Islam and Identity Crises

Islam, at the moment, is going through a difficult time because it suffers from internal identity crises. It is, like any other religion in the world, divided into denominations and schools of thought. After more than fourteen centuries of history, Islam goes into what I call ‘religious puberty’. This period carries with it all the turmoil of moving from childhood to enter the age of maturity. Christianity passed through the same period of religious puberty in the Middle Ages and had its share of dilemmas and identity crises for centuries. Today, however, the situation is different because war is not anymore horses, swords, spears and castles. In war today, individual people and entire counties use the most sophisticated and complicated technology ever known to humanity. Such technology controls weapons of mass destruction - even the ability to destroy the entire planet, or at least the human race.

In this situation humanity cannot afford waiting for centuries to see how Islam would emerge from this critical period in its history. It might be too late. I hope I am not painting too dark a picture of our situation. The solution to the identity crises in Islam does not come from the American style of war against terrorism or the American style of democracy imposed on the countries of the Middle East. The American and the British invasion of Iraq has not helped the region to move on to a more peaceful time. On the contrary, it inflamed the whole area and proved to be an ignorant, foolish and childish decision taken by superpowers. The bloodshed, poverty, health crises, hunger and many other problems have increased and the country has entered into a maelstrom of violence and death. The only solution is education, dialogue and listening. Before we try to impose a certain way of resolving political conflicts on any part in the world, we need to understand the cultural – including language, art, philosophy, history and religion.

Islam is an evolving religion. It is searching for its proper foundation so that it can build its existence alongside other religions in the world without trying to eliminate them or exist in continuous hostility and conflict with them. It has to face the most problematic issue – which is the relationship between state and religion. The West has an important role to play, not by military and cultural invasion, but rather by listening, understanding and respecting the context of every country.