Page 18 - Hussein Revivalism - Issue 16

Antoine Charpentieri Mustafa Diba
Writer and political analyst
Antoine Charpentieri / France:
Religious newspapers and
magazines seeking reform,
openness and non-fanaticism
are of great importance in these
difficult times. The distorted
version of Islam by some
interest groups has become a
mainstream doctrine by many.
These days, religious ideas,
especially the West, have begun
to return strongly to the political
and economic scene, with the
support of those powers that
want to dominate the world.
The role of reformers and those
with good will lies in working to
acquaint others with the true
teachings of Islam. If we take
18 Hussein Revivalism
Robert Tolast
the Islamic religion as a subject
of research, we will see how
a distorted view of Islam has
become widespread since the
events of September 11 and is
seen as an enemy in the eyes of
many in the Western world.
However, all insiders know and
affirm that Islam has nothing to
do with these deviant, extremist
and radical ideas, hence the
importance for publications that
are concerned with spreading
moderate thought. I believe that
the main responsibility lies with
the heads of media organizations
and editorial departments in
magazines and newspapers
in order to spread the culture
of coexistence and respect for
the other and to transmit the
honourable image of Islam. It
is not necessary to publish in
Arabic. Foreign languages give a
large number of people access
to the correct religious thought
of Islam, which may help address
the rift, and bridge the gap
between Islam and the West,
which has a false and negative
view on Islam.
Finally, the work of the moderate
religious press has several
dimensions, including raising
awareness of the world public
opinion as well as being a kind
of civilizational resistance in the
“
face of the extremist, savage,
and abominable thoughts in
the world, whether they be
emanating from Muslims,
Christians or Jews.
Media in foreign
languages may help
address the rift,
and bridge the gap
between Islam and
the West.