This blog aims to challenge our perceptions of Islam as a monolithic and extremist creed, and to look for answers to some of the most important questions facing the world today: how is Islam adapting to the demands of the 21st century? What can the religion do to reform from within? And how do those tensions play themselves out in the lives of ordinary Muslims?
Over the next few months, I’ll be traveling around Central Asia and the Middle East in search of answers to these questions. Starting in Afghanistan, I’ll be talking to dozens of young Muslims about what their faith means to them, how to they see the world around them changing, and what their role in it will be.
Some of their voices will be quirky and idiosyncratic, others more reflective and steeped in tradition. Most must juggle the competing forces of family and modernity, sectarianism and a transnational creed, extremism and Western-style freedoms, corrupt governments and unfulfilled promises from the international community. A few have chosen to take on what they see as the evils threatening their communities at considerable personal risk.
Added together, I hope they will form a complex and composite picture of one of the world’s great faiths in its struggle to change. This blog will seek out the men and women caught between these forces.
It’s little wonder their response often takes radically different forms: the violent clashes between Shi’ite theocrats and Wahhabi Sheikhs, and the strange new synergies, such as Islamic feminism’s rewording of the Koran, or property speculating mullahs in Mecca. Ultimately it’s these individuals who will shape what Islam looks like in the century ahead.
As a reporter who began work in the Middle East shortly after September 11, I learned to see the region in terms of a great ideological battle between Islam and the West. During six years of reporting across the region, I’ve come face-to-face with the darker sides of Islamic extremism: suicide bombings, kidnappings and sectarian violence. I had only an occasional glimpse of the richer and multi-faceted world of engaged, passionate Muslims.
They are the subject of Islam’s Advance. I hope you will join me in exploring their world, and adding your voices to their debate.
Jack Fairweather
Comments (9)
Mr. Fairweather,
I do not believe that the question should be "how is Islam reforming to meet 21st century societies?" but rather "how can contemporary society still honor and respect Islamic culture?"
It makes me sick that Western ideas (and Western people) have decided to take it upon themselves to change this sacred religion. Change must come naturally, just as it did in our religions - from the inside. If the folks who follow the Islamic faith would like to see it changed, they will do so. This process is up to no one but Muslims themselves, and it is not at all necesscary.
What we have here is clear discrimination towards these Islamic ideals and beliefs. They do not need to be changed, just because they are different from the conventional Western ideals.
Going into these places, and essentially attempting to force these people into changing their ways is terrible.
--
Disgusted
March 20, 2008 6:27 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 20, 2008 06:27
To DontTypeLies,
That TOTTI is a moslem. All his "whys" only lead to his great Allah.
Don't be fooled.
February 27, 2008 9:34 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 27, 2008 21:34
I am a catholic living in Malaysia, and I have spent quite a number of years staying in the United States. I am a Chinese.
One thing that I can tell you about the journey that you are taking is this - it's a waste of time.
You guys in the West want to reason with the Muslims, but unfortunately, the Muslims don't want to reason with you.
Mohammad is not Moses. Mohammad is not Jesus. Mohammad is a guy who will cut off your head if you do not obey him. Neither Moses nor Jesus would do such a thing.
Have you read the Quran, the REAL Quran in Arabic? If you have, then you would know why Islam is the root of so many problems in this world.
Stop pretending that you know better than those of us who have to live under Islam's threat day in and day out.
You are not a non-Muslim from places like Indonesia or Malaysia, you do not have to bear that fear every day of your life. Your words are cheap, and your heart is in the wrong place.
I can't stop you from your nonsensical journey, nor can I stop you from spreading lies. Those are not your lies, but the lies those Muslims will tell you.
I can recite these lies to you too. "Islam is a religion of peace" "We believe in equality" "Our religion teaches us to respect other people's religion" and so on, and so forth.
