September 11th and its aftermath

Abstract

Mushirul Hasan reflects on the consequences of September 11 on India's Muslim community, and the challenges that lie ahead. Questioning the notion of a monolithic Muslim identity depicted in many Western and Muslim narratives, Hasan assesses the internal and external causes of discontent among Muslim communities in India and elsewhere. Themes addressed include: the legacy of decolonization, the demonization of Islam in the media and public discourse; the “clash of civilizations” thesis; and the role of the electronic media in fuelling discontent. It is argued that the weakness of governing and educational institutions remains a chief cause of ‘decay’ in some Muslim communities. Hasan emphasizes that over the course of history, Islam has developed the capacity to meet challenges creatively. In the aftermath of September 11, the need for Muslims to rewrite their script is greater than ever before. Lamentation must cease and give way to self‐introspection, a reappraisal of the crises affecting Muslim societies, and a careful reordering of priorities. As well, much needs to be done to build bridges between Muslim countries and the rest of the world.