Globalization and Traditional Islamic Societies

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Islamic fundamentalism
Before and after: the cultural differences
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Globalization can be stated as being synonymous with modernization and that in turn can be stated as being synonymous with westernization. Modernization on the other hand inculcates numerous values in itself. For instance, to be modern is to change not only your outlook but also your perceptions and intellectual thinking. Nowadays virtually the whole world is being affected by the west one way or the other. Increasingly it is being noticed that cultural identity has become a figment of our pasts. Many nations have given up their roots to adopt more mainstream western values and norms. Thus to a great extent, the whole world is going through a process of disintegration and identity crisis.

The Middle East has more or less acted negatively towards mass globalization and has prevented its influence with utmost fervor. One fundamental reason why this fact might be so is that these Islamic nations have never been accustomed to western culture to an extent experienced by Latin America or East Asia for example. In other words, Middle Eastern countries have always been hostile towards the idea of western penetration. Anti-globalization is further fuelled by fundamentalists who can not take the fact that the west is responsible for several changes that could pave the way to the loss of Islamic values. The values of nationalism spark as soon as there is a threat to what is more commonly known as the ‘traditional’. The biggest threat to nationalism, religiosity, and traditional norms and values is perhaps the intrusion of globalization. As far as the Islamic teachings are concerned perhaps none of those teachings are in accord with the western ideals. (Rubin, 2003)

In some countries, the concept of cultural synthesis is applied. This means that they can be modern whilst upholding traditional values, and if they believe that certain foreign aspects are invading traditional life they will simply refuse to accept them. That is one way to deal with the situation. So in reality globalization is only accepted when it is perceived as a situation where it does not give impetus to drastic change. Even Iran a country very staunch in its religious beliefs cannot get away from globalization. The former president Muhammad Khatami was in favor of cultural synthesis and believed it to be beneficial to not just Iran but also the west since he was of the notion that globalization is a two-way process. (Rubin, 2003)

Countries such as North America, New Zealand, Europe, and Australia are all western societies. Asia is one such region that has been rather dynamic in borrowing culture from the west. Even though western culture is in direct opposition to their religious values these nations have found a way to mold it to suit their own needs. The Middle East has a different scenario where other religions such as Christianity or Judaism are mere minorities. They have built a cultural wall around themselves and they are hard-headed to such an extent that the wall seems impenetrable. In recent years fundamentalism has changed the course of Islamic teachings. When we think of globalization we think of the medium of communication which is in absolute terms English. The primary language in the Middle East is Arabic and this is also the language of Islam which is why English could not be used as a medium of influence.

Islamic fundamentalism

Factually Islamic fundamentalism has if anything been strengthened by globalization. With the advent of technology, it has become easier to revolutionize the Islamic world. The idea behind Islamic globalization is to create solidarity and unity among the Muslims and to promote the faith of the prophet Muhammad. However globalization in the west means business, in the east, it is a different scenario. The national jihad and fanaticism in Algeria and Egypt are remarkably similar. Between 1992 and 1997 both nations were a part of a very bloody battle between militant Islamists who wanted to take over the government. Their atrocities turned their people against them and eventually they lost all footing in their country. Thereafter some went into exile others fled to Afghanistan and became part of the terrorist group Al Qaeda headed by none other than Ossama bin Laden. Their organization was perhaps the first terrorist group to make full use of technology what with the use of email, internet, wire transfers, etc. militant Islamists have also claimed that globalization is also one of the causes for jihad. It is, therefore, safe to say that the Muslims have accepted globalization but they have done so in their way and to forward their agenda. (Griffel, 2003)

When the reformist and the conservative factions in Iran were preparing for parliamentary elections in Iran the citizens were in a state of a dilemma; since the conservatives were for upgrading Islamic values whilst the reformists talked of opening the country. The reformist papers urged people to support them whilst the jumper Islami wanted individuals to keep the 1979 revolution fresh in their minds. The youth of Iran in particular were and perhaps still are for the reformists and the influx of western culture. (BBC News, 2000)

Women in Iran have begun to realize the full extent of their rights. They work just like men do and they also follow the western style of dressing. Many women are of the notion that religious values need to be revised and modified so that western culture can be easily followed. Now more than ever the young girls and boys feel that they have the right to liberation. They no longer want to live by the sanctions of religion instead opting for a more secular kind of environment where each individual has the right to do, say and wear whatever they want to without having to fear repercussions. It’s easier to change with the times rather than lagging. Even Iranian entertainment has begun to replicate western media. Teenagers prefer the same kind of music, movies, food, etc.

The truth about the Iranian people is that they can not do much about the laws of their country that are more or less based on the ‘shariah’. The liberties that were promised by the 1979 constitution were never actually put into practice. The fact is the common man’s voice is unheard of because it is banned by these so-called religious laws. Modernization cannot solve their problem of restriction in almost every mode of life; they have to take an initiative to change their current scenario. A common ground must be worked out between personal thoughts and the experiences that come with the advent of modernity. Perhaps the greatest flaw in the Iranian people is that they are too submissive and passive. They could change their future if only they become a tad bit assertive. Democracy is the ‘American dream’ and as such, it cannot be applied worldwide. There are a lot of complexities involved; however, it could be shaped in such a way as to accommodate a particular locality’s requirements. (Beyond Hollywood, n.d.)

