Ramadan warnings inflame rather than heal

Frequent terrorism warnings calling for vigilance during Ramadan inflame rather than soothe already heightened tensions.

Unmistakably, the subtle inference of such warnings is that extremists are prepared to resort to violence from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but especially in the Gulf from Iraq to Saudi Arabia. Are these warnings justified in fact and practice? Do Muslim militants abscond the opportunity to unleash more violence?

For practicing Muslims, Ramadan is a month of recollection, piety, as well as fasting from sunrise to sunset. While the most visible aspect of Ramadan is fasting - similar to practices in other religions - devout Muslims turn inwards to cleanse their spirits as well.

As residents in, and visitors to, various Muslim countries at this time of year can easily testify, one is humbled by the pace of devotion to self-examination and, equally important, to the festivities that strengthen existing family bonds.

Those who listen to and observe Muslim religious practices feel uplifted. By necessity, crowds mill about, and large gatherings are common. Yet, one is hard pressed to find a community where the search for tranquillity does not prevail, and the assumption that "religious fervour" dominates - ostensibly creating a perfect venue for extremists - is simply false.

Violating edicts

While dozens of people were killed in Baghdad last Monday, there is little evidence of a connection between such terrorist acts, and the advent of the holy month. To be sure, terrorists seek publicity more than death and, not surprisingly, strive to inflict great damage.

In fact, one can argue that Muslim extremists who engage in such acts are violating religious edicts that forbid killings, whether they are operating on a religious calendar or not. Simply stated, terrorist acts during Ramadan are no different than those that occur at other times.

Yet, by establishing a link between potential terrorist acts and the advent of Ramadan, routine "alerts" take on gargantuan proportions. Such terrorist acts are unmistakably shrouded in religious terms which, sadly, redefine and add to the ongoing cartography.

It is therefore easier to label them as "evil" which, it must be emphasised, has specific religious consequences.

Evil must, by necessity, be destroyed. Clearly, terrorists cherish such labels precisely because the terminology looses its nuances and, equally important, encompasses all followers of the faith.

To be sure, Ramadan creates opportunities for terrorists to mingle among crowds and engage in their dastardly deeds. One is hard-pressed not to conclude that such killings are abhorrent whether the targets are Westerners or other Muslims.

Likewise, it is imperative for intelligence services to share whatever information they may have about potential terrorist activities, if only to save innocent lives.

Revenge

Yet, by issuing regular warnings against potential terrorism during Ramadan, Western countries create the appearance that they expect revenge for questionable behaviour. There have been serious problems for most of the past few years - in Afghanistan and Iraq in particular - that reflect poorly on occupying forces.

Although troops have every right to protect themselves, these additional warnings - timed to coincide with the holy month - do not endear them to hapless populations. Likewise, they surely enlarge the significant gap between impressionable Westerners and Muslims everywhere.

When terrorism warnings are linked to periods of religious fervour, they define - even acknowledge - that fundamental religious differences exist between civilizations. Such interpretations support the "clash of civilization" theory.

In fact, it may be safe to conclude that such alerts, presumably meant to prevent violence, actually enflame millions and stifle whatever dialogue may be contemplated.

Issuing blanket terrorism alerts cautioning Westerners in the Muslim World increases fear for millions from North Africa to South East Asia. Fear of the other and fear for oneself.

While it may be impossible to prevent terrorist acts, limiting or eliminating such fear, especially by disassociating linkages between extremists and a billion individuals engaged in spiritual cleaning, will go a long way.

Joseph Kechichian, author of several books, is an expert on the Gulf and Middle East affairs.