Reformism 116

La tradition réformatrice de l’islam

Le ” choc des civilisations “à l’œuvre paraît-il entre le monde occidental et le monde musulman, et que beaucoup voient se manifester en Irak et dans l’aggravation de la violence en Arabie saoudite, cache en réalité d’autres conflits qui s’avèreront probablement beaucoup plus importants à long terme. L’un de ces conflits divise les musulmans et concerne l […].

Democratic culture and extremist Islam

Are Islam and democracy incompatible? The evolution of a radical Turkish Islamic group in Germany suggests that the pursuit of ‘fundamentalist’ goals can itself create the space for a rational appraisal of tradition. By seeking truth in origin and scripture rather than history, successive generations of Islamists may be drawn – even despite themselves – t […].

Expectations from the Muslim Woman

Prior to beginning my lecture, I would like to propose some practical suggestions. Speaking about women’s rights, women’s personality and Islam’s view of women differs a great deal from the realization of the actual value which Islam gives to human beings, and to women, in particular. Most often we are satisfied by pointing out that Islam gives great value […].

Human and Islam

Ladies and Gentlemen: Tonight, as long as time permits, I would like to investigate the following questions: I. Does Islam recognize man as a helpless creature whose ultimate goal and ideal is to stand powerless in front of God? II. Does Islam recognize humanness as a nobility? III. Is helpiessness in man a pre-requisite of belief in Islam, or on the c […].

Where Shall We Begin?

Ali Shariati (1933-1977) has been called the “Ideologue of the Iranian Revolution.” His reinterpretation of Islam in modern sociological categories prepared the way for the Islamic revival that shook Iran in 1979, attracting many young Muslims who had been alienated both from the traditional clergy and from Western culture. Shariati was born in Mazinan, […].

A Clash of Cultures or a Debate on Europe’s Values?

The murder of Theo van Gogh in the Netherlands (2 November 2004) represents a recent example of how westernized Muslims and converts have been implicated in acts associated with Islamic radicalism in Europe. Despite widespread interpretations that Islamic radicalization represents the failure of the multiculturalists approach vis-à-vis Muslim immigrants, r […].

The Adab of Dissent and Dialogue

Professor Khalid Masud is perhaps one of the most universally-acclaimed Islamic scholars of Pakistan. Himself a product of both traditional madrasa and modern university education, he has researched and written extensively about the development of Islamic law and Muslim political-legal thought. As the former Academic Director of the International Institute […].

Islam, Society, Modernity

During the huge public discourse, especially in the aftermath of 11 September 2001, Muslim mind-set toward modernity frequently came into question. A whole theology bas came into being on the question whether Islam and modernity are compatible to each other. Neither the question nor the arguments are new. Similar debates arose in the nineteenth century whe […].

Shari’a et fatwa : Un regard musulman

Les mots shari’a et fatwa reviennent souvent dans les dépêches d’actualité. Rares sont pourtant les lecteurs des grands journaux et les téléspectateurs qui en connaissent réellement la signification. Il paraît donc important d’obtenir à ce sujet quelques éclaircissements. Peu de chercheurs sont aussi compétents pour nous les offrir que le professeur Muha […].

Antiaméricanisme et radicalisme islamique

Suite aux attentats qui endeuillèrent New York, d’innombrables auteurs cherchèrent à dégager les causes profondes de cet antiaméricanisme, à cerner les motivations des auteurs des opérations du 11 septembre et à analyser le discours d’un radicalisme islamique dont les schèmes de pensées et les références religieuses demeuraient incompréhensibles aux popula […].

Faith, Freedom, and Reason

Can there be such a thing as Islamic human rights? Do the commandments set forth in the Koran have eternal validity, or can they be modified according to the demands of reason? Iranian clergyman Mohammad Shabestari has devoted his life to exploring these issues in modern religious and political Islamic thinking. By Roman Seidel Mohammad Mojtahed Shabesta […].

“The Fiction of Life”.

Conversation with Azar Nafisi (1). by Elizabeth Wasserman (2) In 1979, Azar Nafisi returned to her native Iran after a seventeen-year absence. From the moment she stepped off the plane, she found herself in a place that was dark and unfamiliar. The cheerful and cosmopolitan Tehran airport that she remembered from her youth, with its terraced restaurant […].

Intellectual Autobiography.

Interview with Abdolkarim Soroush. Sadri: I would like to ask you for an account of your intellectual development. I am certainly interested in whether you distinguish any turning points, watersheds, or distinct periods in the evolution of your thought. Soroush: In the name of God the compassionate, the merciful, thank you for giving me this opportunity […].

“Universal form of Islam”.

Interview with Chandra Muzaffar *. This interview took place on Oct. 10, 2001 How has the practice of Islam changed or the influence on Islam changed over the last 20, 30 years in Malaysia ? As in a number of other post-colonial societies, Muslims in Malaysia have become very conscious of their Islamic identity. And they have sought and expressed that […].