Premium Essay

Islam vs the West

In:

Submitted By nawbary
Words 870
Pages 4
To Understand Islam and how it is being practiced and envisioned in the East and the West, we must know Prophet Muhammad’s personality and his beliefs. The foundation of his message was the belief in the unity the only one God. “And there is none that could be comparable unto Him” (Quran QXP 112:4). The West is an established civilization with a hierarchy of government that the majority of citizens trust to represent their ideas and wishes. However, the Muslim nations are not democratic, and most, if not all, are authoritarian and not representative of Islam. For this reason and among others, teaching’s of Islam is practiced differently in different countries and cultures, especially the in the East vs the West. We must also consider culture and how it influences the practice of laws of Islam. For example, women wear different forms of burka in different regions of the world, such as the one in Saudi Arabia, and this by itself represents repression of women to the eyes of others and thought of as strict laws of Islam. In fact, the burka has been worn 1000’s year before Islam was founded. Therefore, culture and politics has be separated from the practice of Islam in order to understand the true meaning of the religion.
One of the main factors that adds to having a different image of Islam is that many do not understand the differences and similarities between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions and they all started and expanded in the Middle East. These are the four major religions that claim to have their own book which is the exact word of the only God that they have in common. These religions have much in common as well as differences. For example, Jesus Christ is the "Messiah" (meaning "Christ" and "Anointed One") who is a descendant of Moses whom delivered Torah "Old Testament" to the Jews. In contrast

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Islamic Conquest Of Spain Research Paper

...founding of Islam, Christians and Muslims have almost never been able to see eye to eye. After decades of colonialism and orientalism, the Muslim East and the Christian West were left at a great divide. Whereas most Muslims view Christian Westerners as fellow practitioners, or “people of the book,” many Europeans (and Americans) view Muslims as inferior to the Christian man. From the earliest days of Muslim practice, to the period of Muslim rule in Spain, to present-day society, Christians and Muslims have struggled to coexist in a frenzied world. Through arguments seen in Muslim Spain, as well as arguments seen by Fundamentalist Christians such as Franklin Graham today, it is clear that the modern-day Fundamentalist...

Words: 922 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Radical Islam and Ideology

...Radical Islam and Ideology December 5/2013 According to animal liberationists, speciesists Believe humans are superior to nonhumans * Stephen Colbert on Islam * “Islam is a great and true religion revealed in the Holy Koran which was dictated by the angel Gabriel to the final Prophet Mohammed, blessing and peace be upon him.” * Islam, Mohammed and the Qu’ran * Islam – meaning submission/surrender to the rule of Good * Mohammed – last in a series of protestants (including Jesus, Moses) * Bring the word of God * Qur’an (meaning recitation) – recited what God gave to him, others wrote it * Hadith – Mohammed’s owns words and deeds (lessons to be followed) * Islam and Politics * The spread of Islam * The five pillars of Islam * Profession of the faith (Allah is true God, Mohammed is a profit) * Ritual prayer (x5 a day) * Charitable donations to the poor * Annual fasting during the month of Ramadan * Pilgrimage (Go to Makah) * Jihad * Inner struggle against evil and selfishness * Vs. Radical Islam (outer struggle against “evil”) * Shar’ia * The law of the land * Radical Islam – rule by the elite Muslims * Very secular government in countries like Egypt try to eliminate radical Islam * Four External Threats to Islam * Crusades (1095-1300) – try to eliminate...

Words: 475 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Islam in North Africa

...Soleman Abdi Idd Hist 275 Essay 1 : Islam was born in the Hijaz in the 7th century and expanded to the rest of the Middle East where its key institutions were established. Simultaneously, it went through a rapid wave of expansion and eventually reached the African continent though North Africa and was progressively embraced in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, we cannot say there was such a thing as a unique process of expansion of Islam because an African identity was inexistent. Indeed, the continent and especially our area of focus, consisting of North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, was composed of different regions defined by their ethnicity and their ancestry. Furthermore, the physical separation created by the Sahara desert also played a major role into accentuating the disparities. We will explore here, how the introduction of Islam in both regions differed significantly and how in the secondary phase of “rooting” of the faith, this key difference in the first contacts the religion had in these two regions led to the establishment of two distinct Islams. Finally, we will demonstrate that when we look beyond the complexity of both processes, they ultimately share many similarities. The main difference in the process of arrival of Islam in North Africa and Sub-Saharan African is displayed by the rapidity of expansion. Whereas by 720, North Africa was controlled by the Muslims, the adoption of Islam below the Sahara appeared to be more slowly paced and...

