Understanding Islam

1) What are the main points of contention regarding the strained relationship between the Christian West and Muslim world? 

Christianity and Islam are the largest religions in the world, with more than one billion adherents for Islam and two billion for Christianity. The strained relationship between the Christian west and the Muslim world is primarily due to misinterpreting each other’s religion.

Besides that, we have this idea of how Muslims are seen as extremists and violence-seekers in the Christian West. The Christian west also say how Muslims have not done enough to oppose terrorism and violence. Also because it is contended that Islam’s emphasis on a strong relationship between religion and state opposes the views of the Christian west where they consider secularism and pluralism.

The opposing ideas between the Christian West and the Muslim world were given throughout the article. Initially they mentioned how wearing the “niqab” (veil) brought up controversy, where the westerners thought the veil seemed inappropriate and affected teaching. This brought attention from Leader of the House of Commons and the Chairperson of Lancashire council of mosques.

Points like the one mentioned above show disagreement between the Christian West and the Muslim World.

2) Does Islam encourage violence? Explain. 

“In regards to the statistical data by CBS polls in 2006, 46% of Americans view Islam as a violence-encouraging religion among its adherents. Non-muslim public officials, commentators and experts say Muslims have not done enough to speak out against terrorism committed in the name of their religion.” Critics have also said

“Mainstream Muslims insist Islam is a peaceful religion and that terrorist organizations distort its tenets and teachings in justifying attacks against the West or other Muslims. But Islamic doctrine and history sometimes seem to justify the use of violence in propagating or defending the faith.”

From this what I understand is that both types of Muslims believe Islam is not a religion that encourages violence, they say that it is a peaceful religion whose attacks are done only to defend the faith of their religion. The term “Jihad” is also repeatedly mentioned in the Quran, which means, “to strive” or “make an effort”. Now the extremists and rest of the Muslims interpret this term itself differently. Where the Muslim Scholars view it as a personal and spiritual thing the other view this as a self-defense or protection of their religion and faith.

 Taking all these into consideration we can say that it is very subjective, violence being associated with Islam is generalized, when a certain group practices violence to defend their religion Islam as a whole is seen as a religion that encourages violence. So according to this I personally do not feel Islam encourages violence.

3) Is Islam Compatible with secular, pluralistic societies? 

According to what is mentioned in the article in page 9, a pluralistic and intolerant interpretation of Islam can be found. The Islamic Law named “Sharia” prohibits the modern laws/western laws to be integrated in the Islamic societies. Hence this law is also criticized by the western Societies. So even nations and Islamic societies that are liberal are forced to follow this law and are compelled to prevent modern forms of humanity such as women’s rights.

Although Islam and some Islamic states have tried their best to compromise, their attempts have been criticized by the west.

4) Does Islam need a "Reformation?" Explain.

The westerners believe that Islam religion needs a reformation. In terms of gender equality, clothing and the pluralistic ways of life. Since violence is created in the modern societies by the extremists, non-Muslims or non-believers say that Islam needs to reform its way of thinking and its ideas. But a religion cannot be reformed whatsoever, what they need is instead “progressive” thinking and Islam or the Muslims have since then tried to minimize the tension and their not so realistic laws by giving a more reasonable interpretation.

On the other hand the Western Society should also be equally willing to understand Islam’s cultural beliefs in an unbiased manner and compromise with the Islamic Laws. Both the Christian west and the Muslim world should try to maintain a harmonious relationship by stopping each others extreme beliefs and bias.