East meets West

One could get the impression, listening to today's politicians and mainstream media that this co-called 'War on Terror' is a battle of Good (The Christian West) versus Evil (The Muslim East). The truth is more likely that there is good and evil on both 'sides'. This image of the courageous and worthy knight going forth to challenge the devious cruel Saracen is one that has been in European minds since at least the time of the Crusades. Then as now, many died and suffered in the name of religion, as two groups fought for control of the Middle East.

But that's not the whole story. The East and the West have had a close and complex relationship for so long that we don't even see it anymore. Our national religion of Christianity came from the Middle East as did our numbers and much of our early science. Even the idea of Chivalry that the knights prided themselve on, was of Muslim origin.

But even more than this, historians, archeologists and anthropologists suggest that writing, agriculture, the domestication of animals and even mankind itself originated here. This is no small contribution, and one that should not be taken for granted by the young upstart that is modern Britain. What made Britain great was its empire and colonies. The Muslim taught us the navigation and sailing that Britannia used to 'Rule the Waves.'

So many great Englishmen 'went native' in Eastern countries, learning the language and engaging in a cross-cultural pollination that is and has been the lifeblood of human development. The modern English speaking world is now dominating the world's culture, and a crass, cheap and tacky veneer is spreading over an old and beautiful picture.

I am British (my passport says so!). My parents are British. However I spent much of my early life in Arab countries. The lady I wish to marry is British. Her parents are Indian. For the sake of any children that she and I may have; and for all our children, let's hope we remember who we are.