Fundamentalism

[humayun "The King"]

Fundamentalism (courtesy. Zeeshan Ahmad Malik)
One of the most controversial terms discussed nowadays is “fundamentalism”. It may simply be defined as an embattled form of spirituality, which emerges as a response to a perceived crisis. Within Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other faiths, the media generally uses the term to refer to the most conservative wing of the religion. Islamic Fundamentalism has replaced communism as the enemy of the day. A question may arise, is it the Islamic Fundamentalism – the producer of terrorism or is it western minimal understanding of what Islamic Fundamentalism is and who Islamic Fundamentalists are?

Originally Fundamentalism is a theological term, which became commonly used after the “Scopes” trial during 1920s. John Scopes, a high school biology teacher was put on trial for violation of state’s Buttler Act. The Act forbade the teaching of any theory, which denied the story of Divine Creation of man as taught in Bible. It is Christianity where one finds the origin of Fundamentalism.
In Christianity, Fundamentalism is normally used for the conservative of Evangelical Christianity, the most conservative wing of Protestant Christianity. Fundamentalist Christians typically believe that the Bible is inspired by God, inerrant and internally consistent. As far as Catholics are concerned, in the 1960s the term Fundamentalist started to be used to refer those among them who rejected the changes and wished to retain traditional beliefs and practices. Though having different beliefs Christian and Islamic Fundamentalism seem to be parallel to each other.

Islamic Fundamentalism means to aide by and follow, the rules and teachings of Islam. It denotes recourse to the Holy Book, justice, fairplay and protection of all the people specially those of minorities. A great majority of Muslim Fundamentalists are pious individuals who strictly follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Mohammad(P.B.U.H), promote regular attendance at mosques and promote the reading of the Holy Quran. Many promote the concept of theocratic government, in which Sharia (Islamic Law) becomes the law of the state. West according to them is secular, ungodly, decadent and obsessed with sex. But Islamic Fundamentalism is not what the West thinks about it.

Western media has extensively misused the term Fundamentalism to refer to those terrorists who happen to be Muslims, or who are anti-American Muslims. This is not accurate. Fundamentalist Islam is simply the conservative wing of Islam, just as Fundamentalist Christians in the conservative wing of Christianity. West perceives Islamic Fundamentalism as a threat to peace. They believe Muslim Fundamentalists are rigid, unrealistic and dogmatic who are always ready to join any battle or take a jihad at any time. Whether or not Muslim Fundamentalists use violence, West is stressing upon calling them extremists and even terrorists.

Most of the Middle Eastern Terrorists are probably Fundamentalist Muslims, but they share little with their fellow Fundamentalists. They represent an extremist, radical wing of Fundamentalist Islam, which is composed of people who believe that the Islamic state must be imposed on the people from above, usinf violent action if necessary. This movement is fueled by social, religious and economic stressors in many of the Muslim countries: lack of democracy; autocratic, non-elected political leaders; millions of Palestinian refugees, extreme wealth for a minority and often extreme poverty for most of the public; poor human rights records; high unemployment. Perhaps the greatest stressor of all is the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has lasted over five decades. The U.S. is viewed as favoring and supporting Israel. She has been giving over 3 billion dollars a year in military and economic aid to Israel.

Another stressor is the presence of many American troops in Saudi-Arabia; many radical Muslim Fundamentalists saw this as a desecration of the Holy Ground. The most two sacred in Islam–Mecca and Medina—are located in that country. Anti-American feelings are running high because of the invasion on Iraq. It means Muslim agitation or so-called ‘terrorism’ is the reaction of western actions.

Lawrence Davidson, professor of history ar West Chester University in Pennysylvania and author of the book Islamic Fundamentalism says about Muslim Fundamentalists: “The vast majority are not violent, bomb-throwing people. They are very much like your average very religious Catholic or Protestant”. In fact, most fundamentalists have much in common with their Christian counterparts and elements of extreminism and violence found in Muslim Fundamentalists are the reaction of anti-Muslim policies of the West.

Hence, Islam is not the source of terrorism but its solution and west specially Americans have always shown their lack of knowledge regarding Islamic Fundamentalism. In its original application it means to believe in fundamentals of religion, in this sense all the Muslim are fundamentalists. However the manner that it is used in the Western media, to mean a fanatic or extremist, it does not illuminate either Muslim thought or Muslim society. The fault also lies within us, as we Muslims have never tried to rationalize ourselves. We should adopt a flexible attitude and give image to west that we want peace by showing patience and tolerance. Muslim Media must try to portray the exact picture of Muslim Fundamentalism. Last but not the least nothing is possible without enlightened moderation; that is modern education and research.

[Muhammad Atif Ikram]

MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS



Question:

Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?

Answer:

This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:


1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’


A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.


2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same


One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fund amentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits society and earns much respect.


3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist


I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels.


4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’


According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

According to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenance of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.

Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.


5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist


Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.


6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e. ‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’


Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the British government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the same activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels have been given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom fighters.

It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing. Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account, and then the person can be judged accordingly.


7. Islam means peace


Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the world.

Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the fundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society.