Words: 3166 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Who Speaks For Islam Summary

...Who Speaks for Islam is a book written by Dr. John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. Both are experts in the Muslim world, and people’s attitude towards them. Chapter five opens with the statement, “Our world isn’t safer; it’s more dangerous.” In the same paragraph, it mentions that a source of this danger is terrorism, and will most likely remain a threat for a while. A key point mentioned in the first paragraph is that in order fight against terrorism is the abilities to put our biases aside and understand both views of the issue. This introduction is followed by a series of myths and realities. One of the myths given is that “They Hate Us Because of Our Freedom”. “They” meaning Muslims, and “Us” meaning the western world. The common belief amongst the West is that Muslims hate our society. As stated in the text, “they hate us...

Words: 671 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Secularisation

...------------------------------------------------- Religion in a Global Context For secularisation theory, modernisation undermines religion. The importance of science and technology in economic development, and the rational worldview on which they depend, are seen as destroying belief in the supernatural. On the other hand, religion may contribute to development, as Weber argued in the case of the protestant ethic (AO2 – Gordon Marshall and Peter Berger). More recently, sociologists have examined what role religion may play in development in today’s globalising world. Religion and Development Meera Nanda - God and Globalisation in India Globalisation has brought rising prosperity to India’s new middle class. Nanda’s book ‘God and Globalisation’ examines the role of Hinduism, the religion of 85% of the population, in legitimating both the rise of a new Hindu ‘ultra-nationalism’ and the prosperity of the Indian middle class. Hindusim and Consumerism Globalisation has created a huge and prosperous, scientifically educated, urban middle class in India, working in IT, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors closely tied into the global economy. According to Inglehart and Norris, these are precisely the people whom secularisation theory predicts will be the first to abandon religion in favour of a Secular View (AO2). Yet as Nanda Observes, a vast majority of this class continue to believe in the supernatural. A survey by the ‘Centre for the Study of developing Societies...

Words: 2375 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Deception in Islam: a Foundation for Pragmatic Wariness in the West

...Deception in Islam: A Foundation for Pragmatic Wariness in the West In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City we have seen an increase in the number of Muslims in the United States. This has created a new subculture in major metropolitan areas of the United States, many of which are closed off to the outside world and institute their own Islamic law, or Shari’a law, within their bounds, ignoring completely the common law that bounds our nation. What is our nation’s response? By and large, politicians afraid to offend any member of their potential constituency echo their cries of racism and support their right to operate outside the confines of our laws. The bottom line is that Islam seeks not to be held in equal esteem with other religions, as outlined in our Constitution, but to become the dominant religious and political force in order to implement a policy of non-tolerance towards non-Muslims and stamp out the presence of all other religions. This essay is not designed to put down Muslims, as I believe that Muslims are overall well-intentioned people. The issue at hand is the greater institution of Islam. There are key aspects of Islam which I believe make it more than practical to be wary of our Muslim counterparts, but the very foundation of all of these aspects of Islam is the exercise of the concept of Al-Taqiyya, which can be translated accurately as “dissimulation.” In this piece I will endeavor to stray from...

Words: 1935 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Book Report

...The Rise and Spread of Islam •The Post Classical Period: Faith and Commerce - Spread of major world religions o Budhism o Christianity o Islam 1. Spread through preaching, trade routes - Development of Systematic o Boat trade 2. Indian Trade spread disease, religion, ideas - Three Big Ideas o Trans-regional communication and exchange networks o Forms of state organize. Diversify o All societies increased productive capacity • Pre-Islamic Arabia - Bedoin culture based on Kin/clan/tribal networks o Survival dependent on loyalty to clan o Magnified by harsh environment - Shayks- clan/tribal leaders o Conflict was frequent o Society was fragmented - Fierce inter clan rivalries and struggles for resources o Emphasis on revenge, “male honor” - Towns and long distance trade----Mecca and Medina o Medina (Yathrib) (established on oasis) o Mecca more important – Umayyad (ruling clan) – Quraysh; (Ka’ba) - Status of women varied by clan o More respect vs. less respect - Little art/architechture (no big civs) o Focus on poetry 1. Gives glimpse into daily life - Bedovin religions- blend of animism and polytheism o Animism- nature worship - The life of Myhammad and Genesis of Islam o Born around 570 CE – Merchant, married Khadijah ...

