Fanatical tendencies
Though the Minister of Education and Higher Education has retracted the decision of his ministry to destroy Speak Bird, Speak Again, the signs and evidence will be a reminder in the eyes of many of those involved in the cultural arena. The signs and evidence must be dwelt upon rather than considered passing events, since they constitute a powerful indication of the fanatical power antagonizing freedom of expression which could take Palestinian society back many years. Were it not for the powerful reaction to the decision among the public, it would have passed easily and encouraged a number of radical right wing cabinet ministers to take similar decisions, encroaching upon public liberties such as the freedom of expression, gender equality, and equality between religions, as well as the achievements of women and youth.
Moreover, were Hamas not busy with the issues of the blockade, the powerful internal and external oppositions, and loss of parliamentary majority because the Israeli army arrested its parliamentarians, it would have enacted a number of anti-public liberty laws. These laws would have seriously violated the rights of individuals in line with Hamas’ ancestral ideas.
When Hamas was in opposition, it fought powerfully against the debate and enactment of the personal status law at the legislative council. Hamas preachers led a campaign against some aspects of civil life, calling them secular and contradictory to the divine laws, which Hamas claims it relies on to govern. A number of the ministers of the resigned government have expressed more than once a desire to change some of the aspects of life and impose some fanatic Talibanesque aspects. The statements of the Minister of Culture concerning cultural festivals, which he made a few days after taking office, and his views of the policies of his ministry, constitute living proof of this claim.
It is true that a new government is waiting to be born. However, having a majority rightwing conservation parliamentarian bloc is likely to permit right wing and radical right-wing parliamentarians to push for enactment of conservative laws. If such laws were to be enacted, they would oppress civil liberties, especially as a number of the armed militias have some Taliban ideals and would use violence against the cultural centers they believe “deviate” from their ancestral ideas.
If a learned minister like the Minister of Education and Higher Education had dared to attack a highly acclaimed book like Speak Bird, Speak Again, then other ministers, officials, and field leaders of less learning, wisdom, and awareness may make mistakes and commit crimes, not only against Palestinian culture but also against human beings. This necessitates a lobbying group of educated people, writers, academics, and civil society organizations to stay alert to face the fanatical tendencies of the political power that threatens Palestinian society.
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