234. APPROACHES TO ‘MODERATE' ISLAM IN ASIA-THE DYNAMICS AMONG ISLAM, MUSLIM IDENTITY, POLITICS AND SOCIETY (PANEL III)
234.
Panel Title : APPROACHES TO ‘MODERATE' ISLAM IN ASIA-THE DYNAMICS AMONG ISLAM, MUSLIM IDENTITY, POLITICS AND SOCIETY (PANEL III): EURASIA
Institution : The National Bureau of Asian Research
Chair : Michael Bishku
Convener : Arusa Mahin Karim
Panel Abstract :
Approaches to ‘Moderate' Islam in Iran, Arash Naraghi, University of California-Santa Barbara: This paper is based on interviews and writings of diverse representatives of moderate Islamic thought in Iran. The author characterizes as ‘moderate' those who hold pro-human rights positions and oppose violence as a means to achieve social and political goals, whether domestic or international. They are contrasted with those who hold traditional approaches to Islam (involving literalism, divine-prerogative ethics, and legalism), including those traditionalists who support human rights. The report indicates that while traditional scholars hold that Islam accords Muslims the basic rights of religion, life, family, property, and reason, moderate scholars argue that these rights are due to all human beings, without distinction according to religious or other identity. Representatives of moderate interpretations of Islam employ similar reasoning to argue against other practices perceived as discriminatory in the modern world. Approaches to ‘Moderate' Islam in Uzbekistan, Alisher Khamidov, Johns Hopkins University: This paper is based on interviews with individuals in Uzbekistan representing a diverse range of professional, generational, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Views expressed by the interviewees were often conflictual, as expected given the diversity of backgrounds. On the issue of Islamic radicalism, there was general (although not unanimous) agreement that specific groups such as Hizb-ut Tahrir and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan constitute threats to Uzbek national security. A number of interviews questioned the extent of religious extremist activities and expressed suspicion that the government had fabricated the threats to justify crackdown on civil society. Of particular interest were views of numerous religious scholars interviewed who argued that Islam is not only compatible with democratic ideals, but is inherently democratic. Politics of Islamic Identity in Turkey-Diversity and Transformation, Haldun Gulalp and Fulya Atacan, Yildish Technical University: This report provides a comprehensive overview of the rise of Islamism within the context of Turkey's economic and political development. The report analyzes the views of ‘moderate' Muslims from diverse groups of individuals, expressed during focus group discussions. An important theme of the discussions was the gradual transformation of Islamism in Turkey, from narrowly sectarian to focusing on the value of dialogue and communication, universal rights and freedoms, and democracy as both a process and a goal.
Participants :
Arash Naraghi
Paper Title : Approaches to ‘Moderate' Islam in Iran
Abstract :
This paper is based on interviews and writings of diverse representatives of moderate Islamic thought in Iran. The author characterizes as ‘moderate' those who hold pro-human rights positions and oppose violence as a means to achieve social and political goals, whether domestic or international. They are contrasted with those who hold traditional approaches to Islam (involving literalism, divine-prerogative ethics, and legalism), including those traditionalists who support human rights. The report indicates that while traditional scholars hold that Islam accords Muslims the basic rights of religion, life, family, property, and reason, moderate scholars argue that these rights are due to all human beings, without distinction according to religious or other identity. Representatives of moderate interpretations of Islam employ similar reasoning to argue against other practices perceived as discriminatory in the modern world.
Haldun Gulalp/Fulya Atacan
Paper Title : Politics of Islamic Identity in Turkey-Diversity and Transformation
Abstract :
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the rise of Islamism within the context of Turkey's economic and political development. The report analyzes the views of ‘moderate' Muslims from diverse groups of individuals, expressed during focus group discussions. An important theme of the discussions was the gradual transformation of Islamism in Turkey, from narrowly sectarian to focusing on the value of dialogue and communication, universal rights and freedoms, and democracy as both a process and a goal.
Alisher Khamidov
Paper Title : Approaches to ‘Moderate' Islam in Uzbekistan
Abstract :
This paper is based on interviews with individuals in Uzbekistan representing a diverse range of professional, generational, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Views expressed by the interviewees were often conflictual, as expected given the diversity of backgrounds. On the issue of Islamic radicalism, there was general (although not unanimous) agreement that specific groups such as Hizb-ut Tahrir and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan constitute threats to Uzbek national security. A number of interviews questioned the extent of religious extremist activities and expressed suspicion that the government had fabricated the threats to justify crackdown on civil society. Of particular interest were views of numerous religious scholars interviewed who argued that Islam is not only compatible with democratic ideals, but is inherently democratic.
Micheal Bishku
Paper Title : Regional Assesment and Implications for the United Staes
