10 years on from 9/11 Islam's fundamentalists have lost the war

Ten years after a group of Muslim fundamentalists’ dramatic attack on the US, it appears they have lost their war. This is not a triumph of Western ideology over a rather perverse interpretation of Islam, but a sea change in the Muslim world itself. Add to that the level of interest generated in understanding the faith outside of Islam and perhaps readers can understand how I could make such a bold claim.

Let’s look at the facts: Everywhere the so-called Arab Spring has taken hold, not one of the protest groups has called for a fundamentalist Islamic state, based on the Iranian or any other model, to be created. On the contrary, the drive in places like Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria and Libya is for a more open, secular society. Many commentators, including Yours Truly, have noted the young people taking to the streets in protest at the corruption and injustices imposed by their existing governments are also openly questioning the role Islam should play in a modern society. This is diametrically the opposite view of those who want to impose a rather medieval view of their faith.

In addition, the 9/11 attacks motivated a lot in the West to learn more about Islam to try to understand the motivation behind what would traditionally be seen as murder by a religion that strongly states that innocent lives should not be taken. What the fundamentalists have achieved is opened others’ eyes to the Muslim faith beyond what might be purported by mainstream Western media.

The most dangerous thing for these madmen in their war against the Developed World is if their supposed enemy has a thorough understanding and appreciation of Islam and overtly demonstrates respect and tolerance towards it, something the Muslim Prophet (p.bu.h.) advised his followers to do, especially with regards to Judaism and Christianity.

All this means is that these fundamentalists’ message of hatred towards the ‘Infidel’ will, ultimately, increasingly fall on deaf ears – it’s hard to have an enemy who shows kindness towards you.

As for the West, it needs to respect the young Arabs’ desire for self-determination and give them support and guidance when asked for it. Let them create their own version of democracy that fits their culture, traditions and aspirations.

A decade on from that tragic day, I remain optimistic that, given the chance, a new dawn of what I would call “the real traditional Islam”, one based on tolerance of others’ beliefs and a desire for the common good, grounded in the positive messages from Muslim holy books and one’s local traditions, but with an interpretation that’s relevant to a globalized, 21^st Century world.

I’d strongly suggest that those who oppose such a view, in the name of Islam, may want to reconsider their position, as the tide of change is definitely going in the opposite direction!

Salaam/Shalom/Peace