The Western World and Islam - Essay Example

Introduction Cultural affiliations and religious expressions change dependent on the region of the world that one is in. Often, these associations change according to the location where one is at in the world as well as what the education is from that area. More importantly, the historical and cultural information that is given to a specific region will change how one thinks about a culture and religion. A specific difference that is seen is between the West and the East regions of the world. More specifically, there is a difference in how the Western world views Islam and how Islam views the Western world. Biases and boundaries as well as educational differences create a specific understanding toward how one looks at both of these regions and how each responds to the cultural affiliations that are a part of this. The Western World and Islam The belief systems of Islam which Western culture is taught is one of the main differences that creates biases of this specific religion and culture. More importantly, the historical changes that have happened in recent years have created a strong association and sense of feelings about those from Islam and individuals that identify with this. Those in the Western world have created several boundaries and stereotypes to those that are Islamic and to those that are from the Eastern world. This is based on the identities and assumptions of those from this area as well as the lack of education and cultural understanding that is a part of this particular culture. One of the aspects that many in the Western world tend to disagree with is the treatment of women. Currently, gender associations in the west are based on independent and equal choices for men and women. However, most in the Western world are also taught that women in Islam are not given the same rights. The association with veils and the obligation for women to be caregivers when belonging to Islam is considered as one that is not equal and which creates inequality. Many parts of the Western culture will also state that this is a violation of human rights because of the way that women are treated. Marriage, divorce and custody laws all are a part of the viewpoint that Westerners have as well as how women are treated in relationships. “Islamic societies were, if anything, surely rather remarkable for their unequivocal placement of women under the control of men, and their equally explicit licensing of male sexuality and exploitation of women” (Ahmed, 521). The male domination that most Westerners define with Islam as well as the concept of women being property under men is some of the several beliefs that are associated with Islam. While this is one of the main debates within Islam and the viewpoint of the Western world, most who are a part of Islam don’t find this as the same belief system. When examining the thought process and culture of the women in Islam, it can be seen that this is a surface of the belief system that has created a bias and level of boundaries between the Western and Eastern worlds. Women that are in the Eastern world and that associate with Islam have a different attitude toward the rights of women and don’t consider it a human rights violation. Instead, this is a part of the needs of the culture and survival of the community. More importantly, most women feel that the different obligations and rules are a protection and are an expression of the culture to which they belong. In modern times, most of the women in Islam also show that they have the same rights as men and have been granted the ability to own property, work and to have the same opportunities. The movement into a more modern era, as well as the attitudes of women, then shows that the Western world has specific assumptions about Islam which don’t necessarily portray the realities of the culture (Ahmed, 530). The attitudes of culture among those in the Western world then move into the different belief systems and actions that are a part of everyday life in Islam. Most that look at the Islamic world consider the beliefs as old and not contemporary. The cultural authenticity that is a part of the culture of Islam is one that is not accepted in the Western world. Those viewing the beliefs, actions and the policies that are currently in the culture also have an underlying bias toward the way that individuals in this country live. Most who look at the Islamic world consider it as one that does not have a liberal viewpoint on life. More importantly, the combination of church and state in this world is one that most from the West consider to be rigid and unable to match with the needs of the people. Since the Western world is secular and separates church from state, there is a misunderstanding of the combined church and state. The blurred lines of politics and religion then begin to be a part of the misperceptions of how Islam functions both as a culture and as a political regime. Those in Islam are then considered as living by laws that are no longer applicable and which only interfere with the well – being of those that are living in these countries. This attitude leads to the thoughts of oppression of those that are Islamic as well as many who believe that the individuals that are under this system are not able to have the same freedoms and human rights as those that are in America (Salame, 22). Even though this bias is a part of the mainstream thought of those in American culture, those who are in Islamic culture also consider this as a bias and misunderstanding that is based on the beliefs of identity. Those that are Islamic follow the policies of the nation because of the strong belief of having a combination of church and state. The different policies and regulations that are in place in the Eastern world are designed for protection and to create a sense of justice and peace in the land. Those who are a part of this believe that this main protection is able to keep order and to provide a sense of justice. There is also a misunderstanding with changing policies and regulations that work within the country. These continue to be reformed according to the modern times; however, they are often looked over by those in the Western world because of the underlying belief system that is a part of the church and state (Salame, 25). Another assumption that is often attributed to the Islamic belief system is one that is more current and relates to the history between East and West. This has led to a clash of civilizations that is noted on both sides and which has continued to create sense of tension among the two sides of culture. This has specifically