Islamic World, Modern Age, and the West - Essay Example

Islamic World, Modern Age, and the West There has been raging debates on Islam and its relationshipwith the West and the how it is responding to developments of the modern age that we live in. The debates are on a wide range of fields such as human rights, women rights, technological advancements, secularism, inter- religious marriage, and politics among other issues. The debates are on whether the Muslims are willing to embrace the tenets of modern age fully like most of the other religions have done. Besides, there are debates on the relationship between Islam and the West; is there, indeed, a collision between them? Some Western scholars such as Gilles Kepel and Samuel Huntington believe that Islam is on a collision course with the West the West and is inherently inimical to the modern age we live in. Scholars both Muslims and non- Muslims disagree with this notion and argue that Islamic societies just like other world cultures are influenced by traditional religions, and are therefore reacting to the global transformation that is taking place. Some of these scholars with opposing views include John Esposito, Seyyed Nasr, and Noorani among others. They further argue that the reaction is often as a result of mixture of social tensions, denials, and anger. Moreover, they argue that, Islam, just like other major religions such as Hinduism, Judaism, or Christianity, has been adopted for many causes, from modernism to traditionalism, liberalism to conservatism, which may have nothing to do with its original transcendent message of unity and equality before God. Muslims continue to increase in number and the role of Islam in global affairs is very significant to be ignored. Friction seems to be evident between Islam and the West and also with modern age (Seyyed 1). Therefore, in order to have a deeper understanding of these issues, this discussion will respond to the following questions: At this critical period in the Islamic history what issues should be explored or followed by the Muslim societies to bring programmatic changes? Explain in your own perspective of whether the Islamic world is at the surge of clashes with the West or otherwise. What issues should be explored or followed by the Muslim societies to bring programmatic changes at this critical period in the Islamic history? The history and the role of Islam in the world are undoubtedly significant. It has played major role in civilization and in developing the important tenet of religion in the world being one of the world’s major religions. Islam shaped the world history in a greater way; economically, socially, culturally, and politically. However, in recent past, Islam has been viewed as to be out of sync with development in various spheres in the world including democracy and fostering of women rights. Also, some of its fundamentals have often put it in collision course with the West. It is imperative to note that the situation as described in regard to Islam and its collision with the West and on modern age may not be accurate and universal to all adherents of Islam (Seyyed 3). There are many Muslims who have embraced modernity and there are those who have not. Similarly, there are Islam countries such as Saudi Arabia which are enjoying very cordial relationship with the West; this shows that Islam as a whole may not be in collision course with the West. Also, the definition of modernity is not standard and different definitions apply to different societies differently. That notwithstanding though, it is agreeable that Islam’s rate of embracing modern age tenets is lower compared to other communities in the world. Also, it is agreeable that issues such as women’s roles in Islam, holy wars, inadequate democracy, and the rise of fundamentalism are key concerns to the West hence putting Islam in Collision course with the West (Seyyed 6). Due to religious values and principles, Islam defies most of Western aspirations, goals and norms (Huntington 33). Besides, the defiance of Islam against the West is informed by the fear that the West is entrenching its domination across the world, a scenario which may lead to absolving the major values, norms, and principles of religions and cultures, in the long- run (Huntington 34). Huntington argues that entrenchment of Western domination may result to ‘clash of civilizations’. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, created more rifts between the Islam and the West as the West began to Perceive Islam more suspiciously (Seyyed 27). In the light of the above, it is important to consider what issues should be explored or followed by the Muslim societies to bring programmatic changes. It is nearly undisputable that, to some extent, Islam is on collision course with the West and also inimical to the modern age. Even though this can be disputed, there are sufficient evidences to support this proposition. Muslim societies, therefore, need changes in this critical period of the Islamic history. To begin with, there is need to explore the whole issue of democracy in relation to Islam. It is incontestable that Muslim societies rank poorly in democracy issues compared to other societies across the world. Freedom is very limited and governments are in some country not formed on basis of free and fair elections, that is, if it is done at all. The recent Arab uprising is a proof to this argument; the citizens were discontented with authoritarian governments and wanted more democratic