Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2000 00:36:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Another intellectual prosecuted


Dear list,
Heroes exist, thank god, only in Hollywood movies. 

When speaking of prosecuted intellectuals, the first
one that I choose to bring to my mind is the Syrian
thinker Sadek Jalal al-Azem. Al-Azem was tried for his
Nakd el-Akl el-Dini (Critique of the Religious Mind)
in the late 60's. El-Azem, who was educated in
philosophy (he's a Kantian-Marxist)in America refused
offers to teach there, and chose to teach, join a
leftist Palestinian resistance movement, and critique
this movement, all from a devastatingly third world.
Had the Arab world been a first one, El-Azem would
have been its Sartre, Jan Gene, or Chomsky (make your
choice). 

One can think, of course, of other engaged and
prosecuted intellectuals. Ikbal Ahmad who was
prosecuted in early 70's under the charge of
conspiring to assassinate Henry Kissenger when Vietnam
was being bombarded by the world only super power
(yes, also then), and of W.E.B Du Bois who was another
target for the Mackarthiest committees of the 1950's 
American congress. 

The latest engaged intellectual that is being
prosecuted (and that I know of as well as know him
personally) is Azmi Bishara (www.balad.org). Bishara
was educated in philosophy in Germany, lectured in
philosophy and cultural studies at Bir Zeit
University, and was one of the founders of and now
represents Al-Tajamo Al-Watani Al-Dimokrati party
(National Democratic Assembly). Last week the Israeli
Attorney General has ordered the Israeli police to
investigate with Dr. Bishara for supporting a
"terrorist" organization (Hizb al-Lah). This order
came after a speech made by Bishara in a rally in
which he analyzed the reasons for the victory of the
resistance movement in South Lebanon.   


All the Best,

Marwan

p.s.: this e-mail has a clear political motivation. 




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