Download ppt - Islam as a World Power Michael Goheen Trinity Western University Langley, B.C

Islam as a World PowerIslam as a World Power

Michael GoheenMichael Goheen

Trinity Western UniversityTrinity Western University

Langley, B.C.Langley, B.C.

Importance of Understanding IslamImportance of Understanding Islam

Size: 1.2 billion; 2025 1.8 billionSize: 1.2 billion; 2025 1.8 billion Growth: fastest growing religion in Growth: fastest growing religion in

world (percentage-wise)world (percentage-wise) History of animosity between History of animosity between

Christianity and Islam, and West and Christianity and Islam, and West and IslamIslam

Misunderstanding of IslamMisunderstanding of Islam Diversity of IslamDiversity of Islam Global powerGlobal power

New World OrderNew World Order

20th Century: Bipolar (US, USSR)20th Century: Bipolar (US, USSR) Fall of CommunismFall of Communism New world order:New world order:

One world order: globalization and One world order: globalization and modernizationmodernization

Bipolar: north/south; east/westBipolar: north/south; east/west ChaosChaos Clash of civilizationsClash of civilizations

Major Forces of Global PowerMajor Forces of Global Power

West: globalization/modernizationWest: globalization/modernization IslamIslam China and economic powerChina and economic power Third world church and Third world church and

PentecostalismPentecostalism

Clash Between Islam and WestClash Between Islam and West

Major clash: Islam and WestMajor clash: Islam and West Problem: Understand religion as private Problem: Understand religion as private

beliefbelief

““Islam is not a religion in the common, distorted Islam is not a religion in the common, distorted meaning of the word, confining its scope to the meaning of the word, confining its scope to the private life of man. It is a complete way of life, private life of man. It is a complete way of life, catering for all the fields of human existence. catering for all the fields of human existence. Islam provides guidance for all walks of life . . . Islam provides guidance for all walks of life . . . The Qu’ran enjoins man to enter the fold of Islam The Qu’ran enjoins man to enter the fold of Islam without any reservation and to follow God’s without any reservation and to follow God’s guidance in all fields of life.” (Ahmed)guidance in all fields of life.” (Ahmed)

Clash Between Islam and WestClash Between Islam and West

Major clash: Islam and WestMajor clash: Islam and West Problem: Understand religion as private Problem: Understand religion as private

beliefbelief Clash between two major religions and Clash between two major religions and

civilizations built on those beliefscivilizations built on those beliefs

“ “I don’t think there is a conflict between I don’t think there is a conflict between religions. There is a conflict between religions. There is a conflict between civilizations.” (Muslim lawyer from civilizations.” (Muslim lawyer from Tunisia)Tunisia)

Mohammed’s Formative InfluenceMohammed’s Formative Influence

Mohammed/Koran: Final revelation of Mohammed/Koran: Final revelation of GodGod

Historical and cultural context:Historical and cultural context: Religious: animistic polytheismReligious: animistic polytheism Moral: immorality and corruptionMoral: immorality and corruption Social: warfare, tribal strife, poverty, Social: warfare, tribal strife, poverty,

injusticeinjustice

Mohammed’s Public LifeMohammed’s Public Life

15 years preparation (595-610)15 years preparation (595-610) Night of power (610) Gabriel: ‘Proclaim’Night of power (610) Gabriel: ‘Proclaim’ Rejection and hostility in MeccaRejection and hostility in Mecca Hijra to MedinaHijra to Medina

Turning point in world history (calendars)Turning point in world history (calendars) Rejected prophet to powerful leaderRejected prophet to powerful leader Capable of establishing ummahCapable of establishing ummah Includes politics, society, economicsIncludes politics, society, economics

KoranKoran

Recorded revelations from Gabriel to Recorded revelations from Gabriel to Mohammed: Final revelation of AllahMohammed: Final revelation of Allah

Given to Mohammed over 22 yearsGiven to Mohammed over 22 years One God, One Law for One PeopleOne God, One Law for One People Intended to create ummah united in faith Intended to create ummah united in faith

and in submission to Allah’s lawand in submission to Allah’s law Memorized by Mohammed; written down Memorized by Mohammed; written down

by scribes; collected into present form 20 by scribes; collected into present form 20 years after Mohammed’s deathyears after Mohammed’s death

