muse
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03:16:18 pm on April 23, 2008 | # | |
Independent women. The West’s gift to “Muslim society.” Especially those appearing in Tunisian and Moroccan films.
Question: Is “Pop Islam” better than “no Islam”?
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musafir 5:52 pm on April 23, 2008 | #
Interesting question. I don’t think absorbing some western practices is necessarily a bad thing although I suppose there is an imaginary line that one shouldn’t cross. In fact, I think some if it may be quite beneficial. For instance, even if you think of just western cinema/arts, you can be exposed to and absorb creativity and artistic expression. If you want to take that a step further, attaining some of these qualities can lead to open-mindedness, acceptance of others, etc. I don’t think that taking in some western qualities would necessarily take you away from “mainstream Islam.”
So “pop-Islam” versus no Islam? I’d say pop Islam is better. What do you think?
Nattuk 5:59 pm on April 23, 2008 | #
If it’s only one vs the other? Pop-Islam. At least the belief (and practice, to some extent) is still there.
Willow 9:06 am on April 24, 2008 | #
I’d argue that all Islam is pop Islam if pop Islam is Islam deeply influenced by the thinking and resources and norms and socio-political situation of the day. This is just as true of “orthodox” sects as of more socially integrated modern sects. I don’t think the Prophet Abraham was running around in capri pants and an Abe Lincoln beard, or a bowler hat and curly sideburns. Yet today, these things are “traditional”. At one time, even what we call orthodox was ‘pop’ religion.
muse 2:52 pm on April 24, 2008 | #
My only issue with such efforts is the loss of indigenous culture (and the fact that the article implies that there would be no such thing as independent women in the Muslim world if not for the West’s benevolent influence). Why do we have to have Friends-like sitcoms to appeal to the youth? Why have Valentine’s Day celebrated with such fervor in the Muslim world? Why not draw inspiration from local culture for TV shows and celebrations of love? This is how the disconnect of the youth from their own history is perpetuated. Maybe the tide is too strong to turn back and that’s unfortunate.
As for my own question, I guess pop Islam is better than no Islam, but again many times I just don’t see Muslims acting as though belief has touched their hearts. The cart is before the horse - the symbols (*cough* hijab *cough*) have swallowed the meaning. When that happens, pop Islam to me has the same meaning/effect as no Islam.
aziz 2:58 pm on April 24, 2008 | #
Well, maybe it’s just a matter of time, Muse. Consider a sitcom about love and friendship, like Friends. In order for an indigenous expression to arise, the ground needs some preparation, people have to be able to accept it. Sometimes, western cultural imports are needed to pave the way. Otherwise theres too high a barrier, a risk, and even a threat in breaking new social ground.
Willow 5:27 pm on April 24, 2008 | #
I didn’t get the occi-feminist message out of the article that Muse did, though I did think it was a little overwrought. The guy who’s interviewed is right, though, in that at least in Egypt people seem to be having a really hard time deciding who they want to be and what they want to emulate–especially young men, who get it coming and going. I don’t know why it’s so much worse there than other places…it seems like the natural evolution of Egyptian culture was aborted sometime around the Revolution, and people are scrambling to figure out how to make up for lost time. The mixed messages given out by the media and religious leaders are out of control. It’s a wonder anybody stays sane.