Neither the life of an individual...
When you think of South Africa, most likely the name Nelson Mandela comes to mind, because he was widely accepted as the black leader. Less likely is that you think of Robert Sobukwe. Propably, most people haven’t even heard of him, let alone remember him. As a former Member of the Dutch Parliament, I am familiar with selectivity by media and its lack of transparency of the agendas behind its selectivity. That’s why I always try to look beyond what is presented to me and to practice my freedom of thought.
It’s because of people like Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe - an anti-apartheid revolutionary - that eventually people like Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela were given an opportunity in a society with a severe lack of freedom, mercy and justice. My visit to Robben Island started with Mandela in mind, but after conversations with our tour guide and hearing about Sobukwe, I realised I was there to learn more about Sobukwe and not so much about the first president of South Africa.
On Robben Island I also realised I was there to learn about not only South Africa and its history as an inhuman society, but to learn to recognise inhumanity as cruel, brutal and barbarous behaviour. Unfortunately, inhumanity is still alive and even “apartheid” is not a phenomenon from the past. The essence of “apartheid” flourishes to this day in power and politics, around the world. If it is not in your face and institutionalised, it definitely is still alive in how people think and sometimes even behave.
The essence of “apartheid” is not racism. On Robben Island I came to the realisation that its essence is about inferiority and superiority. Since centuries, European powers have mastered the art of brainwashing human beings with feelings of inferiority and superiority. This art is the fundament of the successful colonisation by Europeans all over the world. The welcome sign for Robben Island says in Dutch “ons dien met trots” which means “we serve with pride”. My adventure in South Africa and all the knowledge gathered so far, made me feel almost ashamed to be Dutch - for the very first time ever in my life, and painfully to admit.
It is my effort to re-connect with Allah - the same singular God that is referred to in the Torah in Hebrew as Elohim, or spoken by Jesus in Aramaic as the strikingly similar Allaha - that helps me to keep seeing all human beings as brothers and sisters. As ibn Adam, we are all children of Adam. Just like children, some may behave cruel, brutal and barbarous, but with some guidance and support they may understand, regret and restore the damage of their inhumane behaviour. Also, I am grateful for meeting Doctor Shaykha Haifaa Younis in South Africa and I feel blessed to dialogue with her. It inspires my self dialogue: my re-connection with Allah.
My visit to Robben Island has sparked many new questions in me, also about my own life experiences. Questions about inhumanity fuelled by feelings of superiority and inferiority. Questions about how (self) dialogue can be a remedy for these feelings. Also, it inspires me to continue re-reading all the lines of the Ayah - verse in the Qur’an - that I have mentioned in my previous blog:
And when We told the angels, "Prostrate yourselves before Adam!" they all prostrated themselves, save Iblis, who refused and gloried in his arrogance: and thus he became one of those who deny the truth. Qur’an 2:34
Robben Island, reflecting afterwards on Table Mountain and reading the Qur’an, were the perfect preparation for my visit to another South African city: Durban. Most Muslims think of one name when they hear Durban: Ahmed Deedat. Just like Sobukwe, I believe he and his story deserve to be known by every human being. In my next blog I’ll share more about my insights from Deedat’s legacy, which also contributes to understanding power, politics and the feelings of superiority and inferiority - in life, as an individual and as a society. For now, I’d love to share the following words that make perfect sense to me and I hope for you as well:
Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.
If you want to learn more about all my insights so far - combined with my-over-6-years-proven-tools-for-powerful-transformation - to benefit your personal growth, sign up directly and easily for Messenger of Dialogue - a 1 session of 1 hour online personal coaching with me.
- W.