Islam And Modernization

This study examines and clarifies the relationship between Islam and modernization in the Muslim world. Through a comparative analysis of Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, the author analyzes the ideas and conceptions which are inculcated and propagated in Islamic countries as Islamic religious thought, practice, orientation, tradition, and ways-of-life. Saeed explains that the chaotic conditions existing in the Muslim world are largely a result of a crisis of thought, that the grossly distorted and misunderstood Islam, as presently practiced, is a major obstacle to the development of Muslim countries--but that Muslim countries can develop and progress only through Islam.

This study examines and clarifies the relationship between Islam and modernization in the Muslim world. Through a comparative analysis of Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, the author analyzes the ideas and conceptions which are inculcated and propagated in Islamic countries as Islamic religious thought, practice, orientation, tradition, and ways-of-life. Saeed explains that the chaotic conditions existing in the Muslim world are largely a result of a crisis of thought, that the grossly distorted and misunderstood Islam, as presently practiced, is a major obstacle to the development of Muslim countries—but that Muslim countries can develop and progress only through Islam.

Booknews

Pakistani-born political scientist Saeed says that Islam is misunderstood not only in the West, but in Muslim countries as well. Modern Muslim governments, he says, are the poorest possible representation of Islam; the stagnation and chaos in the Middle East are due not to the application of the Qur'an, but its neglect by both policy makers and the general public; and only after the systematic study of the Qur'an in the public schools becomes widespread will Muslim countries stabilize and modernize. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

JAVAID SAEED, a native of Pakistan, holds degrees from the Pakistan Military Academy, Indiana State University, and the University of South Carolina. He has taught at Columbia College, South Carolina, and at the University of South Carolina.