The 17th century has been said to be the darkest century for the Muslim world, since it was during this century the majority of Muslim kingdoms were conquered by the colonial powers. The Industrial Revolution and the new scientific inventions gave the Muslims an inferiority complex. The growth of knowledge and Science in Europe created a wave which shook Muslim superstition and obscurantism like so many dead leaves. After the massive defeat of Islam in the 13th century there was some rethinking which was now taken up again in India. The establishment of the Mughal Empire and the institution of the caliphate in Turkey brought some solace and regenerated self-confidence among the Muslims, but this time no such miracle happened.
Due to their failure to adopt the modem weapons of warfare or maybe because of the weakening of their Islamic fervour the Muslim society had to suffer a downfall. There was an intense debate on what the real reason was. Of course it was not possible to return to the 6th century Arabia, so they started insisting on educating themselves and adopting modern technology. But only a minuscule minority opted for this change. As a result their faith in feudalism persisted. Nor did they welcome the advent of democracy. Hence the spirit of democracy did not permeate even the newly independent Muslim countries. They remained light-years away from liberalism. It is for this reason that the Muslim society has not yet been able to salvage itself from autocracy and terrorism.
The influence of this 17th century
mindset overshadowed the Islamic world till oil was struck in Arabia. Oil
brought them affluence but being technologically undeveloped they found
themselves in the stranglehold of the advanced Christian countries. Because
of the various defence treaties they did feel secure but eventually they
came to be Pound in economic slavery to Europe and America. Oil is no doubt
the Muslim countries' wealth but the US-inspired OPEC is the de facto overlord
of oil reserves. This is why even a vital item like oil has failed to metamorphose
the medieval Muslim world into modern
states.
Is the 21st century going to be a replay of the 17th? If it does, who is to blame? Muslims or the entire non-Muslim world? Muslim nations are at war with Israel since 1949. Muslims have never accepted the birth of Israel. In fact two major wars were fought on this issue, in 1967 and 1973. In the later war the Arabic countries even used their oil as a weapon. When he became the President of America, Bill Clinton tried to bring about a rapprochement on the basis of the Oslo Agreement. But with the exit of Clinton it is again status quo.
Muslims have always been at loggerheads with Christendom. In Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya America is the direct adversary of the Islamic world. The dormant state-of-war sometimes erupts in the form of bloody strife and at other times it is carried on as a cold war. As President of America Bill Clinton tried to resolve the conflict between the Jews and the Muslims under the Oslo Agreement. But after September 11 the entire Christian world's attitude towards Muslims underwent a sea-change. Osama bin Laden had his terrorists destroy the World Trade Centre. Terrorist attacks on America had long since been mounted by 'the Islamic countries. But September 11 changed it into a very grave matter. Christian countries of Europe and America joined hands and decided to put an end to the Islamic world's terrorism. When the United States started bombarding Afghanistan there was an uproar in the entire Islamic world. But then it -was all impotent rage. Even an extremist state like Pakistan had to tow the American line. Muslims all over the world wonder if the days of the Crusade War are here again. An independent observer, namely, Huntington calls it a "clash of cultures". It portends a bloody war between Muslims and Christians world over.
Muslims have been clashing with Buddhists in Malaysia and the Philippines. The Sinkiang province of China has a large percentage Of Muslims which has given rise to the Chinese apprehension that they too might become a target of Islamic terrorism. Japan has a million Muslims and the country's Government keeps a vigilant eye on the possible growth of Muslim percentage. They have been careful to enact laws so as to pre-empt any mischief by the Muslims. Thus we see that after their conflict with the Jews and the Christians, Muslims are now clashing with Buddhists.
