Discrepancies

Submitted by Tom (United States), Jun 7, 2009 at 16:01

I would like to point out a few glaring discrepancies that point to the fact that this article is probably a fake. I have not read the entire piece, but it is obvious from the start that this was written not by a person living in the times of Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab.

First, the use of the term "Sick man of Europe" to describe the Ottoman Empire was not even used until the late 19th century, so this term did not exist during the time frame that this piece would have to be written during.

Second, the use of the label "Iran". Iran was not called "Iran" until the mid-20th century. Again, problematic time line.

Third, I have done research on Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab as part of my Masters Thesis. I do not like him, nor his movement, in fact I wish he had died on the road to Basra early in his life, we would all be better off today if he had not succeeded. But, having said that, I do not see him as a hypocritical womanizer and boozer as this article claims. Just not buying it.

I think one can make the case that British intervention that started in the mid 19th century did have an impact on the Wahhabi movement. These effects can be strongly seen during WW1 and the aftermath of the collapse of the Turkish state. Good book on the subject: "A Peace to End All Peace" by David Fromkin. If you want to understand what is happening in the Middle East today, read this book.

Also, If you want to understand the aversion that many Muslims have to secularism and the West, go read about the reforms initiated by Kemal Ataturk, Gamel Abdel Nasser and the Shah of Iran. These men were brutal, as ruthless as the Wahhabists.

If you want to see signs of true reform coming from the Muslim world, look into the AKP party in Turkey. The West would be remiss not to let them into the EU. This party might represent the future of relations between the West and Islamic world.

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