Why Does Islam Need A Renaissance Urgently?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 November 2022 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Until Muslims, Esp. Those Who Have A Semblance Of Reason And Logic, Introspect And Stop Thinking That They're Allah's Chosen People, This Religion Will Continue To Languish In The Dungeon Of Ignorance And Obscurantism ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I concur with Mr Ghulam Mohiyuddin that Islam does need a renaissance urgently. The problem with this desert faith is that it deserted logic and modernism right from its inception and the scenario is still unchanged. One glaring example is Qatar's ongoing charade of (predominantly) offering Islam along with the FIFA World Cup! That a universal sporting event like the Soccer World Cup is being turned into a saga of Pan-Islamisation is simply unthinkable and ridiculous to boot. A universal pariah like Zakir Naik is being invited to preach Islam! Multilingual Islamic scholars have been appointed to dispel the doubts of people and sports lovers regarding Islam as if they're visiting Qatar to know more of Islam and watch less of football! No alcohol (but freely available in heaven!), no love-making or consensual sex between two consenting adults! No rooms to gays! Is the country having a World Cup or holding a month-long rigorous International Seminar on Islam? Philosopher Rousseau and writer Miguel de Cervantes believed that European society (during the Renaissance), must talk less about religion and god and much more about reason and universality. Mind you, both were believers but not regular church-goers. Both believed along with other Renaissance writers and philosophers that god, church and Bible must be shelved for the time being and the focus should only be on free thinking that was free of religious elements and inanities. But look at the Islamic society! A country is preaching Islam along with organizing world's biggest sporting carnival. Afghanistan's Talibanis are openly flogging and stoning couples for adultery, limbs are being amputated and eyes are getting gouged out! All in the name of a peaceful 'civilized' faith called Islam. My foot! Not to be left behind, India's Maulana Tauqeer Raza wants to stone half-buried Aftab to death! This is extreme sadistic voyeurism expected only of Muslims, weaned on blood-curdling violence and indoctrinated with an overdose of vengeance. No refinement and finesse in spirit and behaviour have taken place in Islam and it has remained a Rip Van Winkle in its history of a little over 1400 years. When its 'educated' followers still fuss over and debate that whatever useless is written in the Quran is the divine truth and no change is allowed, how can their faith keep pace with the evolving times? Readers are aware that evangelization activities were at their lowest ebb during the Renaissance. And here, even a whole country is involved in spreading the message of Islam! Until Muslims, esp. those who have a semblance of reason and logic, introspect and stop thinking that they're Allah's chosen people, this religion will continue to languish in the dungeon of ignorance and obscurantism. Time to wake up and face the truth. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/renaissance-islamic-society/d/128495 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism