The "Privilege" Argument:
When Secularism is NOT FAR FROM FASCISM
[December 2000]
Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance
Upper Iowa University
Dear Shetubondhon Friends,
Salam and greetings.
Secularism has been one of the pillars of Mujibbad and part of the first constitution of Bangladesh. While the country has moved away from the secular clause, the underlying tension in the society remains intact. The implications are far-reaching.
Most importantly, there are those who, quite erroneously, oppose secularism in a blanket fashion. In contrast, there are those who, in defense of secularism, seem not to know any limit. Thus, better understanding of this issue is important, especially if we want to have or identify some relevant talking points in regard to secularism.
It is erroneous to think that this "secular fundamentalism" characterization of Turkish government's policy is merely an attack on secularism. Moreover, it is quite interesting that the same people who are boisterous defenders of the "right" of Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin, who most callously insult others' faith, especially for the sake of money and recognition, and who find some of the regimes with terrible human rights problems, such as Afghanistan, utterly unacceptable and loathsome, do not seem to have any problem with the Turkish policy of interference with hijab, barring a parliament member to take seat in the parliament and other concomitant issues, because being a parliament member, supposedly, is not a right, but a privilege, and therefore, anyone who wants to be a parliament member needs to respect and adhere to the rules set by the institution. A captious, "right vs. privilege" distinction takes care of ALL THAT!
This "privilege" thing seems to be rather peculiar - really and almost uniquely peculiar - approach to this whole thing. Indeed, some of the other fellow "secular humanists" not only do not agree with such "privilege" approach to rationalize the Turkish Secular Fundamentalism, but some even have gone to the extent of calling Turkey's type of approach as "not far from fascism".When we had the discussion on this topic on another forum, I made a plea for a "principled" approach. [Re: Anti-secular? Anti-Christian? Anti-Semitic?; http://www.egroups.com/message/eshomabesh/817 ]
Reciprocating my call for a "principled" approach that treats extremism (anything as such for that matter) consistently and fairly, there were voices of conscience, reason, and fairness, among secular humanists friends.
Lest some of us, who used to participate together on another forum, have forgotten and others who might not had the "privilege" of benefiting from that earlier discussion, I produce below the comment of Dr. Shaikh Mizanur Rahman, an avowed secular humanist:
"For example, my conclusion by 'secular humanistic' thinking about the right of a Muslim parliamentarian in Turkey or school girls in France to cover their heads on religious grounds is different from that of Mr. Masudur Rahman (4 Nov 1999). I do not disagree with Mr. Masud that entering into a school or parliament is a privilege. However, that privilege was EARNED by taking the relevant admission test or winning the election. After that entering into the school or the parliament is a right. Wearing clothes according to one's wish within the range of decency, particularly for religious reasons, is not a privilege, it is a right. It is the basic human right of practicing one's religious belief. It is a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT in USA and in many other countries of the world.
I remember, regarding the expulsion of the Muslim girls from the French school for wearing headcovers, one French leader (or judge I guess) said that it was needed to prevent "cultural pollution" of France. Well, to me that was one of the most ridiculous example of western "tolerance and liberalism", and was not really far from fascism." [emphases are Dr. Rahman's] http://www.egroups.com/message/eshomabesh/912
Best regards.
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