Introduction

Summary

There are compelling reasons as to why the binary question of Islam and modernity constitutes one of the major issues that the contemporary world faces today. Islam, as a world religion, has shaped the lives and consciousnesses of a large segment of humanity for centuries and created a world civilization that runs in many ways parallel to Western civilization. The rise of social and political movements in the Islamic world in the past few decades is in many ways a response to the negative forces of modernity, such as colonialism and the related problems of economic and political development. At the same time these movements are, in one way or another, faced with new ideas and institutions such as individual and citizenship rights, political participation by the populace, gender equality, economic development and tolerance of difference. The emergence of Islamic movements in the 20th century has been marked, on the one hand, by militant action and reaction against the colonial legacy that is often marred by fanaticism, xenophobia and misogyny. On the other hand, these movements have called for the mobilization of the masses and large-scale political and social participation of the populace in some parts of the Islamic world. The actions and reactions against modern colonialism (e.g., the formation of Muslim Brotherhood in early 20th century Egypt and the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran) inspired by Islam, or more accurately by interpretations of Islam, and the responses from the West, have created volatile situations in many parts of the world. Simultaneously, the galvanization and mobilization of the masses in these parts of the world by Islamic movements have the potential to forge the foundations of mass democracy. Once a population has been mobilized and encouraged to participate in the social and political affairs of its community, it is probable for it to develop a sense of agency and feel entitled to determine its own affairs, which constitutes the foundation of mass democracy and creation of a public sphere in which individuals have the equal right to discuss and determine their community's political and social issues. The role of Islam, or in fact interpretations of Islam, has been crucial to this process.