Reasons for decline of the Muslim world

[N.O.R.F]

Reasons for decline of the Muslim world

 

By Husain Haqqani, Special to Gulf News

 

The Muslim world seems to be in the grip of all kinds of rumours. The willingness of large numbers of Muslims to believe some outrageous assertions reflects pervasive insecurity coupled with widespread ignorance.

 

The contemporary Muslim fascination for conspiracy theories limits the capacity for rational discussion of international affairs. For example, a recent poll indicates that only 3 per cent of Pakistanis believe that Al Qaida was responsible for the 9/11 attacks in the US, notwithstanding Osama Bin Laden and his deputies have taken credit for the attacks on more than one occasion.

 

The acceptance of rumours and the readiness to embrace the notion of a conspiracy does not apply exclusively to the realm of politics. Villagers in rural Nigeria are refusing to administer the polio vaccine to their infant children out of fear that the vaccine will make their offspring sterile.

 

Some religious leaders in Pakistan's Pashtun tribal areas bordering Afghanis-tan have also voiced concerns about a "Western-Zionist conspiracy" to sterilise the next generation of Muslims as part of what they allege is an "ongoing war against Islam".

 

Mobile phones and the internet, the pervasiveness of which is often cited as a measure of a society's progress and modernity, have become a means of spreading fear in the Muslim world. Text messages, originating from the Pakistani city of Sialkot, recently warned people of a virus if people answered phone calls from certain numbers. The virus would not hurt the phone, the messages said, but would rather kill the recipient.

 

The panic caused by the rumours forced the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to issue a denial. Phone companies sent out text messages urging people to be calm. A newspaper rejected the rumour but featured the headline, Killer Mobile Virus.

 

Text message

 

A text message widely circulated in an Arab country claimed that trucks carrying a million melons had been smuggled across the country's northern border and the melons were contaminated with the HIV virus, which causes Aids. No one paid any attention to the fact that the HIV virus cannot be transmitted by eating melons.

 

The Muslim world has a high rate of illiteracy but ignorance reflected by the readiness to believe unverified (and sometimes totally outrageous) claims is not just a function of illiteracy. It is a function of bigotry and fear. Literate Muslims, such as those involved in the text message rumour-mongering, are as vulnerable to ignorant behaviour as illiterate ones.

 

Conspiracy theories have been popular among Muslims since the twilight years of the Ottoman Empire as a way of explaining the powerlessness of a community that was at one time the world's economic, scientific, political and military leader.

 

The erosion of the leadership position of Muslims coincided with the West's gradual technological ascendancy.

 

The Persian, Mughal and Ottoman empires controlled vast lands and resources but many important scientific discoveries and inventions since the 15th century came about in Europe and not in the Muslim lands.

 

Ignorance is an attitude and the world's Muslims have to analyse, debate and face it before they can deal with it.

 

The 57-member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) have around 500 universities compared with more than 5,000 universities in the US and more than 8,000 in India. In 2004, Shanghai Jiao Tong University compiled an "Academic Ranking of World Universities", and none of the universities from Muslim-majority states was included in the top 500.

 

The Muslim world spends 0.2 per cent of its GDP on research and development, while the Western nations spend around five per cent of GDP on producing knowledge.

 

The tendency of Muslim masses to accept rumours as fact and the readiness to believe anything that suggests a non-Muslim conspiracy to weaken or undermine the Muslims is the result of the overall feeling of helplessness and decline that permeates the Muslim world.

 

Most Muslim scholars and leaders try to explain Muslim decline through the prism of the injustices of colonialism and the subsequent ebb and flow of global distribution of power.

 

But Muslims are not weak only because they were colonised. They were colonised because they had become weak.

 

Conspiracy theories paper over the knowledge deficit and the general attitude of ignorance in the Muslim world. It is time for a discussion of the Ummah's decline in the context of failure to produce and consume knowledge and absorb verifiable facts.

 

Husain Haqqani is director of Boston University's Centre for International Relations, and Co-Chair of the Islam and Democracy Project at Hudson Institute, Washington D.C. He is author of the book 'Pakistan between Mosque and Military'.

 

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[N.O.R.F]

Recentlt got a warning from a Somali woman. She told me not answer numbers starting with 22 as she heard the phone explodes when you answer it loooooooooooool

 

I couldnt stop laughing,,,,,,,

 

If someone is so convinced by just Somali hearsay, i mean why no questions asked like why no one else knows about it (the authoritities etc).

 

Same with alot of the Muslims today who do not question the goings on. Its all a conspiracy (some of it might be true) without sitting back and having a holistic view is holding Muslims back.

