For John, BLUF: Islam is fairly diverse and not all are like Saudi Arabia. Nothing to see here; just move along.
So, when one thinks Muslim, one normally also thinks Arab. This is unfortunate.
There are something like 1.6 Billion Muslims on earth. Of this 1.6 Billion, over 1 Billion are living in just eight nations. And, of those eight nations, only one is Arab—Egypt.♠
There is no doubt that Daesh, who perpetrated today's bombings in Brussels, and the ones in Paris a while back, is an Arab Muslin nation.♥ There should be no doubt that they have a Wahhabiest like religious doctrine, with an Apocalyptic vision.♦
But, they are not the majority of Muslims.
On the other hand, parts of Islam has yet to reconcile with modernity, with what we might call the Enlightenment. This is not to say Islam has not had its own periods of Enlightenment, but this is not one of them.♣
The eight nations mentioned include Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, in that order.
Regards — Cliff
♠ Another is Iran, which is NOT Arab.
♥ Well, there is a question as to if Daesh is a "state" within International Law and the view of nations. But, it claims to be a state.
♦ Apocalyptic as in these are the end times.
♣ Which means that until Islam in Saudi Arabia can accommodate a place for Western Culture in their world view, there will be trouble.
There are parts of the GOP -- your party of choice -- that have not "reconciled with modernity." Only major political party in the world to deny global warming. Just a thought.
ReplyDelete-left of lowell
Dear Left
ReplyDeleteI see your point, but on the other hand, those parts of my Party are too lazy to destroy the antiquities in Palmyra or to blow up train stations in Brussels. That should be a point for our side, don't you think.
Regards — Cliff