Muslims had the best of relations with Hindus which however soured after Partition. After Independence Pakistan opted to be an Islamic theocracy but India did not declare itself a Hindu state. Being a secular state Muslims in India enjoy full constitutional rights. Muslim fundamentalism however began to spread its tentacles in India. Communal riots became a regular feature. In spite of being a minority they opposed the common civil code. They related every aspect of their life to Islam. In the matter of population control, modem education and national culture they chose to fraternize with the Arab countries. When the Ramjanmabhoomi temple issue came to the fore they showed total disregard for Hindu faith and religious sentiments. The Muslim persistence to impose themselves with aggressive fundamentalism upon the straightforward life-style of the Hindus resulted in the two communities opposing each other like born enemies. The centuries-old amicable relationship came to an end. So like the Christians, Jews and Buddhists, the Hindus too alienated themselves from the Muslims.
It is not of much relevance to us how America, Europe, Israel and the South-East Asian countries overcome the divide. What is imperative for us is to find out ways and means to fill up the growing breach between the two communities. Countless people in India are at present striving to bring them closer. Compared to the Jew and Christian the Hindu is more tolerant and amiable. He intrinsically believes in non-violence and coexistence. Therefore in India this problem can have a solution. Past experience should remind the Muslims of India that no Islamic country in the world is their ally.
Pakistan may shout from the roof-top in support of them but can offer precious little succour. Indian Muslims have to address themselves to their problems- India is not a theocratic state, one can be confident of security and justice in this land. Let the Indian Muslims compare themselves with the Muslims in other countries where they are in a minority. They will soon realise the truth of what I say.
No Muslim in China can have more
than one wife-nor can he have more than one child. Singapore has reclaimed
all burial grounds; all dead bodies are cremated. Japan too has no burial
grounds- all dead bodies have to be cremated in the cemetary. Muslims in
the country number only one million and the Government keeps a close watch
on their growth. When they move out they are required to inform the Government
about their new residential address. In Nepal no Muslim may help in the
conversion of a non-Muslim. Only the Hindu faith can be propagated in that
country. Neither -Tabligh nor the Christian missionary has any role in
Nepal. Meat dressed in the Islamic style is not available in many a country.
In India, however, elaborate arrangements are made to make available halal
meat wherever required. No such facility is provided to non-Muslims in
Muslim countries. In India a Muslim may offer namaz anywhere, including
the President's house or at any public place. But in no Muslim country
offering worship in the Hindu style is permitted at any public place. In
Saudi Arabia no one is allowed to have an idol in his private quarters,
much less offer pooja or recite the scripture. There can be no cremation
of a dead body in a Muslim country. In the Arabic countries no Hindu can
go to work in a dhoti or carrying a kripan on his person. In these countries
no Hindu or Sikh is employed in the Government or the army. In India Muslims
suffer no such discrimination. In the Muslim countries no Hindu can carry
on an independent business nor can he set up a workshop or a factory. He
can engage in such an activity only with a Muslim partner holding 51% share
in the venture. No Hindu religious text can be printed in a Muslim country
nor can one be sold. In India Muslims can lead their religious procession
with a band playing alongwith but Hindus cannot do it in an Islamic country.
In India ide, Moharrum and other Islamic festive days are declared public
holidays, but in the Muslim countries, even if there is a sizable Hindu
population, no Hindu festive day is declared a holiday. The fact is Indian
Muslims enjoy greater religious and social freedom in India than in countries
which profess to be Islamic. Had India desired she could have declared
herself a Hindu Rashtra the day we attained Independence, and put an end
to all the privileges enjoyed by the Muslims. But we did no such thing.
We respected all the faiths and granted full freedom to the followers of
all religions to practice and propagate their faith. Then why are Muslims
always instrumental in engendering strife and tension in India? May be
the Christian, Jew and Buddhist states have imposed some restrictions on
them, but India has granted them more concessions than even the Muslim
countries. That is why this type of a mind-set is a matter for concern
and research. The majority community in India has always tried to win their
confidence by granting the Muslims all kinds of privileges. The Indian
Muslims have however never responded with similar spontaneity and trust.
When the Muslims cross the limit Hindus are naturally provoked. Muslims
needs to change their mindset and find a lasting solution to the problem.