[rudy-Diiriye]

decline!! this homie is high on something. its the opposite, looks like its islams hey day. watch what happens when the american retreat from the middle east..... shall we say like this time next yr.

 

i wonder whats gonna happen to all those hi rises in dubai..! Probably, there will louder speakers on very corner for the ma'adins.

[N.O.R.F]

^^lol

 

Was the invasion of Iraq because the US wanted oil or was it because Muslims were disunited with many not even on speaking terms? If Saudi Arabia was invaded today do you think 1 million Muslims would fight? Sadly i dont think so,,,,

[rudy-Diiriye]

its was all about oil. but this misfired back now. i dont think nobody cares for them sorry saudis except themselves.

 

i dont see saudia being like this say in the near future. future looks bleak for them and the whole gulf region.

[N.O.R.F]

^^exactly what i'm saying nobody cares about nobody. Everyman for himself,,,,

[Ms DD]

Northerner

 

The article above reminded me of a previous article that I read:

http://www.arabworldbooks.com/Articles/heggy/conspiracy.htm

 

If one believes in conspiracies, then surely there could be no conspiracy more heinous than the two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. For by definition a conspiracy seeks to inflict injury on the party against whom it is aimed, and there can be no greater injury than the atomic devastation rained on Japan over half a century ago.

Japan’s refusal to remain locked in the spiral of defeat proves that even assuming a conspiracy does exist and that, moreover, it attains its full scope, which is the infliction of maximum damage on the party against whom it is directed, the conspirators cannot achieve their ultimate aim unless the targeted victim accepts to be crushed. Japan has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of the atomic blasts to become the main rival of the very powers that seemed, in 1945, to have succeeded in bringing it to its knees.

However I gotta disagree with the notion that muslims are just paranoid and that all these conspiray theories are obstacles to modernisation. Politics is a dirty game. As is finance, journalism and intelligence gathering. There is always more to be learned of international intrigue. Given the amount of secrecy that still surrounds the international crimes against the muslims and committed by US and its allies, is it any wonder that for thinking the worst of them?

 

After 911, Bush first told us he was setting out on a "Crusade". Then he claimed that the US was at war with "Evil. First he was going to kill bin Laden, who was at the centre of a giant plot to destroy democracy. "They can't stand freedom - they hate what America stands for." This morphed, after the US's failure to find bin Laden, into a campaign to destroy Saddam Hussein. Now we are onto Iran, whilst we are meddling with Somalis on the side and God knows what else ee faraha kula jiraan. There was a programme on BBC4 last night. it was about Angola and its relations with Cuba and how the US were quite angry that Cuba helped Angola against South Africans with the help of the Soviets. In order to safe face, Reagan equiped militias against the Angola govt after its colonisation in order to have a dig at the Cuba.

 

I think there is a reason for all these theories; Element of truth. There is no smoke without fire. As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction. The hostility towards the West from the muslim world, for all its specific grievances such as the bombings of Afghanistan and Iraq, and America's support for Israel, is as deeply embedded in a century of internal conflicts as in the history of the West's often clumsy interventions. They blame the West in general - and America in particular - for subjugating that ambition by dividing the muslim world through the dictators that America supports.

 

But on some levels I do agree with the article above. Muslims do feel inferior which magnified the importance of America and the West. Otherwise, why would we look to them for aid and help? Why would A/yusuf look to US backed Tigres for help? Why would Arab leaders be petrified of the US? It is because they are scared that the US will at least take away its support or invade it at the most.

I think the muslim world is intellectually, morally, scientifically inferior.

[BOB]

I recently attended a confrence organized by The Muslim Association of this country and we had many scholars as guest speakers who stressed the neccessity of Muslim Unity around the world particularly in the countries classified as Muslim State.

 

one Egyptian scholar from Al Azhar left me with a lasting impression as he touched all the points that needed to be addressed and he offered his condolences to Palestine, Iraq & Somalia and begged the masses to pardon them (the scholars) for turning a blind eye and keeping mum about the injustices, oppression and the daily prosecution that the people living in these countries face in the hands of the Kufaar who invaded them.

 

he concluded his speech with a statement that deeply touched me, however, truth must be told, the statement wasn't something new...it was something that we (muslims) always knew.

 

He said...The brothers & sisters in Palestine, Iraq & Somalia have every right to feel abandoned by their fellow brothers & sisters in the Muslim world, but what I would like to add is that, We didn't abandon them by choice but we, ourselves are held hostage by the same enemy that keeps on bombarding them with the latest bombs and missiles and until the day WE FREE ourselves from the shackles of this ONE enemy we all have...they will remain in the same sorry state that they currently find themselves in...May Allah s.w pardon us for ignoring the desperate calls of our fellow brothers & sisters in Islam.

