The wave of global Islamic terror has led many moderate Muslims to re-evaluate their religion and culture. The results can be varied.
For Zuleyha Keskin, events such as September 11 and the Bali bombings forced her to study Islam properly. As a result, she become stronger in her religious practice and determined to become a better Muslim.
Almost on a daily basis we hear the words Muslim and Islam with negative associations. On top of this, Muslims’ ability to live in a modern society is questioned. A fair amount of discussion about the role of women and criticism about the male dominant image of Muslim communities and cultures puts women right under the spotlight. Attempts at banning the head cover in some countries become the icing on the cake.
Such intense focus on Muslims means that Muslims have had to re-evaluate their knowledge about their religion and what they actually believed and practised. I have had many questions about what Islam teaches with regards to terrorism, women’s rights, education and jihad. This has encouraged me to go directly to the sources and study my religion properly. As a result, today I am a better Muslim knowing and consciously practising my religion. This pattern can be seen with many Muslims in Australia.
In contrast, Nonie Darwish felt alienated from Islam and ended up becoming a Christian.
I feel alienated from a religion that has sponsored over 30 years of terrorism, and from the flagrant and arrogant Moslem/Arab support of it. My criticism is not directed at the Koran itself, but at the current Moslem culture and community that has handed over control of Arab society to the most extreme, fanatical Wahabi Islamic sect. Many religions chose to mature out of their intolerant, medieval form. It is now Islamís turn to seek reformation if they truly care to save their religionís reputation around the World and to save the world from a major military confrontation. Reasonable Moslems should stand up and be concerned and realize that people who criticize the current culture of Islam are not the threat to Islam; rather, the silence over and justification of 9/11 by Moslems is Islamís true enemy.
I believe that the Arab/Moslem world has lost its moral equilibrium and has a long road for reformation. Their paranoia and obsession with Israel as the bogeyman in the neighborhood is becoming increasingly unbelievable, and after the cheering crowds on 9/11 their cause is no longer credible.
Both articles are worthwhile reads.
