answer to our problems

"The truth is that all Islamists, violent or not, lack answers to the problems of the modern world. They do not have a world view that can satisfy the aspirations of modern men and women. We (USA) do. That's the most powerful weapon of all. "
Extracted from "Learning to Live with Radical Islam" by Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek, March 9, 2009 edition.

The part about lacking answers to the problems of the modern world, is sadly true. But not because Islam does not have the answers, but Muslims, do not want to find see the answers. The answers are clear. Muslims, especially the ustazs and the imams and the Muslim leaders, need to look at themselves and the community they are leading. Are they moving with time? Which by the way, is exactly the topic of discussion, in the talk by Professor Abdulaziz Sachedina (from University of Virginia). The issues of Muslim Ethics in the Modern World.

It is scary to think that the US thinks, they have the answers for Muslims on how to live in the modern world. I don't know in what specific area they think they have answers.. but generally, that is a scary view. Because I'm sure, they need to find THEIR OWN ANSWERS too. Most of their people, known to us, are either greedy, selfish, living in their own world, drunkard, perverts or some or all of the above. Are these the people whom we want to get our answers from??

No doubt, there are good things coming out from the US, I will not deny that. Things like their determination in pursuing what they believe in, their advancements in technology and scientific studies, their interests in writing and reading books, their keen ability to analyse things - that they can even produce a whole book about eating burgers. (Someone suggested that I write a book about the slow service and long queue at Popeye's). These, or most of these are good things we can follow and probably get answers.

However, in the area of running a country, reducing crime rates, providing education, promoting intellectuals, finding happiness.. we can find the answers in our own religion. We can find the examples of a good leader in many of our Islamic history, we can reduce crime rates and ameliorate social issues by following the Syaria law, compassionately and intelligently, education is one of the important tenets in Islam that is an order. Another area of expertise that I have not even heard of, existing in any other religion - is the study of authenticity.

Islam is very much capable of solving issues of the modern world, it's only the Muslims, who are not very capable yet and have to look deeper into themselves and learn to tackle them.

This entry, is my thought, and my prayer - that Islam can succeed, just with Muslims being good Muslims. Ameen. ALL the time, it's not Islam that fails us, it's the Muslims that have failed Islam and in turn failed ourselves.

But what can I say, I guess the problem lies all around.. not only in the Muslim world. Like Abu Hayan al-Tauhidi (d. after 1009 CE), a medieval humanist said, "Man has become a problem for man."

And I say, "Man's ONLY problem IS man."

May we be guided to become better Muslims, and be able to make this world a better place, no matter how little. Ameen.