Abu Ghraib and Insaniyat
Article by: Arshin Adib-Moghaddam

“We have met the enemy, and he is us”

Iraq is a different world than where we live in North America. Canadian values and culture of North America are vastly different from those of the Middle Eastern country that is the subject of an-article by Arshin Adib-Moghaddam titled Abu Gharib and Insaniyat. Following the terrorist attacks in New York in 2001 the differences between these two cultures seemed immense. The stories and images that were beamed into our houses by television and other media were unreal to our eyes. From our perspective we feel fortunate to live in a different place and wonder how the world got to a point where things can be so different in two places, …show more content…

The result of this political decision and the substantive policies that grew from it were illustrated to the world at Abu-Ghraib. The world did not like it. The world was appalled at the clear departure from the righteous of Americans, they were shocked by the criminal behaviours caught on camera, and they were especially shaken by the broad idea that all Muslims were being collected within the name of a defensive strategy against terrorists. As much as the Americans did not like this, the victims (many innocent Muslim people) were especially hurt as they witnessed such horrific events in their home countries. Most were innocent of any ill will and were distressed by the notion that others of their faith were subject to inhuman treatment primarily because of their religious beliefs. A crack had been formed and it was going to be a difficult one to close or cross.
Terrorists have thrived on this attack on their religion, which has long been a distinguishing characteristic to recruit and spread their efforts in order provoke terrorist activity. The seeming confirmation of a western religious “Jihad” against the Arab world has fed the underlying suspicions of the world and damaged the opportunity to work together for religious freedom and harmony in a peaceful war free world. This attitude of Americans was suspected but Abu-Ghraib provided the proof that was sought by America’s enemies.