John Esposito, one of America’s leading authorities on Islam, recently published a book titled “The Future of Islam,” which offers an informative and balanced account much needed in a world obsessed with “Islamophobia.” The book is clearly written for anyone searching for correct information about Islam and who is interested in the major issues facing it.
“I want to tell the story about how we got to where we are and what we need to understand and do to create what US President Barack Obama calls ‘a new way forward,’” writes Esposito in “The Future of Islam.” He believes that it is both a domestic imperative and a foreign policy priority for Americans and Europeans to understand Islam and Muslims.
Esposito is well known in Saudi Arabia. He is a Professor of Religion and International Affairs at Georgetown University and the Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. Esposito is also the author of over 35 books and the Editor in Chief of “The Oxford Encyclopedia of Modern Islam” and “The Oxford History of Islam.”
In “The Future of Islam,” Esposito recalls that his work on Islam began at a time when Islam was “relatively invisible” in the West. His professional career follows the dramatic changes, which took place in just a few decades, and how Islam’s growing influence on international relations and foreign policy divided public opinion into two groups. He explains how one group believes that all Muslim activists are a threat while the other, which includes Esposito, acknowledges the existence of moderate or nonviolent activists and a minority of dangerous extremists.
Many people believe that Muslims condone religious extremism, and Esposito blames the Western Press for that since it fails to report on major statements made by Muslims condemning terrorism. An example of that was when well-known columnist, Thomas Friedman, accused Muslim leaders of failing to release a “fatwa” (Islamic religious ruling) condemning Osama Bin Laden in 2009. Friedman had probably forgotten that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had revoked Bin Laden’s citizenship in 1994 and proceeded to freeze his assets. He also ignored the condemnation published in 2001 that was signed by some of the world’s most eminent Muslim leaders such as: Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah Al-Asheikh (Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia), Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai of Pakistan, King Abdallah of Jordan and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Esposito acknowledges that “one of the clearest denunciations of terrorism” appeared in the Arab News Editorial, “The Enemy Within,” on May 14, 2003 after bombings targeted Americans in Saudi Arabia:
“Words are inadequate to express the shock, the revulsion, the outrage at the suicide bombings in Riyadh… The cult of suicide bombings has to stop. So too has the chattering, malicious and vindictive hate propaganda. It has provided a fertile ground for ignorance and hatred to grow… anti-Americanism and anti-Westernism for their own sake are crude, ignorant and destructive. They create hate. They must end. Otherwise there will be more barbarities.”
Despite, the numerous statements condemning terrorists, the general public continues to believe that Muslims accept terrorism. As a result, Muslims in the West have to face discrimination and a growing hostility. A Gallup Poll conducted in 2006 showed that nearly one quarter of Americans do not like to have a Muslim as a neighbor. As a result, Western Muslims are forced to live under constant suspicion in an unfriendly atmosphere. They also have to rethink their identities and face the challenges of practicing their faith in the Western world.
Esposito compares “Islamophobia” to a social cancer as unacceptable as anti-Semitism and a threat to the very fabric of a democratic pluralistic way of life. He exhorts political, religious leaders, experts and the media to “lead in building and safeguarding our cherished values.” He adds: “Our next step is to recognize that the children of Abraham are part of a rich Judeo-Christian-Islamic history and tradition.”
The most interesting chapter focuses on the Muslim reformers, religious leaders, intellectuals and activists who discuss the role of Islam in contemporary society and how Islamic values apply to issues such as: secularism, gender equality, human rights and democracy.
Esposito frequently quotes Tariq Ramadan who has been named one of “Time’s 100 Most Important Innovators” for the 21st century. The Swiss-born grandson of Hassan Al-Banna, wrote “Western Muslims and The Future of Islam,” which triggered unprecedented attention. Ramadan stresses the importance of Muslims in the West building a critical mind and coming up with new answers. “To remain Muslim in the West is a test of faith, of conscience and of intelligence, but the only way to deal with it is to stand up and get involved,” says Ramadan.
The approach Ramadan proposes is anchored in Islamic tradition. “Western Muslims living in new societies must go back to the beginning and distinguish what in their religion is unchangeable from what is subject to change, and to measure from the inside what they have achieved and what they have lost by being in the West,” he explains.
Ramadan believes that Muslims should be allowed to develop their own European Muslim identity and culture — just as other faiths did before them — but should still accept the constitution and the laws of the European country they live in.
Ramadan and others acknowledge two prerequisites: Muslims must embrace their European identity, and European governments must ease Muslim’s integration by accommodating and institutionalizing their religious needs.
John Esposito also mentions Egyptian-born, Amr Khaled, a charismatic television preacher who was named “One of the Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine. Khaled’s unprecedented success is due to the fact that he is the first Muslim tele-evangelist in the Arab world who is credited with transforming a generation of lost Muslim youth. Khaled possesses an uncanny ability to relate Islam to everyday life and this has contributed to the mega success of his television programs. As a matter of fact, Khaled’s web site gets more hits than Oprah Winfrey’s.
Khaled targets upper middle class Muslims in the Arab world and Arab immigrants living in the West because he believes they are most likely to change the Islamic world for the better. He criticizes Arabs for living as parasites, having gotten used to receiving without ever giving and leads people to focus on what they can change like their attitude, behavior and character.
He states that young people must be proactive and break the four chains that hold them back such as: passiveness, lack of purpose in life, lack of seriousness and ignorance. In other words, he encourages young people to do good deeds, putting the emphasis on faith and pride and most of all, a positive attitude towards life.
“The Future of Islam” highlights the Muslim personalities engaged in debates that are setting the agendas for Islam in the 21st century. Well-researched and devoid of academic verbiage, “The Future of Islam” conveys a message of hope as it proves that a better future for Islam and the West is possible.
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