Word: arabism
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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There is probably nothing else in the world as unpredictable as an Arab mob. Even so, it was astonishing to see the thousands swarming in the streets of Tunis last week for a demonstration against Arabdom's would-be leader, Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser-and, in effect, for Israel...
Taking Wing. The West applauded Bourguiba's effort to begin an Arab-Israeli dialogue, but Israel's Arab neighbors responded with a bellow of rage. Two months ago, Bourguiba had infuriated Middle East Arabs by rallying North Africa to reject Nasser's campaign against West Germany. Now Bourguiba's Arab critics were angrier than ever. Government radios, from Baghdad to Cairo, blasted Bourguiba as a traitor, a madman "who should be locked in an asylum," and as a Judas "who should be immediately executed." Mobs blossomed in the streets of half a dozen Arab capitals...
Broken Egg. The Israelis tried hard not to gloat. Bourguiba's plan was no more acceptable to them than it was to the diehard Arabs, for Israel rejects any meaningful territorial concessions and is unwilling to take back masses of Arab refugees who might become a fifth column. Deputy Premier Abba Eban scornfully referred to the U.N. partition plan as a "broken egg" that could not be put back together again...
...Within Islam there is a definite modernizing mood. Although the faith has traditionally opposed birth control almost as fiercely as Roman Catholicism, many ulama now justify it on the ground that the Koran allows leniency in the case of suffering. Far from being a static, otherworldly faith, say contemporary Arab philosophers, Islam encourages man to knowledge of the universe through science. But progress is slow. A rigidly fundamentalist approach to doctrine and discipline dominates Islam outside the cities. Moreover, it was only last year that physics, medicine and engineering courses were introduced at Islam's best-known university...
...factors of history that are subject to profound change. For black Africa, one of Islam's chief lures is its tolerance of polygamy-a practice sure to wither away with the tribal structure that made it necessary, as it has in much of the Middle East. In the Arab world, the faith that created empires is subsidized by Presidents and dictators partly because it can provide spiritual justification for political ambitions. Egypt, for example, funnels vast sums of money into the propaganda outlets of the Supreme Islamic Council, which praises Nasser almost as much as God. But favors given...