This article appeared in my local newspaper in the op/ed section May 2007.

Starting in the 6^th century and continuing for approximately 900 years, a society existed like no other. Peoples of varying ethnicities and religious persuasions lived side by side complementing one another and seeking the means to live in harmony.  They were masons and landscapers, craftsmen and tailors, financiers and accountants.  The coalescence of their skills culminated in a system that produced an agricultural system envied by all of Europe.  Architectural marvels exist today as a testimony to the sheer genius of their craft.  The beauty of living without fear of ones neighbor was commonplace and has not been reproduced since its demise.  This was Andalus and the citizens were Muslim, Jewish and Christian. 

Today many lambaste the idea that there can be peace between these groups due to what is occurring in Occupied Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and many other regions.  Wherever the United States administration sees fit to create discord and division, you will find death and destruction.  Yet when we look at the crystallization of ideas that brought about a system that complemented the best of humanity, we should yearn to replicate that era.  Many would criticize this idea because of the nonexistence of these types of societies today however if we carefully research what forces destroyed these societies we will find that it is akin to what we see happening among the Muslims today.   We need to try and revive that idea that made Andalus prosper.  The Iberian Peninsula under the rule of Muslims emphasized the Islamic way of life.

Last month the United States government decided, without the consent of the Iraqi government, that the construction of a wall 12 foot high and three miles long was needed to separate differing factions in Iraq.  The thought was that it would quell the violence that has been occurring there since the occupation by coalition forces.  But this is not the first barricade constructed and probably wont be the last.  Unfortunately the old idea of divide and conquer is at play in Iraq.  The Shia, Sunni and Kurds are Muslims and the violence is being labeled sectarian but the cause is relevant to the occupation.  Occupation has wrought what we are witnessing today.  Occupation takes away from a people their dignity, identity and freedom.  The freedom to choose ones leader and the freedom to be governed according to a defined set of ideas is central to any society.  When that is obstructed by an outside entity, as is so with the American contingent in Iraq, rebellion is bound to occur.  Additionally, the occupying force enlists members of the host country to join them in their effort to control the masses and the end result is chaos and increased violence.

This same idea of occupation was the crux of the downfall of Andalus and the literal genocide of a people.  Andalus was composed of the historic cities of Seville, Granada and Cordoba.  The Roman Catholic Church wanted the land and made plans to extinguish the population, Muslim and Jewish alike.  The Spanish Inquisition was born.  The war plan was to create a system whereby they could instill a sense of fear into a portion of the society and cause some members to assist them in the quest to conquer Andalus.  First those Muslims who were sincere in their faith were subject to public trials.  Their fate lied in either renouncing their belief in Islam and converting to Christianity or dying a humiliating public death which entailed having to wear the clothing of a heretic and being burned at the stake.  Muslims literally had to go under ground to practice their religion.  This was also the case with Judaism.  Homes were occupied and families were destroyed.    Those who assisted the occupying force were looked upon with disdain by the majority population and a resistance movement was formed.  

Resistance is what is occurring in Iraq today.  Walls do nothing but divide and create a sense of entrapment and despair.  Saddam Hussein is dead and history will continue to tell his story but the people of Iraq can not be made to pay for his ruthlessness. 

The death of over 650,000 Iraqis and close to 3,300 American military personnel over the last four years does not signify victory.  Preserving life by ending the occupation is the only way to reclaim our moral high ground and take the lead toward reestablishing world peace.

Andalus exemplified that ideal for nine centuries and has yet to be replicated any where on this earth. 

Jamilah Rasheed

Last update : 12-11-2007 21:42

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