Modernism and Islam, the Connection Between Them

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This paper would seek to analyze an issue that might seem to be a mere façade but in reality it is much more than that. The issue is that of the connection between Islam and Modernity or rather the compatibility between Islamic ideals and beliefs and the phenomenon which is defined as modernity. If one was to analyze both of these concepts that what has to be understood is that both of these concepts have their own roots in history and have a number of aspects attached to each of them.

Both have had a number of schools of thought connected to them and hence, both are complex in their own right. As for the connection between them, that seems to be a daunting matter indeed and makes one sit up and take notice of the way this relationship developed.

This paper would seek to present an understanding of the connection between Islam and the impact of modernity on a religion that is embedded in traditional values and beliefs. In order to do that, the paper would seek to outline the various developments which have taken place over time while at the same time evaluating the present Muslim identity. Whether the present Muslim still adheres to the traditional values or is he someone who is radically opposed to all “modern” elements. (Kurzman,1998),

. The first impact of modernity was felt by Turkey which in fact to date remains one of the most “westernized” Islamic nations. There was a complete revolution in the scientific and legal procedure and thought such as the Metric system’s introduction, the freedom of the press, separation of powers, equality before the law, and scientific freedom amongst the many developments which take place as a result of the massive impact of the modern elements on Islamic ideology.

If one was to witness the impact of modernity and Islamic thought, then that can be witnessed through the cultural revolution that was portrayed through the dramatical events, books, newspapers etc which all highlighted the various aspects of the extent to which modernism had begun to seep into the Islamic movement and thought.

Over time, the more liberalized aspect of Islam had come forward in the sense of women gaining more and more prominence and freedom while at the same time democracy being implemented in Islamic states such as Iran, Pakistan and in various other Islamic nations. Over time, the more liberalized Islamic thinkers have sought to provide greater freedom to women by culminating Islamic thoughts and beliefs along with Islamic values and beliefs.

At the same time, this development has been met by fierce resistance in the sense that the modern traditional groups view liberal Islam as being influenced by the Western thoughts and beliefs which according to them have no place in the Islamic methodology and thought. (Khater,2004)

Hence, there has been an ongoing struggle between the more progressive thinkers who have staunch faith in the existence of Islam and modernism and those who fiercely oppose such a connection on the basis that it discredits Islamic values and beliefs. In fact, it resulted in the creation of certain fundamentalists’ groups coming into existence such as the Al-Qaeda led by Osama Bin Laden according to whom:

Their presence [in the Middle East] has no meaning save one and that is to offer support to the Jews and Palestine who are in need of their Christian brothers to achieve full control over the Arab peninsula, which they intend to make an important part of the so-called Greater Israel…They rip us of our wealth and of our resources and of our oil. Our religion is under attack. They kill and murder our brothers. They compromise our honor and our dignity and if we dare to utter a single word of protest against the injustice, we are called terrorists. (Khater,2004)

Hence, what comes across is the dichotomy of opinion over the connection between Islamic liberalists and traditionalists who fiercely defend their radical views.

The paper till now had outlined the historical developments in relation to Islam and the remaining would seek to address the basic Muslim identity-what it means to be a Muslim in the present times where there is a conflict between the traditionalists and the liberals who both are staunch supporters of their own religious views and perspectives. It would have to be seen that exactly what are the repercussions of being a liberal or sticking to the more modern aspect of Islam in the present times; as turbulent as they are.

If one was to witnessed the aftermath of the 9/11 incident, then what would come across is the fact that religious thought and ideology are influenced by ideology inspired by domestic circumstances and largely from the sort of educational background provided to the person. Those who were convicted of the 9/11 activities, had Arabian roots which make one question such an educational system where religious totalitarian is bred and in fact, paves the way for future violent actions by those who abide by this ideology.(Patel,2003)

In a recent article which was published in the New York Times (2001), a Malaysian lawyer and writer said:

“The Saudis have used the prestige attendant on the fact that they are the guardians of the two holy centers, Mecca and Medina, and their enormous wealth, to propagate their own interpretation of the Koran. An underlying tenet of the Ahab approach is this pan-Islamic sense that demands that converted people should be leached of their culture”.(Patel, 2003)

Hence, what comes across is the fact that fundamentalism has no room and space amongst those who adhere to the modern ideology of Islam as for them Islam is a religion that just outlines a way of life which can be in conjunction with the liberal viewpoints as long as it does not question the basic elements of Islamic beliefs.

Hence, if one was to identify the historical developments and the present developments, the situation has become more of a struggle instead of a revolution. In the present times, there is a struggle between the Muslim totalitarian who adhere to violent means which has no room in Islamic ideology ad between those who adhere to Islamic ideology while culminating liberal thoughts along with them.

Hence, the entire Muslim identity is a source of confusion as there are two equally diverse ideological backgrounds that have resulted in alienating those who adhere to the modernism version of Islam.

An example can be quoted of Agha Khan, a leader of one of the Muslim sects, who is well-renowned in the Western world for his modern ideology and for his progressive thinking which has resulted in making his sect one of the most progressive Muslim groups to date. This particular sect emphasizes liberal education which is a complete contrast to the radical views of the fundamentalists who try to downplay any education except for their own distorted religious education.(Patel,2003)

Thus, this research paper outlined certain significant developments in Islam with respect to modernism and then it brought to light the way Muslim identity has become a cause for confusion and crisis as it has been overshadowed by two radically opposing groups. The way which each individual would want to go would determine whether he would want to be defined as one who is totaling or someone who believes in the strong correlation between Islam and Modernism.

References

Patel,E(2003),”On Nurturing a Muslim Identity”. The institutions of the Agha Khan Development Network. Web.

JL Esposito and JO Voll, Makers of Contemporary Islam, Oxford University Press 2001.

Cooper,J and Nettler, R and Mahmoud,M(2000) Islam and Modernity: Muslim Intellectuals Respond.

C Kurzman (1998), Liberal Islam: A Source Book, Oxford University Press.

Islam and Modernity, Journal Religion and the Arts, Brill Academic Publishers, Volume 5, Number 4, pp.495–503.

Khater, A, F (ed.)(2004) Sources in the History of the Modern Middle East US: Houghton Mifflin Company, pp360-361.

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Modernism and Islam, the Connection Between Them

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