Contradictions of Religion
By Harlan Ullman
23-Jun-16
Tough love is just that. Many of the Daily Times’ readers may be uncomfortable with any column that discusses Islam. Despite this discomfort, certain aspects of Islam must be discussed and debated. In that context, one definition of insanity lies in repeating the same unsuccessful exercise anticipating a better outcome that will never occur.
In this case, failing to recognise that some “Islamists” are in conflict with modernity, including the perverted use of religion legitimising violence and terror could be an act of geostrategic insanity. And the need for this introspection has not been helped by the presidential campaign in America.
What passes for debate has partially rested on why President Barack Obama refuses to connect the word Islam with violence and terrorism. The president argued that linking any religion with terrorism and violence is wrong, unjustly branding an entire faith as extreme. However, the most conservative and radical elements of Islam are being used to rationalise, legitimise and excuse the most violent acts against states, people and societal institutions. And, regarding the role of women, so-called honour killings and the embrace of Salafist and Wahhabi ideologies, Islam is in conflict with modernity.
Resolving these contradictions is vital if Islam is to remain a peaceful as well as a great religion that completely rejects violence and extremism. Whether or not President Obama changes his vocabulary, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) pose existential dangers to the region. Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen are failed states that contribute to recruit for IS and have forced the migration of millions imposing huge stress on neighbouring states and on Europe (Indeed, if Britain votes to leave the European Union today, immigration will be one of the forcing reasons for its exit).
Regarding Pakistan, when he was president from 1978-88, General Zia-ul-Haq intensified the “Islamisation” of the country. Sharia and blasphemy laws were strengthened. Madrasas were dramatically increased in number. And the Islamic Republic of Pakistan moved far more to the Islamic rather than republic side of its name. Notably, Zia did advance the economy, accelerate the nuclear weapons programmes, and drew much closer to the United States and the Reagan administration in supporting the Mujahedin in the battle against the Soviet Union and its invasion into Afghanistan. Ironically, that support that included the Taliban as well as the Pakistani perception of Afghanistan providing greater strategic depth against India, would enflame and empower the further radicalisation of Islam, and the formation of extremist groups that not only threatened Pakistan but the world at large.
If Islam is to confront and resolve these contradictions, it must accommodate to modernity. The effects of globalisation and the greater interconnectivity of societies have forced this confrontation. For example, while many in Islam view the place and role of women far differently than western and Asian societies, that perception has provoked adverse reactions from many Muslim women. It is true of course that through the end of the 19th century women generally were regarded as second-class citizens. But over the past century, that perception has dramatically changed.
Pakistan had a lady prime minister twice — Benazir Bhutto — nearly two decades before an American woman was the presumptive nominee for its president. Yet, religion is still wrestling with the role of women, and Saudi Arabia is a test case as to how this assimilation may or may not continue. However, in the 21st century, gender no longer provokes the discrimination it once did. And religion must face this reality.
In Pakistan, the brutality of the blasphemy laws caused a bodyguard to assassinate the former owner of this newspaper, the then Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer for publically objecting to a Christian woman being sentenced to death over alleged blasphemy. Modernity finds such laws anathema and in conflict with the rule of law and equality of the sexes. And other Muslim countries face similarly strict interpretations of the Sharia law that the West finds objectionable and unreasonable.
Where is this headed? About 1.5 billion Muslims inhabit this planet. If only one-tenth of one percent harbour the most radical and violent aspects of religion, that figure of 1.5 million is larger than the American military. And many Muslims accept the more conservative interpretations of religion regarding Sharia law and the role of women.
The critical question is whether Muslims can resolve these contradictions because the West cannot, will not and should not.
Harlan Ullman is UPI’s Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist. He serves as Senior Advisor for Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the Atlantic Council and Business Executives for National Security and chairs two private companies. His last book is A Handful of Bullets: How the Murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Still Menaces the Peace. His next book due out next year is Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Wars It Starts
Source: dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/23-Jun-16/contradictions-of-religion
URL: https://newageislam.com/ijtihad-rethinking-islam/contradictions-religion/d/107738