Islamic Reformation

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Islamic Reformation is a broad, multidisciplinary movement to reform Islam, including Islamic society and daily living for Muslims. The idea of an Islamic reformation gained notoriety when it was endorsed by novelist Salman Rushdie in 2005.

The proposed movement advocates the use of analytical and scholarly techniques to gain a balanced understanding of the meaning of the Qur'an, by emphasizing equally the analyses of the historical, economic, and social conditions that brought about the holy texts.

Reformation has yet to influence Muslims.

The term is formed on the name of the Protestant Reformation, but is quite different from that movement which was based on a change in religion and resulted in a change in society and a few centuries of intermittent religious war. What is intended instead is something like the development of liberal religion, sometimes called "modernism" of the late nineteenth century, in which many people lost the desire to maintain many beliefs and practices and called for a social gospel, which was a movement to bring about change in society with only a marginal reference to religion.

[edit] Goals

Also known by some groups as the Six Tenets

To use critical thinking and critical theory in studying and in teaching the texts of Islam
To revive the appreciation of the arts, humanities, and the social sciences
To empower women and to protect women's rights, for the promotion of true gender equality
To empower ordinary people in political life
To foster a culture of peace, tolerance and understanding in interfaith dialogue
To contribute vibrantly to the modern world, and to live and immerse Islam without hindering its beliefs

[edit] Comments by Salman Rushdie

Rushdie advocates the application of higher criticism, pioneered during the late 19th century. Rushdie calls for a reform in Islam in a guest opinion piece printed in The Washington Times and The Times in mid August 2005. Excerpts from his speech,

What is needed is a move beyond tradition, nothing less than a reform movement to bring the core concepts of Islam into the modern age, a Muslim [Islamic] Reformation to combat not only the jihadist ideologues but also the dusty, stifling seminaries of the traditionalists, throwing open the windows to let in much-needed fresh air.

It is high time, for starters, that Muslims were able to study the revelation of their religion as an event inside history, not supernaturally above it.

Broad-mindedness is related to tolerance; open-mindedness is the sibling of peace.