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THE
VOICE OF ISLAM
SATURDAY
25 JANUARY 2003.
ISLAM
and the WEST
Current
landscape
What
is the present state of affairs today in the world with regards
to Islam and the western civilisation?
Since
the end of the cold war there has has been a political shift
in the west’s enmity, the re-establishing of a new and
dangerous enemy, to be clearly identified and empounded as safely
as possible.
There
has emerged more clearly than before a major separation in the
way of life of the worlds population. We see the polarisation
of two distinct spheres of life.
1)
The Islamic World with its culture and religious implications,
perceived as an ARAB phenomena — IS IT REALLY THE CASE????
— what is it to be Arab??? what are the origins??
2) The
western technological and corporate empire with its continuing
generation of need, supply, growth.
There
is naturally a great abyss between these two distinct ways of
life BUT how much of this difference is based on real issues
of difference and how much is based upon prejudice and ignorance?
To
what extent is there a lack of understanding between these two
parties and to what extent has each party contributed to this
polarisation?
In
what state are the Muslims in what state are the western countries?
Historical
Analysis
The
growth and expansion of Islam across the world.
To
what extent did the influence of Islam reach the west both geographically
and socially?
Islamic
culture has always grown by acceptance of others and learning
from them.
Worship
and the search for truth and meaning was inexorably connected
to growth, learning, and the sciences. The highest sciences
have been developed as a result of this deep knowledge that
reality and truth reveal themselves.
There
were no distinctions, or separations made between social development,
worship, the search for meaning and truth, economic expansion
— it is all one and the same under islam.
One
can indeed attribute the incredible success and assimilation
of the deen of Islam from the Arab homeland across the world,
to the flexible, tolerant and vibrantly human nature of the
deen.
If
we are to recognise a change in the nature of Islamic civilisation,
from one of growth and development into one of stagnation and
shrinkage, then we have to look at some important historical
events that took place.
French
revolution — new ideas about humanity, the creation and
the denial of the creator.
The
Colonialisation of the arab and Muslim world by the new Europe
The
impact of Islam on western civilisation.
- assimilation
of Greek, Persian Indian science and knowledges
- medicine
- geography,
astronomy, mathematics, arts and techniques
- philosophy
- state
organisation
- urban
planning
Specific
contributions of Islam to the West today
- sense
of purpose
- limits
and parameters of the social and individual behaviour
- women’s
rights
Islam
a revitalising force
(look
at the background of existing situation in the modern western
world)
- restoration
of primary social institutions, family, neighbourhood, loyalty
- Sexual
behaviour and related issues the environment
- Alcohol,
drugs, tobacco
- Racial
discrimination and prejudices
- tolerance
race religion, language culture and traditions are always respected.
Historic
perspective of the relation between West and Islam
1.
giving of knowledge and enlightenment
al
Andalus, Sicily, Ottoman Khalifate, Napoleon conquest of Egypt
2.
Muslims embracing in modern times the science and models of
economy, organisation and social patterns coming from the west.
With that sick and unhealthy trends and phenomena have also
penetrated in the Muslim community.
Namely:
- nationalism,
- usury,
- nihilism
and
- consumerism.
3.
Remains to be seen the contribution of Muslims today to the
western world moral, spiritual, social and economic guidance.
They have the knowledge and the living tradition, the living
pattern.
What
conditions must appear for this recovery of the vitality
and dynamism of Islam benefiting and reaching the western world?
:
Bosnia
and Chechnya are recent examples of violent suppression of Islam
in Europe today. In Albania Islam is being suppressed by economic
means. Turkey is under continuous pressure political and financial
to suppress its Islamic identity.
Theory
of evolution is manifested in racism: the blacks in America, the
Caucasian Muslims in Russia, the Palestinians in the Middle east
they are all perceived inferior races and treated brutally and merciless
by the western powers
1.
Purifying their own house from the illness of the modern world
that have penetrated and infected the Muslim community (nationalism,
usury, nihilism, consumerism)THE MUSLIMS IN THE WEST ARE IN
A BETTER POSITION TO PRODUCE THE ANTIDOTE the remedy to the
infection
2.
The restoration of an environment of respect a self respect
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