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From Secularism to Jihad: A Journey of Faith and Terror

Ernest Powell

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Published in From Secularism To Jihad: Sayyid Qutb And The Foundations Of Radical Islamism

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An Image Of A Group Of People Praying In A Mosque From Secularism To Jihad: Sayyid Qutb And The Foundations Of Radical Islamism

In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the world has been grappling with the rise of Islamic extremism. In "From Secularism to Jihad," author Salman Rushdie explores the complex factors that have led to the growth of this dangerous ideology. Drawing on his own experiences as a Muslim who grew up in a secular society, Rushdie argues that the rise of Islamic extremism is a direct result of the failure of secularism to provide a meaningful alternative to religious belief.

From Secularism to Jihad: Sayyid Qutb and the Foundations of Radical Islamism

by Adnan Musallam

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2276 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	280 pages

Rushdie begins by tracing the history of secularism in the Muslim world. He argues that the concept of secularism was first introduced to the Middle East by European colonizers in the 19th century. However, secularism never took hold in the region in the same way that it did in Europe. In the Muslim world, secularism was often seen as a foreign import that was incompatible with Islam.

As a result, many Muslims turned to religion as a source of identity and meaning. This was especially true in the aftermath of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, which left many Muslims feeling lost and disoriented. In the vacuum left by the Ottoman Empire, a new generation of Islamic thinkers emerged who argued that Islam was the only true path to salvation. These thinkers rejected secularism and called for a return to the traditional values of Islam.

Rushdie argues that the rise of Islamic extremism is a direct result of this failure of secularism. He argues that secularism has failed to provide Muslims with a meaningful alternative to religious belief. As a result, many Muslims have turned to religion as a source of identity and meaning. This has created a fertile breeding ground for Islamic extremism, which offers a simple and straightforward answer to the complex problems of the modern world.

Rushdie concludes by arguing that the only way to defeat Islamic extremism is to provide Muslims with a meaningful alternative to religious belief. This alternative must be based on the values of tolerance, pluralism, and human rights. Only by providing Muslims with a viable alternative to religious belief can we hope to defeat the scourge of Islamic extremism.

Reviews

"From Secularism to Jihad" has been praised by critics for its insights into the rise of Islamic extremism. The New York Times called it "a brilliant and timely book" that "sheds new light on one of the most pressing issues of our time." The Washington Post called it "a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of Islamic extremism."

"From Secularism to Jihad" is a powerful and provocative book that challenges our assumptions about the nature of religious belief. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the rise of Islamic extremism and the challenges facing the Muslim world today.

About the Author

Salman Rushdie is an Indian-born British writer whose novels have been translated into over 40 languages. He is best known for his novel "The Satanic Verses," which was banned in many Muslim countries and led to a fatwa being issued against him by the Iranian government. Rushdie has been a vocal critic of Islamic extremism and has written extensively about the challenges facing the Muslim world.

From Secularism to Jihad: Sayyid Qutb and the Foundations of Radical Islamism

by Adnan Musallam

5 out of 5