How the Foundation for a Modernized Islam is Laid
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by: Dr. Susmit Kumar
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Word Count: 545
What will be the final outcome in Iraq? Is it possible to spread democracy throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa? How bad is America’s economy? Could the Euro or gold surpass the dollar? These are just some of the questions debated in barbershops, at kitchen tables and on talk radio shows around the nation and world.
America cannot stop the rise of Islamic Militancy in Iraq. Unfortunately, the extremists rising to power is a necessary step in the birthing process of democracy. Consider this, had early 20th century Europe not endured the labor pains of World Wars I and II, it might still be ruled by Monarchs. Before a democratic rebirth can occur in Iraq or any other Islamic nation, the labor pains have to take place.
Once present day Islamic nations will succumb to the grips of extremists, the people will eventually rise up against fundamentalism. It is at that point the majority of Islamic nations will become secular and democratic, like Turkey.
Turkey gained it’s independence in 1923 and nationalists introduced several radical political, cultural and social reforms including closing the Islamic courts. It has remained free ever since shedding its fundamentalists’ rule despite being 99 percent Muslim. Turkey has been a fairly successful example of a secular democratic state for over 80 years.
This is why we must leave Iraq. We cannot do anything more there and it is costing us our people, money and resources. The more than $2 billion spent per week by the U.S in Iraq should be spent on Americans or not at all bearing in mind the growing trade deficit ($700 billion per year) and budget deficits.
In last 7 years, America’s debt has increased from $5 trillion to $9 trillion, and the latest bestseller by a Nobel Prize winner in Economics predicts the total price tag of the war may surpass $3 trillion considering the indirect costs of veteran care.
These factors are troubling. Taking advantage of our dollar being global currency, Fed just prints dollars whenever it feels necessary. Because of our huge debt, OPEC is considering a switch in oil pricing from the dollar to the Euro. If the Euro makes further gains and takes over has the global currency, a potential doomsday scenario could play out for the U.S. economy affecting America’s military might.
If America faces this situation, we would be constrained financially and militarily leaving Middle Eastern and North African allies even more vulnerable.
There is an economic solution that would help not only America, but also those countries struggling so badly financially that their people fall prey to the beliefs of Islamic Extremists. It is time to move toward an economic system that increases the purchasing power of individuals, not the gross national product. Developing the home-grown strengths of various societies and their peoples will allow them to participate on a more equal basis in the world to come.
Democracies are built on equality and extremists fear it. That’s why eventually equality will be the foundation of the modern Islam.
About the Author
Dr. Susmit Kumar is the author of “The Modernization of Islam” and obtained his Ph.D. in only two and a half years from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Kumar is a previous member of the India Administrative Service, which influences and implements government policy. He is also Founding President of the Prout Institute of United States. Dr. Kumar has been published internationally with numerous articles on topics like international politics, history and economics. He currently lives in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Kumar’s website is www.ModernizationOfIslamBook.com.
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