Islam and Western Ideologies

Ever since the age of Enlightenment, human civilization has witnessed profound philosophical, academic and ideological advances in the past few centuries. This has impacted the way we understand and practice Islam in today’s contemporary world. Modern beliefs have challenged our understanding of existence, religion, the origins of mankind, women’s rights and different socio-political systems. It has brought some serious ethical, philosophical, theological and legal dilemmas to the table.

The Enlightenment saw the rise of numerous intellectuals who spoke and wrote on many topics. They explored new scientific discoveries, laws, started wars, and revolutions, rooted from Europe and spreading worldwide. Most renowned Western revolutions and colonization of the past were directly and indirectly motivated by Enlightenment ideals.

As the fields of social sciences are developing at an ever-increasing rate, and the world has become a global village, we find ourselves in an information age where the public turns to online sources and multimedia to be informed about their worldview and the moral stance to many challenging questions. This has changed hearts, beliefs, culture, passions, motivations and sense of belonging.

These discussions and practices have a significant impact on the way Muslims think, act and perceive the world today. It has awaken Muslim scholars and thinkers to question how these ideas and ideologies reconcile or challenge fundamental Islamic principles. What does Islam have to say about the post-modern world and its future direction. Is it conducive to aspects of Islam or is there conflict. 

Muslim leaders, the public, and stakeholder bodies need to be equipped, not only to effectively navigate the world of contemporary ideologies and norms but to help others make sense of these essential ethical questions through a good understanding of scripture, informed expert guidance and an ability to present their work in a way which is impactful and useful for consumers, i.e. Muslim public, intellectuals, researchers, professionals and organizations.

In our 1st International conference on Islam and Western Idealogies’, Al Balagh Academy will begin by presenting certificates to graduates who have successfully completed our online courses on Atheism, Evolution and Women in Western Society. The conference focus, however, will be on presenting and exploring some of the most important areas which have impacted Muslims over the last few decades. These areas are our faith, knowledge, and current socio-politics. The conference day will be divided into three, focusing on one important specific area within each of these 3 domains:

1. Western Ideological Impact on Faith-  “Atheism and Islam”
2. Western Ideological Impact on Knowledge – “Islam and Science”
3. Western Ideological Impact on Socio-Politics – “Islam and Feminism”

• Atheism and Islam: The first part of the day will be about Atheism and Islam, and will start by describing the social impact of new atheism on the faith of Muslims, how societal trends have impacted faith in Muslims and what factors have contributed to this. This will follow with a discussion on “Fitra”, the Islamic term for  natural human disposition and innate human nature that God has given to all humans and how our fitra, something which is common to all humans, plays an important role in accepting and rejecting postmodern trends and norms of society. The final speaker will discuss reason and revelation and how these two important sources of knowledge should be revisited as tools of guidance in today’s complex society. The session will finish with a panel discussion where the audience can engage with the expert speakers. 
• Islam and Science: Science has been used by atheists and Islamophobes to undermine Islam in the modern day and age. But does science really undermine the Islamic faith? Come find out at this conference where you’ll find three experts talking about the relationship between Islam and Science from theological, philosophical, and scriptural perspectives.
• Islam and Feminism: The final part of the day will relate to women and westernism. It will begin with the discussion of women’s rights and whether feminism is an important route to achieve this. How dependent have women’s rights become on feminism? This will then follow with a discussion on how Muslim women should take a lead in changing the narrative to one which is conducive to Islamic values. The final speaker will discuss current trends and responses, that Muslim women are likely to be challenged with, in the postmodern world of feminism. The session will finish with a panel discussion where the audience can engage with the expert speakers.