A liberal Indian Muslim commentator, Mr Javed Anand, writing in the Indian Express(May 4), in the aftermath of the US special forces' meticulously planned assault on Osama bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan's military town Abbottabad, gunning down the terrorist mastermind, seems highly optimistic about his faith in the post-Osama era. One would be happy to share Mr Anand's optimism if there were overwhelming signs of the decline and defeat of Islamic bigotry and radicalism. However, when one looks around, not only in South Asia but also in West Asia, Britain, France, etc., supporters of Wahabism, Salafism, other sectarian schools, Sharia law, seem on the rise.
In the first report on the spread of Islamic radicalism in the British campuses, an all-party Parliamentary Group urged the govt. to "act fast and tough" as "such extremism endangers our security at home..." The British media also carried Wikileaks documents, revealing that "at least 35 terrorists held at Gauntanamo Bay were indocrinated by extremists in UK". At home, we have the example of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board leaders complaining against the govt and the judiciary allegedly acting contrary to the Sharia. They tend to forget that they are citizens of a democracy and not an Islamic republic governed by Sharia; here, the Indian Constitution and the Indian Penal Code are supreme.
Mr Javed Anand is right when he talks of democracy prevailing in a few Arab countries recently, namely, Tunisia and Egypt. Even there the situation is still not absolutely reassuring. One wishes them good luck; even to the peoples of Libya, Syria, Yemen, etc. But, unfortunately, the basic problem is that as long as the Holy Book contains violent and intolerant references to "disbelievers"(infidels), who are destined to burn in hell-fire, the radical Islam can hardly change to a soft, tolerant and modern faith. Listen to supposedly highly educated medical doctor-turned TV evangelist, Dr Zakir Naik. He pours scorn on non-momins, although indirectly. His disapproval of mixed marriages, between Muslims and non-Muslims is so bizarre that I still can't forget the similies he used to ridicule them. Calling them unIslamic, he said that while the momin partner will go to heaven after death, the non-momin will suffer in hell.
As I said in my opening paragraph, I would be immensely delighted if Islam turns a modern page, emerging from its 7th century mindset.
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