Washington -- Having returned from London in whose gentlemen's
clubs we are enjoined to wear "business attire or national dress,"
I had the perfect explanation for my wife's sexy dress at the
Algerian embassy here in Washington the other night. We were
invited there along with hundreds of notables (and an occasional
rastaquouere) to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Algerian
independence. As Algeria is a relatively cosmopolitan country for
Arab Africa, the dress was variegated. In the receiving line stood
the ambassador in what I think all Americans would consider
business attire. Next was his wife in a silk burka. Next came a
military officer in crisp green military uniform, his chest
smattered with ribbons and medals. Then there was another Algerian
woman in traditional dress and, finally, a very soignée
young woman. But still her dress was modest.
The modesty reminded me that at my side was a woman in radiant
pastels: her top garment a masterpiece of economy, her skirt
abundant, but practically molded round her-my wife, looking
spectacular; though possibly too spectacular in this celebration of
a society that is largely Muslim. A diplomatic acknowledgment would
not be out of place, and my recent experience in the clubs of
London helped. "My wife," I apprised the Algerian dignitaries,
"…in national dress." They seemed pleased. There were no
Islamofascists here to huff and puff. In fact the Algerians are
engaged in a bloody fight with radical Islamists who might breed
Islamofascism.
Why radical Islam has not taken over the government of Algeria I
do not fully understand. The country is heavily Muslim. In fact,
the state religion of Algeria is Islam, though its constitution
forbids religious discrimination. Algeria is situated in northwest
Africa along the Mediterranean in an area accessible by geography
and trade to Western Europe and, for that matter, to the Americas,
as shipping goes that way. Algeria's economic relationship to the
United States is strong. It is the United States' fifth-largest
market in the Middle East and North Africa. Algeria exports $3
billion in petroleum and liquid natural gas to the United States.
Its daily export of 4 million barrels of oil to the United States
is scheduled to increase to 5 million shortly.
Aside from economic incentives for remaining moderate, the form
of Islam practiced in Algeria seems to be relatively reasonable.
Unlike some other Arab countries, women can vote in Algeria, hold
office, and engage in business. They can enter into contracts and
pursue the professions. In fact, there are Algerian women in both
houses of Parliament and they compose 25% of the judiciary.
Obviously with such achievements to their credit women have similar
access to education as men.
Perhaps the major reason for Algeria's antipathy to radical
Islamists is that its government for the last dozen years has been
engaged in bloody warfare with radical Islamic guerrillas, and a
considerable portion of the population is keenly aware of the
grisly fate that awaits it if the radicals win. In the reception
line at the embassy I asked Ambassador Jazairy if he was familiar
with the writings of my friend Roger Kaplan, who has written vivid
accounts of the grim war being waged between the government and the
Islamists in The American Spectator and elsewhere. He knew
of Kaplan and approved of his writing.
It is preeminently from Kaplan's writing that I know about the
struggle being waged in Algeria. Tens of thousands have died there
and more have been casualties, many the casualties of torture. Now
after September 11, Algeria has become an ally with us in the war
against terrorism. Indeed, the head of the State Department's
office of counter-terrorism, Francis Taylor, recently called
Algeria "one of the most tenacious and faithful partners of the
United States" in opposing terrorism.
Well, perhaps the Algerians have no alternative. The radical
Islamists they face in their country have revealed their intent,
and it is not to liberate the country but to swaddle it in
fanatical laws and customs. Perhaps the future for Algeria is a
secular Islamic state like that of Turkey, complete with a variety
of civic institutions. We shall see, and maybe the way I shall
gauge Algeria's success against terror will be by how the
dignitaries at next year's Algerian independence celebration
respond to my wife's "national dress."
topics:
Education, Trade, Business, Religion, Islam, Constitution, Law, Military, Africa, Fascism, Oil
