Innate Brutality

Islamist Gate, by Azza Radwan Sedky

Jordanian and Syrian youth mark the anniversary of the Syrian uprising at the Citadel in Amman, Jordan. (Photo: AFP)

On CBC’s (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) program Q, Jian Gomeshi, the host, speaks to an instructor whose job is to teach high school students how to slaughter animals. Peculiar teaching content it was, so I listened on.

In answer to Gomeshi’s questions, the instructor, wanting to avoid gruesome details, did not know how explicit she should be. “How much do you want to know?” or “Do you want me to go on?” intercepted her speech.

Verging on an apology, she explained. “First, and most importantly, you render the animal senseless to pain. This you accomplish by knocking it on the head or putting a knife to its brain.” I agreed—the animals should not suffer.

When asked how her students react, she explained that people, in general, don’t grow up with the vocabulary on how to assimilate killing, so usually students  react by remaining silent moved by the experience and in reverence to the animals. Definitely, it is not an easy task to watch an animal or a person die or suffer.

Or is it? In many places around the world, not only animals but also humans are severely brutalized. 

I had intentionally refused to view footage of the brutality inflicted on officers and conscripts in the Kerdasa Police Station in Cairo in the wake of the removal of Mohammad  Morsi in July of last year. I don’t see any appeal in viewing such horror. And maybe by not seeing, I can keep the brutality at bay.

Inadvertently though, I sometimes land on footage where the brutality inflicted staggers. Today, I did just that: I read, only read mind you, that during the Kerdasa massacre, militants supporting the other side of the story, which is the Muslim Brotherhood, gave sulfuric acid to thirsty soldiers, and later poured it on their heads. This blew me away.  To some and contrary to the norm, inflicting pain evokes pleasure.

Around the world Islamist militants follow suit. In Syria, in particular, rebels revel in terrorizing their victims. Footage of butchered heads strewn in buckets, held high in glory, or played football with has logged the atrocities. Even after the victim dies, his body is taunted or ravaged. Maybe in ancient history, when lions were let out to feed on prisoners, such callous brutality was ordinary, but in this day and age, it shouldn’t be, and when it occurs, it stuns.

The reasons behind killings are apparent: evoking terror, aggravating others into revolting, destabilizing regimes, and exhibiting power. Undoubtedly those who fear similar fates react submissively.  The seven Egyptian Copts shot in Libya execution style earlier this year caused an exodus of Copts from Libya.

But the reasons behind the sheer brutality are never understandable. What invokes brutality? Is it revenge? Innate malice? Disregard for humans? Smugness and conceit?  Or sheer joy at inflicting pain? A definite response doesn’t exist. But here is another question: Or is it a feature of Islam as it has come to be considered the exporter of terror worldwide?

Yes, many of those inflicting brutality are Islamists as seen in Syria, Egypt, Libya, and other areas around the world. But the world at large is living the brutality.  Peaceful Muslims in Myanmar, India, and Bosnia faced and face a version of the same.  The photos of brutalized Burmese Muslims are similar to those at the receiving end of militant Islamists’ brutality in Syria.  During the Rwandan Genocide, Hutus slaughtered over half a million Tutus. South Africa still has its Apartheid-era brutality moments. The Holocaust and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are other exhibits of sheer brutality.

However, the same Quran that presumably entices these killers says:

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors." (Surat Al-Baqarah)

"We believe in Allah, and … what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them." (Surat Al-Omran)

"Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion …" (Surat  An-Nahl)

And the servants of (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!" (Surat Al-Furqan)

And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, … but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow." (Surah Al-Ankabut)

The truth is brutality exists in human nature. It can be related to deprivation and poverty, to animalistic wrath or fury, but more often to intense brainwashing and manipulation. Religion is merely a coat hanger upon which some pain inflictors hang their craving for power or justify their actions and purpose.  

via www.islamistgate.com