Seriously though... I've been trying to think about what the purpose of this space will be. Before departing for the Middle East, more than one person said that I had to start a blog. But a blog about what exactly? The first thought that came to mind was a bunch of pictures of me standing next to pyramids with witty captions underneath. That's so cliche though, isn't it?
Being the nerd that I am, I came up with a series of "research questions" that I want to explore during my time in the region. Actually, they are not so much questions as comparisons and--what I expect to be--distinctions that I want to draw between Arab/Muslim society and that of the West.
And now for your intellectual enjoyment, here is the list I've come up with so far...
Western values vs. Islamic values: questions and comparisons
-individualism vs. collectivism
-secular society vs. religious society
-separation of church and state vs. integration of church and state
-man's will vs. God's will
-religious tolerance vs. religious conformity
-liberty vs. submission
-progressive religion vs. traditional religion
-career vs. family
Is there a "clash of civilizations"? Are Western values and Islamic values compatible? Can there be a hybrid? Can the West adopt some Islamic values and Islam adopt some Western values? Or are they mutually exclusive?
Until next time, inshallah.
With any set of reified and ossified dichotomies I've come across, it always seems that the reality is much more complex and nuanced. If I may make a prediction, your blog may end up being a narrative of how these dichotomies are really just concepts and cannot contain the realities of life and culture in the countries you visit. It may even also appear that not only are dichotomies such as "traditional" vs. "modern" not hard and firm and inseparable, but even the existence of a single, separate Western society, and a single Arab/Muslim society may be nowhere to be found. I think this is a great theme and approach for a blog, and I look forward to learning of your experiences and reflections. Go, Lawremz!
ReplyDeleteI think before making things complicated enough to take so much of your time (writing) and leave you so little time to enjoy your short trip, I would suggest making this blog more of a diary of things you see and do on your trip (including photos), so we know where you've been and what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteyou can reflect and philosophize after you return home. : )