22 Jun 2009 - A Gentler Islam?

Would a successful Iranian revolution turn the Islam in a gentler, less orthodox, religion? All prerequisites for a revolution to succeed (critical mass, some independent media, money, a rigged election, a divided ruling elite and a sense of revolutionary momentum et cetera) are now present in Iran, according to Gideon Rachman, the chief foreign affairs commentator of The Financial Times .

Since the revolution of 1979 Islamic orthodoxy has been on the rise, not only in Iran but in other countries in the Middle East (e.g. Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Morocco) and within the Muslim community in Europe as well. Both the reformists and the conservatives in Iran today seek Islam’s banner, using religious slogans (“allahu akbar”) and symbolism. Both sides proclaim to be pursuing the ideal of the just Islamic state. But the reformists are fed up with current theocratic, authoritarian rule and want freedom.

If the 2009 revolution were to succeed, will we see more or less burqa’s in the streets of Paris (provided that President Sarkozy does not ban the religious garb from French soil beforehand)?

Posted on 22/06/09 at 23:21 under International, Politics, Religion.

2 comments on “A Gentler Islam?”

Sarah

Pretty nice post. I just came across your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked browsing your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!

comment posted on 23/06/09 22:12

Farahnaz

I love this post. I’m an Iranian 18-year old girl who lives in Holland. I’ve watched you in some shows here in the Netherlands and I’ve liked you so much, you’re so elegant yet strong, just the way I like women to be. You are a woman to admire and look up to. As a VWO-scholar, I want to study International Bussines Administration and become a ‘carriere tijger’ as the Dutch say it and get to travel all around the world.
And now on-topic haha. As an Iranian muslim I couldn’t agree more that when the regime falls the world will finally get a breath of fresh air and know much more peace, knowing that Iran is the financial provider of many troublemakers, terrorists and bad governments, including Iran itself.
I do must note that a gentler Islam isn’t possible. For Islam is allready extremely gentle and peaceful, it TRULY is because of anti-islamic and anti-humanitarian governments as in Iran (who appear themselves as the opposite ofcourse..) that cause so much misery in the world by take advantage of the power of that religion. I just really hope that the revolution comes fast for everyday that Iran keeps on being that shameful country that lets it’s own people down and kills it’s most enlightend people, is a day too much.

You just keep on doing what you do best, I wish you much joy in your work and maybe someday we’ll meet each other in New York!

(het spijt me trouwens voor mijn slechte Engels :P )

comment posted on 13/01/10 17:06

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