Peter Espeut

As I watched how the United States of America (USA) observed the fifth anniversary of what they call nine/11, and as I reviewed their intervening actions, I asked myself: what have they learnt from this whole episode? Two weeks ago I wrote that September 11, 2001 will turn out to be an epoch in world history, the hinge between two ages - the beginning of a new era in world history. The assault on the arch-symbols of western wealth and military might - the twin towers of the New York World Trade Center, and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. - were intended, it seems to me, to be profoundly symbolic.

The purpose of 9/11 was to threaten the very foundation of western civilisation. It was intended to be symbolic, for four airliners could not defeat the military might of the U.S.A.; but four airliners can threaten the throne of 'Babylon', to put it 'Rastafaristically'.

Broadly speaking, of the 6 billion-plus people in the world, 2.1 billion are Christians, and 1.3 billion are Muslims. These two religious traditions are ideologies; they contain different world-views, cosmologies and ethical systems; they are two different cultures, two different ways of life.

Western invasion

Western culture from the U.S. is invading the world, including the Muslim world. Burgers, blue jeans and boogie are spreading, making world culture more homogeneous, making the world in the image and likeness of the U.S.A. This is widely resented, even in Europe.

It is deeply resented in the Muslim world, which has a valued ancient culture that is being slowly eroded as their young people adopt western practices. Coming along with western culture are western liberal values: unbridled freedom leading to indiscipline, especially in sexual matters; market supremacy which erodes traditional patterns of distribution of wealth and welfare; a pervasive secularism which demeans religion. And then there are the social problems which attend the practice of these values: anomie and alienation; the breakdown of the family; poverty and unwanted children.

The Islamic world feels profoundly threatened by the West, because the West is threatening the Islamic world. Alongside the pervasive secularism flourishes an intolerant fundamentalist version of Christianity which gives more weight to the Old Testament than the New, which makes support of Israel against her neighbours a modern crusade. What Richard the lion heart could not do by force of arms, is being achieved by more effective means. If your enemy dresses in your clothes, eats your food, listens to your music, plays your sports and watches your movies, they will be more likely to look up to you, and open their markets to you, and follow your political line.

The West has taken things too far. What has been wrought on the Palestinian people since World War II is a grave injustice. I hold no brief for the Palestinian people; Jewish blood runs in my veins; but why have these people been made to live in refugee camps for 60 years? Where is the independent state they were promised at the same time the Jews - victims of the terrible holocaust - were promised theirs? This is an ethical matter - a matter of justice.

Something is not right

The 'New Middle East' the West wishes to create to suit their interests is not to the liking of the majority of the people who live there. It seems to me that nine/11 is a clear sign that something is not right between the Middle East and the U.S.A.; it is a plea for attention, a cry to be noticed; even a wake-up call for equity and for justice. The U.S. response of invading Afghanistan and Iraq has made the matter worse; the popular insurgencies show that; the Muslim world is up in arms. The great power of their oil wealth will be thrown (is being thrown) into the battle.

It seems to me that there has been very little discussion of these issues in the U.S.A. over the last five years; they have focused on the methods used to challenge them rather than on the reason behind the challenge. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me: morally, it is wrong to try to achieve a good end with immoral means, and I am against the use of violence as a tool; I am trying here to analyse the real cause of 9/11 and to discuss what will bring peace. It seems to me that the West is digging in, and that we can expect more of the same in this new age of Islamic assertiveness.

Peter Espeut is a sociologist and a Roman Catholic deacon.