Breeding grounds

Fighting against Islamism presents a daunting challenge, not only due to the inherent danger involved. The most difficult aspect lies in maintaining composure in the face of those who align themselves with this physical and totalitarian threat, capable of anything – even resorting to deceit in order to portray themselves as victims while jeopardising your safety. A prime example of this is when they label you as "Islamophobic".

Furthermore, the struggle becomes even more intense if you are of Arab descent or come from a Muslim background. The pressure mounts to an unbearable level. Your own family curses you, friends abandon you, and ignorant individuals belittle you by calling you a "chaouch" or a "bounty". Given the complex history of colonialism and the actual risks of racism, the internal conflict is deeply ingrained, causing external attacks to inflict even more pain. In the past twenty years of combat, I have heard of countless warriors endure unimaginable torment: receiving death threats, enduring physical beatings in front of their children, being accused of sinister motives, facing insults and spitting, and enduring real racist contempt. With time, some succumb to various forms of escapism, ranging from anger that pushes them towards the extreme right, to seeking financial security as a means of protection, to seeking solace in alcohol and drugs as a means of forgetting. Former secular Muslims convert fervently to Christianity. When confronted with overwhelming pressure and torment, anything can exist.

Now, with the added torment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on top of this purgatory, and currently the Hamas-Israel war, it becomes abundantly clear why these situations are the perfect breeding ground for Islamism and a ready-made pretext for its adherents. However, as an added challenge, these conflicts also have the potential to divide us even further. Let us strive to clarify matters and find our way back to unity. It is possible to adopt a secular stance, fight against Islamism, support Palestine, and, of course, deplore the excessive loss of civilian lives caused by Israel's response. Such a stance is not only healthy but also reflects a humanitarian perspective. However, we must refrain from endorsing figures associated with Hamas, or equating the fight against anti-Semitism with "unconditional support" for Israel or the far right. Likewise, it is inappropriate to advocate for a Palestine "from the river to the sea", a phrase that essentially calls for the displacement, if not outright genocide, of 9 million Israelis. Furthermore, labelling Hamas as a "resistance" movement, as recently stated by Rony Brauman, is misleading.

Once we cross these red lines, we unintentionally become pawns in the hands of Hamas. Conversely, there are also red lines dividing the secular fight from the racist fight. Blending Islam with terrorism, or assuming that all Muslims are inherently anti-Semitic based on their birth or religion, is misguided. Failing to lament the loss of innocent Palestinian lives takes us further away from the principles of humanity.

This is precisely why these battles are incredibly difficult to wage. They demand immense resilience and an ability to navigate through various shades of understanding.