Shibli Zaman
Dear Tribune,
This is in regards to the letter of Anthony C. DeBernardi entitled "War
protesters lack facts about Islam" dated March 17, 2003.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_124047.html
Aside from the overwhelming tone of hate propoganda reminiscent of the Third
Reich (which I am astonished you actually published so carelessly), Mr.
DeBernardi states the following:
"Militant Islam was perfectly identified by a profoundly astute intellectual
regarding international and political intrigue, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer
Churchill, as quoted: Islam is that religion which above all others was founded
and propagated by the sword, the tenets and principles of which are incentives
to slaughter and which in three continents has produced fighting breeds of men
and stimulates a wild and merciless fanaticism."
I doubt the author knows the actual source of this quote of Churchill. His
presentation of it is about as factual as saying "Marijuana was seen as a
wonderful herb by one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century, President
William Jefferson Clinton." The reason for this erroneous parallel is due to the
following historical facts, which seem to have eluded Mr. DeBernardi.
The source of this quote is Churchills first book, "The Story of the Malakand
Field Force" (published in 1897). It was a compilation of letters he had written
from British Colonial India for The Daily Telegraph, because he had been
rejected for military duty and was only allowed to accompany the British forces
as a "correspondent". Malakand is in what is known as the "North-West Frontier
Province" which is currently the semi-autonomous area between Pakistan and
Afghanistan. It is inhabited by the fierce Pashtoons who have gone down in
history for dealing the British their most devestating military defeats. The
works of Rudyard Kipling and Colonial Era British literature are rife with fear
of and disdain for this unruly ethnic group of Muslims. This would explain the
not so polite words referenced here.
At the relatively juvenile age of 22, Churchills primary objective was
sensationalism in order to further his political and military career, and most
of all to make a lot of money. He wrote to his mother quoting Dr. Johnson, "No
one but a blockhead ever wrote except for money". He wrote further "...the
publication of this book will certainly be the most noteworthy act of my life.
Up to date (of course). By its reception I shall measure the chances of my
possible success in the world."
There is also evidence that Churchill did not even pen all of "The Story of the
Malakand Field Force", and in particular, did not pen the relevant entry "The
Risings on the North-West Frontier". This entry was authored by his colleague
Fredrick Woods. Later, all the letters both Woods and Churchill wrote became
part of "The Story of the Malakand Field Force".
Thus, not only is it highly unlikely Winston Churchill ever said such a thing,
but the context is not as it has been maliciously presented. Contrary to what
our friend Mr. DeBernardi would like to propogate, Churchill did not say this
anti-Muslim statement as a wise and politically astute leader who had rallied
the world against Hitler. He would have said it at the puerile age of 22, at a
time of political and military insignificance and immaturity, trying to come up
with the juiciest tidbits of sensationalism, the reception of which he described
hopefully in his own words, "By its reception I shall measure the chances of my
possible success in the world."
So why the Clinton parallel? Trying to pass off an irresponsible (and likely
spurious) quote of a historical celebrity from his/her age of puerility and,
thereby, trying to substantiate ones own personal prejudices and hate is not
only dishonest, it is socially criminal.
All of this information is available in Martin Gilberts 8 volume biography of
Churchill entitled "Winston S. Churchill" as well as the 15 volume addendum of
Churchills letters and documents. However, acquiring this information requires
reading and it seems, from people such as DeBernardi, that this is an
unfortunately daunting task for some in our times.
Regards,
Shibli Zaman
Shibli@Zaman.NET
"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; And, under
a just God, can not long retain it..."
[Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Henry L. Pierce, April 6, 1859]
