The Circassian Question: Writing New Chapters as Another Year Turns
Adel Bashqawi
January 01, 2025
Introduction
This message is not for those entrenched in selfishness but for individuals with a pure conscience ready to bear responsibility. To achieve meaningful progress, it is essential to unite teams toward tangible goals, avoid unnecessary arguments, and address mistakes constructively. Let us focus on those willing to transcend narcissism and past grievances to pave the way for collective success.
Achieving Another Milestone
As we step into 2025, it is imperative to work toward interim accomplishments that inspire further efforts to reclaim the legitimate rights that have long been violated and ignored. Success in this context is not measured by comparison with others but by steady progress toward restoring justice and preserving even modest achievements. As the holly verse (Sura: 2, Verse: 286) says: “God does not burden a soul beyond capacity.”
Unity for Achieving Goals
We must honor those who dedicate their lives to defending the homeland, its identity, and the rights of its people. These individuals carry forward the legacy of their ancestors, unwavering in their belief in the just cause of the Circassians. Their focus remains steadfast on restoring usurped rights, achieving freedom, and securing self-determination for their homeland, culminating in independence.
Altruism—the selfless concern for others—stands in stark contrast to selfishness. True progress requires a community committed to the welfare of all, rejecting those who prioritize personal gain over collective good. As the song of the Circassian homeland beautifully captures:
“O homeland that I love, O land of the ancestors,
I live my life in love with you.
The meeting of the Circassians, representatives of the Circassians,
Lights my path and unites hearts.”
The Right to Self-Determination is a Fundamental Principle
The global landscape shifted dramatically following Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022, reigniting the aspirations of dozens of captive nations under Russian rule. The right to self-determination is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, affirming the inalienable right of peoples to pursue freedom and justice. Captive nations have long sought to live with dignity, and their pursuit of this ideal will continue unabated.
Empires inevitably decline, as history shows us:
“The vast majority of seemingly stable empires decay over time until all that is left is the imperial center. The Byzantine and Ottoman empires are perfect examples… The same was true of the European overseas colonial empires.” [1] (Source) However, “the West miscalculated in assuming the collapse of Soviet communism marked the end of Russian imperialism.” [2] (Source) This persistence underscores the challenges faced by nations like the Circassians, whose plight remains largely unaddressed.
The hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, a site of Circassian genocide, epitomized the ongoing disregard for historical justice. This event was akin to holding international celebrations at sites of mass atrocities elsewhere in history. Efforts to protect Circassian heritage, such as opposing infrastructure projects that threaten Shapsug villages, continue to be dismissed by authorities, perpetuating cycles of marginalization and displacement. [3] (Source)
The Role of Media and Propaganda
Propaganda has become a weapon wielded by oppressive regimes to distort truth, sow division, and distract from embarrassing issues. Yellow journalism—amplified by modern technology and social media—serves to undermine solidarity and erode trust. Combatting such tactics requires vigilance and a commitment to spreading accurate, meaningful information that upholds the dignity of the Circassian cause. “The anti-Olympics campaign and the Syrian refugee crisis have galvanized the world Circassian community in a way that poses an actual threat that the Circassians may one day demand the return of their stolen homeland.” [4] (Source)
Conclusion
The Circassian people’s struggle requires unwavering dedication to constructive efforts that serve the broader cause. Misguided pursuits and short-term gains risk undoing hard-won progress, while malicious propaganda continues to challenge unity and resolve. However, sincere individuals can rise above these challenges by fostering solidarity and focusing on the ultimate goal of freedom and self-determination.
As Shakespeare reminds us:
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
References
[1] https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/11/05/russia-ukraine-empire-imperialism-war/
[2] https://www.politico.eu/article/opinion-russia-benefits-disintegration/
[3] https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/01/putin-launches-another-hybrid-attack-on.html
[4] https://justicefornorthcaucasus.info/?p=1251681326
