muslim ummah and contemporary challenges (december 29,2011)

Muslim Ummah and Contemporary Challenges

Prof Dr. Anis Ahmad

*Prof. Ahmad is meritorious Professor and Vice Chancellor, Riphah International University, Islamabad. He is also Editor of Quarterly Journal West & Islam, Islamabad. He can be contacted at anis.ahmad@riphah.edu.pk and anis@anisahmad.com

1. The Ummah in Quran and 1. The Ummah in Quran and SunnahSunnah

Emergence of Ummah: du’a of Syedina Ibrahim and Syedina Isma’il alayhemassalatwa assalam:

“Our Lord. Make us Muslims to you, and make out of our decedents a community (ummah) that submits itself to you, and show us the ways of your worship and turn to us in mercy. You are the off-returning, Most-Merciful.

Our Lord send amongst them a messenger of their own who shall reherse your ayat (signs) to them and instruct them in the Book and Wisdom and sametify them, for you are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

(al-Baqarah 2:128-129)

2. The Ummah of the middle path 2. The Ummah of the middle path and witness to mankind:and witness to mankind:

“And it is then that We appointed you to be the community of the middle way (ummatan wasatan) so that you might be witness to all mankind and the messenger might be a witness to you”

(al-Baqarah 2:143)

3. Best Ummah3. Best Ummah

“You are now the best ummah brought forth for mankind. You enjoin what is right (ma’ruf) and forbid what is wrong (munkar) and believe in Allah”

(al’Imran 3:110)

4. Does this 4. Does this ummahummah exist today? exist today?

4.1 Does this 4.1 Does this ummahummah exist today? exist today?

5. Contemporary Challenges5. Contemporary Challenges

Marginalization of family values

Globalization of economy, education and cultures

Unipolarism and neo-colonialism in the name of globalization, modernization and westernization

5.1 Media War against Islam and the 5.1 Media War against Islam and the MuslimsMuslims

“The underlying problem for the West is not islamic fundamentalism. It is Islam, a different civilization whose people are convinced of superiority of their culture and are obsessed with inferiority of their power”

Samuel Huntington, The Clash of Civilization and the remaking of World Order, P217, 1997.

Distortion of the basic Islamic teachings, separation between Din & dunya secularism, individualization, ethical relativism.

6. The current perception of the ummah

7. Strength of the Ummah7. Strength of the Ummah

8. Our Role8. Our Role

9. Our Strategy9. Our Strategy

10. Conclusion10. Conclusion

Seeking Allah’s support by following Him and His final Prophet’s commands, teachings and directions

Wamataufiqi-illa-bi-Allah&

Shukran

December 29, 2011