Why Does Islam Need A Renaissance Urgently?
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
26 November
2022
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Until
Muslims, Esp. Those Who Have A Semblance Of Reason And Logic, Introspect And
Stop Thinking That They're Allah's Chosen People, This Religion Will Continue
To Languish In The Dungeon Of Ignorance And Obscurantism
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I concur
with Mr Ghulam Mohiyuddin that Islam does need a renaissance urgently.
The problem
with this desert faith is that it deserted logic and modernism right from its
inception and the scenario is still unchanged.
One glaring
example is Qatar's ongoing charade of (predominantly) offering Islam along with
the FIFA World Cup! That a universal sporting event like the Soccer World Cup
is being turned into a saga of Pan-Islamisation is simply unthinkable and
ridiculous to boot. A universal pariah like Zakir Naik is being invited to
preach Islam! Multilingual Islamic scholars have been appointed to dispel the
doubts of people and sports lovers regarding Islam as if they're visiting Qatar
to know more of Islam and watch less of football! No alcohol (but freely
available in heaven!), no love-making or consensual sex between two consenting
adults! No rooms to gays! Is the country having a World Cup or holding a
month-long rigorous International Seminar on Islam?
Philosopher
Rousseau and writer Miguel de Cervantes believed that European society (during
the Renaissance), must talk less about religion and god and much more about
reason and universality. Mind you, both were believers but not regular
church-goers. Both believed along with other Renaissance writers and
philosophers that god, church and Bible must be shelved for the time being and
the focus should only be on free thinking that was free of religious elements
and inanities.
But look at
the Islamic society! A country is preaching Islam along with organizing world's
biggest sporting carnival.
Afghanistan's
Talibanis are openly flogging and stoning couples for adultery, limbs are being
amputated and eyes are getting gouged out! All in the name of a peaceful
'civilized' faith called Islam. My foot!
Not to be
left behind, India's Maulana Tauqeer Raza wants to stone half-buried Aftab to
death! This is extreme sadistic voyeurism expected only of Muslims, weaned on
blood-curdling violence and indoctrinated with an overdose of vengeance.
No
refinement and finesse in spirit and behaviour have taken place in Islam and it
has remained a Rip Van Winkle in its history of a little over 1400 years. When
its 'educated' followers still fuss over and debate that whatever useless is
written in the Quran is the divine truth and no change is allowed, how can
their faith keep pace with the evolving times?
Readers are
aware that evangelization activities were at their lowest ebb during the
Renaissance. And here, even a whole country is involved in spreading the
message of Islam! Until Muslims, esp. those who have a semblance of reason and
logic, introspect and stop thinking that they're Allah's chosen people, this
religion will continue to languish in the dungeon of ignorance and
obscurantism. Time to wake up and face the truth.
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A
regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative
religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the
world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/renaissance-islamic-society/d/128495
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