 

 

in other words...We have puppets as Muslim leaders today and they are working against US instead of FOR US....Middle East is in the back pocket of Islam's number one enemy and its their MONEY that's used against Muslims....

 

Do you honestly believe Ethiopia can afford to invade Somalia and sustain their military operation without a help from outside? where do you think that money is coming from?

 

U.S has been in Iraq for more than 4 years now and how much do you think does that cost? again where's that money coming from and same goes for Israel...

 

last but not least....America launches its attacks from a Muslim country....can you name any country in the Middle East where they don't have a base....My Point Exactly.

 

 

Don't Despair Brothers & Sisters...I promise you the end of our daily torture, prosecution and humiliation in the hands of the INFIDELS is near, just be patient and have faith in ALLAH s.w and everything will be allright Insha Allah.

 

 

Salam Aleikum W.W

 

 

Peace, Love & Unity.

[Peacenow]

+BOB. You touched there on something very important. Northerner did too. What ills the present state of weakness in the muslim world? Why are the 4 states-5 if you at add Chechnya, that are under occuption today all muslim?

The answer is because these states are or were ruled by undemocractic leaders, that were not answerable to their people.

 

Have you noticed how, people, when their country is 'working' and going in the right way, are more patriotic towards it?

So by that definition, are willing to defend it against aggression.

What aided the Iraqi people, who's back was broken by Saddam Hussein, who on sight of a American tank did not fight.

[N.O.R.F]

Bob, the shiekh spoke well.

 

D&D

 

I’m not saying there is no conspiracy at all because there is one. But rather wish to highlight the extent of which is of our own doing.

 

I remember growing up and watching Bosnians get massacred while there was no single Muslim voice (as far as I remember) condemning it. Those were the days of black and white so to speak. Blame it all on the dirty Serbians who had the support of their Russian European friends hence why the EU and the US/UN just watched. You have Iraq today where many are killed on a daily basis and the Muslim states are hosting the occupiers. The boom right here in Dubai is mainly thanks to high oil prices stemming from the Iraq war.

 

The split between conspiracy and our own negligence is closer to 50/50 than many people would like to think.

[Blessed]

Husain Haqqani is director of Boston University's Centre for International Relations, and Co-Chair of the Islam and Democracy Project at Hudson Institute, Washington

That's the problem right there. An overwhelming majority of our intellectuals are abroad / in exile looking in rather than working at the grassroots. Just like Tariq Ramadan this author floats around the issues stifling the Muslim world without really addressing it. Ignorance, helplessness and fear are not side effects of shahaada. Our situation is far more complex.

 

Our ills are borne out of poor education, evident inequality and living with suppression and oppression under brute dictators. The very dictators that are protected by the 'democratic' west. The same dictators that these intellectuals fail to address, even in exile. Knowledge is power and hence not a tool that a Brute will want to extend to his subjects. I pray that Allah delivers us from these imbeciles.

 

It’s also a curious coincidence that Europe and America see it necessary to act whenever a truly Islamic movement appears in the Muslim world. It’s true of Somalia, Palestine and Iran and currently we are bombarded with tales of evil Islamists in Nigeria and Turkey.

 

I think Iran (to a degree) and Malaysia are great examples of what Muslims are capable of under progressive regimes.

 

As for willingness to accept outrageous news, that’s global. Anyone who reads the blogs and discussions frequented by working class Britons will know that ignorant bigotry or fear or whatever this writer wants to call it isn't unique to Muslims.

[Ms DD]

Now that we have identified the problem, what can be done by the average muslim? How can a Pakistani, Saudi, Somali change the fate of their country and how can we get rid of the proped up tyrannical governments who are oppressing millions of people in our own lands?

[BOB]

Originally posted by Ms Dhucdhuc & Dheylo:

How can a Pakistani, Saudi, Somali change the fate of their country

Salam Aleikum W.W...My Dearest Sister Cambaro,

 

its not about whether they CAN or CAN'T...more like...Will they be allowed to have a say by the puppet Mujrims?

 

As long as we have these so-called leaders that currently rule the Muslim countries in the office, i don't see anything ever changing as that's exactly the reason why the WEST keeps them there....TO DECIEVE US & BETRAY US.

 

Do you honestly think...Mohammed Hosni Mubarak cares about how many Palestinian children get bombed in their sleep or How many Iraqi sisters get raped by the Pigs that's U.S or how many innocent Somalis are kidnapped by the dirty Ethiopians with the help of the traitors that we find ourselves at their mercy and then tortured to death? they are all the same....

