For the Muslim Times’ Encyclopedic collection on Separation of Mosque-Church and State, click here.
December 2014
Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
If the Muslims had understood this one word, “Secularism,” the Taliban would not have had audacity to slaughter 132 innocent children, in Peshawar Pakistan this week. They would have honored civil authorities and understood the importance of law and order in the country. They would work within the system to change it and not take such extreme measures, which are abhorred and condemned by every thinking human soul, except those who are drunk with Taleban’s extreme ideology.
The Muslim Times’ editorial team stands with the Founding Fathers of America, for its principled stance on secularism and Separation of Mosque-Church and State.
The word of secularism encapsulates the last 400-500 year history of Europe and USA. It is a history of one victory after another, carved by human reason and rationality, over the ‘word of God,’ the Holy Bible, as understood by the Catholic Church and later by the Protestant movement. I do not have time and space to elucidate my first exhibit, but, almost every modern person in the West, has some concept of what I am talking about. So, allow me a short cut and let me just place a book here to describe the history for you. I link two articles pertaining to this book: ‘
Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders’ by Denise A. Spellberg
Europe and America’s Journey from Religious Bigotry to Pluralism, A Book Review
This one word of “secularism,” can defeat the myopic vision of ISIS, Al-Shabab, Taleban, Boko Haram and Al-Qaida with one stroke of the pen.
This one word can restore religious freedom to the three million Hindus in Pakistan, whose marriage is not recognized. This one word can make the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to be legally Muslims in Pakistan, who have been declared to be non-Muslims, by the theocratic tendencies in the country.
This one word can give equal human rights to the Christians and the Muslims in Israel.
This one word of “secularism,” can settle many an unnecessary political debates in almost every country of the world.
This one word can bring every citizen of our Global Village to a comprehensive understanding of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This one word will go a long way in giving women equal human rights.
If this century is about human rights then this is the word for this century.
This is why the Muslim Times, has included “secularism,” in the main menu under our picture in the header of Mosque of Medina. Our historic collection that you may not find under the tab of “secularism,” can be read in Separation of Mosque-Church and State.
Additional Reading
Do Muslims Prefer Camels Over Modern Cars?
Categories: Asia, ISLAM, Secularism, Separation of Church and State, Sharia Law
You presented a theory but didnt follow up on it. No matter you’re wrong about Secularism. Secularism has no future in Islam because Islam doesnt believe in equality. Muslims are superior to non muslims. muslims practice religious apartheid. Muslims don’t allow marriage between a non muslim man and a muslim woman. muslims believe its their right to take whatever their right hand possesses. muslims believe in Jizyah. Mjuslims believe in the Sharia law which ruined the muslim occupied lands. No such thing as freedom, human rights and free will in Islam. Islam is the state and a tyrannical regressive one at that, and would neve recognize secularism. wishful thinking on your part, Zia.
@ Islam is the state and a tyrannical regressive one at that, and would neve recognize secularism. wishful thinking on your part, Zia.
———————————
That is true in the minds of some bigots who misuse religion We have to stop them and not support them. Religion is in fact Secular. It has no business with government.
During the past, prophets kept away from any government. take the case of Abraham a.s. He was persecuted by king Nimrod. Moses a.s. and all the Jews were persecuted very much by King Pharaoh of Egypt. Jesus a.s. was caught by the power of the Roman government and put on the Cross.
Our prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. was saved from any governmental persecution just because there was no government nearby in the wilderness of Arabia. He survived by the grace of Allah.
By the time any government became aware, the Muslims had consolidated their position. Yet, they were attacked by the neighboring kings and Roman ruler.
It is a good thing that the early American leaders went on the path of Secularism. Secularism does not mean atheism. It means equal rights for all citizen.
At present, the majority Muslim are under the sway of some misguided leaders who do not know abc of Islam, and the political leaders need the votes, it does not mean all is lost. We have to preach the right doctrine and not lose hope. God willing, all will be okay. It is a big world and needs right teachings. TMT is providing it. Al Hamdu Lillah.
You obviously forget that India is a secular country with secularism as our hallmark for past 5000+ years.
N ot only that; this one word, Secularism will raise all of us, the 180 millions from the subhuman servitudes of Mullahs and bigoted Moulavi’s to be equal human beings like all others in the World.