The Nature and Structure of the Islamic World

Abstract

The author offers a concise critique of Wes tern perceptions of Islam and the Muslim world. He then proceeds to discuss the Muslim world and proposes a taxonomy for it on the basis of certain configurations in order to prove that the Muslim world should not be treated as a monolith. Contemporary problems, which shall be elucidated during the course of this review, are highlighted. In "Prospectus," Braibanti introduces the perception dialectic that is now prevalent in the West as regards Islam. First, there is the pejorative "green menace," according to which the united hordes of Islam threaten to annihilate the West. Second, there is a more sober ecclesiastical, political, and intellectual reappraisal of Islamic issues. The author offers a tentative prediction: In a more confrontational environment, the former view will predominate, and vice versa. He then discusses the first component of the dialectic in greater detail over the next three chapters. In "Circles of Antagonism: Popular Culture," Braibanti states that the negative bias toward Islam and the fear of it are reflected daily in American media and in policy-shaping forums. He cites a few contemporary examples from literature, movies, print media, and documentaries. He argues that two "subtle rhetorical aberrations" (p. 7) prejudice the perception of Islam. The first one is the tenn fundamentalist, which is equated with violence. In Christianity, where this term is defined clearly, it refers to a literal interpretation of the Bible by a minority of adherents who believe in biblical infallibility. When this term is applied to Muslims on this basis, virtually all can be called fundamentalists. However, as violence cannot be linked to the quintessentials of Muslim belief, it is unfair to blame all Muslims for the crimes committed by a minority. The author could have elaborated on the nebulousness of this term for Muslims with details like the following: Whereas certain groups of Christians, like the Amish, emulate lifestyles of earlier times in minute details, no "traditional" Muslim spurns conclusively the benefits of technetronics. So one would not find a Muslim preferring to travel by camel when motor transport would be affordable and more convenient. "Fundamentalism" gained currency among Western media with the Iranian revolution of 1979. Some Muslims often ask: Was this binary opposition, namely, fundamentalist/other, fabricated to sow confusion among Muslims? Would the "other" only refer to a nominal, nonpracticing Muslim? ...