Western Values and Islam

The controversy over westernization has had major historical implications in the Middle East over the past several decades. Globalization is accelerating concerns about the infusions of Western values in Islamic countries.

In the 1960s and 70s, the Shah of Iran sought rapid modernization regardless of conservative Muslim opinion. His plan called for land reform designed to aid the poor, extending voting rights to women, allowing the formation of political parties. His plan, along with other social and economic changes, led to an increasing resentment and hostility toward the Shah. Rightly or wrongly, reform efforts became symbolic of what is wrong with Iranian society. Fundamentalist clerics began to rail against Iran’s “westoxification,” and brought about a radical revolutionary movement that sought to expel all western influence from their ancient civilization.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has likewise adopted an approach with the motto “modernization without westernization.” Seeking in part to avoid the kind of outcome seen in Iran, the Saudi regime has strived carefully to limit the encroachment of many values that westerners consider fundamental. Consequently, Saudi Arabia guarantees no voting rights, and censorship of all things Western, including movies, alcohol, and Internet access, is deep and thorough.

One such example is a new Saudi police issue ban on pet dogs and cats. As noted by foxnews.com (Thursday, July 31, 2008):

Saudi Arabia Bans Sale of Dogs and Cats in Capital in Effort to Keep Sexes Apart

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia's Islamic religious police, in their zeal to keep the sexes apart, want to make sure the technique doesn't catch on here. The solution: Ban selling dogs and cats as pets, as well as walking them in public.

The prohibition may be more of an attempt to curb the owning of pets, which conservative Saudis view as a sign of corrupting Western influence, like the fast food, shorts, jeans and pop music that have become more common in the kingdom.

Pet owning has never been common in the Arab world, though it is increasingly becoming fashionable among the upper class in Saudi Arabia and other countries such as Egypt.

The aforementioned clash between Western values and Islam culture reached an all-time high on September 11, 2001 with the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. The event widened the chasm between the cultures, exemplified by anti-America riots in several Islamic countries, or the post 9-11 ‘anti-Muslim backlash’ in the United States. Since the attack, assaults on Arabs, Muslim, as well as South-Asian Americans have severely increased.

Politically, the attack on the World Trade Center has brought change as well. One example is the U.S. Patriot Act, which was passed by President George W. Bush. The act has often been criticized as an aid to invasion of privacy, as it expands the ability of law enforcement agencies to monitor conversations via phone and e-mail, as well as gain insight into financial, medical and other records.


Learn More

Click here to learn about what the Muslim world thinks of Islam.

Click here to learn about what Pakistanis think about globalization.

* Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey1VtRdiMrs&feature=channel