come from the political conflicts that are a part of the recent trends. Global politics between the east and the west continue to rise with specific consideration between Islam and the US. This was heightened with both the Gulf War and the attacks of 9/11, in which divisions were created politically. This has continued with the current war in Iran and Iraq and the attacks that are occurring based off terrorism. Most that are in the United States are using these several attacks to create even more boundary lines between Islam and the Western world. Biases of Islam being violent and of believing in the ability to kill for the sake of belief are often attributed as a part of the identity. Even though there is a division based on the economic and political sources, this has created assumptions that are cultural in nature. The Western world has created a belief from these specific actions that Islam is not civilized and is still a tribal community. More importantly is the belief that the communities of Islam have belief systems that are not based on human rights, but instead violate the treatment of different individuals (Huntington, 22). The politics and the emergence of a global society have created a clash of civilizations not only by these beliefs but also with the misunderstandings of the Islamic viewpoint. Westerners are known to have a certain affiliation with the generalized beliefs of Islam without understanding the core principles and associations that are a part of this culture and religion. This has led to the belief that those in the Islamic religion are fundamentalists. The extremity of this is one in which Westerners see that those in Islam believe in the Quran and their culture so much that they are willing to die for the belief system instead of living a life that is more humane. This bias and assumption in identity has created a viewpoint and boundary as a part of the society. More importantly, many believe that there are two Islamic systems. One is based on the religious beliefs that are a part of society while the other is the more fundamental concept which moves into the ideologies of a political Islam. Current political events, such as 9/11 furthered this into a politico – religious doctrine that many Westerners associated with the events. Many who believe that this is the identity of Islam will look at the perception of the “Islamic Threat” first, all which is combined with a level of hostility toward the religious beliefs (Tibi, 2). Islamic Attitudes toward the West The same assumptions and biases of identity are not only seen in the Western attitudes, but also can be portrayed toward the Islamic belief system. Many who have examined this culture state that there is a sense of rage toward the Western thought process and the way in which many relate to the identity of the Western world. Many associate this with the founding beliefs of America, which states that church and state should be separated. Most that are in the Islamic faith don’t have this same separation and believe that the unity between different concepts of life should be intertwined. This has led to most of Muslim belief to disassociate with the Western world and the belief system that was created in relation to America. This has created a sense of rebellion among those in Islam and has led to a rivalry of the two systems and the way in which they function. More importantly, those in Islam associate the same beliefs of the separation of church and state with the other actions that America takes. In the past, Islam looked at America as one that held wealth and power. In the past, those of Muslim belief regarded this as an attribute. However, the actions of World War II and the different attacks in the Islamic world have led most of Islamic belief to see that the wealth and power is also attributed with acts of violence and policies that eliminate human rights and consideration that would be associated with the combined religion and politics of the area (Lewis, 18 – 20). The changing understanding of the west and Islamic viewpoints is one that is currently seen as a threat to those in Islam. This is not one that is associated with the concepts of religion and the belief system that Islam has. Instead, there is a current of understanding that is associated with the belief that the Western world is working toward a new world order that will create economic, political and military disorder through every country. Many call this the new world disorder and show a strong dislike toward this concept. This is not only because it is a part of Western politics but also because there is no combination of church and state and no strong belief system. This has led many in Islam to believe that violence and politics, with the push toward this new order, will create more violations of human rights. “The new world disorder is, however, much more than turmoil; its broader ramifications are already made credible by the crisis of the nation – state in most countries of Asia and Africa. Again, fundamentalism is more than extremism or terrorism; it is rather a powerful challenge to the existing order of the international system of secular nation – states” (Tibi, 3). The nation – state system and the international approach that is currently taking place is the main issue of concern for most in the Islamic faith. Those in the eastern world are responding to the political and economic situation that has recently arisen and become an attitude of the Western world. This is leading to resistance and to a response both politically and culturally toward those that are a part of the Islamic nation, specifically because of the political associations that are a part of the current conditions. The conflicts that Islam has toward the Western world not only are considered complex because of the political rulings and desire to move into globalization. Some of the resistance that is seen is based on the alternative structure that is a part of the culture. More importantly, the movement toward modernism and a contemporary culture is one that is looked at differently by those that are in Islam. Modernization, according to those in Islam, is one that is strictly defined by Westerners and is approached as an answer to a secular need for wealth and power. Many that are in Islam are more restrictive in their desire to move into this type of modernization. Social identity, legitimacy of the movement, elite classes and rulings, class conflict and the military are all a part of the system that makes up the components of culture. Each of these areas of life in the Islamic world doesn’t have the same approach toward