The growing turmoil in Iran is due to increasing western globalization. People are beginning to realize that they can have a lot more than what they already have and when they can’t have all that freedom they begin to experience frustration and anguish. The youth, in particular, want change even though their protests get them arrested they still yearn for freedom. It is nonetheless impossible for Iran to be a copycat of American values, norms, and culture. That would mean that they as a nation would have to leave behind Islam which they can’t even if they wanted to. Women in Iran want to leave their homes without a headscarf and wear the trendiest western clothes but they can’t because they fear punishment and reprisal.

The barriers that Islamic ideology has created, make them want to experience something different, and adapting to the way of life in the west and entering the domain of globalization gives them just that. True, the youth continuously want steps taken towards modernity but they are also not as shallow as to think that it would come overnight. The institution of globalization does not exactly comply with Islamic ideals and thus change needs to be gradual if it is to reinforce anything at all. With a country so influenced by culture and religion, it is not possible for it to completely idolize the west. At the same time, it is rather unfair to state that Islam is a stagnant and backward religion as propagated in the west. The only people who can change such thinking are the youth, who can gradually amalgamate Islamic values with modernity. It is not in any way an impossible feat.

Some of the Iranian youth are defying the laws of the state by starting underground rock bands, wearing loosely tied headscarves, and are showing their discontent towards the government. They are of the notion that globalization and Islam can exist side by side and are not contradictory. They desire their basic human rights which by no means are restricted by the religion Islam. Its real teachings are being shrouded by the government. In reality, many of the democratic principles of the west are the same as those of Islamic religious teachings. It is the misfortune of some of the Islamic states that these values are not being practiced and are virtually lost. The west is for the emancipation of women, so is Islam, the west is for democracy and so is Islam. The difference lies in politics it has nothing to do with the fact that Islam is impeding or restricting globalization. As seen earlier both aspects can co-exist simultaneously.

Most Islamic societies are angered by the fact that it is because of the west that they are losing their identities and are letting them go without much struggle. It’s as if they almost want it to happen. Islamic fundamentalists are addressing the fact that their traditional values and culture are being devalued by the west. They are losing their dignity, individuality, faith and above all their livelihoods because of the intrusion of globalization and the western impact. However, to think of these fundamentalists as representing the entire Muslim community is rather unfair. The clash of the civilization thesis is more or less exaggerated. The misconceptions about Islam and the west are creating a situation of enmity and distrust. Each civilization is extremely wary of the other.

When it comes to the economy, almost the whole Middle East has been affected by the way the western markets work. The sole purpose of accumulating wealth and the agents of the free market is only concerned about the maximization of profits whereas Islam teaches fairness in business dealing and various other ethics which are mandatory for every Muslim businessman or woman. It propagates ways of making honest money thus proving that it is a religion that interferes in every aspect of life. In more recent times it has been noted that Muslims are becoming more and more intolerant towards trade liberalization.

With the era of the oil boom, the Middle East came into proximity with the west. Learning about their culture and way of life was intimidating for the Muslims so they barricaded themselves in their parochial world. The vast oil reserves of many Arab countries encouraged them to exploit this newfound potential in every way possible however they could not make full use of this potential without the help of the US and western technology. They learned how to do business from the US and this resulted in a sort of diffusion of western ideals. This was perhaps one reason that led to the fuelling of fundamentalism. Since it was only after the looming threat was perceived that Islamic fundamentalists began to see the western influx as a threat to religion and tradition. Muslim leaders believe that globalization needs to be accepted if progression is to be made. These leaders are realizing the benefits of multiculturalism and have urged their brethren to be more open towards it. There are many Muslim countries Malaysia being one of them that have adopted the fundamentals of capitalism whilst sustaining religion.

Before and after: the cultural differences

The cultural differences that exist between the west and the Islamic societies are far too great. Therefore, it is rather naïve to suggest that the Islamic nations are being dramatically affected by the west when they have their own identity and pre-existing values. However certain aspects are being shared between these two major entities. For instance, in recent years women have been gaining empowerment and trying to compete with the women of the west as far as freedom and opportunities are concerned. The literacy rate amongst Arab women has tripled since 1970 and more and more females are enrolling in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions

The west has time and time again tried to democratize Muslim states. That is only possible to a certain degree as democracy can not make nations secular that is absolutely out of the question. The preconceived notion that Muslims are somehow against the west and the influence of globalization is not necessarily true for all of them. There are still many Muslims who share the same ideas, beliefs, cultural likes, and dislikes moral, social, and political aspirations. Some Muslims are now beginning to differentiate between globalization and westernization. They are openly rejecting westernization as opposed to globalization as they have understood now that they can not ignore modernity and all the benefits that it can reap. However, they can ignore the west. (Charles, 2003)

It is an undeniable fact that Muslim countries across the world have been affected by globalization to a degree previously unimaginable. Some have welcomed these changes whilst others have been more careful than to be so open about acceptance. Their main concern is that they do not want to lose their cultural heritage and land themselves in an environment that is alien to them. De facto globalization has economic roots as well as political repercussions but more recently it has also brought the transmission of culture into the picture.

