More than nine years have been passed since the tragic event of September 11 on WTC and Pentagon. The overwhelming outcome of this September 11 is the War on Terror. The first decade of 21st century experienced two devastating wars- US- Afghanistan and US- Iraq high-tech war. About a dozens of operation was demeaned from 2001-2004 in these two countries. And at least 9, 19,000 people were killed from 2001 onward. Alongside these wars, some spitted terrorist attack was transpired; for instance – series bombing in Bali of Indonesia in 2002, in London 2005, bombings in Madrid of Spain in 2004 by some wrong doing Islamist extremist.
Historical continuity of conflict and especially the recent phenomena have segregated the Muslim World and the West into North and South Poles. Even a psychological construction of malignity and mistrust has been mending against other side among the mass people of both Muslim and Christian. Wars have been conducted in a reiterated manner between these two parties regardless of time and place resulting from assorted causes. But those were actually the triggering causes.
The underlying cause is always the same- the Politico-Religious contemplation of protecting and upholding the superiority and glory of own which is sustained through some war monger political leader, some extremist people and justified by some tactful scholars.
However, the main feature of this paper is to study the subtle causes of conflicts especially of the post 9/11 segment between these two to identify – why do religions come forward, does religion actually says about conflict and territorial expansion or is it the manipulation of political leaders to sustain the power politics, how the history of conflict contribute to this contemporary conflict?
For this purpose, I will try to analyze exact Qur’anic explanation pointing out the deficiencies of the wrong doing Islamist militant groups. At the same time, I will shed the light on that factor for which the West gets interested to impose the expansionist policy against Muslims by being alienated from Holy Bible.
Finally this paper will explore some approaches to come out of these contending situation; the approaches which are essentially needed for humankind.
Historical continuity of conflict and especially the recent phenomena have segregated the Muslim World and the West into North and South Poles. Even a psychological construction of malignity and mistrust has been mending against other side among the mass people of both Muslim and Christian. Wars have been conducted in a reiterated manner between these two parties regardless of time and place resulting from assorted causes. But those were actually the triggering causes.
The underlying cause is always the same- the Politico-Religious contemplation of protecting and upholding the superiority and glory of own which is sustained through some war monger political leader, some extremist people and justified by some tactful scholars.
However, the main feature of this paper is to study the subtle causes of conflicts especially of the post 9/11 segment between these two to identify – why do religions come forward, does religion actually says about conflict and territorial expansion or is it the manipulation of political leaders to sustain the power politics, how the history of conflict contribute to this contemporary conflict?
For this purpose, I will try to analyze exact Qur’anic explanation pointing out the deficiencies of the wrong doing Islamist militant groups. At the same time, I will shed the light on that factor for which the West gets interested to impose the expansionist policy against Muslims by being alienated from Holy Bible.
Finally this paper will explore some approaches to come out of these contending situation; the approaches which are essentially needed for humankind.
Objective of the study
Conflict between Muslim World and West of 21st century is actually the product of the deficiency of Islamist militant minority, a minority group of westernized Muslim elite and their political leaders and strategic intent of some belligerent leaders of the West, where the majority of the general people hangs back as a passive spectator having nothing to do but to yield the will of powerful actors and put up with the inhuman sufferings.
Therefore, the objective of the study is to see the war of Western’s understanding- is it actually war on terror; of Muslim’s understanding- how much the extremist explanation of holy war is consistent with the Holy Qur’an and what is the contribution of the history of war in this regard? Another objective is to search for a recovered and gratifying prospect standing on the 2nd decade of 21st century.
Obviously, the ultimate objective of this research paper is to scrutinize a rational middle ground for the welfare of all.
Research in social science describes, understand and interpret any social phenomena very precisely; therefore the social science research depend on different methodological approaches and on a particular theory.
The present study deals with-”Understanding the conflict between Muslim World and West: causes and expected future” will apply a Qualitative method.
Obviously there has a systematic manner of launching a social science research. Therefore to understand the methodology and understanding framework of this project we need to know what is actually a social science research?
According to P.V. Young Social research may be defined as scientific understanding which, by means of logical and systematic techniques, aims to,
· discover new facts or verify and test old facts;
· analyze their sequences interrelationship, causal explanation which were derived within an appropriate theoretical framework of references;
· develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid study on human nature[3].
