generalspeaking

Western Disrespect for Islam?

Hardly, no not quite. Islam, to the West, seemed other, exotic and odd, but no more so than any other religion widely practised that most people living in the West had no close exposure to. As respected as any other religion. There will always be divisions between people; social, cultural, religious, political. People will always feel more comfortable established in communities where there are resemblances, common values and purpose.

But we're learning, as our global communities come closer together. Pluralism does have its advantages; it helps to expose us to the differences between us, while at the same time emphasizing the commonalities between us all. We are, fundamentally, imbued with the same passions and needs, appreciations and values, but with slight variations. Person-to-person the differences edge away, the commonalities come to the fore.

Global Islam feels affronted of late at the manner in which the non-Muslim community regards it. Understandably, they are concerned. No individual, no community, no society and no religion appreciates being singled out for suspicious attention verging on irritating condescension. Yet, with the constant need to assure and reassure Islam that it's all right, they're not being deliberately, gratuitously maligned, relations become strained.

The simple fact is that the West is also concerned. Rightfully concerned that a religion of merit and distinction and honourable intent has been viciously manipulated by a self-serving minority within, presenting themselves, as righteous jihadists, as true to Islam, restoring its honour sullied by the West, and determined to reinvigorate the religion through brutal conquest of its purported enemies.

"Moderate" Islam stands uncertainly, on the cusp of defending itself as being divorced from the fanatics, yet not quite convincing themselves that the fanatics, acting on behalf of all Islam, aren't really all that wrong. And it's quite peculiar that instead of outright disowning militant jihad, condemning it unequivocally, forcefully, in a huge and collective voice of rejection, Islam remains peeved with the West, instead.

Yes, there are occasional and relatively feeble voices of reason in Islamic circles disowning and detesting violent jihad and its perpetrators; a little louder please, all together now... But that hardly balances the fact that, despite the West intervening in brutal conflicts designed to vanquish or horribly victimize Muslims, as in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait for example, Muslims conveniently forget that support.

Wildly fundamentalist Islam arose in the modern world with the advent of the Iranian Islamic revolution. And it's never looked back. Rabidly anti-Western, morbidly clasping martyrdom in the honourable transaction of offering death to Jews and Crusaders, Islamism has somehow harnessed itself to the disaffections of Muslims world wide, who believe they have been done ill by.

How else explain the willing and eager conscripts to militant jihad among the youth of the Muslim world? Inclusive of those who have been born and bred in the West themselves, torn between the present and the past. Their dedication to martyrdom is matched only by their blissful search for it in the process whereby they may dispatch as many living human beings into the Otherworld as possible.

It seems then, that it is jihadists who paint with a broad brush. And the Muslim world permits themselves to be transformed from a religion of peace to one of tender sensibilities able to turn on the head of a pin from quiet devotion to Islam, to raging horde of ravening protesters, torching buildings, upturning vehicles, abducting 'enemies' to behead them for video production, and generally cowing an astonished Western audience.

Islam has displayed an inability and unwillingness to confront the rot within, balanced by an eagerness to condemn, blame and hold responsible for all perceived ills befalling the Muslim world those who have extended the hand of friendship, acceptance and understanding. In response, the extended hand is smacked off, and the conviction of compassion extended to Iran's warring proxies.

A condition that gives birth to cartoons whose production elicits a wild collective whoop of rage from the faithful, sending them on roiling rampages, and forcing apologies from those merely practising what their own societies accept and expect; the freedom to express their skepticism of a precept dishonouring itself.

Whereas the murder of thousands of innocents elicits an initial jubilant excess of self-congratulation at the 'oppressors' finally getting their comeuppance. Followed by a worried introspection that those who were attacked will exact the revenge of suspicion on their innocent, peace-loving community of religious adherents.

You can have it any way you like as long as it matches a preconceived idea of religions righteousness as perfection personified.

Labels: Political Realities, Realities, Religion, Terrorism

posted by Pieface @ Monday, February 02, 2009