Description
Abstract:
Islam dictates two cardinal principles: Consensus and Consultation towards formation of political life of Muslim societies. Political Islam is a response by the Islamists to the fundamental problems of Islamic societies which are suffering from moral, cultural, social, economic, and political crises. Islamists claim that “Islam is the solution” and radically challenge and reject the existing dominant ideologies of the West and others and blame Muslim political elite as protégé of Western powers. After crusades, colonialism was the most horrific encounter of Islam with the West which still echoes in the Muslim minds. Since decline of Muslims societies, certain responses by the Muslims were emerged for the preservation of identit and spiritual believes. These responses are categorized as: i) Restorationists, ii) Secular Modernists and iii) Pragmatists/Modernists. Contrary to the claims of Islamists, it has been witnessed that intentionally or otherwise, they are tarnishing the image of pluralistic vision of Islam. There is a research gap regarding defining the concepts and contexts of political Islam. Evaluating the Islamists response to fundamental crises: whether it is constructive or further deteriorating the dilapidated state of affairs of Muslim societies. Why the cardinal principles of political Islam: consensus and consultation were not followed historically by the Muslim political and intellectual elites and why the Islamists are also ignorant of these? How and why the West is selective, inconsistent and emotional in dealing with the political Islam? How the globalization is further creating chaos on both sides? In the end, the way out for the peaceful co-existence and development of Muslim societies?
Key Words: Political Islam, Islamist, West, fundamental crises, Consensus and consultation.
