The Origins of Occidentalism By IAN BURUMA. He makes some sensible points--only one or two, maximum, but when he refers to Middle East rulers (those who are targeted by fundamentalists) as "the liberals, reformists, and secular rulers" I get mad. Who are the "secular" rulers of the Middle East? Where are they? I have not seen them? Unless he implies that those rulers who sign humiliating peace treaties with Israel become "secular, liberal, and refromist."