Given my propensity for seeing conflicts in sectarian terms
In Europe, holding a chair above your head & walking towards the enemy is a traditional challenge & insult. #pt https://t.co/uML5SEo2m8
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Growing reports contradict earlier allegations that Arsenal fans are involved: Arsenal fans cannot fight. I cannot independently verify. #pt
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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If more Englishmen do not come out & unequivocally condemn this violence, people will think those drunk extremists represent all of us. #ENG
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Al-Khoei‘s observations offer us a brilliant parody of the way western analysts, myself included, all too often write about events in the Middle East, and I admire his skill in delivering his reproof — but it’s also worth remarking that England as I understand it seems less and less interested in attendance at its established Protestant church, while France is notable for it’s official laïcité. Indeed, of the three nations involved in this circus, only the Russians appear to be experiencing quite a resurgence of Orthodoxy, coming after decades of official atheism.
Enfin:
The England v Russia match was a 1-1 draw. Game theorists would presumably call the event a zero-sum game, since the two sides do seem to have cancelled each other out — but in the larger context of sectarian rivalry, the entire three days have surely been lose-lose, while al-Khoei‘s wit is a win for us all.
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