Monday, September 12, 2005

how progressive is the progressive muslim movement?

How Progressive is the Progressive Muslim Movement? by Aamir Siddiqui.

To be honest I didn't like this article at first. But after thinking about it a little more I decided it is a mostly fair description of some sectors of the so-called Progressive Muslim movement. But at the same time, I'm not sure I see myself in his descriptions. I think it goes back to the recurring ambiguity of whether "progressive Muslims" are more interested in reforming Islam or are they more interested in reforming society as Muslims commited to justice, anti-racism, anti-sexism, etc.

8 comments:

La Madre said...

I have a question in terms of ""progressive Muslims" are more interested in reforming Islam or are they more interested in reforming society as Muslims commited to justice, anti-racism, anti-sexism, etc."

I am a pro-choice, gay advocate, fornicating, planned parenthood working Catholic. When people ask me how it is I am Catholic (or tell me that I am not really Catholic, I often explain that while some leaders of the Church and I may not agree on a whole I think Catholocism can be a good thing, and I won't give up on it because I'd like to see the church evolve.

Anyway, do you ever encounter such things with people questioning just "how Muslim are you"?

Abdul-Halim V. said...

hmm... I don't think I've ever been asked that question by Muslims in the same way that you are talking about. I sometimes have gotten asked that question or something like that by non-Muslims in terms of being more "open-minded" or "peaceful" than they expected.

Also, since I'm a convert I actually do feel a desire to be "orthodox" you know? Like if I wanted to make up my own religion I could have been a Unitarian or something (... not intended as a diss on Unitarians) But if my conscience tells me that Muhammad (saaws) is a prophet and the Quran is from God I actually do try to follow the implications. I don't claim to be perfect but if I sin I say to myself "I'm sinning" and not "I'm a reform liberal Muslim".

Also, I think that on certain questions orthodox traditional Islam is probably more "progressive" already than some people might realize.

For example, in terms of abortion, there actually are Islamic texts describing the development of the fetus in the womb and they say that the soul enters the fetus after a certain number of days.

So according to a large number of traditional Muslim scholars, the soul isn't in the fetus at conception and so an abortion in the first trimester is NOT considered identical as murder.

Abdul-Halim V. said...

Reformist, so let me ask you the question this way.

What is a really good term to describe an essentially orthodox Muslim who is concerned about sexism, racism, the excesses of capitalism in the world, etc. so they are left of center politically.

And then, what is a good term to describe a Muslim who isn't particularly traditional who is interested in "updating Islam" to be more suitable for modern life?

Do you see these as two distinct groups? Are they the same? Is "progressive Muslim" a good term for one or the other?

Abdul-Halim V. said...

Tentatively, I might say that "progressive Muslim" best applies to the first category (Muslim who as a Muslim is anti-racist, anti-sexist, etc. in society). And "liberal Muslim" applies to the second. (Who wants to reform Islam and so actually would be more "permissive" in the sense of permitting things which other Muslims believe to be prohibited)

I've said it before but if you look at all the Islamic rules on things like charging interest, hoarding wealth, certain forms of sharecropping, etc. and think about one of the pillars of the faith is actually wealth redistribution, there are many ways in which Islam doesn't seem to endorse laissez-faire capitalism. And in other respects, the ideal Islamic government would be a welfare state. With a Bayt-ul-Mal and other institutions providing for people in need.

Although there are Muslims who fall into both categories simultaneously, neither, or one and not the other.

Abdul-Halim V. said...

But then "secular muslim" is a bit of a contradiction in terms no?

La Madre said...

not that this is my place to ask, but prehas "secular but cultural muslim"?

how we are raised lets say in Judiasm, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. effects who we are cultural...I think. As much as the community in which you are raised effects who you are cultural, no?

(BTW if I am speaking out of turn please let me know)

Abdul-Halim V. said...

hmm... well firstly, you should feel free to speak your mind so don't worry about whether its "your place to ask".

But secondly, to be honest, i would be personally resistant to the concept of "cultural Muslim" because the term has weird implications for me. I see Islam as a religion, and I don't think a person should have to give up their culture in order to become fully Muslim. And I think a person who believes in Islam is Muslim regardless of their background, while someone who comes from a "Muslim country" might know certain things about how Muslims live in a particular context but that doesn't necessarily make them Muslim.

I agree to your larger point that ones religious upbringing has an influence on who you end up becoming but I would use different terms. I was raised in a Christian home and for a chunk of my life went to church every sunday. I think I know the Bible pretty well. I still wouldn't want to call myself a "cultural Christian". Does that make sense?

La Madre said...

Abdul,
Thanks for answering my questions. Yes, it makes a lot of sense.
And thank you for allowing me to ask my questions.