THE STORY OF ISLAM

THE STORY OF ISLAM- THE SIEGE WITHIN AND THE SURGE OUTSIDE

Islam, in the contemporary world, presents a very gloomy picture of itself. With the fundamentalists taking over its institutions rapidly, the non Muslim world is increasingly seeing this religion as completely violent and exclusivist, totally ignoring its moderate and liberal side.

Islam, the holy religion of Prophet Mohammad, today stands at a very critical crossroad. While the growing western influence resulting in a fear of western domination has stimulated jingoistic, communal and racist movements across many parts of the non western world, the extent and intensity of this xenophobia is most pronounced in the Islamic world.

Muslim today constitute about 1/5th population of the world, numbering around 140 crores spread all over the globe but predominant in a wide stretch of land beginning from Morocco in Northern Africa and reaching up to Indonesia in South East Asia, referred sometimes as the Green Belt. Almost in all of the 54 Muslim countries, there is being felt or experienced a sense of increased religiosity which almost always turns into demand for the creation of an Islamic state or a ‘More Islamic State’. (Whatever the case may be).

Islam is today baffled with a double edged serious trouble. In my opinion, this religion has two big enemies. First the fundamentalists within, which disturbingly form or influence a very large section of the community. As an impact of this section, Islam today is seen completely incompatible with democracy and modern liberal thought. Resultantly, Islam is completely resistant to modernity, westernization or any thinking which breaks its dogmatic line. The religion is also increasingly getting intolerant towards other religions. And the second enemy of Islam is again – large sections within the non Muslim world who genuinely or by influence paint all the Muslims and entire Islam with the same brush.

The brunt is borne by the educated, enlightened, liberal and progressive sections within the Muslim society. They face double whammy. While the non Muslim world distrusts them for being “violent” Muslims. The Muslims abuse them for being Godless, atheistic infidels (Kafirs). Some experts believe that a resurgent Islam is slowly catching up challenging the might and domination of the western world. This is taking the shape of a ‘Clash of Civilizations’.

The attack on the World Trade Center in U.S.A on September 11th, 2001 was the most daring and destructive attack on the symbol of Western might. The person who masterminded these attacks, Osama Bin Laden is the new face of the most violent and aggressive version of militant Islam. He is a household name for many fanatical Muslims and considered a Messiah. Although Taliban has been dismantled, Al Qaida is in disarray and Iraq has been tamed in, but the U.S has hardly won this war. The sympathisers of Osama and his movement all over the world are dying to avenge this dishonor with their blood and life.

The problem of Islam today is that it lives and makes people live in a medievalistic mindset and tolerates no change. But there is also another side to Islam. The all embracing Sufi tradition of Persia and India, the synthetic legacy of the great Indian emperor - Akbar, the novel example of Indonesia, Malaysia and India where large number of Muslim live by enlarge peacefully and cordially with the non Muslims and the enlightened support given by lakhs and lakhs of

Muslims to secular and humanist causes, from across the globe including some of those who live in the orthodox countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. These all are a testimony to the softer, benign and benevolent side of Islam. It is these sections who got to be encouraged and brought up by all well wishers of a peaceful Islam and desirers of a harmonious humanity. The hot headed and insensitive approach of the U.S. and Europe won’t work. Need is to build bridges with the Muslim world, to come to rescue of liberal Muslims and ultimately isolate the fundamentalists so that eventually they loose their influence and finally their existence. We in India also need to follow a double pronged strategy. On the one hand we should create an atmosphere where Muslims feel safer and provide them better access to education and employment; on the other hand we need to act tough on trouble makers, those spreading ill will against Hindus and other non Muslims must be strictly punished. Those who promote and impose medievalistic thinking such as compulsory growing of beard and wearing of burkha should be discouraged. India needs tough laws against both terrorism and communal riots.

Ultimately it is hoped that hoped that all Muslims will come out of their cocoons and live harmoniously alongside their non Muslim brethren with honour, pride and a sense of progressiveness.

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