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The history of modern Islam
in the 20th and early 21st century reflects the realities of
Muslim politics, a record of Muslim societies
struggling to assert their independent status
and to define themselves in the modern world.
While religion remains an important force
in the religious life and culture of many Muslims,
its public and political role has been progressively
circumscribed. Most modern states have pursued
a more secular path, which while sensitive to religious sensibilities,
tended to limit the public role of religion. Despite
institutional and intellectual changes and reforms
in public life, the Islamic belief and practice
of most Muslims remained relatively untouched
by modern change. The significance
and depth of tradition's hold on
Muslim society and its lack of efficient leadership
may be seen in the paucity
of systematic attempts at reinterpretation
and reform within the faith. Many Muslim countries, though, have found it easier to
continue
along parallel paths of religion and secularity,
as in law and education. Many religious leaders
cooperated with governments that increasingly took over the
administration
of religious education, law and endowments.
Others were content to just preach
a moralistic Islam devoid of any kind of social activism
New Islamic societies, such as the Muslim Brotherhood,
attempted to fill this vacuum with organizations that
reasserted the relevance of Islam in all
areas of life, diagnosed ills of Muslim society,
and offered an islamic activist approach
aimed at redressing issues of religious identity and social justice.
Since the 1960s, Islamic revivalism
has progressively come to dominate the religious and political discourse
in much of the Muslim world. Both the political and religious establishments
have found it necessary to respond through
co-option, cooperation, repression,
or rejection. Often the more conservative,
non-activist ulama have been on the defensive.
Some have cooperated in government efforts to control
their citizenship and to contain information and
education. Others have become more outspoken
and militant in their teachings and interactions,
just as the violent actions of a minority of radicals should not obscure
the moderate activities of the majority.
This is what occurs in the Muslim Faith, as well.
Many Islamic regimes,
in the name of religion, have become dictator-type governments
controlling all aspects of their citizens' lives,
persecuting non-Muslims, and even Muslims who express different views from theirs,
and continue their influence and power
through fear, repression, and force. We now see
the horrible results of this abuse of power
with the overturn, or attempted overturn, of
many Islamic government states. what will become of the states
is to be seen. Will it be better or worse
for its citizens? Will they be able to truly
experience democracy in any of its forms?
For most Muslims, a return to Islam
means greater awareness and observance of their faith,
study of the Qur'an, prayer, fasting,
dress, and even Sufism, following the Sharia.
For some of them the greater affirmation of
Islam in personal and community life implies
recognition that Islam knows no
clear separation of the sacred and the profane;
the spiritual and the mundane.
They believe that the restoration of Islam
to its rightful rightful place in Muslim life
requires a bridging of that secular gap between religion
and the state through the implementation of sharia or Islamic law.
Yet, they do not want to be controlled by some government
either. I look forward this week
to receiving your final papers; and I want you know how much I've enjoyed
facilitating this course, particularly since it's the first time
we've done this course or even this type of course
online in our department. I've enjoyed the discussions and the
interactions with you. I hope, as I have learned from you
and taken new information from you, that you have done the same
from me, as well, and from your materials
that you have developed new and different feelings
about the materials presented in this course.
Good luck in your future!