I've heard those lies way too many times. They are lies, for none of the Muslim country I've been to (and I've been to almost ALL the Muslim countries in the world) practice what they preach.
While Islam may be a religion of peace, Muslims are killing people in the name of Allah.
While Islam may be respectful of other people's religion, but the practice of forcing whoever want to marry with Muslims into the Islamic faith tells otherwise.
While there are verses in the Quran itself that stressed "equality", none of the Muslim country practice that.
Not Saudi Arabia. Not Malaysia. Not Bangladesh. Not Sudan. Not Indonesia. Not Pakistan. Not Syria. Not Turkey. Not Chad.
One last thing about your series - if you keep on spreading the lies about how good Islam is, you will end up destroying the West, as all of us know it.
You have been forwarned.
February 27, 2008 9:35 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 27, 2008 09:35
Totti, you are so full of it. You keep asking Why? Well, go read the Bible and Compare Jesus to Muhammed. It is not as complex as you try to make it to be. You obviously have not educated yourself.
February 15, 2008 7:45 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 15, 2008 07:45
The matter is that no body see insdie himself. We don't see what is going on in our culture in the west. The same extremism is happening in the west, but with the different titles and the almost all of the conductors of these extremist actions are christians, but we never never lable the christians with the christinanity. Why?
Why we lable the wrong deeds of the Muslims with Islam, while every sound mind knows that bloodsheds are in every community and regions, but still Muslims are the only community whom are labled or judged according to their faith. Why? Why we don't judge the christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs... according with their faith.
While on the other hand one can never find these extreme acts and voilence in the Quran and the traditions of the prophet Muhammad of muslims, even if we read the bible and other non Islamic religious scriptures, we can find lots of extremism and voilent acts, but yet nobody in any Media or TV or internet has pointed those voilent actions which are there in the the scriptures of the christians and Jews and hindus.
So, I suggest that one should not appraise or judge the Muslims or any other people according to the present day Media or the sources in Internet. We should make a fair and just judgement. How can we forget that the Muslim Quran is challenging the people in its authenticity and guaidance, so once again I suggest that let's prove these extreme actions of muslims according to their Quran and the Muhammad and if we don't know about thes two, we better not cross our fingers to them and lable them terrorists and extremists according to CNN Or BBC.
February 6, 2008 2:33 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 6, 2008 02:33
well i dont agree with karen, things have changed dramatically in south asia and the middle east now ....
"40% of the radicals dominate 60% of the people not paying attention to their faith.....and the 40% have the money and the violence too."
.... When you travel thru Muslim countries you will see alot of people confused with the situation in iraq, pakistan, afghanistan and alot of people practicing their faith much mroe then a few years back...... so things have changed in a few years time quite dramatically ....... would be very intersting to see what you come up with,
dont forget to ask people if they felt any change in their perception of life and religion with in the last few years post 9/11 world....
and try and see if you can catch up with religious scholars to check their stance at things ...
Goodluck
February 4, 2008 7:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 4, 2008 19:19
"This blog aims to challenge our perceptions..."
"Our"...? What do you mean our, Kemo Sabe? Our? Don't include me in your "Our". You may speak for yourself to be sure, you do not speak for me!!
January 31, 2008 8:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on January 31, 2008 20:10
Jack, don't bother. Been there, done that long before you had the idea.
You are risking your life. Don't go into muslim countries and start asking questions about Islam.
I have nothing to report that is new. 40% of the radicals dominate 60% of the people not paying attention to their faith.....and the 40% have the money and the violence too.
The poor muslims who don't even understand their faith can not help you nor can they help the world.
January 30, 2008 9:11 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on January 30, 2008 21:11
An interesting idea, Jack. But what about South Asia (Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh) and Indonesia, which now comprise the majority of the world's Muslim population? Can 'Islam's Advance' truly capture Islam today if it doesn't include those areas in its ambit?
I look forward to your future posts!
January 30, 2008 7:24 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on January 30, 2008 19:24