[Marxism] Algerians reject "the theocratic project of Islamic armed groups"

[Louis Proyect]

(A refreshing change of pace at MRZine.)

http://www.monthlyreview.org/mrzine/algeria131207.html
Bomb Blasts in Algeria

A Call from Concerned Algerian Citizens to Citizens' Organizations, 
Progressive Parties, and Unions

Today, 11 December 2007, Algiers was devastated by two bomb blasts.  The 
first reports claim 26 dead and 177 wounded.  According to press 
reports, Al Qaeda-Maghreb has claimed responsibility for these attacks.

After a decade of murder and terror in the nineties that made 200,000 
victims, the Algerian people are exhausted.  Yet this new escalation in 
violence is no surprise to us.  In spite -- or because -- of the blanket 
amnesty officially labeled a 'reconciliation' policy -- i.e. an overall 
presidential pardon granted without even establishing facts and 
responsibilities -- Islamic armed groups never surrendered arms, and 
'pardoned' perpetrators paraded in villages, threatening their opponents 
and the survivors of their atrocities again, forbidding music, 
controlling 'morality,' and imposing gender apartheid.

For a long time, in Algeria as well as in other Muslim countries, 
European and North American governments led by their oil interests 
entertained the most ambiguous relations with the extreme right 
political forces working under the cover of Islam.

But, for a long time, too, the vast majority of progressive parties and 
organizations in Europe and North America, as well as progressives in 
Asia and Africa and the anti-globalization movement, refused to 
distance  themselves from these same extreme right forces, under the 
pretext of defending the rights of the oppressed.

We are numerous, in Algeria as well as in other Muslim countries and in 
the North African diaspora, to oppose the theocratic project of Islamic 
armed groups (i.e. the law of God as interpreted by extreme right 
religious forces), and to stand for a secular republic (i.e. the laws of 
the people that can be changed by the will and vote of the people).  But 
we fought this battle virtually without support from those in the 
international community who should have been our allies.

On the eve of yet another battle against theocratic extreme right 
Islamic armed groups in Algeria, we call on citizens' organizations, 
progressive parties and unions, human rights groups, and all concerned 
citizens in Europe and beyond, to extend direct immediate and sustained 
political support to all progressive forces, parties, unions, people's 
organizations, and women's organizations working for a secular republic 
in Algeria.

Reach out to these forces, network with them, exchange with them.  They 
need, we need, support and visibility.

It is an illusion to think that this theocratic project will stop at 
your borders.  Supporting those who are on the front line ultimately 
serves the interest of democratic freedom in the world.

First Signatories:

SIAWI,  Secularism Is A Women's Issue (siawi.org)
Marieme Helie Lucas, Founder of WLUML, coordinator SIAWI, Montpellier
Hakim Arabdiou, Paris
Selim Ducos, Paris
Lalia Ducos, human rights defender, Paris
Cherifa Kheddar, president Djazairouna, Blida
Amir Rezzoug, photographer, Marseille
Saleha Larab, journalist, Algiers
Samia Allalou, journalist, Paris
Mohamed Ali Allalou, radio host, Paris
Aziz Smati, film director, Paris
Karima Bennoune, Associate Professor Rutgers School of Law, Newark
Malika Zouba, journalist, Paris
Mohamed Sifaoui, journalist, Paris
Asma Guenifi, psychologist, Paris
Simohame Baghdadi, FSMAGH, Algiers
Malika Othmane, journalist, Rome
Halim Akli, journalist, Bougie
Ghomari Khadidja, dentist, Oran

Association "Djazairouna"
President Cherifa Kheddar
tel: 00 213 25 41 17 44
00 213 54 50 91 05
00 213 72 55 37 02

fax: 00 213 25 41 17 44
email: djazairouna2004 at yahoo.fr
address: BP 411 RP BLIDA, ALGERIA