“The Crisis of Islam” from Bernard Lewis ; My analysis
Salam to all,
Just wanna share my analysis on the book entitled "The Crisis of Islam" from Bernard Lewis that I have just recently read.
1) What is the crisis of Islam in Arab culture?
On a broader perspective there is no crisis in Islam in Arab culture or any other society. However one can hardly deny that there is crisis in Muslims community particularly in Middle East . It is important to understand that it is not Islam that is having any fault but it is the Muslim who wrongly practices it should carry the liability. Hitting the question, most of the Arab countries are behind in terms of economic prosperity and technological advancement because of their government’s inward policy. Furthermore, a combination of an increasing birth rate and lack of job opportunities has lead to a greater discontent among the Arab youth. Simultaneously, a rise of fundamentalist movements which offer a complete set of themes, slogans and symbols which is so efficient in marshaling support has managed to attract the frustrated and the resented from this particular Islamic bloc. This leads to the bitter and violent confrontations and the rise of militant Islam in Saudi Arabia , Iran , and Egypt , with the assistance of radical Wahabi proselytizing.
2) What is the western view on Islam seen through Lewis’s perspective?
Islam for most Westerners from Lewis’ eyes is a very unique, foreign, and alien religion and culture to comprehend. From Lewis’s perspective, Islam is a religion which is far closer to the Judeo-Christian custom than to any other great religions. He said Islam is the primary basis of both identity and loyalty. There are a number of events that have shaped the Western view on Islam today such as the firm denial of the state of Israel, the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the strict Taliban regime in Afghanistan, ruthless Saddam rule in Iraq, and the latest September 11th attacks on the United States which contribute to a consensus that Islam promotes violent and terror. However, Lewis points out that in the Islamic world, they have a very dynamic sense of history and they regard it just as and if not more important than the present. This means their hostilities from the past have never faded from their memories and they tend to take vengeance. In short, from his viewpoint, westerners appreciate that Islam is a peace-worshipping religion but it has been distorted by violent extremism and they yearned to comprehend Muslims passionate enmity towards them.
3) What is the particular grievance of Arab Muslims against the US?
Arab Muslims are increasingly aware of the broadening gap between the opportunities, development and technologies of the free world outside and the atrocious deprivation within their borders. Their resentment comes naturally towards the United States as they believe that the Americans are willing by any means to restore their puppet rulers in their countries for selfish reason and worse they proved not to be a reliable benefactor as they abandoned these puppets when they faced internal problems. The United States is also perceived as a country that represents the West and is being regarded as the leader of Christendom or more generally labeled by Lewis the “Land of the Unbelievers”. Furthermore, the American way of life, as it is being promoted in media, in particular the idea of success being reflected by material gain, freedom of sexual intercourse, provide a vital threat to Islamic values. For them, the only solution is a return to the authentic Muslim way of life and the essential step would be to remove the apostate government.
-Batigol-
January 8th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
nice analysis… but who’s this bernard guy is?
thaaa
January 9th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
owh…middle east expert..google his name
January 10th, 2007 at 6:41 am
perhaps u shud enlighten wat lewis is saying on dat issue. dis is to allow da readers to compare his view and da view of urs.
in regards to da first question, i agree dat ‘most of the Arab countries are behind in terms of economic prosperity and technological advancement because of their government’s inward policy’.but we have to bear in mind dat some of da arab countries are exccessive in wealth n resources.uae is a clear example.i found myself astonished realising its development and wealth.
hence, i must say,da arabs are not poor, its just they r imbalance in relocating their sources. plus being manipulated n influenced by da westerns.
any takers?
January 11th, 2007 at 2:56 am
i didnt say that they are poor in financial terms…but in management terms….if u look at the income distribution of most of the arab countries..u can really learn a lot from that..