Ummah and Its MissionUmmah and Its Mission

Ummah: Community of believers Ummah: Community of believers submitted to will of Allahsubmitted to will of Allah

Includes political structure, social Includes political structure, social community, economic system, civil lawcommunity, economic system, civil law

Early ummah of Medina: normativeEarly ummah of Medina: normative Peace: Comprehensive submission to Peace: Comprehensive submission to

AllahAllah Two regions: dar al-salaam/islam and Two regions: dar al-salaam/islam and

dar al-harbdar al-harb Mission: Establish peace throughout Mission: Establish peace throughout

world by striving (jihad)world by striving (jihad)

Formative Core of IslamFormative Core of Islam

‘ ‘Mohammed was possessed by two Mohammed was possessed by two great religious aims—to proclaim great religious aims—to proclaim God as the sole, almighty God, the God as the sole, almighty God, the Creator and the King of the day of Creator and the King of the day of judgement; to found a community, in judgement; to found a community, in Arabic called umma, ruled by the Arabic called umma, ruled by the Law of God and His Apostle. These Law of God and His Apostle. These two objects constitute the core of two objects constitute the core of Islam, its strength and its Islam, its strength and its weaknesses’ (Hendrik Kraemer).weaknesses’ (Hendrik Kraemer).

Muslim ResurgenceMuslim Resurgence

Growth and vitalityGrowth and vitality Self-consciousness of world Self-consciousness of world

powerpower Quest to establish states Quest to establish states

governed by shariah lawgoverned by shariah law Anti-westernAnti-western Military tendencyMilitary tendency Oil-based wealthOil-based wealth

Struggle with the WestStruggle with the West Struggle between two comprehensive Struggle between two comprehensive

religious beliefsreligious beliefs

““The underlying problem for the West is not Islamic The underlying problem for the West is not Islamic fundamentalism. It is Islam, a different civilization fundamentalism. It is Islam, a different civilization whose people are convinced of the superiority of whose people are convinced of the superiority of their culture and are obsessed by the inferiority of their culture and are obsessed by the inferiority of their power. The problem for Islam is not the CIA or their power. The problem for Islam is not the CIA or the U.S. department of defense. It is the West, a the U.S. department of defense. It is the West, a different civilization whose people are convinced of different civilization whose people are convinced of the universality of their culture and believe that their the universality of their culture and believe that their superior, if declining, power imposes on them the superior, if declining, power imposes on them the obligation to extend that culture throughout the obligation to extend that culture throughout the world. These are the basic ingredients that fuel world. These are the basic ingredients that fuel conflict between Islam and the West.” (Huntington).conflict between Islam and the West.” (Huntington).

Struggle with the WestStruggle with the West

Struggle between two Struggle between two comprehensive religious beliefs comprehensive religious beliefs and societies founded on those and societies founded on those beliefsbeliefs

Three Muslim responsesThree Muslim responses:: Acceptance of West and modernityAcceptance of West and modernity

Acceptance of Western ModernityAcceptance of Western Modernity

To escape anomy, Muslims have but one To escape anomy, Muslims have but one choice, for modernization requires choice, for modernization requires Westernization. . . Islam does not offer an Westernization. . . Islam does not offer an alternative to modernize . . . Secularism alternative to modernize . . . Secularism cannot be avoided. Modern science and cannot be avoided. Modern science and technology require an absorption of the technology require an absorption of the thought processes [religious beliefs] which thought processes [religious beliefs] which accompany them. . . . Only when Muslims accompany them. . . . Only when Muslims explicitly accept the Western model will explicitly accept the Western model will they be in a position to develop (Daniel they be in a position to develop (Daniel Pipes).Pipes).

Acceptance of Western ModernityAcceptance of Western Modernity

The restoration of religion to the sphere of The restoration of religion to the sphere of the personal, its depolitization, is the the personal, its depolitization, is the nettle that all Muslim societies must grasp nettle that all Muslim societies must grasp in order to become modern. . . . If in order to become modern. . . . If terrorism is to be defeated, the world of terrorism is to be defeated, the world of Islam must take on board the secularist- Islam must take on board the secularist- humanist principles [religion . . . in other humanist principles [religion . . . in other words convert!] on which the modern is words convert!] on which the modern is based, and without which Muslim based, and without which Muslim countries’ freedom will remain a distant countries’ freedom will remain a distant dream (Salman Rushdie).dream (Salman Rushdie).


