Minority rights – the key to peace in the Middle East?
As Middle Eastern countries strive to gain a foothold in this ever-changing world, an important question poses itself: how can we expect to build healthy, vibrant societies when significant segments of the population are denied the right to worship freely, to celebrate their identity…denied the right to be.
And it’s in that spirit that the London Middle East Institute presents the forum “Why Minority Rights are the Key to Pluralism and Key in the Middle East”
The London Middle East Institute presents, in association with HARIF: WHY MINORITY RIGHTS ARE THE KEY TO PLURALISM AND PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Lecture by Masri Feki followed by forum
Thursday 18 September 2008
SOAS, London WC1What we commonly think of as the ‘Arab and Muslim world’ is in fact a rich and varied mosaic of peoples. Over the last 50 years, many Middle Eastern minorities have been oppressed or struggled to survive – be they national groups ( Berbers, Kurds, Turkomans, etc), religious communities (Christians, Zoroastrians, Baha’is, etc) or both (Armenians, Jews, etc). Sects, such as Shi’ites in the Gulf states and Sunnis in Iran, have not been successfully integrated within Islam itself.
Masri Feki sees minority rights as central to his vision of secular democracy. Now, more than ever, thriving minorities are the cornerstone of a healthy civil society and the key to pluralism and peace in this troubled region.
Following Masri Feki’s lecture, representatives of Middle Eastern minorities are invited to take part in a debate on how best to build a new and better Middle East.
Born in Cairo, Masri M Feki is a political scientist and author of several works on the Middle East. He writes for the Turkish and Arabic press. He is the founder of a pressure group based in Paris, The Middle East Pact (MEP), which works to bring Middle Eastern communities together around a regional political pact.
Khalili Lecture Theatre, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Thornhaugh St, Russell Square, London WC1
Refreshments from 6.15pm. Lecture 7pm
Entrance free
Enquiries info@harif.org. Website www.harif.org
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As for the Sunnis getting intergrated in Iran’s social structure, I think there is a wide range of real opportunities. Iranian officials calim that they are seeking Muslim Unity. We can ask them to clarify this claim, and determine whether it’s a short-term strategy so as to beat the common enemy, or there is a more fundamental rationale to this practice (in which I truly believe). We may convince the whole population that Sunni-Shiite reconciliation is possible even withough either group giving up its principal beliefs. Though this process may take several years or even a generation, its worth all efforts.
As for the Bahais in Iran, I think that we need some pioneers to establish Muslim-Bahai dialogue (in Persian) so as to remove the pile of misinformation regarding Bahai sect as well as play a role-model (of social interaction). It’s again possible, though needs a lot more patience.
This conference is being organised by a Jewish group which is why it ignores the mention of the largest minority in the ME -Israeli Arabs! – Its juts another exercise in Arab/Muslim bashing
Nope. The largest minority in the Middle East are the Kurds.
However you raise a valid point. Israeli Arabs are consistently undergoing abuse and discrimination in Israel. It is incredibly unfortunate because they are ignored in the Arab world because they are Israeli, and they are ignored and abused within Israel because they are Arab. We should certainly find ways to support their cause. It is sad to see so many Jews and Israelis being in utter denial of how much racism this minority is facing both from the government and from other Israeli citizens.