Just Some Thoughts....

After this week’s discussion in class, I was left with many questions. The most prominent, and probably most difficult to answer, is the future of relations between the west and “political Islam.” Contrary to previous predictions, political Islam is flourishing, rather than fading. Despite fundamental ideological and political differences, can the West and East exist in harmony? Are we moving towards reconciliation, or further divergence? In either case, what can we do to ameliorate this troubled relationship? 

After participating in the discussion, I realized that one possible solution to this problem is education. As I sat and listened, I was shocked by how little I really knew about Islam. Though I could voice opinions and arguments, when I dug deeper my arguments were flimsy. Upon reflection, I realized that I have never taken a formal class on Islam, the Qur’an, or middle eastern politics until this year. All my information had been siphoned from various media outlets, including the Associated Press, BBC, and The New York Times among others. 

The root of intolerance and hatred lies in ignorance. Since the tragedy of 9/11, there has been a plethora of misinformation that has wrongly vilified the religion of Islam as a whole. In my opinion, we should work to educate our population about Islam, specifically targeting young children in elementary and middle school. After all, Islam plays an important role in social and religious politics. The fundamentals of Islam should not be an alien, esoteric, unapproachable concept. Rather, through their understanding, one can dispel past preconceptions, and open their mind to new ideas and viewpoints.

Though the idea of a theocracy initially seems illogical from the classical Western perspective, in the face of current crises, it seems more feasible. As stated by Ramadan in Islam and the Arab Awakening, “democracy is in a crisis.” In the 21st century, economic globalization has led to “the end of ideologies.” In this world where money moves faster than people, “the doctrine of free markets appears to be assuming the form of a new religion in the very heart of secularized order.” Objectivity triumphs over ideals, while “ideological instrumentalization clothes itself in the garb of the purest scientific observation.” In short, the world is a pretty messed up place. If democracy can’t fix it, maybe Islam can.

Islam provides the tools to create a society based on religion, and perhaps even a theocracy. The real challenge is whether nations can successfully blend religion and government, prayer and politics, without sacrificing the foundations of freedom and equality that all of its people are entitled to.