Perceptions Of Islam Essay, Research Paper
How the West Perceives Islam and what Mazrui thinks is the Reality
Most Westerners tend to view the Islamic societies as somewhat backward in their beliefs according to Mazrui. Commonly Westerners believe that this is due to the oppressed religious beliefs of Islamic’s. They also believe that the Islamic society is governed inhumanely in comparison to the enlightened, well-rounded democracy of the Western world. However the measurement of cultural differences between the West and Islam is somewhat complex, and the differences between the two is narrower than assumed by most Western beliefs. Islam is not considered just a religion, and most certainly is not just a fundamentalist political movement but is a civilization and a way of life that varies from one Muslim country to another. The Westerners seem fail to recognize how their own societies have failed to live up to their liberal mythology. Many aspects of Islamic culture that Westerners regard as medieval may even have prevailed in their own culture until fairly recently. In most cases, Islamic societies are only a few decades behind in the socially and technologically advanced Westerners. The main question that we must ask ourselves is what path leads to the highest quality of life for the average citizen without the worry of being abused in the process. According to Mazrui, Islamic values deserve serious consideration because the West doesn?t provide the answers to all the questions being asked. Many Westerners regard Muslim societies as being unenlightened when it comes to the rights of women, and it is true that the question regarding women is still troublesome in most Muslim countries. The rules regarding the Islamic beliefs on sexual modesty have often resulted in excessive segregation of the sexes in public places, sometimes bringing about questionable differences regarding women?s rights. However, Muslim women have always been permitted to own property where the British women where not allowed to do so until 1870. Islamic laws have also allowed the inheritance to both genders equally while in many Western cultures women could not inherit anything if there were sons in the family. The United States, which is the largest most influential Western nation, has yet to nominate a female into the presidential office where Muslims have had two women Prime ministers. Although Muslims have moved towards female empowerment, they are still far behind in female liberation.
The sources and methods of censorship may differ but censorship is just a fact of life in Western societies as it is in the Muslim world. Censorship is often crudely, imposed by governments, mullahs and imams, and recently, militant Islamic movements. However, the Censorship in the West, is more polished and decentralized. The practitioners in the West are financial backers of the cultural activity and entertainment advertisers that buy time on commercial television. In regards to the division of church and state and the protection of minority religions through secularism in the West, Islam has tried to protect those religions through ecumenicalism throughout its history. One conclusion that can be drawn from this is that Westerners are less well rounded in their political behavior than they believe. The other conclusion is that Muslim societies historically have been more ecumenical, and are therefore more humane, than the Western critics have come to recognize. However, the Islamic ecumenicalism has protected religious minorities more effectively than the Westerners. Over all the Western liberal democracy has enabled societies to enjoy the openness of its government?s accountability through the participation of its citizens along with a high economic productivity. However, Mazrui points out that Western pluralism has also been the breeding ground for racism, fascism, exploitation, and genocide. Mazrui believes that if history is to end in arrival at the ultimate political order, it will require more than the Western teachings on how to maximize the best in human nature. Mazrui also believes that mankind must also be willing to address the Islamic views on how to check the worst in human nature-from alcoholism to racism, materialism to Nazism, drug addiction to Marxism as the opiate of the intellectuals. Over all Mazrui feels that one must distinguish between democratic principles and humane principles. Some humane principles that need to be distinguished include stabilizing the family unit, security from social violence, and the relatively nonracial nature of religious institutions where the Muslim world may prove to be ahead of the West.
Другие работы по теме:
Buddhism Essay Research Paper BuddhismBuddhism is the
Buddhism Essay, Research Paper Buddhism Buddhism is the fourth largest religion of the world after Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Although it originated in India, it has been adopted in countries like Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Buddhism was founded in India by prince Siddhartha Gautam, who was born about 550 B.C in Northern India.
Christianity Vs Islam In The 13Th Century
Essay, Research Paper Catholicism vs. Islam Both Roman Catholicism and Islam are similar in some ways. Both are major western religions. The way in which they function as a moral standard for the people who share the beliefs are very similar to each other. Many of their religious beliefs and practices are the same; they both believe in a single god.