Struggle between two Struggle between two comprehensive religious beliefscomprehensive religious beliefs

Three Muslim responses:Three Muslim responses: Acceptance of West and modernityAcceptance of West and modernity Accept modernity, reject Accept modernity, reject

WesternizationWesternization

Accept Modernity, Reject WestAccept Modernity, Reject West

Islam and modernization do not Islam and modernization do not clash. Pious Muslims can cultivate clash. Pious Muslims can cultivate sciences, work efficiently in factories, sciences, work efficiently in factories, or utilize advanced weapons. or utilize advanced weapons. Modernization requires no one Modernization requires no one political ideology, or set of political ideology, or set of institutions . . . The Shari’a has institutions . . . The Shari’a has nothing to say about the changes nothing to say about the changes that accompany modernization . . . that accompany modernization . . . (Daniel Pipes).(Daniel Pipes).


Struggle between two Struggle between two comprehensive religious beliefscomprehensive religious beliefs

Three Muslim responses:Three Muslim responses: Acceptance of West and modernityAcceptance of West and modernity Accept modernity, reject Accept modernity, reject

WesternizationWesternization Rejection of West and modernityRejection of West and modernity

Rejection of Western ModernityRejection of Western Modernity

Growing among MuslimsGrowing among Muslims Taliban exampleTaliban example Return to original ummah as Return to original ummah as

modelmodel Problem of static religion in world Problem of static religion in world

of changeof change Response of terrorismResponse of terrorism

Islam is . . .Islam is . . .

““. . . a comprehensive system that . . . a comprehensive system that tends to annihilate all tyrannical and tends to annihilate all tyrannical and evil systems in the world and enforce evil systems in the world and enforce its own program. . . . a revolutionary its own program. . . . a revolutionary concept and ideology which seeks to concept and ideology which seeks to change and revolutionize the world change and revolutionize the world social order and reshape it according social order and reshape it according to its own concept and ideals.” to its own concept and ideals.” (Mawlana Abul A’la Mawdudi 1903-(Mawlana Abul A’la Mawdudi 1903-1979)1979)

New Style of TerrorismNew Style of Terrorism

Primary purpose “is not to defeat or Primary purpose “is not to defeat or even weaken the enemy militarily even weaken the enemy militarily but to gain publicity and to inspire but to gain publicity and to inspire fear—a psychological victory.” fear—a psychological victory.” (Bernard Lewis)(Bernard Lewis)

Response of Muslims to Muslim Response of Muslims to Muslim TerrorismTerrorism

Genuine Islamic actionsGenuine Islamic actions

““Allah has answered our prayers.” (Hamas Allah has answered our prayers.” (Hamas Weekly, 13 September 2001)Weekly, 13 September 2001)

““Our driving motivation does not come Our driving motivation does not come from tangible commodities that this world from tangible commodities that this world has to offer. Our religion is Islam, has to offer. Our religion is Islam, obedience to the one true God, Allah, and obedience to the one true God, Allah, and follow in the footsteps of the final prophet follow in the footsteps of the final prophet and messenger Muhammad” (Mohammad and messenger Muhammad” (Mohammad Sidique Khan)Sidique Khan)


Genuine Islamic actionsGenuine Islamic actions Cannot be justified by Islamic teachingCannot be justified by Islamic teaching

““Those who plan and carry out such Those who plan and carry out such acts are condemned by Islam, and the acts are condemned by Islam, and the massacre of thousands, whoever massacre of thousands, whoever perpetrated it, is a crime against God perpetrated it, is a crime against God as well as humanity.” (Zaki Badawi, as well as humanity.” (Zaki Badawi, Muslim College, London, UK)Muslim College, London, UK)


Genuine Islamic actionsGenuine Islamic actions Cannot be justified by Islamic teachingCannot be justified by Islamic teaching Sympathize with motives yet condemn Sympathize with motives yet condemn

actionsactions

Sorting it all outSorting it all out

Two crucial questions:Two crucial questions: Historical origins associated with violence yet Historical origins associated with violence yet

claims to be religion of peace?claims to be religion of peace? Meaning of Meaning of jihad?jihad?

