> > I realize these are isolated incidents, and exceptions aren't the rule, but > then exceptions are a clue. The alternative to some of the more progressive > Muslims leading the change is that we wait till the free market economy and > capitalism hits them hard enough that they are more concerned with making > money and living the good life that religion takes a back seat in their > overall psyche (simplistic, but there has to be some motivators?). > > I am responding only to a particular comment in your entire post. The rest of your post is for all to see on the list. I am amazed at your level of interaction with the rest of the world. What makes you believe that Muslims shy away from capitalism? The Bohras and the Khojas are hard core business people and entrepreneurs. The Bohras are even referred to as the Jews among the Muslims. Historically, the Hadrami Muslims who were travelling across the Indian Ocean region (spanning from the Middle East to South Africa to part of Ceylon) were traders to the hilt; their responses to imperialism was on the grounds that the Portuguese were blocking trade routes and were trying to build their empire through monopolistic means.
Udhay, can I send an attachment to people on this list? There is a brilliant article on the historical basis of terrorism and responses to terrorism. It is very insightful and written beautifully. -- Zainab Bawa Ph.D. Student and Independent Researcher Between Places ... http://zainab.freecrow.org
