Article review on Islam and its Challenges in the Modern World by I.

Bruce Watson
The article talks on the challenges that Islam is facing in a very controversial manner
whereby the author, being a non-Muslim, criticizes the Muslim society. Some of the issues
highlighted in this article include the geographical, economical, welfare, political and intellectual
development aspect. At the same time, the author also mentions a few suggestions on how to
overcome the issue at hand.

Firstly, the author emphasizes on the role of Saudi Arabia as the religious center known as
the heartland of Islam whereas the intellectual center is located in Cairo. According to him, the
relative power of difference centers will increase the tension between the Muslim societies. This
statement is clearly irrelevant as this matter is insignificant. In Islam, the pilgrimage is an obligatory
act that has been divinely obligated to all Muslims. Instead of creating tension between Muslim, the
pilgrimage functions as a medium to unite the diverse cultures and races of the Muslim population
from all walks of life.

Secondly, Watson believes that Muslim does not live according to the principles and ideals
of Islam. He cynically condemns how injustice spreads especially in the wealthy, oil-producing
Muslim countries. In this sense, we can agree with the author as it is true that corruption is
occurring in those countries whereby the sharia of Islam is not upheld. Besides, it is also claimed
that Muslim countries are slow in investment development due to Islam rejecting the 'interest'
system. This is untrue as Islam teaches that interest (riba') is a form of oppression whereby in the
long run, the rich will become richer and the poor will become poorer.

Moreover, Watson also stresses the failure of Muslim's education system is due to their
rejection in secularism. He also stated that Muslims needed to be more open-minded and realize that
the Muslim ideology is backward. Regarding this matter, Watson proposes the Muslims should re-

interpret the principles of Islam and improve the system of 'ijtihad' so that it suits the modern era.
His stance on this matter is arguable as he does not completely comprehend the concept of
knowledge in Islam. He claims that due to the conservative element of Islam, Muslims are unable to
develop intellectually. This could be a result of our own negligence in not carrying out our duties as
Muslims in implementing the true Islamic educational system.

In addition, Watson doubts the Islamic civilization can achieve modernity without
westernization since it has been proven that westernization is among the developed civilization.
Despite this, Islam can actually develop without such influence if we practice the true values of
Islam like what has been practiced by the past Islamic empires. Besides, the Western modernization
is based on the findings by the Muslim scholars from the past Islamic empires such as Ibnu Sina, alFarabi and al-Biruni.

The author questions the capability of Islam in uniting the society within the state as the
wealth distribution in non-secular Muslim countries are not equal and just whereas the welfare of
the secular Muslim countries such as Egypt and Turkey are slightly better. He claims that this is due
to their acceptance of Western ideology. His claims are factually true and cannot be argued with but
this is not because of the rejection of secularism. Instead, the blame should be pointed to the
authorities of the Muslim state who fail to manage the wealth according to Islam. For instance,
Islam already guides us the right way to distribute the wealth in order to establish a united society
that is harmonious and balanced such as the zakat system.

Furthermore, the article points out that Islam is unjust in the treatment toward the nonMuslims as the ideology of Islam does not accept an equal pluralist society. There is an accusation
that Islam denies the rights for the non-Muslims to acquire citizenship in the Muslim countries. All
these claims are proved to be biased because the author only addresses the situations that occurs in

certain countries that do not apply the correct principles of Islam. It is even mentioned in the Qur'an
that everyone should be treated the same with just, and Muslims are enjoined to treat non-Muslims
in the best manner. In chapter 60, verse 8, Allah states 'God does not forbid you from those who do
not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from dealing kindly and
justly with them. Indeed God loves those who act justly.'

In conclusion, a lot of the issues mentioned in the article should make us aware of the
current situation where Islam is not being upheld by the Muslims themselves. There are many issues
that occurs due to the Muslims' ignorance in understanding and practicing the true teachings of
Islam. On the other hand, the author has a misleading interpretation regarding Islam itself whereby
in the article he questions the core elements in Islam. Thus, his judgments cannot be accepted unless
he thoroughly learns the true concept of Islam. Therefore, throughout the article, we can summarize
that there are a lot of challenges faced by the Muslim community and that the Muslims need to be
aware of these issues so that the Islamic civilization can once more rise in the eyes of the world.