Serendib joins Black in Blue

Living in Fear of the ‘Saracen Hordes’

Islamic Fundamentalism vs. Extremism

A visitor to Douai Abbey in the heart of Royal Berkshire is struck by the tranquillity and peace that envelopes the surroundings. There monks will be found in silent contemplation of their faith in the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. These monks are considered as harmless followers and exponents of the basic tenets that teach compassion and harmony in a world where peace is hard to find.

Still in the Royal County, just a few miles away, in central Reading followers of the Prophet Mohammed meet at their local mosque just a few hundred metres from the town’s busy commercial centre. They too are engaged in silent contemplation of the basic precepts of their faith, which is also seeking compassion and harmony in a world where peace is hard to find.

What is the difference between these two pictures, with the exception of the obvious affluence related to Douai Abbey and its well manicured gardens as opposed to the economic deprivation experienced by those living within sight of the mosque and the traffic-congested streets?

Both groups are following the basic code of belief of their specific faith with the intention of greater spiritual and intellectual development, yet the latter worshipers live in fear of accusations of what has now been termed ‘Fundamentalism’ and all that is conjures up since September 11th 2001.

To some Fundamentalism is the broad-based but diverse religious movement that has swept across the Muslim world, from North Africa to Southeast Asia, during the past two decades.

It can be reasonably stated that fundamentalism is merely the re-evaluation of one’s faith and a desire to return to a more basic approach where life is centred on the power of prayer and seeking heavenly rewards through personal peaceful efforts. This change of approach is to counter the onslaught of what some may believe to be the demise of family values and ethics brought about by the ever increasing Westernisation and its exploitation.

In the world of the late twentieth and into the dawn of the twenty first century contemporary Islamic fundamentalism has manifested itself in personal and political life, from greater emphasis on religious observances such as prayer, fasting, Islamic dress, and family values to reassertion of Islam in politics.

Not only has Islam seen a resurgence in what may be considered as its home in the Middle Eastern countries, but also in Western Countries second and third generation descendants of South Asian migrants as well as many African and African Caribbean youngsters have sought solace and personal identity in re-affirming their faith in this worldwide fellowship that has no gender, ethnic or cultural barriers.

The term ‘Islamic fundamentalism’, while commonly used, is misleading. The term fundamentalism is laden with Christian presuppositions and Western stereotypes, and it implies a monolithic threat. If fundamentalism means the acceptance of the primary tenets of Islam then the modern interpretation is somewhat insulting as it is generally used to identify individuals or groups that are hostile to specifically Western Countries and their capitalistic ethos.

In Western Europe the same term would not be used to identify similar spiritual followers of the primary tenets of Christianity whilst going about their contemplations in a monastery in Exmoor or the depths of Wiltshire. More useful perhaps are the terms Islamic revivalism and Islamic activism, which are less value-laden and have roots within traditions of political reform and social activism.

For a considerable number of Muslims, the resurgence of Islam is a reassertion of their cultural identity, formal religious observance, family values, and morality. The establishment of an Islamic society is seen as requiring a personal and social transformation that is a prerequisite for a true Islamic government. If effective change is to come then it will come from below through a gradual social transformation brought about and assisted by the implementation of Islamic law.

On the other hand, a significant minority of quasi-Islamic followers view some of the societies and governments in the Muslim countries as hopelessly corrupt. They believe that un-Islamic societies and their leaders are no better than infidels and that the religious establishment has been co-opted by the government.

Such critics believe in some more extreme cases that both established political and religious elites must be overthrown and a ‘new’ Islamic law imposed. These radical revolutionary groups, though relatively small in membership, have proved effective in political agitation, disruption, and in some cases assassination. They have not, however, been successful in mobilising the masses.

From a Western perspective it could be said that the well publicised countries that claim to be hard-line ‘Islamic States’ are arguably held together more through political and military dictatorship rather than any widespread ecumenical belief system. Such societies have historically been seen to naturally fall through internal means rather than any external pressure.

What does this all mean in the UK today?

It is vitally important that the United Kingdom Police service itself does not, by acting upon inappropriate thought processes, or using negative language and behaviour, fall foul of playing into the hands of those who wish to besmirch both the followers of Islam and the Muslim world in general. The media is keen to show that the ‘Saracen’ hordes are waiting to sweep in from the East and destroy Christendom. This will only lead the Service into becoming more isolated from certain groups who already (through the inherent quasi-Christian ‘British’ racism, economic, social deprivation and exclusion) find themselves estranged from mainstream society.

By further demonising the Islamic World, western society is in fact giving a genuine reason for some to actually turn towards certain extremist groups with either their verbal and intellectual support or in the minority of cases to actually give physical support when called upon. Many within western society are not even aware that it is they who are victims of the ‘Medieval’ anti-Islamic biases of their fore parents, who without conscious knowledge still fear the sacking of Jerusalem and a return to the ‘Dark Ages’.

With such rampant bigotry and disgraceful attitudes shown towards Islam and Muslims especially on the part of many western policy-makers and opinion-formers, someone has to take the initiative to correct the situation.

Perhaps it is time for the benefit of all people within the West to shed this ‘Medieval’ cloak of bigotry that they have towards Islam and still wear, and rather learn to appreciate what Islam has given to the World in the form of the Sciences, Literature and the Arts. It was in fact the Islamic World that established the first universities not just for pious study, but actually where Medicine, Politics, Philosophy and Economics were studied and the knowledge was further enhanced for the benefit of all.

If Western society and specifically the UK also then further empowers those people who are placed and kept within the most deprived groupings and they are actually accorded the opportunity for their voices to be genuinely heard then extremism will find it difficult to establish a firm base of support.

This inclusive stance has no ethnocentric basis as extremism is certainly not just in the sole ownership of Muslims and other visible minority groups within society, but also of the indigenous White European majority. Rather than being the source of fear and trepidation, Islamic fundamentalism rather supports and seeks peaceful means of change within society through intellectual and spiritual development.

Although it is not the sole responsibility of the Police service to undertake this task, it has become, over the past two decades, since the Scarman Report of 1981, the legal and moral duty of the service to become an influencer for change within wider society.

Unless all the peoples of a nation and especially its youth feel valued and their concerns are listened to then we will see a continued growth in the numbers of young people mainly believing that they will find their identity and a fellowship amongst the extremist groups that use elements of a faith to attract, hold on to and ultimately control their membership.

There is yet hope as people in the West are starting to question their ‘Leaders’ statements and proposed actions as seen by the recent ‘Peace’ marches held in many ‘Western’ capitals. Why are so many people verbally and physically demonstrating their defence of their Muslim Brothers and Sisters? It could be that many within the West have matured as a result of the ‘Western European’ inhumane actions that the world experienced in the twentieth century and realise that it is only a matter of time before the pendulum swings again and that they may be the next target of the of those who wish to invoke mass hysteria and fear for their own personal and immoral reasons.

Pastor Martin Niemoeller a World War 1 U-Boat Captain and Hero once wrote of the Nazi regime “In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.”

Rather than fear Islamic fundamentalism, the West perhaps may benefit from listening to what it is saying and will without doubt hear something of note and value for its own use and further development, likewise the monks at Douai Abbey could also teach us all a thing or two to aid us in these troubled times. Respect for other faiths and cultures engenders respect and inclusiveness, thus reducing any ground swell support for extremisms. NB Please note that these are the thoughts as compiled by Serendib and not necessarily those of Twining who has kindly allowed me add to this site.