Informative, yet, not conclusive
|
Ali, like Chomsky and others is extremely Anti-American. The book is a brilliant critique of western foreign policy, and Islamism. While Ali criticises the West for the effects upon Eastern culture, he also criticises Islam for not going through the reformation. In this respect Ali does well.
However, there are major short comings throughout the argument, and like many on the left Ali raises all the questions, but offers no real answer. Given the instability of South Asia and the middle east, how are the west to act? Ali says himself that Pakistan is in danger of becoming a nuclear fundamentalist state, yet does not offer a solution to the problem, or any other for that matter...
The facts that arise from the book mean that it is definately worth a read, and it is well written. However, if you are Islamic, or pro war, prepare to be offended. Ali does raise contentious issues, for example the belief that the prophet Mohammed was a political ideologue and produced Islam in a bid to refute Paganism, and that Franklin Roosevelt instigated war with Japan.
All in all a good book, if you're prepared to think beyond what Ali purports.
|
|
A fundamentalist refutes fundamentalists
|
The problem with Ali's book is in while he attacks the twin fundamentalisms (US and Islamic) he himself is a fundamentalist of the marxist-leninist type (a doctrine which has incidentally killed more than America and Islam put together). He attacks the madrassas in Pakistan for brainwashing kids but he himself blindly follows the marxists beliefs he was indoctrinated with in childhood. His claim the self-same madrassas are breeding grounds for terrorism is palpably false - of Al Qaida members only 9% went to madrassa the rest having secular education like Ali's. His section on Islam is marred by polemicism -selective quoting to back his arguments and spurious theories presented as facts without proof. He misquotes and misunderstands texts for example he quotes the Prophetic maxim as "Pray 5 times and tie your camel" and suggests this was said for fear of camel's being stolen whilst praying - in fact the hadith is "Trust in God, but tie your camel" and is usually understood to mean that while a believer should rely only on God He or She shouldnt also act recklessly and endanger themselves or others.
While Ali is an interesting alternative voice he's hard to take seriously.
|
|
An eye-opener
|
|
They dont teach you this in school. Rather than go back to the last media report from Fox news which is as far back as commentators want to go today, Ali takes us back to the beginiings of christianity and islam. By giving us the context of key events he leads us naturally and straight up to 9/11. If like me you are ignorant of what has been happening in the middle east this is a great primer. I would recommend that before you read Bernard Lewis, or people whose focus is just ion todays news, read Ali. Then read the papers and you'll see why the political boundaries, and world power, is shaped like it is. Highly recommendde.
|
|
Surprised me - fluent and pleasurable writing
|
|
For migrants who live in the West and whose education, especially history, has been focused only on the west, this book is a revelation. Yes, I had vaguely heard of Ali as a communist (and I never believed in communism as workable) but I gave this book a chance. To learn that there is a history that doesnt focus on the West, a magnificent history over 1300 years old, a tragic history made pitiful by the events of the last 100 years, but a history also full of human achievements, is a revelation. Yes, there are other writers out there, western and arab, but none seem to me to make it so accessible. What Tariq Ali reveals about Islam is that once upon a time, it flourished in a culture that was open and tolerant. It was influenced heavily by non-Arab cultures, and the centre of gravity moved rapidly out of Arabia towards Baghdad, Spain, Persia and India. Only after 1300 years, because the US wanted cheap oil, and did a " Oil-for-protection" deal, did the centre of gravity return to Arabia under the brutal tyranny of Ibn Saud and the Wahabi sect. Ergo, the USA and Saudi Arabia directly supported and grew islamic fundamentalism. I never knew this, but I do now. Excellent.
|
|
|
Excellent book
|
|
"Clash of Fundamentalisms" is a particularly well written and informative analysis of both types of extremism most prevalent in the world today - namely US led imperialism and religious fundamentalism. The erudite Ali is at his best during his commentary of the India-Pakistan partition and also the horrific US instigated shift of power in Indonesia from the nationalist Soekarno to the brutal military dictatorship of Suharto. In addition to analysis of current events, Ali provides an educational insight into the history and culture of Islam, and also women's role within the religion. The only negative comment is that the book can occasionally be slightly difficult in these sections where Ali is providing a detailed historical commentary. Overall this is a fascinating and relevant book which should provide an interesting alternative to the work of Pilger etc.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada