Page 192 - A Call for a Turkish-Islamic Union

A CALL FOR A TURKISH-ISLAMIC UNION

verge from the hedonism that dominates the majority of the

West, free trade is just as essential to Islamic societies as it is to
Western societies. Islam recognizes everybody's right to private
ownership and free enterprise, but Islamic morality places certain
responsibilities on individuals in order to achieve social justice. The
poor have a share in the wealth of the rich, but not in the form of
enforced taxation. Rather, the rich give this share to the poor will-
ingly because of their beliefs. Islam's version of social justice is not
achieved by central planning and enforcement, as socialism pro-
claimed but failed to deliver, but by the society's dominant moral

values. Islamic morality also prevents the rich from indulging in
conspicuous consumption and extravagance.
The materialistic social model encourages consumption, self-
ishness, and the ruthless oppression of others by individuals who
have lost their respect and love for their fellow citizens. Over the
past two centuries, this social model has come to dominate the ma-
jority of the Western world and has eroded its moral values. As a

The degeneration and moral collapse in societies
where people are far removed from religion's morality
is a major problem in many countries.

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