Islam And Modernity

What do we mean by ‘modernity’?

Modernity “Local ties and parochial perspectives give way to universal commitments and cosmopolitan attitudes; that the truths of utility, calculation, and science take precedence over those of the emotions, the sacred, and the non-rational; that the individual rather than the group be the primary unit of society and politics; that the associations in which men live and work be based on choice not birth; that mastery rather than fatalism orient their attitude toward the material and human environment; that identity be chosen and achieved, not ascribed and affirmed; that work be separated from family, residence and community in bureaucratic organizations; that manhood be delayed while youth prepares for its tasks and responsibilities; that age, even when it is prolonged, surrender much of its authority to youth and men some of theirs to women; that mankind cease to live as races apart by recognizing in society and politics its common humanity; that government cease to be a manifestation of powers beyond man and out of reach of the ordinary men by basing itself on participation, consent, and public accountability.” The Modernity of Tradition: Political Development in India by Lloyd and Susanne Rudolf

Does ‘modern’ mean ‘western’?

Nationalism

Imperialism

Sunni and Approaches To Nation Building The Sunni view of Caliph never required a leader to have a special religious calling or insight. All that was required of the Sultan was to maintain order and protect Islam. In return religious leaders would support the Sultan and his policies. It is this model which was followed by most Sunni nation- states. Saddam Hussein is an extreme example of this model. To a lesser extent you can see this in Egypt and in another way Saudi Arabia. As long is order is kept and Islam is protected, the religious leaders will give tacit support to the government – even if that government leans secular. Much of the unrest, protest and terrorism in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the like is because these governments are now seen as patsies for the West or have not protected Islam and its holy sites.

Iraq was an extremely difficult situation because so many ethnic and religious groups were pressed into one nation-state. This allowed a strong man like Saddam to come to power and hold the country together by forcing the various groups to ‘identify’ themselves as Iraqi – or face the consequences. Because so many groups were involved and Saddam’s Ba’thist background the emphasis was on secularism and Arab identity not on religion. Several problems emerge – the Kurds are Sunni, like Saddam, but not Arab. The Shias are Arab, but not Sunni. Sunni Arabs went along with Saddam for a number of reasons: old clan and tribe loyalties, Saddam was viewed as protecting Iraq and its interests.

The Shia Response – The Iranian Revolution The Shah modernized and westernized Iran. Tried to bypass Islam by basing Iranian nationalism on Persian-ness. Viewed by many in Iran as doing the will of the US. Shia Islam believes that the descendents of the prophet carry that special spiritual quality. Shia rejected the Caliphate under the Umayyads. The Battle of Karbala is the symbol of good and faithful Muslims refusing to bow to illegitimate and evil political authority. It is not surprising that the Iranians would rise up against the Shah.