 

the old saying of....Divide & Rule comes to mind...hence why we, a nation of no more than 10 million nomads are divided into countless divisions...(I'm not sure even CHINA has as many clans and sub-clans as we have and they're supposed to be the most populous nation on earth...) so that our eternal enemy Ethiopia could come and violate everything a SOMALI stands for...again THANKS to you know who.

 

 

Salam Aleikum W.W

 

 

Peace, Love & Unity.

[Ms DD]

Wa aleykum salaam bro Bob

 

You make very valid point. So are you suggesting we wait till they get tired of us after plunder our resources and lands? That cant be an option. Most Somalis in diaspora really dont realise the extent of our problems. They think that we are like the indigenous people. I have seen couple who go off on holiday 4 times a year. I recall when I was at school, complaing to my dad how my friends go to numerous holidays, buy the latest gardgets etc. He told me that I was a refugee and that I needed to focus on my education as my country needs me in order to rebuild it. I didnt appreciate it then.

 

Being united is great idea but in reality it doesnt happen, even in the developed western countries. The western world is highly diverse in its opinions and yet has been successful economically. Why is it when they disagree, they have a dialogue and when we disagree we are quick to draw the gun?

 

The core reason of unity and disunity amongst muslims in the past and present is the institure of Caliphate. It has been both, a source of unity and disunity. Except for the first four caliphs all others were essentially a dynasty based kingdom.

 

The Caliphate System yeilded in a "united" uma under some rulers of banu abbas. At that time, Baghdad became the center of learning, arts and new knowledge. Discussions, debates and paers were found abound, and all prospered.

 

Yet, on the flip side, its the caliphate system itself which was also the biggest divisional point between the largest groups of muslims aka shia and sunni, and there is very little now to close this divide.

 

So where we go from here?

 

Well lets look around in east and west for some examples how others have managed this problem. We will find ample examples where people of totally opposing ideologies are working together to deliver greater bigger than self goals.

 

e.g 1: The "west" is acombination of many small and large countries which have alligned themselves to certain principles which are above the "national" issues and concerns. Some of these countries were at each others throats not so long ago (WW2)

 

Country like the UAE was formed very recently (historically speaking) and they are 7 states in one, with sometimes very different history and religious inclinations.

 

Basic and simple principles are binding them together and one such principle which they understand well is, "Unite we stand, divide we fall".

 

This small experiment of UAE IMHO is a way forward to unite not just muslims but any given number of diverse ideologies and thinking into one seam less entity.

[ElPunto]

I think the decline is a reflection of the state of the broader Muslim society. In the vast majority of Muslim countries - people have little ability to influence their day-to-day lives as done through the political process in the west. Yet comparatively little is done about it in an organized manner that would appeal to these publics and galvanize them to take action. It's an odd sort of apathy - change is desired but the smarts and courage to sustain a campaign for change is missing.

 

It's encapsulated by this piece in an article I read a while back:

 

"We can't just go out and say the government is bad. Everyone agrees with that. We won that argument," said Khalil. "Now we have to start telling the people: 'Now what? What kind of alternative are we talking about?' "

 

So far, that alternative has yet to emerge. The Brotherhood is hunkered down, hoping to weather this crackdown as it has done so often over three generations. The movements for change that seemed to grip every profession in Egypt are moribund. Kifaya is in shambles. In November, leading figures resigned, angry over a statement by Ishaq skeptical of the veil; Ishaq himself stepped down, amid whispers of corruption and dictatorial style.

 

As episodes of unrest erupt -- a sit-in by parents at a school, a protest by drivers along the road to Ain Sukhna, strikes at sprawling industrial sites -- Ishaq and others wait on the sidelines, blunt in their self-criticism that most Egyptians are more worried about jobs, education and health care than slogans denouncing Mubarak.

 

Missed opportunities, Khalil said glumly, as he nibbled on a salad at a faded downtown restaurant called Estoril.

 

"The simple issue is that we have to make ourselves relevant to the issues, not the other way around," he said.

 

The ever-optimistic Maadi was even blunter: "We don't have a vision."

 

And across town, Ishaq sat in Kifaya's threadbare office, no longer leading a movement that he once, a little arrogantly, called his own. Pessimism is what the government wants, he insisted. He smiled. "The quiet has to precede the storm."

 

But he turned glummer when asked if he would see democracy in Egypt in his lifetime. He shook his head.

 

"No," he said, tentatively. Then he repeated the word, this time more conclusively. "No."

 

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