Basic HTML Version
They poinl out that those trials and
executions are not a true reflection
of Islam, but are instead associated
with the política! turmoil in that
cou ntry.
Moslems also observe that thc
taking of hostages- especially dip–
lomatic ones- is clearly forbidden
by lslamic tradition. " 1 do not
break treaties, nor do 1 make pris–
oners of envoys," Mohammed once
insisted. Many Moslems saw the
Khomeini regime's actions in this
regard as an embarrassment and a
demeaning of Islam before the
world.
Actually, the Koran
specifies s trict limitations
on the power of the Mos–
lem religious courts. Ac–
cused persons are consid–
ered innocenl until prov–
eo guilty. In addition, the
standards of proof are so
exacting that the severe
punishments widely pub–
licized in the West can
rarely be carried out. In
the case of adultery–
punishable by death in
sorne Moslem coun–
tries- four eyewitnesses
are required for convic–
tion.
Islam itself docs not oppose tech–
nology and industry. But many
Moslems havc come to recognize a
danger in ovcremphasis on technol–
ogy and on "progress" in the West–
ern sense. As one Egyptian govern–
ment official put it, " Islam is not
against modernization. But when
modernization aims at fulfilling
only materialistic needs while dis–
regarding moral matters, it always
ends up breaking down the struc–
ture of society."
Moslems contend that science
and technology have undermined
ing resulted from the dizzying pace
of modernization in the West.
As Saudi Arabia's late King
Khalid cautioned in an address to
pilgrims at Mecca in 1979, " We
Moslems, the more we hold fast to
these eminent ideals, the better are
our prospects to gel up and bring
the world under our control. On the
other hand, the farther we veer
away from our faith, the faster we
succumb to factors of decay and
start suffering from political and
societal ills, and cventually fall an
easy prey to the enemics of
Islam...."
Mos lems Look at
Communism
Just as Moslems are dis–
illusioned with the mate–
rialism of the West, they
likewise deplore thc com–
munist alternative.
lt is not, however, the
one-party, dictatorial na–
ture of the communist
state that they primarily
object to. Many Moslem
countries are esscntially
onc-party states. (Mos–
lems often ask, " How can
there be other parties
besides the party of the
righteous?")
" Modernization" or
' 'Westernizatlon ' '?
Another question often
asked in the West is
whether Islam can be suc-
THE GREA
T
MOSQUE A
T
MECCA, holiest of Moslem
cities. lmpressive in size and architecture, the mosque
can accommodate 300,000 worshippers at one time.
l t is the atheism of
Marxism that they detest.
It
is no secret among
Moslems that Islam has
been suppressed in the
cessfully adapted to a modern tech–
nological society.
This quest ion is almost always
asked by non-Moslems. Moslems
themselves do not see Islam as any
barrier whatever lo modern life.
They believe that Islam fits all
times and cultures. Moslems are
often genuinely surprised that such
a question should even be asked.
Let us look at this issue through
Moslem eyes. No reading of the
Koran could ever produce the notion
that Islam is reactionary or tailored
only to a primitive desert society.
Development and change are not
conl rary to the spirit of Islam. 1n
fact, the seeking of knowledge and
the desirability of progress are heavi–
ly
stressed
in the Koran.
Why, then, the controversy over
whether Islam can keep pace with
modern times?
42
faith in religion in the West. l f
wrongly applied, they fear it could
do the same for faith in Allah.
Talk of lslam's failure to adjust
to modern times is usually based on
Western definitions and concepts
of "modernization" and "prog–
ress." Moslems say that moderniza–
ti o o does not h ave to mean
Westernization and secularization.
Sorne Moslcms have commented,
half-jokingly and half-seriously,
that if the West represents the
wave of the future, it is better to
remain stuck in the past.
Most Moslems do not want to
return to sorne sort of medieval
lslamic configuration. They want
progress, but they want to proceed
cautiously, choosing what is suit–
able and rejecting what is harmful.
This way they hope to avoid reap–
ing the bitter fruits they see as hav-
Soviet Union in the last half cen-
tury.
"Who can be guilty of a grcatcr
wrong," the Koran asks, "than one
who forbids Allah's name being
glorified in His mosques and seeks
to bring about their ruin?"
Moslem countries may cultivate
relations with the Soviet Union
with a view toward various material
benefits such as arms aid. But they
have no íllusions when it comes to
the philosophy and system of com–
munism itsclf. lslamic states are
overwhelmingly ant icommunist.
Role of Women
Another sorc point to Moslcms is
the West 's concept of the role of
women in lslamic society. Many
Westerners know, for example, that
women in ultraorthodox Saudi Ara–
bia do not drive cars. They also
The
PLAIN TRUTH