Islam in the modern world

Clash of civilisations? | The 'war on terror'
Money matters | Politics and the law

Clash of civilisations?

Clash of civilisations? The media often describe conflicts like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as a 'clash of civilisations' – a profound difference between two incompatible perspectives. In reality, though Muslims and non-Muslims live together peacefully in much of the world.

The term 'clash of civilisations' was coined in 1993 in an essay by Harvard academic Samuel P Huntingdon. He suggested that the fault lines which would lead to future conflicts were no longer between nations or ideologies, but between 'civilisations' – which he defined as 'cultural entities'. This theory gained prominence after the 9/11 attack on New York's Twin Towers.

Huntingdon has been widely criticised – notably by the late Palestinian academic, Edward Said, who argued that there is no clear rift between 'Islam' and 'The West', and that these labels 'mislead and confuse … trying to make sense of a disorderly reality that won't be pigeonholed ….'

Islam and democracy

Non-Muslims sometimes point to what they believe to be a conflict between the Shariah and democracy. They ask how this supposedly ready-made code can allow for differences of opinion. They point, too, to the lack of democracy in many Muslim countries.

But while some Muslims and some Muslim states do hold an authoritarian view, most believe that there is room for debate about how their countries should be run, and they participate in democratic political processes whenever possible. The lack of democracy in the Muslim world has more to do with a history of colonialism and conservative local elites than anything intrinsic to the religion. Muslims elsewhere frequently take part in public life – across the political spectrum – suggesting that Islam and democracy are perfectly compatible.

Under pressure

Muslims in Europe and the Americas are often first- or second-generation immigrants. Like many people who have moved from one country to another, they cling to their identity. They often pay special attention to their culture. This includes the clothing and languages, for example, of India, Bangladesh or Pakistan, as well as their religion.

For their children, religion may take on a greater significance than other aspects of their culture. Racism and hostility to Islam in the surrounding society may push them into adopting a more visible approach to religion, in order to make a political and social point about their identity. Young women may start to wear the hijab (headscarf), or the all-covering gown, the jilbab, instead of the sari or shalwar kameez (tunic and trousers) that their mothers might choose. Young men may decide to grow beards, and wear a skullcap, when their fathers did not.

Many older people in Muslim communities worry that racism and Islamophobia are driving the young to positions their parents define as 'extreme'. This is sometimes true but, often, young people are attempting simply to state a pride in their identity, and their right to express themselves within the context of 'Western' society. In doing so, they often take quite innovative approaches to their faith by combining apparent conformity in clothing with a deep questioning of dominant visions of Islam and Muslim society.

Suicide bombing

The fear of extremism seemed well-founded when, on 11 September 2001, a group of young Muslims flew hijacked aircraft into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, killing thousands (including many Muslims).

Their leader, Saudi-born Osama bin Laden, claimed that the acts were those of a 'just war'. Islam was under attack: Iraq was subject to sanctions and bombing raids; American troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia; and the Israelis were attacking Palestinians.

But most Muslim authorities reject bin Laden's view on the grounds that both suicide and murder are wrong, sanctioned neither by the Qur'an nor the Shariah. Many also condemn suicide attacks in Palestine – while (like many non-Muslims) sympathising with people who, as they see it, have been driven by despair to extreme behaviour.