Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid amid difficult conditions and the threat of an ideology that is intolerant and hostile toward a moderate stand against extremism and a rigid interpretation of Islam. Saudi Arabia has an important role as the leader of the Muslim world to bring peace and unity to a divided and threatened Muslim nation. Outlining Saudi Vision 2030, Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, asserted that "Our vision is toward a tolerant country with Islam as its constitution and moderation as its method." However, many mainstream Islamic scholars still reject the concept of moderation in Islam. They maintain a hard-line ideology and feel that paying lip service to Islam's inherently moderate teachings will suffice. Muslims maintain the principle that Islam has no clergy. They abide by the Islamic rule that all Muslims are equal before God. They maintain that a Muslim is only required to act according to the five pillars of Islam; no one is obligated to blindly follow the dictates of the extremists. Unfortunately, many Muslims today do not feel safe and confident in practicing what they believe are the true principles of their faith. They are afraid to utter something that extremists might interpret as blasphemous. Those self-appointed guardians of Islam do not respect the basic Islamic rule that only God is the judge of the faithful. It is clear that mainstream Muslims are different from extremist Muslims in many ways. Mainstream Muslims follow the Islamic rule that doubting a believer's faith and labeling him as a heretic is a great sin in Islam. They also abide by the Qur'anic verses that specify that it is a great sin to follow extremist interpretations of the Holy Qur'an or impose hardships on Muslims. Mainstream Muslims choose what is easier and convenient for a more comfortable life. They do not divide the world into Muslim and non-Muslim. They are not at war with other religions and sects. They follow the Islamic rule that there is no compulsion in Islam. Religious leaders have a responsibility to provide direction and enlightenment. Muslim communities need more moderate imams who can respect diversity and embrace modernity. The Muslim world needs Islamic scholars who live in the present and do not insist on arbitrarily imposing the lifestyles of the past — especially with no clear Qur'anic ruling to support their hard-line views. Part of the problem is the exaggerated suspicions and condemnation against anything that is foreign. There is a wide belief that if it is foreign, then it must be wrong. Unfortunately, our academic institutions in the past did not monitor the militant literature and distorted interpretations of Islamic texts that have allowed fanaticism to spread. For a very long time, many members of our society remained passive and did little to stop the fanatics that have gained influence in almost every academic institution. Progressive Muslims today promote the true, moderate Islamic trends that honor women and respect their rights. Educated and qualified women can transform our society and set an example for other Muslim communities around the world. Moderate and progressive Muslim women who wear their hijab with elegance can correct the widespread misconceptions about Islamic culture and beliefs. Muslim leaders have repeatedly denounced all forms of support for terrorist activities; however, they have not been able to form an effective strategy to control terrorism. They may consider terrorism a global phenomenon not associated with any religion, race, color or country, but they have failed to counter the threat of the evil forces that are undermining our religion and unity. Terrorists disguised as Muslims and warmongers with an agenda continue to pose a great threat to Islam. To implement Vision 2030 and to move Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries forward there should be the political will and a clearer stance to resolve the ideological crisis that has long allowed extremists and terrorists to distort the moderate Islamic spirit of compassion. Hopefully, Vision 2030 will influence a new moderate approach to change the negative mindset, support moderate Muslim scholars, correct Western misconceptions and promote Islamic and universal values of tolerance, peace and global coexistence. — Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at [email protected]
