Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Dr. Ahmad Abu al-Majd an Islamic thinker says that Muslims are facing a crisis caused by several major factors; a lack of appreciation for the value of science a lack of importance accorded to work a lack of inquiry literalist interpretations of the Holy Qur’ān and the Sunnah religious extremism and the permanent feeling of pessimism spread across the Islamic world. Dr. Ahmad Abu al-Majd presented his argument during a meeting in Alexandria organized by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs [http://www.alazhr.org/]. A great number of religious leaders as well as many young Egyptian students attended the meeting.



Furthermore Dr. Abu al-Majd elaborated on five factors that have led to the crisis. Firstly he believes that the literal interpretations of the Qur’ānic and Sunni scripts have resulted in a misunderstanding of the original intentions of the holy texts.



Secondly he suggests that the inflexibility and extremism adopted by some preachers play an important role in exacerbating the crisis. He points out that Islam calls for simplification rejecting inflexibility and exaggeration.



Thirdly Dr. Abu al-Majd argues that limiting the human mind is dangerous. He argued that the order ‘read’ in the first chapter of the Holy Qur’ān directs Muslims to use their minds for inquiry.



Fourthly; the recent crisis can be also related to false perceptions of the relationship between Muslims and ‘the other’. According to Dr. Abu al-Majd the narrow perception of ‘the other’ makes Muslims see the incongruent world as an enemy conspiring against him.



The fifth factor suggested by Dr. Abu al-Majd lies in the lack of appreciation for scientific values and methods of thinking. He says that Islam calls for respect for the workings and analysis of the mind and argues that Islam rejects illogical interpretations.



Dr. Abu al-Majd illustrates the crisis facing the Islamic world by comparing the unity forged by nations without a single cultural heritage or language with the lack of unity in the Islamic world in spite of a shared culture language and religion. Dr. Abu al-Majd suggests that while the Islamic world has been consumed by divisions and struggles unity elsewhere has allowed a focus on scientific achievements.



He also argued that some Muslim youths are directing their energy in a negative way harming both themselves and other people. This energy could be used in a more positive way to face the challenges of the world today. It is this issue which makes the world regard Islam as a serious threat to mankind.



Dr. Abu al-Majd has suggested six solutions to this crisis:



First there is a need to recognize the real intentions of the Holy Qur’ān and the Prophetic Sunnah moving away from negative interpretations.



Second Muslim imāms and preachers should adopt religious simplification and flexibility instead of being strict and narrow-minded.



Third Muslims should follow scientific methods and should accept the involvement of science in all fields of life.



Fourth Muslims should re-build their relations with others on the basis of an exchange of trust and respect.



Fifth young people should be encouraged to perfect their work. In this way Dr. Abu al-Majd hopes to convince Muslims that they are not at war with the rest of the world. Dr. Abu al-Majd also stated that the nation must become aware of the degree of the value of time in a civilized society.



Finally he urged Islamic preachers to emphasize Islam’s call for peace and stability and to confirm that Islam does not reject civilization and the arts correcting false perceptions of Islam.