““Muslim jurists saw jihad as a requirement in a Muslim jurists saw jihad as a requirement in a world divided between what they called world divided between what they called dar al-dar al-islamislam and the and the dar al-harbdar al-harb. The Muslim . The Muslim community was required to engage in the community was required to engage in the struggle to expand the struggle to expand the dar al islamdar al islam throughout throughout the world so that all of humankind would have the world so that all of humankind would have the opportunity to live within a just political the opportunity to live within a just political and social order.” (John Esposito, on way and social order.” (John Esposito, on way jihadjihad has been understood for centuries)has been understood for centuries)

JihadJihad

“ “ . . . a defining concept or belief in Islam, . . . a defining concept or belief in Islam, a key element in what it means to be a a key element in what it means to be a believer and follower of God’s will . . . A believer and follower of God’s will . . . A universal religious obligation for all true universal religious obligation for all true Muslims to join the Muslims to join the jihadjihad to promote a to promote a global Islamic revolution.” (John Esposito)global Islamic revolution.” (John Esposito)

““For most of the fourteen centuries of For most of the fourteen centuries of recorded Muslim history, recorded Muslim history, jihadjihad was most was most commonly interpreted to mean armed commonly interpreted to mean armed struggle for the defence or advancement struggle for the defence or advancement of Muslim power.” (Bernard Lewis)of Muslim power.” (Bernard Lewis)

QuestionsQuestions Offensive and/or defensive?Offensive and/or defensive? Include violence?Include violence?

““Is Islam a religion of peace, as Muslim Is Islam a religion of peace, as Muslim moderates (and Tony Blair and George W. moderates (and Tony Blair and George W. Bush) say, or is it a religion prone to Bush) say, or is it a religion prone to violence and holy war, as statements by violence and holy war, as statements by radical groups suggest? . . . The answer radical groups suggest? . . . The answer lies not in an either/or response, but rather lies not in an either/or response, but rather in a both/and response. The Islamic texts in a both/and response. The Islamic texts offer the potential for being interpreted in offer the potential for being interpreted in both ways. It depends on how individual both ways. It depends on how individual Muslims wish to read them.” (Riddell and Muslims wish to read them.” (Riddell and Cotterell)Cotterell)

Christian ResponseChristian Response

Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots of Muslim rage’of Muslim rage’

Major Grievances (Chapman)Major Grievances (Chapman)

The weakness and humiliation of the Muslim The weakness and humiliation of the Muslim worldworld

New forms of Western imperialismNew forms of Western imperialism Failure of ideologies imported from WestFailure of ideologies imported from West Establishment of Zionist state in midst of Establishment of Zionist state in midst of

IslamIslam Presence of foreign troops in Saudia ArabiaPresence of foreign troops in Saudia Arabia Corrupt and autocratic governments in Corrupt and autocratic governments in

Islamic countriesIslamic countries Double standardsDouble standards

Christian ResponseChristian Response

Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots of Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots of Muslim rage’Muslim rage’

Distinguishing between gospel and Distinguishing between gospel and Western cultureWestern culture

Diversity of Islam and battle for Muslim Diversity of Islam and battle for Muslim mindmind

““. . . there is a titanic struggle taking place . . . there is a titanic struggle taking place between moderates and radicals for the between moderates and radicals for the hearts and minds of the Muslim masses in hearts and minds of the Muslim masses in the middle.” (Riddell and Cotterell)the middle.” (Riddell and Cotterell)

Christian ResponseChristian Response Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots of Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots of

Muslim rage’Muslim rage’ Distinguishing between gospel and Distinguishing between gospel and

Western cultureWestern culture Diversity of Islam and battle for Muslim Diversity of Islam and battle for Muslim

mindmind Interpreting terrorInterpreting terror

““Violence and terrorism do form an intrinsic Violence and terrorism do form an intrinsic part of classical Islam” (Patrick Sookhdeo, part of classical Islam” (Patrick Sookhdeo, Institute for Study of Islam and Christianity)Institute for Study of Islam and Christianity)

Ambiguity of Koran but “mainstream Islam, in Ambiguity of Koran but “mainstream Islam, in law and theology as well as in practice, in the law and theology as well as in practice, in the end has always rejected or marginalized end has always rejected or marginalized extremists and terrorists” (Esposito)extremists and terrorists” (Esposito)

Sorting out theological and political Sorting out theological and political factorsfactors

Theological:Theological: Ummah as social-religio-political communityUmmah as social-religio-political community Mission of ummah: dar al-salaam, dar al-harb, Mission of ummah: dar al-salaam, dar al-harb,

jihadjihad Islam eschatologyIslam eschatology

Resentment toward WestResentment toward West Historic resentment toward Christianity Historic resentment toward Christianity