Words: 1390 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Globalisations

...Using material form Item A and elsewhere, assess the view that the growth of religious fundamentalism is a reaction to globalisation The view that the growth of religious fundamentalism is a reaction can be seen as true. The issue of religious fundamentalism has emerged as a major area of media and political concern in recent decades. Fundamentalism is religion based on an unquestioning belief in the literal truth of a scared text. Giddens, argues that fundamentalists are traditionalists who seek to return to the basics or fundamentals of their faith. They believe in the literal truth of scripture and that it provides answers to all life’s important questions, from politics to family life. Fundamentalists believe theirs is the only true view of the world. They refuse to engage in dialogue with others, they justify their views by reference to dogma and scare texts rather than rational arguments. Giddens notes that the term ‘fundamentalism’ is a relatively new one and he its growth as a product of and reaction to globalisation. However, Cosmopolitanism contrasts with fundamentalism. Cosmopolitanism is tolerant of the views of others and open to new ideas. Moreover, Giddens sees fundamentalism as the enemy of cosmopolitanism religion and spirituality. Religion, however, as argued by Bruce is used as cultural defence. This is where religion serves to unite a community against an external threat. Religion has special significance for its followers because it symbolises the...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Banning of the Burqa in France

...In 2010, 335 out of 557 members of the French National Assembly voted to approve a bill that would ban the wearing of a traditional Islamic full veil in public. One member voted against the bill, and the other 221 members abstained from voting, so when the bill went to the Senate for a final vote, they already had a seemingly good grasp on the support level they would get if the law were passed. On April 9, 2011, however, a group of 61 protestors against the law had to be taken away in police vans and detained. While the majority of the French population is not affected by this law, a small group of Muslim women (and a pool of potential tourist) are. In 2009, French President, Nicholas Sarkozy made a statement claiming that religious face veils were “not welcome” in France because they goes against the country’s secular values ("French Senate Bans Burqa: Bill awaits President Nicholas Sarkozy’s signature" September 14, 2010). This essentially sparked the discussion and consideration of a banning on religious face veils, namely traditional Muslim burqas and niqabs. The rationale behind the banning is that it not only goes against the countries secular values of equality and dignity, but it also “imprisons women” and causes a safety issue for the citizens of the country (Ristici April 11, 2011). While freedom of religion and religious expression is practiced in France, the law under which the ban exists was passed with the reasoning that it made the nation’s citizen to feel threatened...

Words: 1941 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Meao

...Threats on the Existing Lakes/ Water Bodies in Dhaka Ishrat Islam (PhD) Associate Professor Department of Urban and Regional Planning Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology September 26, 2012 “The ‘environment’ is where we live; and development is what we all do in attempting to improve our lot within that abode. The two are inseparable.” • Our Common Future • The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level • Third level – Fourth level » Fifth level CONTENT Brief Introduction to Dhaka Value of Wetlands of Dhaka Threats on Water Bodies of Dhaka Dhaka: Planning & Development Control Prospects and Constraints Click to edit Master text styles Click to edit Master text styles to edit Master text styles Click Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Introduction to Dhaka  9th largest mega City with growth rate 4.2%  Area :1528 sq.km  The area of Dhaka expanded 17.88 times from 1951. And population had increased 25.09 folds. Climate change Impact (i) Floods/ drainage congestion (ii) Heat stress Dhaka Metro Area Click to edit Master text styles Why Water Bodies Like Lakes Flood Flow Zones Retention Areas are Valuable??? Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Total Economic Value of Wetland Use Value Direct Use Value Non-renewable/...

Words: 3951 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Islam

...RLG204H5 S – Exam Review Week 3B: Denny CHAPTER 8 - Muslim creeds and theologies: Their purposes and varieties * Islamic Theology * Creed in Islam = Shahāda: simply proclaims the essential nature of God and the relation to him of his prophet, and thus implicitly all humans (if it is a creed, it is very laconic) * Kalām = theology in Islam = words, discussion, discourse * Ilm al-kalām = “science of discourse” or il al-tawhīd = “the science of (the divine) unity” * Theology only legitimate when subservient to the religious law, sharī’a * Fiqh = science of Muslim jurisprudence (‘Understanding’) is the chief Islamic science, in light of which all others are judged * Kalām is subordinate to fiqh * Majority of Muslims have given their allegiance in analysis and interpretation of doctrinal matters to the ‘ulamā’ = ‘the scholar jurists’ * THEOLOGICAL ISSUES * Khārijites = faction that seceded from Alī’s Shī’a * Had very high ideal of what Muslim community should be * Called themselves “the people of paradise” * Abandoned their leader Alī after his arbitration with Umayyad challenger, Mu’āwiya * Later also rejected the Umayyads * Now Khārijites = outlaw Muslims who zealously persisted trying to force their vision of Islam on their brothers * Strictest faction = Azraqites – Moderate faction = Najdite * Murji’ite = position that no human can discern whether sinners were...

