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Al-Ahram Weekly 21 - 28 January 1999 Issue No. 413 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 21 - 28 January 1999 Issue No. 413
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Focus Economy Opinion Culture Features Living Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A moral victory
By Milad HannaIn the post-Soviet Union era, two trends in analysing international conflict have emerged. The first focuses on the clash between international terrorism and the US. The attacks on the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam on 7 August last year precipitated a US response of unprecedented violence: attacks on Afghanistan and Sudan, which took the world into a new epoch of conflict. This era will not witness conventional warfare between states, nor will it involve armies. The new conflict pits a superpower against an ectoplasmic organisation that has attained global dimensions, manifests ideological differences, yet obtains cohesiveness from its funding source. This source operates through state-of-the-art techniques, and is greatly assisted by global and satellite-based communication systems, which transcend formal borders between states.
At the same time, a new global humanitarian culture is appearing. The Times of London recently disclosed that a small group of Western volunteers had arrived in Lebanon to "apologise" for the horrific acts committed by the Crusades some nine centuries ago. The volunteers sported shirts inscribed with the words "We Are Sorry". Al-Ahram, which reported the story on 9 September last, stated that the group would "stop people on the streets and express their regret".
If such humanitarian gestures (whoever initiates them) become sufficiently frequent, they could do much to heal old wounds. Long-standing animosities could be assuaged. This new application of an older theory of civilisation may be an alternative to the clash of civilisations theory propagated by the American writer Samuel Huntington in 1993. According to Huntington, the next world war will oppose Western civilisation, represented by the US and Western Europe, to Islam and Confucianism. In fact, Clinton's visit to China should be perceived as an endeavour to obstruct the conclusion of any alliance between Confucianism and Islam. On the other hand, covert hostility and open conflict between the US and terrorism do not seem about to abate, although, in an attempt to ease the cultural and civilisational conflict between Islam and the West, US President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright have repeatedly stated that the war waged against terrorism is not a war against Islam.
The attempt to heal past injuries, and the wider endeavour to eradicate the seeds of hostility between cultures and civilisations, stems from a movement that arose before the Second World War in Europe. The movement, led by an American Protestant pastor called Frank Bergman, was established in Switzerland in reaction to the intolerance and militarism that swept Europe in the wake of Hitler and Mussolini's sweeping successes of the mid-'30s. The pastor, who witnessed the European arms race, believed that what Europe needed most was moral principles, ethics and spiritual values. The movement was therefore known as Moral Re-Armament (MRA).
Despite its sincere endeavours, the MRA could not prevent World War II. In the aftermath of the war, however, the need for the MRA became more pressing than ever. Today, its leaders have purchased an old hotel in a small village nestled in the mountainside in the winter resort of Caux, near Montreux. The hotel, known today as the Mountain House, is a meeting place for old enemies. The atmosphere inspires tolerance and forgiveness. The MRA has become a principal recipient of donations from various organisations in Europe, known for their contributions to individuals who are active in fostering the spirit of understanding and tolerance among the nations of the world. The last recipient of the MRA award was Mrs Mubarak, in a recent ceremony held in Salzburg, Austria.
As of 1946, the MRA headquarters swarmed with French and German thinkers, statesmen, clergymen and media people. All were of one mind, determined to forget the hatred that had kindled three wars between their two countries until 1945. In this atmosphere of good will, the Marshall Plan was executed with great effectiveness, providing huge funds for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Europe. With the efforts of men like Adenauer, Schuman and De Gaulle, 40 years of work toward forgiveness, tolerance and collective regret were crowned with the establishment of a "united Europe". Misdeeds and injuries that had seemed indelible were forgiven. Thankfully, human nature, though inclined to vengeance, possesses an unlimited ability to forgive.
The success of the MRA in reconciling France and Germany had an enormously positive effect on the group itself, and on disseminating the ideals capable of healing the scars of history. The movement soon spread to Japan, which sought to heal the wounds it had inflicted on the US forces devastated in Pearl Harbour in 1941. The US also sought absolution from its horrific crimes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The MRA has persevered in applying its message of reconciliation in various parts of the world. While its technique differed from one case to another, its effect was far more positive than any government-led efforts to solve problems through warfare or conventional diplomacy; formal means address symptoms, but rarely heal the heart of the problem. With no official title and no funds, the members of the MRA have no means to pressure those they seek to reconcile. After holding sessions with former military enemies, they apply gradual confidence-building techniques assisted by highly reputable and altruistic people. Thus are one-time enemies eventually won over and reconciled.
I have learned much from this distinguished group during my annual visits to Caux. Impressed by the wealth of their experience, their concepts and techniques, I suggested to the political committee that manages reconciliation operations to intervene in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, which has lasted so agonisingly long. The government is unable to impose peace and security throughout Sudan, while the opposition in the South, represented by popular militias, are still braced to overthrow the regime. The MRA may have a very relevant role to play in Sudan, to extend the cease-fire and help secure safe passage for food aid to areas where millions are devastated by famine. A reconciliation meeting of the conflicting parties may bring some peace to Sudan.
