Some thoughts on France 2024 election

 Your civilization will commit suicide with its own dagger(knife)

The nest built on the weak branch will not be permanent, stable (1)

 

                                           Bang e Dara (The marching bells) – Mohammad Iqbal

The rule of far right since its inception in 1972 has gradually ignited nationalism laden with xenophobia, hatred, racism, discrimination and anger towards non-conforming ideas.

Pankaj Mishra (2), Indian writer, and socialist beautifully stated in his book ‘The age of anger’ about the history of ultra-nationalism and also anticipated that the world in general would soon emerge in pockets of ultra nationalist movements which would wrap the globe in its rage – we can see such changes already in India, France, Germany, United Kingdom and countries like Burma etc. The ills of ultra-nationalism are nothing but quashing the living and creative capacities of a human being at a micro level whereas at macro levels, it causes issues like polarisation secondary to the stringent immigration policies, capitalizing on reservoirs of other countries [which are deemed as inferior, low or appeared as Skittles (3)] in the form of socio-economic system called capitalism.

These biased social structures are extensions of self-inflated geographical ideas about ones position in the globe, self-proclaimed superiority in terms of demographics, ethnicity or ancestral assets.

Mohammad Iqbal (4) has diligently mentioned the dark aspects of nationalism in following words.

 

In this age the wine, the cup, even rulings are different

The cup‐bearer has different ways of grace and tyranny

 

The Muslim also constructed a different harem (centre of focus) of his own

The Azar (idol-maker) of civilization made different idols of his own

 

Country, is the biggest among these new gods!

Its shirt is the shroud of Religion

 

This idol which is the product of the new civilization

Is the plunderer of the structure of the Prophet’s Religion

 

Your arm is enforced with the strength of the Divine Unity

You are the followers of Prophet, your country is Islam

 

You should show the old panorama to the world

O Prophe’s follower! You should destroy this idol

 

The limitation to country results in destruction

Live like the fish in the ocean free from country

 

Renouncing the country is the way of the God’s Beloved prophet (PBUH)

You should also testify to the Prophethood’s Truth by similar action

 

In political parlance country is something different

In Prophet’s command country is something different

 

The antagonism among world’s nations is created by this alone

Subjugation as the goal of commerce is created by this alone

 

Politics have become bereft of sincerity is by this alone

The destruction of the home of the weak is by this alone

 

God’s creation is unjustly divided among nations by it

The Islamic concept of nationality is uprooted by it

 

Bang e Dara (The Marching Bells) – PATRIOTISM, As a Political Concept

 

France from a long time has been a conservative and ultranationalist society where islamophobia is rampant and common man can easily be threatened when their political and social opinions represent  faith or set of values which do not approve the mainstream ideology. The state of disarray could not have stayed longer than this.

Polarisation, injustices and marginalisation became more evident with Gaza genocide. It was not only troubling for Muslims as Palestine is evidently an issue of human rights. But, the incident was immensely revealing as it has opened eyes of non-Muslims. The unmasking of European ‘so-called civilisation’ was too hard to absorb for people who had deep belief in its roots. The way post modernization in Europe is loaded with vices of corruption, manipulation, exploitation and discrimination on the basis of colour, location ,faith, race and views of people.

The world is waking up. France is still echoing in shock. The future is different this time. People in United States’ universities or in Europe are now not only standing up against the crime of genocide but having this audacity to protest against colonialism, neoliberalism and modern suppression and for values of a common man.

 

References:

  1. https://iqbalurdu.blogspot.com/2011/04/bang-e-dra-092-march-1907.html
  2. Mishra, P. (2017). Age of anger: A history of the present. Macmillan. pp 245-246
  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37416457
  4. https://iqbalurdu.blogspot.com/2011/04/bang-e-dra-102-wataniyat.html

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