A Paragraph of Complete Absurdity

I found this paragraph in Edward Said's "Covering Islam" - and found it so absurd that I had to post it up here. Note though, that Said does not agree with the following paragraph, but publishes it in his book to show "lazy historical judgement, over-generalization, and incredible stereotyping of the kind no one who has anything seriously to do with Islam would recognize as near- nonsense."

Here goes...

Certain cultures and subcultures, homes of frustrated causes, are destined breeding grounds for terrorism. The Islamic culture is the most notable example. That culture's view of its own rightful position in the world is profoundly at variance with the actual order of the contemporary world. It is God's will that the House of Islam should triumph over the House of War (the non-Moslem) world, and not just by spiritual means. "Islam Means Victory" is a slogan of the Iranian fundamentalists in the Gulf. To strike a blow against the House of War is meritorious; consequently, there is widespread support for activities condemned in the West as terrorist. Israel is one main target for these activities, but the activities would not be likely to cease even if Israel came to an end.

- Conor Cruise O'Brien

What I find fascinating, and a tad unnerving at the same time, is that Said's book was first written in 1981 - and then updated in 1997 (this quote was presumably inserted at that time as it has been taken from the June 1986 edition of 'The Atlantic') - but speaks about issues that are extremely relevant today: the perversion of Islam in the media, the way in which Islam and terrorism purported by those from predominantly-Muslim states are used synonymously, the rise in anti-Americanism in the Muslim world as a result of American policies and so on....


That's it for now...ciao, adios, au revoir...and remember...to be born again first you must die...

~me