The Poem
Listen, what is yours is mine
Mine mine, yours mine, too
We blew up giant statues of Buddhas in Bamiyan
We smoked and shattered World Trade Center
How about adding insult to injury?
Cordoba House Park51 near Ground Zero
Filthy rich Middle East shut doors to Syrian refugees
Refugees became the West’s baby
Scheming Saudi Arabia offers to build mosques for refugees in Germany!
Can Germans build a church in Saudi Arabia? No way Jose!
Before Islam, synagogues graced Saudi Arabia
How many synagogues now? Big zero
Antique churches adorned Middle east
Got wiped out along with the history
Thousands of Gurudwaras, Jain derasars
Buddhist monasteries, Hindu mandirs
Populated Pakistan and Afghanistan
Now? You can count them on your fingers
The Explanation
The poem elucidates a sequence of events and behaviors that exemplify a pattern of religious intolerance, cultural obliteration, and geopolitical double standards. It highlights the unequal treatment of religious minorities and the erosion of cultural legacy, particularly prevalent in regions like the Middle East and South Asia.
The obliteration of the colossal Buddhas in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, alongside the World Trade Center attack, are highlighted as manifestations of violent extremism and disregard for both human life and cultural heritage. These incidents epitomize the devastating outcomes of Islamic extremism and terrorism, echoing globally and inflicting immense loss and anguish.
The inclusion of the Cordoba House Park51 project near Ground Zero in New York City introduces another dimension to the discourse, emphasizing the contentiousness surrounding the establishment of Islamic religious institutions in sensitive locales. This initiative ignited debates concerning religious freedom, sensitivity toward the memory of 9/11, and the perception of Islam in Western societies.
Moreover, the poem rightfully critiques the response of affluent Middle Eastern nations to the Syrian refugee crisis, contrasting their reluctance to shelter refugees with offers to construct mosques for them in Germany. This contrast underscores the inequality in accountability and solidarity among nations in addressing humanitarian crises and accommodating displaced populations.
Additionally, the mention of the waning religious diversity in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East accentuates the erasure of non-Islamic religious sites and the marginalization of religious minorities. The disappearance of synagogues and ancient churches illustrates a history of religious persecution and cultural oppression, resulting in the forfeiture of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Finally, the poem highlights the diminishing presence of non-Islamic religious sites in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, where once diverse religious communities flourished. The decline of Gurudwaras, Jain derasars, Buddhist monasteries, and Hindu mandirs underscores the obstacles faced by religious minorities in upholding their cultural and religious traditions amidst escalating intolerance and persecution.
The Background
Buddhas of Bamiyan: The Buddhas of Bamiyan, also known as Bamyan, were monumental statues originating from the 6th century, situated on a cliffside in the Bamyan valley of central Afghanistan. Positioned 130 kilometers (81 miles) northwest of Kabul and at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), these statues held significant historical and cultural importance. Carbon dating analysis revealed that the smaller "Eastern Buddha," standing at 38 meters (125 feet), was erected around 570 CE, while the larger "Western Buddha," towering at 55 meters (180 feet), was constructed around 618 CE, coinciding with the rule of the Hephthalites in the region. The site served as a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists traveling along the ancient Silk Road.
In March 2001, under the directive of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, the Buddhas faced destruction after the Taliban government declared them to be idols. This act elicited widespread condemnation from both international and local communities, given the immense historical and cultural significance attached to the Buddhas of Bamiyan.
Attack on the World Trade Center: The 9/11 attacks, or September 11 attacks, comprised a series of meticulously planned terrorist acts perpetrated by Al-Qaeda, an Islamist group, against the United States on September 11, 2001. This tragic event commenced when 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes scheduled to fly from the East Coast to California.
The hijackers deliberately crashed the first two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, which were among the tallest buildings globally at that time. The remaining two planes targeted locations in or near Washington, D.C., with one striking the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the fourth crashing in rural Pennsylvania due to the heroic actions of its passengers. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 individuals, making it the deadliest terrorist act in history.
The aftermath of these attacks precipitated the global war on terror, primarily waged in Afghanistan and Iraq. The United States Central Intelligence Agency identified Al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden, as the perpetrators of the attacks. In response, the U.S. launched a military intervention in Afghanistan to topple the Taliban regime, which harbored Al-Qaeda operatives. Additionally, the U.S. invoked Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, calling upon its allies to join the fight against Al-Qaeda.
The pursuit of bin Laden lasted nearly a decade, culminating in his death during a U.S. military operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011. The war in Afghanistan persisted until February 2020, when an agreement was reached for the withdrawal of American and NATO forces from the country. The last U.S. troops departed from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, leading to the resurgence of the Taliban regime.
These attacks inflicted significant loss of life, injuries, and long-term health ramifications. Excluding the hijackers, 2,977 individuals perished, with thousands more sustaining injuries. The economic repercussions were profound, with substantial infrastructure and property damage amounting to at least $10 billion. The destruction of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon prompted the enactment of stringent anti-terrorism measures and enhanced powers for law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide.
The cleanup of the World Trade Center site concluded in May 2002, while the Pentagon underwent repairs within a year. The construction of One World Trade Center occurred between 2006 and 2014, serving as a replacement for the Twin Towers. Memorials have been established in New York City, Arlington County, and Pennsylvania to commemorate the victims of these tragic events.
Gulf States' Stance on Refugees: One crucial factor influencing the decision of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, to restrict access for Syrian refugees is their stance on the concept of refugeehood. Unlike numerous other nations, these Persian Gulf countries have not ratified the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees in 1951, a pivotal document delineating refugee rights and the legal obligations of signatory states.
Consequently, the monarchies in the Gulf region lack binding legal obligations towards refugees and do not differentiate between migrants and refugees, categorizing both as "residents." Consequently, these nations do not extend preferential treatment to individuals with refugee status, thereby adopting a more restrictive approach toward accommodating Syrian refugees.
Refugees in the Western Context: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced during a gathering of member states in Geneva that, although the figure of 100,000 resettlements represents an increase, it falls short of the UN's and aid organizations' desired goal. Approximately three million refugees primarily reside in Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, while only around 62,000 have gained entry into Western countries.
Following a pledging conference in Geneva, where organizations such as Oxfam and Save the Children urged affluent nations to accept at least 5% (180,000) of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees, Western countries pledged to increase their intake. While the UNHCR expressed gratitude for the new resettlement offers, it called for a more robust response, as many refugees continue to grapple with health issues and trauma resulting from conflict. Unfortunately, the wealthy Gulf states did not specify numerical pledges.
Saudi Arabia's Offer of Mosque Construction: Saudi Arabia reportedly addressed the escalating number of individuals fleeing the Middle East for Western Europe by proposing to build 200 mosques in Germany. Critics contend that wealthier Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, have not adequately contributed to the humanitarian crisis.
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung cited a report from the Lebanese newspaper Al Diyar, stating that Saudi Arabia intended to construct one mosque for every 100 refugees entering Germany. While it would be unfair to assert that Gulf Arab states have provided no aid to the approximately four million Syrians who have fled their country since 2011, there is apprehension among these nations regarding the potential influx of Syrian refugees loyal to Bashar al-Assad. Additionally, there is broader concern about demographic shifts, contributing to their reluctance to embrace refugees, particularly in the UAE, where foreigners outnumber citizens by more than five to one.
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