Deconstructing an insult

Two posts ago, I wrote on Saudi Arabia’s fresh concerns about Iran’s (and hence Shi’ism’s) growing influence in Iraq. Foriegn Minister Saud al-Faisal archly suggested to Iraqi Shias that Sunnis be given equal treatment.

The Iraqi Interior Minister, Falah al-Naqib (not normally known for his tact) promptly countered with a scathing:

“We do not accept a bedouin on a camel teaching us about human rights and democracy.”

His retort is probably justified, given that the situation of Iraqi Sunnis nowhere approaches the outright persecution of the Shia minority in Saudi Arabia.

But the insult rankles on another level. The House of Saud is not Bedouin (nomad) but Hadar (settled community). The Hadar, incidentally, despise the Bedouin.

Oh, Mr Falah al-Naqib, you certainly know your insults.

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