All is not what it seems

Having lived in the Middle East for some time now I have come to know that this part of the world is extremely complicated in so many ways. It is impossible to classify those that live here just as Arab and/or Muslim. Arab politics and the Muslim religion are as diverse as politics and religion anywhere else in the world. To explain this to a world that sees all in the Middle East only as Islamic Jihadists is sometimes quite difficult.

Perhaps a small example of the complexities of this area is the reaction of two influential regional players to a similar situation. In the first instance The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported on the recent Fatwa issued by controversial Saudi Sheikh Suleiman Al-'Alwan in response to a question by a Saudi youth. His response is as reported by MEMRI.

"Al-'Alwan said that soccer was a form of heresy: "Soccer is a Masonic game meant to distance Muslims from their religion and faith, and most of the public that follows [soccer games] is loyal to the infidels." Al-'Alwan called soccer players criminals and infidels: "[When] a man watches a [soccer] game, God forbid, he is watching deviant criminals and sinful infidels, even if they are Muslims." He added: "There is a serious problem with [soccer] games, which is the refereeing, which follows manmade laws, not Allah's laws."

Even in conservative Saudi Arabia this Fatwa was not without its critics and has had little influence on the population's love of the game or its participation in competitions such as the current Gulf Cup. The UAE beat Saudi Arabia on the way to the Gulf Cup semi final against Kuwait just a few days ago.

The response of Sheikh Khalifa, the President of the UAE, to his team making the semi finals is to decree that the national airline provide 1,400 free seats to fans wanting to attend the semi-final in Kuwait on Tuesday. The one day trip includes transport to and from the stadium and all meals. In addition the UAE embassy in Kuwait will be open 24 hours on match day to provide assistance to any UAE nationals that might need it.

The actions of both Sheikhs to a similar situation are extremely different and illustrate the complexities of reacting to individual actions in this part of the world as applying to all societies or even to all aspects of individual societies. Unfortunately we often have a knee jerk reaction to some of the actions of the jerks of this region.