Comments on: Arab Fiats: Islamicism is the New Communism http://demockracy.com/arab-fiats-islamicism-is-the-new-communism/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:24:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Tony Smith http://demockracy.com/arab-fiats-islamicism-is-the-new-communism/comment-page-1/#comment-466 Tony Smith Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:41:29 +0000 http://demockracy.com/?p=3209#comment-466 Scott, take a look at my piece Saudi Pash-Ghanistan. The Royal Family in Saudi Arabia who adhere to none of the tenants of Islam, pay off the Wahabbis by allowing them to run most things, while leaving them supposedly as Monarchs. This keeps them off their backs, and is the extreeme example , where Rulers use Salafalism to keep attention off themselves. Scott, take a look at my piece Saudi Pash-Ghanistan. The Royal Family in Saudi Arabia who adhere to none of the tenants of Islam, pay off the Wahabbis by allowing them to run most things, while leaving them supposedly as Monarchs. This keeps them off their backs, and is the extreeme example , where Rulers use Salafalism to keep attention off themselves.

]]> By: Scott Unzicker http://demockracy.com/arab-fiats-islamicism-is-the-new-communism/comment-page-1/#comment-465 Scott Unzicker Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:29:39 +0000 http://demockracy.com/?p=3209#comment-465 Tony, I enjoyed your article. Coincidentally, I just finished reading Lawrence' "Seven Pillars of Wisdom," the book on which "Lawrence of Arabia" is based. Small world. My only issue with your assertions is your statement that "radical Islamists do not govern any Arab country with a significant population." While I would not characterize them as "radical Islamists," the House of Saud, and consequently the whole of Saudi Arabia, adheres to a particularly conservative form of Islam called "Wahhabism" (also called Salafism). I've no doubt you are aware of that. While the tenets of that variation of Islam are not overtly militant, their narrow, stringent interpretation of what it means to be a Muslim can lead to radical action. Consider that 19 of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, most likely Wahhabis, and that Bin Laden himself is purported to be Wahhabi, as well. Stringent and narrow-minded adherence to any faith can lead to disastrous consequences. I can think of a certain soon-to-be-former U.S. President whose unwavering belief in being "favored of God" has thrown an entire world into disarray. Again, good article. Cheers. Tony,

I enjoyed your article. Coincidentally, I just finished reading Lawrence’ “Seven Pillars of Wisdom,” the book on which “Lawrence of Arabia” is based. Small world.

My only issue with your assertions is your statement that “radical Islamists do not govern any Arab country with a significant population.”

While I would not characterize them as “radical Islamists,” the House of Saud, and consequently the whole of Saudi Arabia, adheres to a particularly conservative form of Islam called “Wahhabism” (also called Salafism). I’ve no doubt you are aware of that.

While the tenets of that variation of Islam are not overtly militant, their narrow, stringent interpretation of what it means to be a Muslim can lead to radical action. Consider that 19 of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, most likely Wahhabis, and that Bin Laden himself is purported to be Wahhabi, as well.

Stringent and narrow-minded adherence to any faith can lead to disastrous consequences. I can think of a certain soon-to-be-former U.S. President whose unwavering belief in being “favored of God” has thrown an entire world into disarray.

Again, good article.

Cheers.

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