The history of Islam indicates that it has always been considerate towards the minorities and acceptable to change. Islam from the very beginning has been a global message for the entire world and thus globalization was and perhaps still is a part of this religion. Thinking of globalization as an impediment in the way of Islam only has a Muslim mentality to blame not the religion itself. Islam has been used as an excuse by many Muslim leaders to exploit their power and justify their rule. Such acts have no religious baking whatsoever. Islam encompasses democracy, pluralism, and tolerance. The only agents to corrupt, shroud, and use it to forward their benefits are the religious fundamentalists who are shrouding the Muslims perceptions of what the religious teachings truly inculcate

Nowadays the new generations of Muslims have different mindsets, values, and norms. They are more welcoming of westernization and the package it includes. The youth idolizes the onset of globalization and the advantages it carries. It’s like the age of rationalization and enlightenment all over again only this time it is within the Islamic communities and amidst the Muslim youth. Two decades ago now Muslims were more conservative in their thought process, the way they dressed, and were more observant of religious occasions. Now it has become very apparent that customs are losing their ground. Even religious observations are being followed less fervently. The media is a powerful agent that is creating a sort of cultural vacuum by distorting everything that does not comply with the west. It is encouraging Muslim youths to forget about their heritage by making it seem obsolete in front of modernity. (Ali, 2008)

It is generally accepted that the youth have prospered through globalization. They are open to change as opposed to their predecessors. They have learned to quickly adapt to the modern nature of this world. It has brought them closer together and reinforced youth subcultures. The youth in particular are finding themselves locked up in power struggle politics. However, they have accepted the fact that the way to prosperity is just a decision away. All they need to do is collectively reinforce in their lives the fundamentals of globalization to pave way for better futures whilst withstanding the pressures that come from radical Islamic groups. Being ignorant towards them will help them sustain a better livelihood for themselves. The region has finally embraced the idea of the market economy, has accepted that women also require education, and have generally been more open to western thinking. (Dhillon, 2008)

The world is shrinking as every aspect of society is being dominated by a few principles. It is a very difficult age for the youth who are facing confusion and perplexity in light of rapid changes in not only the global economy but society as a whole. They can be considered as direct victims of globalization and are perhaps most vulnerable to modernity. They are more or less becoming victims to this post-modern world and most of them have left behind Islamic teachings and are instead equating Islam to backwardness. This association leaves them with no choice but to be less hostile towards the age of progression and amalgamation.

Today’s youth of Middle Eastern origin are caught between two contrasting cultural trends. They are following American trends and at the same time are very aware of Islamic values. Furthermore, globalization has also created a heightened sense of Islamic identity and the return to Islam is being used as a defense. They are continuously talking about western ideas in context with Islamic ideology. The trend in some countries such as Iran, Iraq. Jordan, Pakistan is towards modern values. Some analysts are of the notion that western trends are just temporary fads that will disappear over time. On the other hand, they argue that Islamic resurgence is here to stay. Whichever way we look at it, it is clear that consumerism in the region and the higher expectations associated with it are here to stay.

The youth now want to associate themselves with politics and they are a part of the political reformists who are working towards change. They show interest in social justice, accountability of governments, participation in decision making, and national self-determination along with the significance of independence. Political movements in Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, and Palestine are headed by very young people; mid-twenties at the most. This is just indicative of the fact that the uprising of modernity has given impetus to means of survival and association without which the youth will suffer from obscurity. All of this can be attributed to the involvement of satellite television and the internet that has given rise to a new way of thinking and this rise has become difficult for the local governments to control. All this free flow of information has contributed to the favorable views about the west. It is all in the end propaganda geared towards certain objectives which are more or less being fulfilled. (Voice of America, 2007)

Conclusion

Conclusively, globalization in traditional Islamic societies can have different meanings and definitions it can be advantageous to Islamic societies in which case it will be accepted or it could act as a destructive force that shatters the very basis of Islamic teaching in which case it would be a cause for much admonishment.

References

Barry Rubin (2003), Yale global, globalization and the Middle East part 1 , Web.

Frank Griffel (2003), Yale global, globalization and the Middle East part 2, Web.

BBC News (2000) Iran set for elections, Web.

Beyond Hollywood, Islam vs. modernization. Web.

McDaniel Charles (2003) All business, Islam and the global society: a religious approach to modernity. Web.

Abd-al-Kader Cheraf (n.d.) studies in Islam and the Middle East, globalization, Islam and democracy. Web.

Asghar Ali (2008), Indian Muslims blog, Islam globalization and its challenges. Web.

voice of America , 2007 , Muslim youth between two worlds , Web.

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