Liberal Islamic fundamentalism?
As the Islamist militia in Somalia marches across the country (for a quick backgrounder, see FP's Seven Questions: Somalia's Struggle), I can't help but wonder: Are they fundamentalists or liberals? It's getting hard to tell. Check out some of the things the Somali Islamists have achieved that most Western liberals would be proud of: Liberal ...
As the Islamist militia in Somalia marches across the country (for a quick backgrounder, see FP's Seven Questions: Somalia's Struggle), I can't help but wonder: Are they fundamentalists or liberals? It's getting hard to tell. Check out some of the things the Somali Islamists have achieved that most Western liberals would be proud of:
As the Islamist militia in Somalia marches across the country (for a quick backgrounder, see FP's Seven Questions: Somalia's Struggle), I can't help but wonder: Are they fundamentalists or liberals? It's getting hard to tell. Check out some of the things the Somali Islamists have achieved that most Western liberals would be proud of:
Liberal objective number 1) Rule of Law. The Union of Islamic Courts swiftly defeated Somalia's widely-hated, lawless, violent (and some of them U.S-backed) warlords. By all accounts, crime, rape, and murder are all down in Mogadishu since the Islamists came to power.
2) Free Trade. The Islamists have made the streets (and waters) safe for trade. Due to increased safety, shopkeepers are for the first time keeping their doors open after dark. The Islamist militia has outlawed Somalia's highway "toll"-extortionists and is in the process of eliminating piracy on its coastal waters. The Mogadishu airport, closed for over a decade, has finally reopened.
Read more after the jump.
3) Popular legitimacy. The Islamists already have a great deal of popular support. Towns, villages, and militias across Somalia are peacefully and voluntarily submitting to Islamist rule.
4) Environmentalism. Bizarrely, the Islamists are making a serious effort to eradicate Somalia's rare animal trade and charcoal industry, which have harmed the country's environment.
The Islamist militia is now hoping to achieve liberal Wilsonian objective number 5) Sovereignty and self-determination. They want to unify Somalia under Union of Islamic Courts rule, and they want Ethiopia to stop meddling in Somali affairs. Given how much the Islamists have achieved, that doesn't seem wholly unreasonable. Reports that World Cup matches were banned and that women are being forced to veil themselves is troubling. But the Islamist militia was once more moderate, and considering its demonstrated "liberal streak", perhaps it would be wise for the international community to engage the Islamist militia, rather than reject and risk further radicalizing what looks to be Somalia's next ruling faction.
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