More of the same from the UK
Not to be outdone by President Bush and his Ramadan message, recently posted on the White House website, Gordon Brown is even more effusive in his praise for Muslims and the month of jihad.
Right from the start, the British prime minister soars over the top when he alludes to “our shared moral universe,” leading us to wonder from which planet in that universe he in fact hails. Only thirty seconds into the speech, he delivers the obligatory reference to legendary Muslim “compassion,” and only another ten seconds later he succeeded in making me stab myself in the ear when he invoked everyone’s favorite prophet.
Mr. Brown goes on to echo Mr. Bush in reminding us how much better off we all are , thanks to the important contributions of Muslims:
Ramadan is an opportune time to consider the contribution of Islam, not just to Britain, but to the world. Islamic art, science, and philosophy have enriched our lives over many centuries.
My own limitations as a historian leave me inadequate to the task of substantiating this claim with even a short list of supporting examples, but I’m certain that—if not for being understandably preoccupied with trolling unabashedly for Muslim votes for his declining political party—Mr. Brown is able to wax eloquent with a plethora of details regarding the many-splendored inheritance of Islamic culture, and if required he would do so in perfectly exquisite King’s English, in advance of the inevitable day when Arabic sadly becomes the official language of the UK.
An utterly embarrassing dhimmi Brown may be, but as linguistic contributions to culture are concerned, it is hardly possible to split hairs with him over even a split infinitive.
All in all it was an impressive song and dance.
He should at least win Miss Congeniality.
6 comments
“Islamic art, science, and philosophy have enriched our lives over many centuries. ” –I’ve often wondered about this claim. Perhaps someone like Spencer could document it better (but then, again, most documentation would have been lost), but I have long assumed that the vaunted achievements attributed to medieval Islam should in fact be attributed to the many thinkers and artisans that were busy studying their arts and sciences when the Muslims were cultivating the skills they needed to enslave –and then exploit– them.
That’s my take, too, Darryl. I figure someday, after they nuke us, the Muslims will claim they invented nuclear fusion.
I may be limited as a historian, but I’m quite certain that western influences on Islam are numerous, yet one never hears Muslims speak respectfully of us and our contributions to their culture.
I’ll also be looking forward to getting greetings in kind from prominent Muslims next Christmas, and I know they’ll refer to the birth of God’s Son and tidings of great joy–now that we’re all one big, happy family.
One of my favorite past times, is going to museums and into the Oriental division of the museum. The only art which strikes awe in me comes from Japan or China. The African arts are too primitive for my taste, and the Islamic Arts division is limited to either calligraphies, architectural reproductions, minimized, and a very lifeless, drab and darkened reality. Only ancient Persian art has illustrations along with the writing. You won’t see this in Arabic writings. In fact, the calligraphies are so overly ornate, that they are illegible and confusing…even for many who read classical Arabic. Cloissone (enameling) is the only other artform displayed, but that too is Persian, which retained more of its pre-Islamic identity. You can see the destruction of ancient Persian cultural identity within Iran today with the flooding of ancient sites and the deliberate suppression of Persian holidays.
Much of what I used to believe about Islamic art, science and medicine has been kindly corrected by none other than Ibn Warraq, whose valuable latest book on defending western civilisation is a must read.
You mean Defending the West, Scherzo?
I haven’t read it. I’ll try to track it down at the library.
Except for the reading I do online, I do ALL of my reading in the library–the porcelain library. Once, I lent a paperback to Jack Bauer, who later told me it stunk like ass.
Speaking of Jack, where in the Hell is he? Yoo hoo. Jack?
BTW, you may be interested to know that Jack has a big “24″ tattooed on his bulging jock bicep. Yes, he’s a huge fan, but I’m afraid he’s had it since long before Fox started running 24.
It was his football number in college.
As for Islamic art, I hear what you’re saying. Yet, some of the architecture and mosaics are so stunning you have wonder what Muslims might have achieved by pursuing art for art’s sake.
I’ve been thinking all day about the philosophy angle, ever since I read Darryl’s comment early this morning before work. I was thinking about Avicenna and Averroes, about whom I know a bit only because of Thomas Aquinas. These Andalusian figures would be high on anyone’s list of important contributors to western philosophy, but even these giant examples were more influenced by western culture than vice-versa. Conceptually, they were both neo-Platonists, and Averroes at least is known primarily because of his Aristotelian commentaries.
Islam hasn’t given us anything like an Aristotle of its own.
Note: I threw this crap in just for Jack.
As I say, when more of them have inevitably harnessed the power of the atom, Muslims will destroy us and then claim to have discovered and perfected nuclear technology.
Yes, think twice before adding to the porcelain library that Haid refers to. Speaking of tattoos, you ought to see the Monet that covers his hairy back. But he is my B and I love him nonetheless.
LOL, Jack. Thanks a lot.
Now the jihadis will be able to identify me from the Monet!
That’s one of the things about tattoos, by the way. I’ve always thought if you’re going to let someone draw on your body, you really ought to get a great master painter, not a drugged-out biker. Some of the crap I see on otherwise lovely young ladies I wouldn’t post on my weblog, much less on my buff bod. I’d probably let Monet tattoo a few water lilies on me.
But your “24″ is nice, Jack. Besides, you’re Jack Bauer.