Using Sword to Westernize Muslims

Using Sword to Westernize Muslims
By abid Mustafa

Whenever western governments mention weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and
Muslims in the same breath, the western media immediately breaks into wild
frenzy warning its people that a catastrophic event of epic proportions is
about to unfold. Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword
are reinvented to convey the impression that Muslims are extremely
dangerous, highly irresponsible and pay scant regard to human life. Hence
the mantra of disarming Muslim countries of WMD has become the rallying cry
of the West directed against the Muslim world.

In some cases the arguments are extended to justify the West's ongoing
policy of regime change in Syria, Iran and perhaps Pakistan. However, a
close study of Islamic rule in the past contradicts the popular western myth
that Muslims are bloodthirsty people anxious to wipe out the rest of mankind
in the name of Islam.

The same however, cannot be said about the West. The West, armed with its
secular doctrine and materialistic world-view proceeded to exploit, plunder
and colonise vast populations in order to control resources and maximise
wealth.

In pursuit of these newfound riches the West succeeded in destroying
civilisations such as the Incas, American Indians, Aztecs, and Aborigines.

Those who survived colonisation were forcibly converted to Christianity,
stripped of their heritage and sold into bondage to western companies. For
the indigenous people of Africa, India, Asia, Middle East and others, the
promises of freedom quickly evaporated and were replaced by colonial rule.

Rather than show remorse towards such atrocities, the West could only gloat
at its achievements.

Technologies such as cannons, pistols, steam engines, machine guns,
aeroplanes, mustard gas. etc, only hastened the acquisition of colonies and
the exploitation of its people. Resistance offered by the natives towards
their colonial masters was met by brute force - often resulting in the
destruction of entire communities. When the West was not destroying the
natives they were too busy annihilating each other in a desperate bid to
cling on to their precious colonies. World Wars I and II are prime examples
of the destructive nature of western values.

This is a description of the Old World, where countries like England,
France, and Germany built empires and accumulated immense wealth on the
death and destruction of millions of innocent people. Is the New World
(America leading the West) any different today?

Take the example of the New World and its relationship with Afghanistan and
Iraq. Liberation has become occupation; democracy has given way to colonial
rule, devastation is termed as precision bombing and the slaughter of
innocent Muslims is described as collateral damage. Meanwhile, American and
British oil companies are queuing up to exploit the oil wells of Iraq and
transport the energy reserves of the Caspian Sea to Europe via Afghanistan.

The Islamic Caliphate in the past never treated mankind in such a barbaric
fashion. Neither did the Caliphate spread Islam by force, nor destroy
civilisations. When Islam spread to Egypt, many Coptic Christians did not
embrace Islam, and today they still number approximately 7 million.

Likewise, when India was opened up to Islam, the inhabitants were not
coerced into accepting Islam. India today has a population of more than 750
million Hindus.

Compare this to extermination of Muslim and Jews in the courts of the
Spanish Inquisitors during the much-coveted European renaissance. Those Jews
that survived the Spanish holocaust, were warmly welcomed by the Ottoman
Caliphate. In Islamic Spain they flourished and became important members of
the Islamic society.

Today the world has more to fear from the destructive nature of western
values than WMD in the hands of Muslims. In the past these values were
enforced upon nations either through direct colonial rule or through
tyrannical regimes loyal to the West. Presently, the greatest danger-facing
mankind is the constant threat of the West imposing its values on the rest
of the world through its own WMD.

Abid Mustafa is a political analyst who specialises in Muslim affairs

http://icssa.org/westernizing_muslims.html





.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Using the sword to westernize Muslims
    ... >>> values than WMD in the hands of Muslims. ... Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the ... >>> destruction of entire communities. ... >>> cling on to their precious colonies. ...
    (soc.culture.pakistan)
  • Re: Using Sword to Westernize Muslims
    ... > Using Sword to Westernize Muslims ... Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the ... > destruction of entire communities. ... > cling on to their precious colonies. ...
    (soc.culture.pakistan)
  • Using Sword to Westernize Muslims
    ... Using Sword to Westernize Muslims ... Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword ... destruction of entire communities. ... cling on to their precious colonies. ...
    (soc.culture.pakistan)
  • Using Sword to Westernize Muslims
    ... Using Sword to Westernize Muslims ... Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword ... destruction of entire communities. ... cling on to their precious colonies. ...
    (soc.culture.iranian)
  • Using Sword to Westernize Muslims
    ... Using Sword to Westernize Muslims ... Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword ... destruction of entire communities. ... cling on to their precious colonies. ...
    (soc.culture.pakistan)