October 1, 2017
Book Review:
Islam & Muslims in the 21ST Century
By Arthur Kane Scott
Abdus Sattar Ghazali, is a well-known Pakistani scholar of Islam and Muslims, who has written extensively on these matters for years.
A true scholar, his work, Islam & Muslims in the 21stCentury, brims with quotations, facts, footnotes and bibliography. A fascinating aspect of the work is his analysis of the Rand Corporation paper on the future of the Middle East, that guides American policy makers. Their conclusion being that Muslims are inherently lost in sectarianism, and tribalism preventing them from modernizing.
It’s an exhaustive study that looks at Islam today and tomorrow. Given its depth, it can become a significant resource forcritical geopolitical and socio-economic analyses that takes place in think- tanks, universities, corporations,and other serious minded organizations who are genuinely concern with the future of the Muslim world, and its global import.
Islam and Muslims in the 21st Century looks at the continued impact of the West, especially its hegemony, on political and socio -economic future of the states comprising the Muslim world. This Western dominance stems from the West`s dependence on the critical resources that exist there: Middle East oil, and today Afghan minerals. As a consequence, the West has been very adept in the game of Realpolitik, in which it divides and rules by playing one group off against another. The geographical as well as sectarian/political complexity of the Middle East makes this political strategy easy to implement.
The other significant thread of Western control comes in the form of Orientalism. In this world view, the West is presented as superior with its science, rationality, technology, and information systems. The Islam world, on the other hand, as backward, religious, tribal and broken, requiring tutelage and guidance. A powerfulGhazali quotation is: “There are 57 Muslim states representing 23% of the world’s resources, but they are all minor players on the world stage.”
Making Muslim countries more vulnerable is thatsince the time of Nasser they tend to be drawn to either religious authoritarianism,or military rule. The Gulf region, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran are classical examples. The Arab Spring, although an attempt to democratize, failed miserably because of these embedded authoritarian forces, who are determined to maintain the status quo, and resist any socio-economic changes that endangers their position. The real story, however, is that many of these regimes are shored up by the West, who prefer authoritarianism to democracy, as a polity easier to control, besides making billions, through sales of military hardware with the US leading the way. Saudi Arabia in particular.
Another theme that is in play is the`shock doctrine` elaborated by Naomi Kline. The socio-economic, and religious/sectarian divisions characteristic of thispart of the world have been magnified, and exploitedby outside forces through a series of indefinite proxy wars conjured primarily by Moscow and Washington,whichkeep Muslim countries in Middle East, and north Africa,perpetually weak and divided. Syria/Afghanistan, of course, being the best illustrations. Millions of Muslims are literally in perpetual shock as their families, homes, future are being shattered in a `Game of Thrones` that serves the West in terms of resources.
In conclusion, I recommend Muslims& Islam unconditionally. There is so much to be learned and uncovered within its pages. It`s a literal treasure trove of insights about the global future and reach of Islam Muslims, as they and the world move deeper into the complexity of the twenty- first century.
Arthur Kane Scott is Professor of Humanities and Cultural Studies at the Dominican University of California and Board Member of Museum of the American Indian Novato, California.
Click here to buy the book: Islam & Muslims in the 21st Century
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
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