Koran Essay Research Paper The Koran or
Koran Essay, Research Paper The Koran or Qur’an is the sacred scripture of Islam. A scripture so sacred it urges a total commitment to him alone who is god. (Grolier Interactive 98). I found that
Five Pillars Of Islam Essay Research Paper
What are the Five Pillars of Islam and why are they the basis for the Muslim religion? The Five Pillars are the frameworks of a Muslim?s life. Revealed to the prophet Muhammad by Allah, the Five Pillars are the basis of Islamic
Belief Systems Essay Research Paper There are
Belief Systems Essay, Research Paper There are many different belief systems throughout the world today. Many of these include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. All of these religions have both similarities and differences but the bottom line is that many people believe in each of these religions.
Certainty Essay Research Paper The mind which
Certainty Essay, Research Paper The mind, which has grasped a right theory of knowledge, and has experienced it, that mind is on the road to certainty–the only kind of certainty that is open to the consciousness soul because it has begun to cross the threshold between the objective and sujbective worlds.
Jihad Essay Research Paper These days whenever
Jihad Essay, Research Paper These days whenever you turn on the news, or pick up a newspaper, just about every time, you will hear something about the Muslims. Which would normally be a plus, but unfortunately that is not the case here. Anytime you hear the word Islam or Muslims you also you hear terrorist and bombings along with it.
Islamic Spread Essay Research Paper From its
Islamic Spread Essay, Research Paper From its beginnings in Arabia to its extensive empire encompassing the Middle East, parts of Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe,paul duffy is fat the
Ronald Regan Essay Research Paper The perceptions
Ronald Regan Essay, Research Paper The perceptions of Ronald Reagan as a political figure and a foreign policy maker are numerous. He was seen by some, as an “warrior”, by others such as Margaret Thatcher, as a savior, the man who “won the cold war without firing a shot. Some people were concerned about the idea of having a president who had “prejudices about the Soviet Union.
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY Essay Research Paper 1
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY Essay, Research Paper 1) Comparing and contrasting at least two of the religions of Abraham, discuss the concept and the role of the Messiah in the religious life.
The Islam Religion Essay Research Paper Islam
The Islam Religion Essay, Research Paper Islam is a religion that is still very much alive today. A man named Mohammed offered Arabs the religion of Islam. Mohammed was born in about 570 A.D. in Mecca. He became known for honesty and good business sense when he was a teenager. He married a woman by the name of Khadija who was a widow that ran her own business.
Christianity Judaism And Islam Essay Research Paper
Belief systems, or religions are perhaps the strongest force in society. All of these beliefs are important to each religion in there own way. They’re what make each religion individual and special. Each of these religions had its own beliefs and sacred texts, though all shared some concepts. In the Middle East, the three great world religions-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam had both share some similarities and differences.
Similarities Between The Islam Christian And Jewish
Religion Essay, Research Paper Have you ever wondered what the difference was between Christianity, Judaism and Islam? Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all major religions. They all have a holy book, and strong beliefs about their God. All of these religions were formed long ago. There are many similarities between all of them.
Islam Expansion Essay Research Paper The Islamic
Islam Expansion Essay, Research Paper The Islamic civilization spread to such an extensive empire through many techniques. They conquered neighboring areas rapidly. They spread Islam onto the people in three ways. One practice that caused them to spread was their expertise on war. Another would be the forced conversion of Islam to the people.
Christianity Versus Islam Essay Research Paper Christianity
Christianity Versus Islam Essay, Research Paper Christianity and Islam are two of the most widely recognized and widely practiced religions in the world. Islams and Christians have many things in common, as well as various opinions on the application of religion in the day-to-day environment. What is each religion and how does one refer to God? What is the nature, purpose, and plan of each God? What is each religion?s view on the ?Spirit? and of Jesus Christ? Both Christianity and Islam have a written book by which to live and only pray to one God.
Malcolm X Essay Research Paper Personally I
Malcolm X Essay, Research Paper Personally, I have easily come to appreciate Malcolm X’s willpower, dedication and his ability to grow as a human being. I never understood how
A Contemplative Essay What Is Essay Research
Paper A Contemplative Essay: What is Reality? I believe we each perceive things differently, and the combination of all our perceptions creates how we view the world, creates our reality.
