Muslim youth: ‘Face the challenge’

Malaysian author criticises the policies of the West and urges Muslim youth to be more assertive.

ISLAMABAD: A Malaysian scholar criticised the West for maintaining its “hegemony to create unrest in the Muslim world” and urged the youth to face up to the challenge.

Renowned social activist and academic Dr Chandra Muzaffar published these views in a book titled ‘Muslims Today: Changes Within, Challenges Without,’ launched here  on Monday under the Islamic International University’s banner.

“The youth of the Muslim Ummah need to do more to create their impact on other segments of society,” the author wrote.

He said, “Injustice is responsible for creating some of the grave challenges being faced today.”

He offered justification for militancy in the Muslim world by writing, “Militancy in the Muslim world is a result of injustices and has forced the American forces to decide to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Criticising what he called the hegemonic attitude of the US and quoting examples from history, he held the superpower’s own policies responsible for its setbacks.

The author lauded China’s growing power as a major player on the world stage and appreciated Iranian policies in the same manner. He hoped that Pakistani youth would continue their march along the same lines.

The book is comprised of 284 pages divided into 13 chapters. The author is the Noordin Sopiee Professor of Global Studies at the Science University of Malaysia in Penang.

He has published extensively on civilisation dialogue, international politics, religion, human rights and Malaysian society.

Many of his 25 books have been translated into other languages.

He is also the president of the International Movement for a Just World, an international NGO based in Malaysia, that seeks to critique global injustice and develop an alternative vision of a just and compassionate civilisation guided by universal spiritual and moral values.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2011.