Words: 5436 - Pages: 22

Free Essay

The Republic of Turkey

...should know. Background Turkey, also known as the Republic of Turkey, is a land-bridge linking Europe and Asia. The history of Turkey encompasses, first, the history of Anatolia before the coming of the Turks and of the civilizations – Hittite, Thracian, Hellenistic, and Byzantine – of which Turkish nation is the heir by assimilation. Second, it includes the history of Turkish people including Seljuks, who brought Islam and Turkish language into Anatolia. Third, it is the history of the Ottoman Empire, a cosmopolitan – Islamic state that developed a small Turkish amirate in Anatolia. Finally, Turkey was established in 1923, after the fall of Ottoman Empire, under “Father Turk”. It is immediately started on a course of modernization in all walks of life (Turkey, 2011.) Turkey is a Middle Eastern nation locating in both Eastern Asia and Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the Northwest; Greece to the West; Georgia to the Northeast; the Soviet Union and Iran on the East; Iraq and Syria on the Southeast. The Black Sea is to the North; the Aegean Sea to the West; and the Mediterranean Sea to the South. It also contains the Sea of Marmara in...

Words: 3479 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Unethical Practice

...London is the leading Islamic banking center in the West, and the Netherlands is seeking to overtake London in this regard. Wall Street is becoming enamored with Islamic banking (also known as Sharia banking) and this banking model is rapidly gaining acceptance in the Western world. Unlike the traditional banking model most Westerners are familiar with, Islamic banks are managed according to Sharia law. The main difference between Western banking and Islamic banking is the Quran prohibits the collection of interest in all monetary transactions, charging fees (and donations) for services provided in lieu of charging interest on loaned capital. Islamic banks are also governed by a Sharia Advisory Board, which is comprised of Islamic scholars and clerics who are responsible to ensure all of the bank's activities are in strict compliance with Sharia (Islamic) law. Those in favor of Islamic banking believe the Islamic banking system is superior to the capitalistic model of the West, because it is structured around a "strict code of ethics" (based on the Quran) and is prohibited from "exploitative practices" (including the charging of interest). According to Islamic banking proponents, this allows banking to be an integral part of a moral society (governed by the Quran). In contrast, they believe capitalism is solely focused on money (profit) and this incites greed and the exploitation of others, which leads to the social problems in the West, including the division of classes and unequal...

Words: 5049 - Pages: 21

Premium Essay

Islamic Accounting : Their Position in International Standard Harmonization

...“Islamic Accounting : Their Position in International Standard Harmonization” Rendy Anggita Putra “Islamic Accounting : Their Position in International Standard Harmonization” 1. Abstract According to (Susela, 1999) said the development of accounting theories is are affected by several factors including political and economic interests of certain people or group in community. Therefore, it can be also called if the accounting is a significant tool to illustrate the interests and perspectives of the various stakeholders. Islamic industry of finance has obtained tremendous growth in last few years, both in number of assets that manage by industry and in the diversity of financial products. A global system that can rule the industry will become significantly important for the Islamic finance sector in order to meet the needs of continued growth (Vinnicombe, 2012). Harmonization of Shari’a accounting standards has continue to be made by the AAOIFI as it is also done by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for conventional accounting harmonization. In its development, financial reporting in Islamic accounting adds some different additional reports than conventional accounting to accommodate the unique transactions of Islamic economics. In that regard, this paper have objective to explore the main important values of Shari’a accounting and reporting standards of Islamic Accounting and try to find the answers of Islamic accounting positions among the process...

Words: 3438 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Jihad

...religious misunderstandings, disputes and conflicts. A great example of such misinterpretation in the day and age is the most widely discussed issues in the Muslim community is the negative image of Islam in the global media, an issue that was cause for concern even before 9/11. Nevertheless, “in this light it is wholly understandable that, in the aftermath of the brutal attacks of September 11, many in the west and in the Muslim world are appalled by the fact that the mass-murderer perpetrated on that day is being hailed by some Muslims as an act of Jihad”1. While appeals to the media for accuracy and fairness continue, newspaper headlines regularly print the words “Islam” and “Muslim” next to words like “fanatic,” “fundamentalist,” “militant,” “terrorist” and “violence.” Uses of the term “Jihad” in television programs and films are also illustrative. Therefore, this problematic subject leads to a subsequent question; what really is Jihad? After all, there is a great deal of confusion in the West regarding the meaning of Jihad and the role it is playing in shaping the Muslim world. Indeed, it has acquired a pejorative connotation in the minds of many Westerners. The purpose of this discussion is to present an accurate understanding of the concept of Jihad. 1. Joseph Lumbard , In Islam, Fundamentalism and the Betrayal of Tradition (Bloomington, IN.: World Wisdom Books, 2009), 119 Jihad is frequently confused with the...

Words: 3082 - Pages: 13