As Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest in Tunisia the world is observing more people in the Arab following the self-immolations in Egypt and Algeria.
These spontaneous uprisings are trying to make political statements in Arab countries; and at the moment it has a copycat effect around Arab countries.
While many commentaries have been written and focusing recently on political causes or consequences of these uprisings in Tunisia now new elements came in to the debate with all the new street protests. Unexpected tragic events can play a crucial role in sudden formation of mass protests.
Lack of political freedom, inequality and unemployment, have encouraged the Tunisians to come to the street. Now parallels will be seen across the Arab world and probably plenty in common between the situation in Tunisia and that in Algeria, Jordan and Egypt.
But what is this 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 put themselves 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 that Islam forbids suicide, so how can all these been seen in the Arab countries
However the situation and self-immolation is been asset fact want change that forms of suicide has become part of outcry of opinion for one or another reason.
Now the protest in Tunisia is called “The Jasmine Revolution”. Yes, street protest can lead to a bigger uprising and revolution. But revolution as the history taught us needs more organizing and …….…than burning oneself to death in an apparent echo of a suicide protest.
Copyright Semra Eren Nijhar – All rights reserved
Semra Eren-Nijhar 