government with freedom. Secondly, the issue of women rights should be explored because the Muslim enjoy less freedom and rights compared to women in other societies across the world. Most of them are not even allowed to drive alone or vie for a political seat (Seyyed 56). This denies them the opportunity to exploit their full potentials which is against the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Thirdly, rise of fundamentalism in the Muslim societies is a key concern across the world as it is viewed as a threat to international peace and security (Kepel 22). Unlike other religions, Islam seems to witness a rise of fundamentalism which interferes with their level of tolerance hence threatening their peaceful co- existence with people of diverse views in the society. There is need to address this issue as it hurts the progress of Muslims in the modern age and also strains their relation with other societies especially the West (Kepel 46). Lastly, there is need to address the issue of holy wars among the Muslim societies. Even though it is vital to adhere to religious teachings, its adherence should not be based on partial or selective reading and application of the teachings. This issues need to be explored to avoid isolation of Muslim societies by other societies and to avoid the religion from being perceived suspiciously (Seyyed 70). In regard to my perspective on whether the Islamic world is at the surge of clashes with the West or otherwise, I believe there is a surge of clashes. As has been noted in the discussion above, Islamic world seems to be operating in a different prism from the rest of the world. This is mainly due to strict adherence to the Islamic laws which make them rigid to changes that emerging continuously in the world. Unlike other religions, Muslims tend to respond to all changes and developments in the basis of the provisions of their religion. This trend limits their interactions with these changes and developments. The surge of clashes between the Islamic world and the West is evident. This scenario is as a result of several factors. The first one is that the West is unimpressed by the continued infringement of human rights and freedom especially on women in the Islamic world. They consider this a violation of UN Declaration of Human Rights. The West has been on numerous occasions trying to initiate or support processes that will ultimately lead to respect and upholding of human rights in the Islamic world. For instance, most Western countries have attempted to promote democratic processes in these countries though ensuring free and fair elections. However, the rigidity of some leaders in these countries has resulted to strained relations because they do not accept these processes. Another major factor that shape my opinion that Islamic world is at surge is because of the rise of fundamentalism and the perception that some of the Western countries that some Islamic countries are threat to International peace and security. Most Islamic states do not recognize Israel as an independent state as they consider that Israel is occupying their land. Most Western countries hold that Israel is in its rightful location and nothing should change that. This difference over Israel has surged the clashes pitying the West against the Islamic world. Moreover, a country like Iran is considered to pose one of the greatest threats to international peace and security. This is due to the position held by the West that it is developing nuclear power which it intends to use as a weapon and not to generate electric power as Iran is claiming. Also, the rise of Shi~ism in Iran cause of alarm among the Western countries as they perceive it as promoting religious fundamentalism which is a threat to international peace and security. Islamic countries such as Lebanon, Somalia, Yemen, and Syria are considered as breeding grounds for terrorists hence putting the Islamic world in a collision course with the West. The perspective that I have that the Islamic world is at the surge of clashes with the West is based on the aforementioned factors that put the two parties on collision path. However, it is worth noting that it is not the entire Islamic world that is in the course of collision with the West. Some of the Islamic countries are enjoying cordial relationship with the West and are cooperating on a wide spectrum of issues such as energy resources, security, peace, and education among others. The most notable Islamic countries with relatively cordial relationship with the West are Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Countries such as Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan are enjoying good relationship with the United States. This is because the US is a major player in these countries in terms of restoration of peace and security, rule of law, and economic, social, and political stability in general. Lastly, in order to ensure peace and prosperity prevails across the world, there is need that the relationship between the Islamic world and the West is strengthened and all differences be sorted out amicably. Works Cited Huntington, Samuel. Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Orlando, FL: Touchstone Books, 1998. Print. Kepel, Gilles. Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press, 2002. Print. Seyyed, Nasr. Islam in the Modern World: Challenged by the West, Threatened by Fundamentalism, Keeping Faith with Tradition. San Francisco, CA: Harperone Publishers, 2011. Print. Read More