used to demonstrate the perceived evil associated with American policies.

A quote from the book summarises what the author means: "The Arab world has come overwhelmingly to interpret and respond to the United States through the prism of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the plight of the Palestinians, who live under Israeli occupation in the territories as second-class citizens in the 'Jewish state', or as unwanted refugees in Arab countries." A valid point which is well-delivered through the book.

The constant theme of this book is the spirit of independence — whether for good or bad — that pulses through the Arab world. It is perhaps salutary to consider that the evolution of Islam itself is due, in no small part, to the rejection of foreign influence — orientalism, as per Edward Said.

What the Arabs Think of America is — in the least — a useful read.

Dr Ahmad Mustafa is a London-based Arab writer.