modernization. This has led to a rejection of the current practices, specifically by those who are more traditional in nature and which hold specific powers that lead to different policies. At the same time, those that are more modern and which have approached the Western ideals are considered to be of a different class which doesn’t hold to the same moral values of Islam. “The modernized sectors consist of small elite groups that often indulge in the blind mimicry of Western modes of dress and social behavior considered contrary to conservative Islamic values and practices. The superficial Westernization of political and economic elites, coupled with their nonnativist behavior and conspicuous consumption, sets them apart from their less affluent and tradition – bound subjects” Dekmejian, 30). Those who have begun to accept the Western values in Islam, as can be seen, are rejected from the mainstream of society and Islam. The beliefs, fashions and cultural expressions by those who are a part of this mimicry are considered as not having the knowledge behind the Western world and the consequences of the secular values. More importantly, they are seen as status driven, specifically by mocking the ideas of wealth and power without having a strong religious basis for the beliefs of Islam. This has created even more division of identity not only between the East and West, but also between those that are a part of Islam and which carries fundamental values of the culture, as opposed to those that are rejecting the ideas of Islam for the global, Western world. These different roles and concepts then apply to the idea of cultural dynamics that are a part of Islam and the nation. A main pride that those in the Islam nation have is toward the science and technology that is a part of the development of the nation. The fine arts and entertainment that continues to flourish in this nation is also considered as sacred to those that are in the nation. While those in Islam consider this as a main part of civilization, there is a belief that there is not the same value toward the concepts of culture in the Western world. The value of the schools toward Islam is one that holds pride and respect in the nation and is believed to hold the roots of the culture. For those in the Western world, is the belief that there is a lack in the sciences and the arts, as well as in the educational systems that are currently a part of these possessions. This has led to several divisions and misperceptions over what should be considered as art and science. More importantly, there is an evaluation over how the wealth and power of the Western world has only cause corruption and destruction, instead of the enhancement of civilization through schools, sciences and the arts. This is specifically associated with the secular, as opposed to the sacred society. The arts and sciences that are a part of the development of Islam always link to the philosophies and beliefs of Islam to guide the development of different expressions. It is believed that those that are missing in this guidance can easily create science and art that doesn’t have a realization of principles as guidance for the cultural creations (Nasr, Santillana, 20 – 37). Evaluation of Conflicts Between Nations The attitudes between East and West show more complications in the clash of civilizations and the portrayal of culture. This begins with the several difficulties that are present in the history and politics of the nation. From Islam, this focuses on the secular nation and the wealth and power that have followed this. While those that are in the Islamic nation don’t disagree with these values, there is also a belief that the corruption of the wealth and power, specifically from the time of World War II, is present because of the separation from church and state. The attitudes of those in the West toward Islam are similar to this, with the belief that combining Islam with politics leads to fundamentalism and resistance to change. The culture that is a part of Islam then becomes restrictive and without freedoms and human rights because of the political affiliations with culture. The misunderstandings of identity and culture that relate to politics then move into the generalized attitudes between Islam and the West. Those in the Western world believe that the restrictiveness of politics and the policies that follow are also reflective of the freedoms of the nation. Many believe that those in Islam don’t have the same fundamental rights and believe they are violating human rights. At the same time, the different policies and attitudes toward women and the general culture are considered as restrictive and one which does not fit with the modernization of times. Islam rebels against these ideas and attitudes with the belief that the modernization of the West has led to a lack of value. Those that have approached the Western ideas of freedom with fashion and expression, are considered to also have a lack of morality and instead rely on being too free and expressive as opposed to holding to the fundamental culture of the nation. Conclusion The conflicts that have arisen between Islam and the West are seen in politics, culture and the social affiliations. The concept of identity has led to several biases and a building of boundaries between the two nations. This not only has roots in the political and historical conflicts that continue to occur between Islam and the West. More importantly, there is a distinction in the cultural values and the social lifestyle of both nations. It can be seen that both nations have the opposing understanding of what should be valued in terms of lifestyle and the conditions in which one is under. This has led to a complete division and set of conflicts between the two civilizations and how each lives. The questioning that continues is one that shows a complete boundary from the assumptions and actions that are a part of both nations. Works Cited 1. Ahmed, Leila. Western Ethnocentrism and Perceptions of the Harem. Feminist Studies (8), (3), 2000. 2. Dekmejian, Hrair. Islam in Revolution: Fundamentalism in the Arab World. Syracuse University Press: New York, 1995. 3. Huntington, Samuel. The Clash of Civilizations? Foreign Affairs (72), (22), 1993. 4. Lewis, Bernard. The Roots of Muslim Rage. Policy (17), (4), 2001. 5. Nasr, SH, G DE Santillana. Science and Civilization in Islam. Italia Publishing, 2003. 6. Salame, Ghassan. Islam and the West. Foreign Policy (90), 1993. 7. Tibi, Bassam. The Challenge of Fundamentalism: Political Islam and the New World Disorder. University of California Press: California, 1998. Read More