Cultures in Conflict, Christians, Muslims, Jews in the Discovery - Assignment Example

Task Cultures in Conflict, Christians, Muslims and Jews in the age of Discovery Regarding the theme of culture identity and representation, I agree with Lewis about the cultures of different religions being in a constant conflict. Despite the underlying similarities in these three religions, fundamental differences have been brought about by misconceptions and created a conflict. Some terminologies which have arisen in the modern times have been associated with certain cultures although they apply to the entire society. Multiculturalism, for example, presents an element which is highly perceived to be Eurocentric and western despite the term being applicable within many societies (Lewis, p77). The central ideology of cultural and religious beliefs becoming the source of conflict and war remains the reason why Huntington’s writing has been termed as ethnocentric. In assessment of the existing discrepancies between religions, the element of ethnocentrism is an overstatement of the facts which led to the author making such a conclusion (Huntington, p29). Realistically, cultural differences, regardless of the social attribute in which they tend to lie, have always been the cause of conflict as they present individuals with differences in beliefs and ideologies as well. The article "Women, War and the Middle East" addresses the theme of patriarchy and oppression of women from three perspectives of political, economic and social approaches. These themes are the fundamental factors which have resulted in the women not becoming progressive within the society. The Muslim civilization resulted in the European knowledge that violence was not party of the social setting, which resulted in women being perceived as oppressed. The scarcity of resources within the Middle Eastern region remains the sole purpose why patriarchy developed and prospered. As a result of the patriarchy element, the Muslim society became the way it is today. Harms and ferry seek to dispel the misconception that the conflict between Palestine and Israel has existed for centuries. This is done by taking a historical look into the peaceful existence of the people within the region before the formation of Israel as a state. Before Israel existed, there were no conflicts with the Palestine’s (Harms and Ferry, p90). The conflict and war began after Israel became a state. These authors describe a series of events which have occurred after the formation of a Jewish state in Arab land. The partitioning of Israel began the conflict which has continued up to today. While the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims are based on the interpretation of the doctrines of the Koran, behaviors of the people have exacerbated the difference within the political and social aspect. In Bahrain, Shia Muslims are the majority. The religious differences have, however, been surpassed by the political and power struggles which have adorned the country based on the existing differences between the Islamic sects. Women in Bahrain have been perceived to be changing their religious practices in seeking to adopt the aspects of modernity and do away with some traditions which are perceived as oppressive. This has been particular seen the design of clothing with many foreign fashions being adopted as opposed to the traditional abayas, which the common are dressing for women. Many women have dropped the tradition voluminous dress codes and adopted more cosmopolitan and elegant fashions in the country (ProQuest, 82). Foreign fashions have been integrated into the dressing for women within the country and this has been one of the major elements in which change has been clear between the tradition and the modern era. Figure 1a woman dressed in Indian shalwar Figure 2 voluminous dressing including head covering associated with tradition 2 Cultural and social permissiveness within the highly Islamic country of Bahrain was displayed when a 10 year old girl participated in the world swimming competition in Russia, earlier in the month of august 2015. This prompted a lot of eyebrows to be raised regarding the participation, but since there was not age restriction for participants, the young girl could not be barred from participation (Byrnes, para 2). This was perceived with immense surprise to the western world which perceives the Arab countries as being restrictive to women’ participation in public events like sports. The ruling in case regarding the jailing of the opposition leader within the country has presented a popular debate in country with the marking of 200 days since hic incarceration on august 20th (Rahdi, para1). International media has focused immensely on the political situation with the country and questioned the aspects of democracy with the society. The lack of political tolerance has been cited as the sole reason for the incarceration of Sheikh Ali who has been advocating for nonviolent ways of settling political differences (Naar, para 3). There has been international pressure calling on the government to establish an independent inquiry into the case of the opposition leader. Works cited Byrnes, Liz. “10-Year-Old Alzain Tareq Becomes Youngest-Ever Swimmer at World Championships.” The Guardian 7 Aug. 2015. Harms, Gregory, and Todd M. Ferry. The Palestine–Israel Confl Ict A Basic Introduction. 2nd ed. London: Pluto Press, 2008. Print. Huntington, Samuel P. “The Clash of Civilizations?” Foreign Affairs 72.3 (1993): 22–49. Print. Lewis, Bernard. Cultures in Conflict: Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the Age of Discovery. London: Oxford University Press, 1996. Print. Naar, Ismaeel. “Bahrain Opposition Leader given Four-Year Jail Sentence.” AlJazeera. N. p., 2015. Web. 24 Aug. 2015. ProQuest. Muslim Women’s Changing Religious Practices in Bahrain: The Impact of Modern Education. Anne Arbor: ProQuest and Learning Information, 2006. Print. Rahdi, Alya. “Where Is International Outcry for Jailed Bahraini Opposition Leader?” People Powered News and analysis. N. p., 2015. Web. 24 Aug. 2015.  Read More