Mohamed Bouazizi fatally set himself on fire, in protest against the authorities in Tunisia setting off a chain of events that has led to a change of Government. The World is now observing more and more people in the Arab countries following the self-immolation act, restarted in Tunisia and it has spread across to Egypt and Algeria.
These spontaneous uprisings are clear form of protest that are designed to make political statements in Arab countries; and at the moment they appear to have a copycat effect around the Arab countries.
Many commentaries have been written recently focused on political causes and or consequences of uprisings in Tunisia, now new elements on this debate have entered the arena with the new street protests. Unexpected tragic events can play a crucial role in sudden formation of mass protests.
Lacks of political freedom, opportunities, rise in inequality, and unemployment have encouraged the Tunisians to come on to the streets. Now parallels will be drawn across the Arab world and probably have plenty in common between the predicament of people in Tunisia and including that of people in Algeria, Jordan and in Egypt. To name a few Arab countries those share some of the characteristics of Tunisia.
But what is self-immolation?
According to Michael Biggs, “Self-immolation is the act of committing suicide by setting oneself on fire. The practice got world-wide attention in the 1960’s when Buddhist monks set themselves on fire in protest of how the South Vietnamese government was treating them.”
Although all these people who have set themselves on fire have been called hero’s or martyrs, sociologist Ibrahim Yousuf says, “Killing oneself is not a courageous act as some people mistakenly believe. On the contrary, it is downright cowardliness.” He continues by saying “Most young men who commit suicide do so under immense psychological pressure, they are either depressed or obsessed.”
And as we know, the Islam religion forbids acts of suicide, so how have all these self – immolation suicides been seen in the Arab countries? What is clear from the various commentators is that these protects are spreading and may not be restricted to just the Arab world.
However, the situation and the act of self-immolation have now reappeared as the latest form of protest that resonates with public. Self-immolation suicide acts are seeking changes that are increasing in appeal as part of the outcry of opinion for one or another reason in various States around the world.
The protests in Tunisia are being called “The Jasmine Revolution”. Yes, street protest can lead to a bigger uprising and revolution. But revolution as the history reminds us needs more organisition and than burning oneself to death in an apparent echo of past suicide protests.
Paying with one’s own life, for whatever the cause, must be the ultimate sacrifice – where does this leave us human beings who are supposed to be at the highest rug of the evolutionary intelligence ladder?
Copyright Semra Eren Nijhar – All rights reserved
Semra Eren-Nijhar 