Society and Culture

Questioning Islam

Muslims the world over seem to have a short fuse. If it isn’t cartoons or Vande Mataram, the Pope offends them.

While each of these cases are very different in origin, the outcome has been similar. The Danish newspaper retracted the cartoons and issued an apology. Even European governments lined up to apologize. In India, the Central Government retracted its directive making Vande Mataram compulsory. And in this latest controversy, the Pope has said he regrets the offense caused.

The merits of each case are irrelevant. What is relevant is the ability of the Muslim community to change the course of entire governments, and the willingness of the world to let that happen. Compare that with the weak protests of Hindus, when their sacred hymns formed the background music for an orgy in Eyes Wide Shut.

Before I am criticized for holding an “us vs. them” worldview, of clubbing all Muslims into one group, or of endorsing the “clash of civilizations“, let me clarify that nothing could be further from the truth. I believe that ‘hindu fundamentalism’ is an oxymoron. And in heterodox India, we are all minorities. It seems, however, that Muslims themselves believe in the “clash of civilizations”, and that makes it a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There’s a lesson for the rest of us here. ‘Islamic political correctness‘ should not prevent us from asking tough questions. Yet, that is exactly what happens everytime Muslims are ‘offended’. The Pope’s approach, then, is a welcome change:

Eschewing the comforting banalities of his predecessor, Benedict XVI has acknowledged that real dialogue, as opposed to bavardage, begins not by kissing the Koran, but reading it.

I do not know enough of Islam to talk authoritatively of its underlying values. I also understand that the street protesters may not hold the same views as those that stay home, and welcome input from Muslims that feel they know their faith.

But these examples suggest Muslims will not engage in nor tolerate discussion of their faith – not with others, not amongst themselves. And yet they must for that uncompromising nature is a threat not only to other ‘philosophies’, but to moderate Islam itself. Muslims may have been offended by the Pope, but they must not avoid, and should not be allowed to avoid, the crucial question. Was the Pope right?