Where we're at so far...





I think it would be pretty cool to sort of sum up what I’ve looked at so far on this blog. I think that the problem’s we’ve looked at point out that there are definitely issues when it comes to how Islam is viewed in the world today, but equally, there are just as much issues and conflicts within the Muslim community itself. Everyone seems to have conflicting views on what Islam is all about and how to practice faith. Personally, I think obsessing on these issues has overcomplicated everything. People just need to chill a little.

Whilst originally I hoped my ‘journey through the realms of the internet’ would provide some definitive answers and solutions, I fear feel that so far all I’ve done is unmask a lot of the issues in the world (and sort of opened up a can of worms, really)… but maybe there are no definitive solutions, or maybe the definitive solutions just haven’t been found yet.

I hope that my postings so far have raised some sort of an awareness of what’s going on without being too pessimistic (because I don’t really think we’re all doomed)…It will be interesting to see what comes up in the future, because I am more or less certain that the issues surrounding Islam are by no means over & I’m sure the Muslim community will come up with interesting ways of dealing with them (hopefully not in any rash, explosive ways). 


Ultimately, I think there should be a collective, global effort to get behind some of the layers that are social perception, stereotypes and misconceptions, not just in relation to Islam, but for pretty much everything.. because that is truly the only way to find direction and meaning at a deeper level; to look beyond superficial additions and focus on the core elements of things. In what is arguably an increasing secular society, it is important for people to interact with faiths based on these core foundation values and not just judge and dismiss them based on what is seen through a misty and distorted representation.

....Very philosophical ^_^

So guys, I’ve hope you’ve learnt some stuff, keep commenting and thank you for all your comments so far J

Until next time.

-Cool, motivational ending pic-

Pt2; Moderates V Fundamentalists

I've touched on this issue in my Malala post last month, about how Muslims appear to be grouped as one, however, within Islam there are two general categories I want to point out in this post; Moderates and Fundamentals, or 'normal' Muslims and Extremists.

Particularly in current times, its important to highlight that there is a vast deal of differences in beliefs and ideology of Fundamental groups (such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Hammas and the Muslim Brotherhood) and your every day run-of-the mill Muslim person.

The fundamental and puritan Islamist approach is a based on a literal interpretation of Islamic teachings, obsessed with implementation of the legalistic aspect of Islam, often at the cost of overshadowing the spiritual journey Islam is meant to be for Muslims; to sum it up in 3 words, fundamental Islam is narrow minded literalism. 

The aim of most fundamental groups is to replicate the "Golden Age" of Islam i.e. time of the prophet. Therefore, modernity and pretty much everything the "west" has to offer (such as democracy, reason, science, feminism etc) is rejected. Boo.

Moderate Islam, on the other hand, is all about reconciling Islamic teachings with modernity; Islam is seen as fluid and thus adaptable to all times, people and circumstances, whilst still keeping to it's same core principles. 
If Islam was not fluid, it would not have survived, right? Therefore, moderate Islam is not obsessed with re-creating the Golden age with the optimism that it will become an Islamic utopia .. and therefore again, moderates don't hate the West. Hurrah.


So.. how to tell who's who?.. Well, chances are the moderates (who are the overwhelming majority) will be doing pretty *moderate* things ...living their lives, practicing Islam casually.. without expressing their devotion with any radical displays
...whilst the not-so-moderates will probably be all the Muslims who make it on the news. Boo again.

In terms of how things currently stand, i've narrowed stuff down to two options.
Either;

1. A lot of the differences between the two groups aren't well known (or maybe not cared about) & because of this, moderates and extremists are seen as one ideology professed in either a softly softly approach or an in-your-face one
   
   or
2. People believe all Muslims are the same, thus there is no moderates and extremists

The reason why I added the latter? Because of a lot of material I came across online, such as the following taken from here (the aptly named "Myth of the Moderate Muslim");

"Every "moderate" Muslim is a potential terrorist. The belief in Islam is like a can of gasoline. It looks innocuous, until it meets the fire. For a "moderate" Muslim to become a murderous jihadist, all it takes is a spark of faith. It is time to put an end to the charade of "moderate" Islam. There is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. Muslims are either jihadists or dormant jihadists- moderate, they are not."

Erm. Yikes. What a jerk. 

Now, whilst the optimist in me thinks re-education is the key, can re-education about Islam ever truly overcome these Neo-Crusader views? ...I know random internet articles are not a reliable basis of judgment of whats going on, but trust me, go google 'moderate muslim' or something similar and you'll see that there really is a lot of negativity. And if internet is a voice of the people, then i'd say it's pretty worrying.  

Based on this (as le'picture shows), are 'moderates' just taking the longer route towards the "chopping block" that is social rejection and stigma? Extremists today, but who's to say moderate Muslim won't be the next thing on the menu?

...What is a moderate anyway? We know what the extremists stand for, but how about the moderates? ...I once heard it said 'if you stand for nothing, you fall for anything' ....have the moderates fallen for a dream that they could ever wholly be accepted in Western society, when 1000(ish) years on from the Crusades, if you peel away the political correctness and facade, not much has appeared to have changed.

Paranoia?

Reality?

Whatchya think. guys?