Islam, Muslims And America: Understanding The Basis Of Their Conflict

Islam, Muslims, and America Islam, Muslims, and America: UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF THEIR CONFLICT Arshad Khan Algora Publishing New York © 2003 by Algora Publishing. All Rights Reserved www.algora.com No portion of this book (beyond what is permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Act of 1976) may be reproduced by any process, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the express written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Khan, Arshad. Islam, Muslims, and America : understanding the basis of their conflict / by Arshad Khan. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-87586-242-X (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 0-87586-243-8 (hard : alk. paper) — ISBN 0-87586-194-6 (ebook) 1. Islam—21st century. 2. Islam and world politics. 3. Islam—Essence, genius, nature. 4. United States—Relations—Islamic countries. 5. Islamic countries—Relations—United States. I. Title. BP161.3.K47 2003 297'.09'0511—dc22 2003018467 Printed in the United States TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE 1 PART I 9 UNDERSTANDING THE CONFLICT: BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS 9 CHAPTER 1: THE EVOLUTION AND RISE OF ISLAM THE EVOLUTION OF ISLAM Historical roots Periodic reinforcement and revival Religion is formalized THE RISE AND SPREAD OF ISLAM Where and how the religion spread 622-632: Period under Muhammadp 632-661: Period under the four caliphs 661-750: Period under the Ummayyad Dynasty 750-1258: Period under the Abbasid Dynasty 750-950: Golden Age of Islam ISLAM’S CONTRIBUTION AND IMPACT Dignity Islamic civilization Global influence Nurturer of knowledge during the Dark Ages Areas of excellence and contribution 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 16 16 16 16 17 17 CHAPTER 2: THE DECLINE OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND PRESENT STATUS DECLINE OF MUSLIM DYNASTIES AND EMPIRES How the decline occurred The End of the Abbasid Dynasty The Fatimid Dynasty Seljuk Turks 19 19 19 19 20 20 7 Islam, Muslims, and Amerirca The Mongols The fall of Spain in 1492 End of the Safavid Empire End of the Mughal Empire End of the Ottoman Empire MODERN WORLD EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS Colonial subjugation Major 20th-century developments The Balfour Declaration sows seeds of future conflict Islamic states are formed ISLAM IN TODAY’S WORLD Widespread underdeveloped Muslim societies Population Areas of concentration Ethnic diversity Cultural diversity Political diversity The Myth of unity and brotherhood Common misconception about Arabs and Muslims ISLAM IN AMERICA History of Islam in America Population Dynamic community 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 23 24 24 24 25 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 28 28 CHAPTER 3: DEFINING EVENTS AND HOW MUSLIMS VIEW THEM HISTORICAL EVENTS Introduction The Decline of Islamic civilization after its Golden Age The Crusades The failed Turkish siege of Vienna The end of the Ottoman Empire Revival and reform movements The end of the colonial era Saudi Arabia comes under the Saud family rule EVENTS AFTER 1947 Partition of India Kashmir Palestine The overthrow of Mossadegh in Iran Arab defeats in four wars The 1973 Oil Embargo Soviet Union’s defeat in Afghanistan The Breakup of the Soviet Union 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 31 31 32 32 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 37 8 Table of Contents The Gulf War The Bosnia massacres Beirut, Somalia, and Southern Lebanon Financial Crises Saudi Arabia Bank of Credit and Commerce Leadership losses Pakistan’s Nuclear Bomb The War against Iraq 38 38 38 39 39 40 40 41 41 CHAPTER 4: PERCEIVED WESTERN ROLE AND MUSLIM REACTION ROLE PLAYED BY AMERICA AND WESTERN POWERS Support for Israel Soft attitude towards Israeli leadership Support for despots and dictators Judging by, and imposing, foreign values I