Given my propensity for seeing conflicts in sectarian terms
[ by Charles Cameron — delicious irony in the twitter stream as a teaching tool re middle east ]
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Given my propensity for seeing conflicts in sectarian terms, it’s a breath of fresh air / splash of wet water for me to read Hayder al-Khoei, scion of the eminent al-Khoei family and Chatham House Fellow, tweeting on the subject of the English football hooliganism in Marseille over the last three days, which has included both bottle-throwing against French riot police and a running battle with a pack of Russian supporters brandishing knives:
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As an England fan who speaks on behalf of all England & the English, I'd like to apologise for the senseless violence in France #NotInMyName
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Protestant Englishmen & Catholic Frenchmen hate each other due to deep-rooted sectarian history & violence in Europe https://t.co/rxraCFnDMf
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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1627 siege marked apex of sectarian tensions in France. Ended in Catholic victory despite relief from England. #pt pic.twitter.com/okVNVlvNFF
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Early 19th century map depicts civil defence districts that were drawn up to counter threat of French invasion. #pt pic.twitter.com/ViXW91B2v1
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Disturbing hooliganism raises concerns of possible sectarian bloodbath as analysts warn US, UK, France, Russia & China all have nukes. #pt
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Russians parading in France with stolen England flags represent triumpahlist sectarianism to demoralise the English ahead of football. #pt
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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US-backed Englishmen and Chinese-backed Russians clashing in France also part of broader proxy war between capitalism and communism. #pt
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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In European culture, taking off your shirt when drunk is a pre-battle religious ritual that symbolises martyrdom #pt pic.twitter.com/jD3p8G06Ta
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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Credible allegations from France that Chelsea & Arsenal fans are mostly responsible for the violence. A disgrace to London & England. #pt
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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For Arabs trying to understand this violence, throwing a beer bottle in European culture is like throwing a shoe. An insulting gesture. #pt
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) June 11, 2016
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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.
