“Individual Muslims may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyzes the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world, far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith."
-Winston Churchill
Introduction:
In an ever-diverse world, the troubling reality of countries suppressing religious freedom and persecuting minorities persists. The Islamist pattern characterizes Muslim-majority nations that utilize state machinery to enforce a rigid interpretation of sharia, Islamic law, governing various aspects of life. This pattern is observed in the Middle East but extends to nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
Economic Conditions:
1. Afghanistan:
Afghanistan has been plagued by economic turmoil, exacerbated by the regressive treatment of women and minorities and ongoing wars that have left the nation's infrastructure in ruins.
2. Yemen:
Yemen's economic prospects are dire, worsened by ongoing conflicts and instability, which have caused immense suffering among the people.
3. Somalia
In the country of Somalia, the lack of a proper government and continuous infighting has given birth to piracy. The country and its surrounding waters are infamous for being the hot bed of pirates who loot commercial ships from across the world. Such is that case, that even the Somali warlords have started sponsoring raids and are continuing the cycle.
Treatment of Women:
1. Afghanistan:
Under the rule of the Taliban, women's rights have been severely restricted, with many enduring oppressive conditions, including limited or no access to education and the professional workforce.
3. Saudi Arabia:
The status of women in Saudi Arabia is marked by significant legal and practical discrimination. Women are mandated to wear the abaya in public, and their personal agency is subject to the approval of a male guardian, affecting their ability to travel independently or open a bank account.
Saudi Arabia along with other rich middle eastern countries truly deserve to be called an ‘Oasis’ with the way they fool the world. They have followed the Western route of economic development in order to ensure a rich upper class, created iconic buildings and what not but their citizens don’t have even the most basic rights.
Minorities:
1. Iran:
Iran's ethnic and religious minorities, such as Kurds and Baha'is, face discrimination and persecution. Ethnic minorities like Kurds have been engaged in a long-standing struggle for autonomy, while Baha'is are not recognized by the Iranian government and face systematic persecution.
2. Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Sunni Islam leaves no room for religious diversity. Non-Muslims face challenges in practicing their faith openly. An overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim nation, it exhibits a limited tolerance for religious diversity. The state places strict restrictions on non-Muslim religious practices, including the construction of houses of worship and public expression of faith.
3. Pakistan:
In Pakistan, religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Ahmadis, experience persecution and violence. They are often subject to forced conversions and discriminatory laws. Their daughters forcefully married off to Muslim men, psychologically tortured everyday pushing them to the brink of either leaving their homes or just converting.
4. Türkiye:
In July 2020, Türkiye sparked international controversy and debate after it changed the Hagia Sophia museum into a functioning Mosque. Originally constructed as a cathedral in the 6th century and later transformed into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, the Hagia Sophia holds immense historical and religious significance for both Christians and Muslims.
The Enforcement of Sharia Law:
The enforcement of a strict interpretation of sharia law in these countries often results in restrictions on personal freedoms, including dress codes, religious practices, and gender roles. These measures stifle individual liberties and hinder social progress.
Sharia is an excuse in the name of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith. It has been used by muslim clerics and males who have for years used Sharia to force women to be their slaves. Over time, various legal schools (madhabs) have developed, reflecting regional and cultural influences in their interpretation and application of Islamic law.
Sharia's implementation varies between different countries and communities. It is anywhere between bad and worse. For example homosexual acts are punishable by death and its sickening laws on rape. Rapists can escape punishments by marrying their victims and in many cases women who pressed charges were in danger of being charged for having ‘extramarital sex’. Whether it be getting stoned to death or marrying your rapist, the Sharia law ensures that Muslim societies around the world lack compassion, common sense and dignity for their women.
Challenges in Rich and Developed Muslim Nations:
Even economically prosperous nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar face criticism for their treatment of minorities, women, and labor practices. For instance, the mistreatment of foreign workers during Qatar's FIFA World Cup construction projects has garnered international attention.
These nations heavily rely on a significant migrant labor force, often from South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. These workers face exploitation and discrimination, as they often live in poor conditions, have limited legal rights, and experience wage disparities. Females have to suffer in the Male guardianship programme and minorities are regularly subjected to mental trauma and are tortured for being from another culture and following a different tradition.
International Incidents:
1. Saudi Arabia:
In October 2018, Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey. His body was dismembered by a hit squad which is believed to have been sent on the direct orders of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The incident sparked international uproar and garnered condemnation from across the spectrum.
2. France, Germany, and Nordic Nations:
In recent years, these countries have experienced a noticeable increase in social tensions and, at times, even riots. These issues have arisen, in part, due to immigration from African Muslim countries.
In January 2015, an attack was carried out by Islamist extremists who targeted the magazine Charlie Hebdo in France due to its publication of satirical cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. This incident is a scary reminder of how unchecked immigration from Africa has ruined the social and political apparatus of European countries. The day is not far away when an angry crowd of Muslim immigrants will publicly stone some actresses in the streets of Paris for making vulgar movies.
3. Israel
Recently the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel and sparked a war. Terrorists openly killed civilians and beheaded babies and killed pregnant women. The visuals that came out of Israel are proof enough of the treatment that every minority will eventually be subjected to if Muslims are to be in the majority.
The Islamist pattern highlights a disturbing trend in numerous Muslim-majority states, where the enforcement of rigid interpretations of sharia law leads to the suppression of religious freedom, persecution of minorities, and discrimination against women and LGBTQ individuals.
Recognizing that all Muslim-majority countries follow this pattern is crucial. Economic prosperity does not guarantee a tolerant Muslim
country. There exists not a single Muslim country in the world that would give the same rights to its minorities that Muslims demand as minorities in other countries.
Comments