(Crusades)(Crusades) Israeli-Palestinian conflictIsraeli-Palestinian conflict Sanctions against Iraq, Syria, Libya, SudanSanctions against Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan Ascendancy and universalising of West: moral, Ascendancy and universalising of West: moral,

political, legal, religious, economic implicationspolitical, legal, religious, economic implications Critique of West: godless, immoral, arrogant, Critique of West: godless, immoral, arrogant,

materialistic, seductive, imperialisticmaterialistic, seductive, imperialistic Back pro-Western regimesBack pro-Western regimes

Christian ResponseChristian Response Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots Sympathetic understanding of ‘roots

of Muslim rage’of Muslim rage’ Distinguishing between gospel and Distinguishing between gospel and

Western cultureWestern culture Diversity of Islam and battle for Diversity of Islam and battle for

Muslim mindMuslim mind Interpreting terrorInterpreting terror Distinguishing gospel and IslamDistinguishing gospel and Islam

Islam and GospelIslam and Gospel Both Islam and Christianity see religion Both Islam and Christianity see religion

as comprehensive and not simply as comprehensive and not simply private (or should!)private (or should!)

Islam has been more consistent in Islam has been more consistent in maintaining thismaintaining this

We need to repent of dualismWe need to repent of dualism

Christianity has “become a handmaiden to Christianity has “become a handmaiden to secularism. . . . Christianity, it appears, secularism. . . . Christianity, it appears, always chooses as secularism wills.” Biblical always chooses as secularism wills.” Biblical Christianity is not dualistic and ought to be an Christianity is not dualistic and ought to be an “antithesis to secularism.”“antithesis to secularism.” (Ziauddin Sardar) (Ziauddin Sardar)

Islam and GospelIslam and Gospel

Both Islam and Christianity see Both Islam and Christianity see religion as comprehensive and not religion as comprehensive and not simply private (or should!)simply private (or should!)

Islam has been more consistent in Islam has been more consistent in maintaining thismaintaining this

We need to repent of dualismWe need to repent of dualism Yet fundamental difference: Islam—Yet fundamental difference: Islam—

this-worldly victory; gospel—this-worldly victory; gospel—intervention of Christintervention of Christ

Tolerance: Christianity and IslamTolerance: Christianity and Islam

““What is unique about the Christian gospel is that What is unique about the Christian gospel is that those who are called to be its witnesses are those who are called to be its witnesses are committed to the public affirmation that it is true—committed to the public affirmation that it is true—true for all people at all times—and are at the same true for all people at all times—and are at the same time forbidden to use coercion to enforce it. They are time forbidden to use coercion to enforce it. They are therefore required to be tolerant of denial . . . not in therefore required to be tolerant of denial . . . not in the sense that we must tolerate all beliefs because the sense that we must tolerate all beliefs because truth is unknowable and all have equal rights. The truth is unknowable and all have equal rights. The toleration which a Christian is required to exercise is toleration which a Christian is required to exercise is not something which he must exercise not something which he must exercise in spite ofin spite of his his or her belief that the gospel is true, but precisely or her belief that the gospel is true, but precisely becausebecause of this belief. This marks one of the very of this belief. This marks one of the very important points of difference between Islam and important points of difference between Islam and Christianity.” (Lesslie Newbigin)Christianity.” (Lesslie Newbigin)




Muslim mindMuslim mind Interpreting terrorInterpreting terror Distinguishing gospel and IslamDistinguishing gospel and Islam Repentance and dialogueRepentance and dialogue

Dialogue about . . .Dialogue about . . . Toleration and IslamToleration and Islam Islamic imperialism in first centuriesIslamic imperialism in first centuries Debate about democracy among Debate about democracy among

MuslimsMuslims Treatment of minorities and womenTreatment of minorities and women Issue of conversionIssue of conversion Preservation of democracy after used Preservation of democracy after used

to gain powerto gain power Human rights: Islam and UNHuman rights: Islam and UN

(Colin Chapman)(Colin Chapman)




Muslim mindMuslim mind Interpreting terrorInterpreting terror Distinguishing gospel and IslamDistinguishing gospel and Islam Repentance and dialogueRepentance and dialogue Bold and humble witness to gospelBold and humble witness to gospel