I was pondering this morning on what attracts a vast number of Muslims to extreme conservative ideas and parties. The first respond that occurred to me was that this is an inevitable result of the sweeping currents of globalization. Many Muslims are drawn to extreme conservatism as a knee-jerk reaction in order to preserve their identities against a tsunami of “foreign” ideas and influences pouring in from all directions. But how true is that? Does globalization really push people towards conservatism, or will it eventually create a moderate like-minded population? Terrorism, as a result of extreme right-wing conservatism, might seem spread all over the planet. But on the other hand, is there a generation that is more tolerant of diversity on the rise? Since media is inherently inclined to covering terrorist attacks better than reporting on peaceful protests, liberalism could very well be winning over conservatism without us realizing it.I still wonder, though, where are all these clashing currents taking us.
(Painting by Elias Zayyat)