Chowrangi

The defining attribute of the 21st century are the tensions which connect the West with the Muslim world. These tensions have both local and global dimensions. Globally, there is a glaring exclusion of Muslim entities from power centers and decision-making organs. For example, in the United Nations Security Council, there is not a single Muslim nation which has the power to cast a veto despite the 1.5 billion Muslims around the globe.

Then there is Europe. Turkey, despite assiduously following the prescribed path of “moderation”, has little to no chance of getting into the European Union. This is quick glimpse of some of the issues between Islam and the West. It is a reflection not only of Western machinations but also of Muslim weakness. That weakness has so far been denied by consolatory references to the number of Muslim states size of population, and scale of economic resources.

A small beginning would be a self admission of weakness with a view to curb it. The existing approach, in effect leaves the community isolated, targeted, tarnished, marginalized, and scapegoated. It needs to be reconsidered. A fresh and dynamic approach is inevitable, if Muslims want to progress with respect and dignity.

Alongside, issues between Islam and the West, is the parallel issue of Muslims in the West. In the West, , the Muslim youth is well educated, fluent in English, and computer-literate. They are constantly chatting on the Internet, sending emails and text messages, but where it matters, in the battle of ideas, they are simply not in the arena. It seems that Muslims are not present in the conversation, impacting on their current state and future position. Blogs could be great tool for this. They could facilitate the purpose of contributing to the mobilised effort to rectify the imbalanced and distorted coverage.

The constant refrain is of education, education, and education as an all purpose one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. There may be a point missing here. The issue, perhaps, may be not just one of education, but of articulation. This could partially explain why Muslims are grossly under-represented in the policy shaping professions of law, media academia and the creative arts.

It is not just a question of competence, but of confidence. This limitation may not be an issue of limitation of determination. This is what Allama Iqbal had so presciently identified as a question of Khudi. This is the high time for the Muslims to wake up.

Other posts by Commoner

• Punjab Heats Up - November 19th, 2008
• Eyeball to Eyeball - November 18th, 2008
• No Surprises There - November 18th, 2008
• Yousuf Ready to Leave "Power" - November 18th, 2008
• OGRA Website Hacked By Indian Hackers - November 17th, 2008
• Friends Of Pakistan Again Disappoints - November 17th, 2008
• New But Old Dimensions - November 17th, 2008
• After the Loan - November 16th, 2008
• Locals Lashkars Against Taliban - November 16th, 2008
• Swat Keeps on Smouldering - November 15th, 2008