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Arab Islam Versus Non-Arab Islam
Various deviated cultural formations of Islam
in non-Arab societies are becoming a serious threat to the
wellbeing of those societies.
Why it is that Islam is much peaceful in most
of the Arab states whereas it is causing serious social,
cultural, political and economic strife in non-Arab societies?
Why Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Arab Emirate
and many other Arab states have successfully contained Islam
within its functional religious territories whereas it is going
through constant turmoil in non Arab countries like Sudan,
Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and
Bangladesh and keeping these countries in turmoil as well? I
have left some Arab countries like Egypt, Yemen and Iraq out of
the list because Islam is somewhat problematic in these Arab
countries, but still it is not as bad as in mentioned above
non-Arab countries. The religious strife in Egypt, Yemen and
Iraq is understandable, but it is still clearly distinguishable
in nature and character than the religious strife in non Arab
countries.
It is not that only Islam is well within its
limits in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Arab
Emirate and many other Arab states, these states are better
managed than non Arab Islamic states.
For example, all mentioned above Arab
countries have more stable economies, socially less chaotic
set-ups, better governmental institutions and lower crime rates
than many non Arab Islamic states including Pakistan.
There are many factors which should be taken
into consideration for the apparent peaceful social scenes in
Arab countries, but one factor that distinguishes these
ostensibly peaceful Arab countries from constantly in turmoil
non Arab countries is the over extension of religious
encroachments in non Arab societies.
Is Arab Islam different than non-Arab Islam?
Ideologically, this assumption may be true. Arab states, as
states watch for Islamic injunctions, but they are more
practical in dealing with mundane issues of life. They stress
less on what Quran or Holy Prophet says about a certain issue,
and pay more attention to the nitty-gritty of the issue and use
practical approach to solve it. Non Arab states, not only
perpetuate Islam through legislation, the mullahs constantly
reinforce ‘Islam as they understand’ on 24/7 basis.
In Arab states, with the exception of Saudi
Arabia, mullahs have very limited role in these Arab societies.
However, in non Arab Muslim states, mullahs drive almost every
social, cultural, economic and political agenda. It does not
matter what is the degree of their influence, but mullahs in non
Arab societies constantly try to reinforce the social patterns
of early days of Islam. Consequently, Muslims living in non Arab
states are under constant intellectual siege whereas Muslims
living in Arab states are freer in pursuit of intellectual
objectives. The repression Arab Muslims face is less
intellectual but more political due to Monarchic systems.
Regardless of this repression, in a way, Monarchic systems are
more supportive of their sons and daughters who want to travel
abroad in pursuit of higher intellectual and education
objectives than non Arab states.
Intellectual persecution of common folks by
mullahs in non Arab states is fast expanding in Western
societies as well.
For example, the mullahs running seminaries
in Pakistan are not keeping their intellectual persecution of
common folks limited to Pakistan they are pursuing Pakistani
Diasporas all around the globe. Many mullahs have established
very strong networks in Western societies where not only they
regularly travel but also use the resources of Pakistani
Diasporas living in those societies to strengthen their hold
back home. One such prominent example comes to mind is of Allama
Tahirul Qadri who have branches of his institution in many
cities in Europe, Scandinavia and North America.
What these mullahs of non Arab states are
exporting to Western societies through their Diasporas living in
host countries is nothing but deviated formations of Islam which
these mullahs have invented in non Arab states.
These ever growing deviated socio-cultural
formations of Islam are serious threat to the wellbeing of all
non Arab Muslim societies. Non Arab Muslim societies need to do
multi layered, multi pronged, concerted efforts first to contain
them and then to eliminate them. Containing mullahs’
encroachment of socio-cultural formations in the name of Islam
is a pre requisite for non Arab states if they want to move
forward and progress as societies, nations and countries.
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