Religions 2 Essay Research Paper Global History
Religions 2 Essay, Research Paper Global History 9 March 23rd 1999 In the world today there are three major religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Each having the same background but having different views of this religion. These religions all have originated from the same area, the Middle East, and each having branched out from there.
Islamic Women Essay Research Paper Many times
Islamic Women Essay, Research Paper Many times when feminists looked at Islamic women they criticized the man for not treating women properly. However, as Jane I. Smith states, women of Islam are not really offended by that fact, on the contrary, they believe that it is better for them.
Malcolm X Essay Research Paper Malcolm XIn
Malcolm X Essay, Research Paper Malcolm X In Our Own Image Malcolm X, one of the most highly controversial speakers for equal rights for African Americans was born in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. He was his father s seventh child and his mothers fourth. His father, Earl, was a Baptist preacher who was born in Georgia.
Islam Essay Research Paper The UnIslamic Nation
Islam Essay, Research Paper The UnIslamic Nation of Islam The mention of the ?Nation of Islam? will undoubtedly cause an immense number of responses in any situation. To some, this organization
Islam Essay Research Paper The political system
Islam Essay, Research Paper The political system of Islam is based on the three principles of Tawhid (Oneness with Allah (God)), Risala ( Prophet hood), and Khilafa ( Caliphate). Tawhid means that Allah alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Master of the universe and of all that exists in it- organic or inorganic.
Islam Essay Research Paper Human Images of
Islam Essay, Research Paper Human Images of World Religion Islam Islam means submission, that is, submission to the will of god, the characteristic attitude of members of our faith.
Shia Islam Essay Research Paper Shi
Shia Islam Essay, Research Paper Shi’a Islam Shi’a Islam is almost as old as Islam itself and has always had a minority population in Muslim populated areas of the world. According to Shi’a beliefs the prophet
Islam Essay Research Paper Islam
Islam Essay, Research Paper Islam Islam, which in Arabic means submission to God or Allah is the youngest religion of the world. It is a monotheistic religion and one of the Abrahamic
Christianity And Islam Essay Research Paper Christianity
Christianity And Islam Essay, Research Paper Christianity, Islam, Judaism February 6th This day on Febuary the sixth, was started off with slides. The first slide represents Christianity. The picture was of a group of people walking and carrying crosses walking along the path that Jesus took. The second slide was a slide of the Kabah.
Islam Spread Essay Research Paper Islam is
Islam Spread Essay, Research Paper Islam is known as one of the fastest-expanding religions in history. Only contained in Arabia in 632, its conquests led to its expansion to Persia and
Stereotyping The Followers Of Islam Essay Research
Paper Stereotyping the Followers of Islam The movie, Not Without My Daughter, begins when the family of Mahmoody, Mahtob, and Betty were visiting with the grandparents of Mahtob. Mahmoody, who is Muslim, decides to take his young family to Iran. He swears on the sacred Coran that nothing bad will happen to them.
Islam Affects Our World Essay Research Paper
The Islamic religion, founded by Muhammad, has affected this world with a variety of ways. In 732, the religion was in full effect with people from the Middle East to North Africa learning about Islam and the Koran. The Islamic people, Muslims, had different attitudes toward life and what life was about compared to other religions across the globe.
Islamic Holy Days Essay Research Paper The
Islamic Holy Days Essay, Research Paper The Islamic religion’s holiest city of Mecca (also known as Mekka or Makkah) is located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It’s importance as a holy city for Muslims harks back to it being the birthplace of the founder of Islam, Mohammed.
Ottoman Empire Essay Research Paper The Ottoman
Ottoman Empire Essay, Research Paper The Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire was founded in the late thirteenth century and last until the early twentieth century. This empire was one of history s greatest military empires (564 McKay, Hill, Buckler) that was centered around the present day country of Turkey.
Koran
– Book Of Islam Essay, Research Paper The Koran, the book of Islam, is not only the testimony of a false prophet, it is the testimony of Antichrist. Yet, so many hearing that testimony today are willing to believe it, to take it to heart, to stand on it, and even to die for it — as if it were written by the Spirit of Truth.