Let's return Islam its real beauty

This was somewhere I wanted to be so badly since my first time reading about Bosna. Its water, its weather, its terrain- everything seemed to have been maintained in perfect order. Its history, on top of that all, was heart-touching, and it was still alive. Having reached here after so many hours of traveling, we wouldn't want to just pass by. It was our opportunity to spend more time exploring, contemplating, and learning from this ancient antiquity.

I, however, was still perturbed by how Islam is lagging behind social advancements, as demonstrated by this much of Mostar we have seen. Modernism is seen almost exclusively in the practices of the West, while Islam is associated with incivility and backwardness. Practising Muslims are often branded narrow-minded if not blind or ignorant. Usually if a man adopts the western culture, he will to one degree or another feel superior to the believers of 'Mohammedan' ideologies. This attitude is not only a phenomenan of the past, for I've seen much insults and hatred in the discussion threads I follow through some main news agencies' websites.

Maybe it's time to return Islam the real, beautiful image of itself. It's time to make it appealing to the masses once again; time to change its presentation. We have on one hand ceaseless efforts to paint a dark image on us, so hopefully, on the other, some counter-efforts are already in place. The late Professor Ismail Faruqi's idea for islamazation of knowledge is, to me, commendable. It has contributed to the philosophical growth of many universities including our own international Islamic university, IIUM. Another domestic example is the much respected ISTAC founded by Prof Faruqi's accomplice, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas. Forget about the critics it had received- the achievements are real and tangible. Islam has to be emphasised and made central to the teachings in academic and non-academic institutions. Knowledge is to be used under the directives of the Divine- the sole Possessor of the universe, before it is manipulated by the ignorant proud and the greedy. Indeed knowledge is light, but it has to be itself guided by the Creator of light.

Should this happen, Islam will no longer be seen as a force that impedes learning. Rather, it will become the proponent and standard-bearer of scientific advancement, creating an esteemed and reputable civilisation on its own ground- a ground laden with divine teachings and earthly learnings, the former guiding the latter. This is the ultimate dream of us all, although obviously the routes are plenty.