Each year as Ramadan approaches, Western security strategists discuss their own “hearts and minds” dilemma about fighting Muslims in Muslim countries during this holy month. The conversation focuses on the whether or not the military should be kinder and gentler or hit hard. The questions remains, will things improve if the West is more respectful during Ramadan? Further, does the rise or fall in violence have anything to do with Ramadan?

In 2006, CNN reported that suicide bombings in Iraq rose during Ramadan. Without explanation, the media reported it to be relatively quiet the following year in 2007.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban often threatens to step up efforts against the US and its NATO partners during Ramadan. At the time of the election, just a few days before the beginning of the holy month when Afghans are normally preparing for observance, violence escalated considerably in many parts of the country.

This year, midway through the holiday, four marines tasked with training Afghan forces were killed in an ambush. McClatchy reports that this is “the largest number of U.S. trainers assigned to help the Afghan military to die in a single incident since the 2001 invasion.” If you look at coalition casualty numbers since 2001, there is no clear pattern except for the fact that they have reached a record high this year.

“The rise and fall of violence during Ramadan has nothing to do with the fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq,” says Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, a professor of law at Emory University specializing in Islamic Law. “These acts, especially in Afghanistan, are a result of people who deeply believe they are protecting their country, community and families.” He says Afghan fighters are tenacious and not deterred by a holiday.

Historically, Afghans have patiently and brutally expelled invaders. On my many visits, it was abundantly clear that not only are Westerners considered to be occupiers, they even look the part. There are ever-growing fortresses every which way you look, both menacing and extremely overwhelming to anyone who visits.

Dr. An-Na’im points out that most of the violence in Iraq and Afghanistan is not being committed by religious actors. In fact, Iraq, which was a highly secular state during the reign of Sadaam Hussein, is plagued with a violent mixture of baathists, nationalists, and home-grown militias. Afghanistan for its part continues to respond to centuries of colonial aggression

Melody Moezzi, author of War on Error, Real Stories about American Muslims, says “Islam forbids any form of violence that is not in self-defense.” However, what Americans and Westerners fail to realize is that even if the insurgents are religious, they see the West as invaders and in that context, Ramadan or not, they are able and willing to fight.

The Taliban and insurgents are repelling aggression and condemning anyone who might be perceived as a collaborator. They feel they have the right to self-defense and both religion and international law allow that in many contexts. After the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, American President George Bush professed that he would “not listen to rough leaders who tell [me] how to defend my country.” The insurgencies declare much of the same.

Past events should remind us as well that invasions have limited if any success. People are simply committed to dispelling those who are trying to conquer them. The time of year or holiday does not matter.

The Israeli Jews fought despite being attacked in 1973 during Yom Kippur and Christians defending themselves in Afghanistan or Iraq do not lay down their guns during the holy days that lead to Easter. “It is completely naïve of any Westerner to feel that Muslims will stop fighting during Ramadan,” says Dr. An-Na’im.

No one can deny that we all possess the reflex to fight back and protect when we are attacked. In Afghanistan, Iraq and many other regions of the world there is no doubt that the human stakes are exceptionally high.

"The divides are not Islam and Western society, the divide is between people who have different values. We must promote connections between people who want to contribute to human values. People who share that commitment can collaborate across cultural divides," says Dr. An-Na’im.

Only when we all learn to understand instead of assume and learn to respect instead of fear will we truly understand how to act in the greater human interest. Then and only then will the violence lessen and nations allow themselves to think beyond war.

Assalamualaikum.



About the Author
Patricia DeGennaro is a professor, writer, analyst and consultant based in New York City. Patricia’s extensive experience in international relations and economic development makes her a sought-after source on U.S. foreign policy and national security topics. Within the last year, she has spent time working in Afghanistan on provincial governance, capacity building, parliamentary reform and public policy development in the Office of the President of Afghanistan.

Currently, Patricia serves as a Senior Fellow at the World Policy Institute, Senior Research Fellow for the Center for the Study of Democracy at Queens University in Canada and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs. She also guest lecturers at several universities including the US Military Academy at West Point. She holds an MPA in International Security and Conflict Resolution from Harvard University and an MBA from George Washington University.