LusoHijabi
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- Islam
I've been thinking about the possiblity of "Islamizing" and implementing Islam in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh like many muslim countries has had an "Islamic Revival" (albeit at a slower pace in Bangladesh) where the population is becoming more religious and conservative even though the state is secular. For example Islam being made the state religion by Ershad, state funding for religious institutions.
Also on a social and cultural level with more women wearing hijab, niqab and abayas aside from the more tradtional South Asian clothing like the Sari, mosque attendance increasing, Islamic phrases being commonly used in the language, The rise of Islamic NGOs and microfinance groups.
Democratization has also helped Islamization as it meant Islamist groups and activists like Jamaat e-Islami had free space to be active in civil society to spread their ideas easily without persecution, especially with social media and easy access to information. For example these groups hold hijab fairs to promote the hijab and make it popular among women in Bangladesh and it works as more and women are wearing hijab.
I feel Bangladesh is at a crossroads, in that the culture is changing and becoming more Islamic and Conservative. It has to choose between Islam or Bengali Secular nationalism which is still a big influence there.
There is the beginnings of a culture clash between these two ideas which I feel will change Bangladesh fundamentally. The issue over the bloggers is a good example of this as they do upset the sensitivities of many Bangladeshis eventhough they may not condone the murders. Another issue is legalized prostitution.
Also many secular Bengalis are noticing this Islamic resurgence. For example in this article this Bengali woman when she goes back to Bangladesh after some time is shocked to see how Islam is becoming more influential how popular the hijab and niqab has become:
here's a mini excrept from a New York Times article titled "End of Secular Bangladesh"
On the way, my 13-year-old daughter observed, “I thought it would be much more colorful. Are there no women in Dhaka?” Looking around, I realized that most women were covered in black burqas or hijabs — a style that I had seen in such large numbers only in the Middle East. Many of their male companions wore long white dishdashas and skullcaps.
I remembered that stretch as being one of the most colorful streets, with shop fronts spilling over with spices and trinkets, men and women loudly bargaining to get the best deal. Even in Dhaka’s swanky areas, I was dismayed to find stores filled with hijabs and full-face coverings, with signs on the front windows reading “For True Muslim Women.”
In my view, I think Islam will eventually win out in Bangladesh and it will see Islamic reforms like in Malaysia in terms of popular culture, economy, civil laws, social and moral values, maybe implementation of sharia? and this will all be done through the democratic process like in Malaysia.
However it wont be instant and it will be a gradual process with a series of defining moments where we will Bangladesh change before our very eyes.
Islamist groups like Jamaat e-Islami do suffer a bit of an image problem in Bangladesh over its role in 1971 war of independence against and the fact it was on Pakistan's side. so it has that to overcome.
Well thats my thoughts, what are your thoughts?
Bangladesh like many muslim countries has had an "Islamic Revival" (albeit at a slower pace in Bangladesh) where the population is becoming more religious and conservative even though the state is secular. For example Islam being made the state religion by Ershad, state funding for religious institutions.
Also on a social and cultural level with more women wearing hijab, niqab and abayas aside from the more tradtional South Asian clothing like the Sari, mosque attendance increasing, Islamic phrases being commonly used in the language, The rise of Islamic NGOs and microfinance groups.
Democratization has also helped Islamization as it meant Islamist groups and activists like Jamaat e-Islami had free space to be active in civil society to spread their ideas easily without persecution, especially with social media and easy access to information. For example these groups hold hijab fairs to promote the hijab and make it popular among women in Bangladesh and it works as more and women are wearing hijab.
I feel Bangladesh is at a crossroads, in that the culture is changing and becoming more Islamic and Conservative. It has to choose between Islam or Bengali Secular nationalism which is still a big influence there.
There is the beginnings of a culture clash between these two ideas which I feel will change Bangladesh fundamentally. The issue over the bloggers is a good example of this as they do upset the sensitivities of many Bangladeshis eventhough they may not condone the murders. Another issue is legalized prostitution.
Also many secular Bengalis are noticing this Islamic resurgence. For example in this article this Bengali woman when she goes back to Bangladesh after some time is shocked to see how Islam is becoming more influential how popular the hijab and niqab has become:
here's a mini excrept from a New York Times article titled "End of Secular Bangladesh"
On the way, my 13-year-old daughter observed, “I thought it would be much more colorful. Are there no women in Dhaka?” Looking around, I realized that most women were covered in black burqas or hijabs — a style that I had seen in such large numbers only in the Middle East. Many of their male companions wore long white dishdashas and skullcaps.
I remembered that stretch as being one of the most colorful streets, with shop fronts spilling over with spices and trinkets, men and women loudly bargaining to get the best deal. Even in Dhaka’s swanky areas, I was dismayed to find stores filled with hijabs and full-face coverings, with signs on the front windows reading “For True Muslim Women.”
In my view, I think Islam will eventually win out in Bangladesh and it will see Islamic reforms like in Malaysia in terms of popular culture, economy, civil laws, social and moral values, maybe implementation of sharia? and this will all be done through the democratic process like in Malaysia.
However it wont be instant and it will be a gradual process with a series of defining moments where we will Bangladesh change before our very eyes.
Islamist groups like Jamaat e-Islami do suffer a bit of an image problem in Bangladesh over its role in 1971 war of independence against and the fact it was on Pakistan's side. so it has that to overcome.
Well thats my thoughts, what are your thoughts?
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