Therefore, the objective of the study is to see the war of Western’s understanding- is it actually war on terror; of Muslim’s understanding- how much the extremist explanation of holy war is consistent with the Holy Qur’an and what is the contribution of the history of war in this regard? Another objective is to search for a recovered and gratifying prospect standing on the 2nd decade of 21st century.
Obviously, the ultimate objective of this research paper is to scrutinize a rational middle ground for the welfare of all.
Rationale and Significance
Research on understanding the conflict between the West and Muslim World aims to provide a theoretical and framework explanation of conflict and conflict resolution. Title of this paper is signifying that the issue of conflict is examining mainly from two spheres- Western and Muslim. Whether we agree with Huntington’s Clash of Civilization thesis it is apparent that this two civilization always subsist in a competitive manner as history proclaims. Undoubtedly it is the most sensitive and blazing issue in international politics. Research on this issue in under graduation programme is indicating the horizontal advancement of idea concerning this issue. Empirical and in-depth examination of this area helps general people be informed about real and reality. Muslims are now being introduced as “Today’s new fascist” by the western,[1] while malignity and fear of intervention by the West is terrifying The Muslims. The sense of insecurity is strengthening among both the parties. Unequal power possession and equal sense of prestige let these two parties forget that- each civilization was concerned with social justice and individual freedom, as if the world is being divided between jihad and invasion, death and expansion, religion and liberalism, regression and advancement. Regrettably the notion of terrorism and aggression verses scholarly elucidation, war verses peace is not promoting uniformly. Therefore, the significance of this research is that it attempts to identify the politico-religious deliberation-an interconnected basis and a number of people, responsible for the conflict. So resolution of the problem can be easier since it is possible to make out the reason. We should explore a moderate way of conflict resolution. It is possible to appeal to common human interest because we share across our society, Asian and Euro-American, Islamic, Christian and secular in coming to know each other better than we did before September 11, since the more we know each other the more will have the prospect of a peaceful world.Methodology and Analytical Framework
The nature of research should dictate the methodology approaches; and examination of research objectives will determine the most appropriate approach (Raynor2000:43). In international relations research, each researcher must find a creatively satisfying solution to the problem of research framework and there must be done a new for each research project. Research in international relations is too subtle and too profound and analytical that requires more sophistication. International relations (IR), which was initially studied under politics and history, has gradually emerged as an autonomous discipline immediately after the War ll. Like other area of social science, research on IR is conducted by using distinct research methodology.[2] Research methodology as a matter of fact includes everything concerning the research. Methodology is used to refer to theoretical discussion concerning the entire research proposal including the forms of thought of the research aims and objectives of the research. The word methodology means the entire syllabus of the research activities including the application of research technique. In other word, the methodology carries a broad meaning and may be used to designate specially the analytical discussion (framework) of various research methods, which fall within the ambit of methodology. Research aims at solving problems and investigating relationships of variables that exists around us.Research in social science describes, understand and interpret any social phenomena very precisely; therefore the social science research depend on different methodological approaches and on a particular theory.
The present study deals with-”Understanding the conflict between Muslim World and West: causes and expected future” will apply a Qualitative method.
Obviously there has a systematic manner of launching a social science research. Therefore to understand the methodology and understanding framework of this project we need to know what is actually a social science research?
According to P.V. Young Social research may be defined as scientific understanding which, by means of logical and systematic techniques, aims to,
· discover new facts or verify and test old facts;
· analyze their sequences interrelationship, causal explanation which were derived within an appropriate theoretical framework of references;
· develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid study on human nature[3].
That’s why it is essential to adopt a theoretical basis to verify any fact by studying the human nature.
[1] Martin, Richard C., “Religion and Violence; Appreciating Traditional Ethical Reasoning In the Global Context”, biiss Journal, vol. 23, no 3, July 2002 p. 264.
[2] Amin, Muhammad Ruhul, “Islamic Framework of Research Methodology In International Relations: Can It Be An Alternative Western Paradigm?”, Islamic Study Journal of Dr. Serajul Islam research Centre, vol. 1 and 2, January- December 2006, p. 239.
[3] Rahman, A.S.M. Atiqur and Shawqatuzzaman, Sayed, Somaj Gobeshona Poddhoti (System of Social Science Research), New Age Publications, Dhaka,2000, p. 13
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