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why is this statement surprising to anyone? that an established cleric--in sauid arabia--during the hajj--would denounce "fundamentalism" seems obvious, completely obvious: the established clergy is the primary target of these movements. if these groups in any number engage in actions oriented otherwise, they do so as an element of a strategy aimed at the existing social order that is knit around/through the established religious hierarchies. nothing about this statement represents a modulation of the general state of things: it simply comese from a side of the conflict that the american press tends to ignore: if you are going to inspire a fundamentally racist support for the policies of the bush administration, nuance does not help. so there isnt any. whence the ridiculous readings above of the statement (o i do not think it counters "terrorism"....)
that the statement would unfold as it does is also completely logical: what conservative christian cleric do you know who does not freight his or her statements with parallel digs at "secularism" or whatever the canard of the moment might be?
the statement is directed at a particular audience, for gods sake. it is not something generated with american telvision viewers in mind. sorry to have to point out that american tv viewers are not always primary in everyone's mind at all times. such is the way of things, however.
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a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear
it make you sick.
-kamau brathwaite
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