Islamic World: Contemporary Problems 1
Islamic World: Contemporary Problems
Islam in Islamic states is facing unprecedented challenges in contemporary world. The long-standing issue of integration into a global, accommodating (vis-à-vis confrontational) worldview still overarches main arguments (un)covering contemporary problems of Islamic World, notably problems of non-Muslim other, international cooperation, individual freedoms and women rights.
The case for non-Muslim other is essentially pressing given recent political and social upheavals in Middle East region in which Islam was revealed, sources of Salafism is rooted and scholarship is sought in millennial institutions such as Al-Azhar University. The Islamic World is, in fact, experiencing a phase of questioning "passed-down" traditions, customs and conventions of ancestors in light of an increasing global pace of broadening integration and acceptance of all others.
International cooperation, interestingly, stands out as one main contemporary problem in Islamic World. This is most conspicuous in issues of terrorism, cross-border crime, non-Muslim expatriates in Islamic states and economic sanctions on "hard line" Islamic states (e.g. Taliban in Afghanistan and Ayataollahs in Iran).
As well, an individual-freedom problem flows from an overarching argument on integration into a global, accommodating worldview. Unsurprisingly, a myriad of questions on individual freedoms arise against a background of political and social upheavals and given very broad youth populations in Islamic World. The question on individual freedoms acquires a greater sense of urgency as contemporary world organizations and world community further emphasize personal freedoms in a more digital space. For example, issues of faith, morality and ethics in a secure, private
Islamic World: Contemporary Problems 2
Finally, under a broad banner of contemporary Islamic problems women rights stand out as a highly controversial issue. Women in Islamic states face steep challenges in a contemporary world now opening up for more gender equality at home and workplace. No less challenging is women's appearance and clothing, particularly in public. Hijab is, of course, one outstanding problem whose implications far surpasses literal covering of women's hair and necks to controlling women as properties of men.
