Islam is the youngest of the three world religions. Today, the spread of Islam in the modern world is becoming increasingly large.
On Earth, there are 850 million adherents of this religion, who live mainly in Southeast, South and Southwest Asia and northern Africa. Most of the Arab, Turkic and Iranian peoples are Muslims. Many representatives of religion are found in North India. Most Indonesians are also adherents of Islam.
Religion Revival
At the end of the 20th century, Islam embraced a period of rebirth that had not happened before in its history. Today, no matter how incredible this may sound to people 20-30 years ago, there is not a single country on Earth where there is not a single Muslim - from Japan to Mexico, from Sweden to Australia.
Moreover, the number of adherents of Islam in the last century was 1/8 of the total population of the world, and at the moment it is 1/5. This clearly shows what role Islam plays in the modern world.
Historical protests
The history of religion has recently experienced a radical upheaval. At the end of the 19th century, Western countries, with their colonial policies, greatly changed the face of traditional Muslim society. Millions of people living in villages were forced to seek food in big cities. This led to protests among the people.
Speaking briefly about Islam in the modern world, it should be noted that this religion throughout its existence has been closely connected with politics. In a large number of Muslim countries, religion is the main factor determining the behavior of people. Political parties have less authority than ministers of religion - mullahs. This has negative consequences for the further development of countries, both socially and politically.
With the help of their authority, the mullahs directed the protest moods prevailing in society into the mainstream of religion. In Iran, this phenomenon is called the "Iranian experiment." He made a great world sensation.
Oil appearance
Of great importance for the widespread dissemination of Islam in the modern world was the emergence among the conservative countries of the East of the strategic resource necessary for the development of industry and science in the modern world. In countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, as well as the Gulf states, large oil reserves have been discovered. The advent of a valuable resource in circulation has opened up new opportunities and prospects for countries.
Thus, the Arab countries received a significant source of income. At the same time, a considerable part of the material resources earned began to be spent on the development of religion, as well as on the preservation of the conservative system within the state.
International relationships
In addition, the revival of Islam in the modern world after liberation from colonial politics was facilitated by the development of international political conflicts. These are, for example, religious clashes between the countries of the Middle East and Lebanon, martial law in Afghanistan, the problem of religious minorities in non-Islamic countries, the search by Arab states for an alternative to the nuclear weapons that Israel and India have.
Islamic parties
In the modern world, the role of Islam is reflected in numerous religious parties and movements. Some of them take a radical position. Others, on the contrary, see the danger in the growth of Muslim radicalism and try to hinder its spread.
Among them, the largest religious party, the Islamic Conference, which was formed in 1962, stands out. She also has observer status with the United Nations. The main body of this party is the assembly of rulers of Muslim states. There is also an Islamic Bank responsible for future development. This makes the party an influential member of the world community, and the opinion of its members is significant and important.
There are also non-governmental Islamic organizations that oppose excessive radicalism: the League of the Islamic World, the World Islamic Congress, etc. These movements are engaged in propaganda and comprehensive study of the Muslim religion, unity and international cooperation of Islamic states, and search for peaceful solutions to the problems that arise. on religious grounds.
The actions of the above parties have a positive impact on the development of the Muslim religion throughout the world. In addition, they reduce the influence of radical followers and are looking for ways to eliminate the orthodox situation in the world today.
Strengthening Countries
At the beginning of the 19th century, Muslim countries experienced the influence of colonial humiliation and, as a result, had a low level of development. After liberation from Western power, members of the government saw the need to modernize their religion for the further development of Islam in the modern world. From this moment, the era of popular protest, as well as radical transformations, began, which undoubtedly suffered negative consequences.
Already at the end of the XX century, due to income from the sale of petroleum products, the strengthening of the economic power of countries began. In addition, it strengthened the political influence of countries on the world stage.
So in these countries there has been a sharp increase in the importance of Islam in the national tradition. It was easiest to rely on the religious factor in the event of a surprise attack by enemies. This played an important role in the unity of countries.
Struggle for independence
Under the banner of religion very often there are forces fighting for the independence of the country from other major powers. This, for example, characterized the revolution in Iran.
Nevertheless, speaking briefly about the role of Islam in the modern world, it must be remembered that its conservatism also has negative consequences. For example, in Arab countries there is a severe restriction and suppression of women's rights in accordance with the strict Sharia commandments. This approach does not allow the development of a progressive reformation, but only leads to the strengthening of the power and authority of the clergy.
I must say that this situation is not typical for all Muslim countries. Some of them follow the path of orientation towards society, making promising transformations in their political system.
Strengthening religion
In the modern world, Islam is in conditions that contribute to its development in a harsh form. By the forces of propagandists these conditions have gained active implementation. The number of radical Muslims is growing every day. As a result, the actions of political parties are increasingly authoritarian.
Today, Islam is one of the most powerful religions in the world. This is due to the fact that for Muslim countries, religion has always played a different role, in comparison with other countries. Islam was included in the political system of the state and formed another form of organization of society. He also defined other areas of the national structure: international economic relations, culture and everyday characteristics of his adherents.
The spiritual life in countries with Islam as the dominant religion proceeded under the control and within the framework of religion. Despite the fact that Muslim scholars freely used general scientific terms in their studies, the Muslim religion was still the fundamental basis of all their works. On it all conclusions and discoveries were built.
It can be assumed that the constant presence of religion in people's lives contributed to its strengthening.
Impact on society
Having joined the modern social structure, recognizing the authority of scientists and science, in the modern world, the religion of Islam continues to have a great influence on society. The basis for this is the centuries-old traditions, sometimes modernized to the current culture. This can be seen in the case of a country such as the United Arab Emirates. Based on ancient customs, it is developing in the direction of new perspectives, the acquisition of advanced experience and material profit.
Religious workers today have a good education and a broad understanding of Islam, live up to modernity and use all the inventions and achievements of modern civilization. Therefore, they also affect the spiritual development of the population of Islamic countries.
In recent years, this attitude has intensified. In addition, Islam has become one of the main factors influencing the political course of some states (Iran, Afghanistan, Algeria).
Islam in Russia
Islam entered the territory now owned by the Federation in the 7th century, that is, from the very first century of its occurrence. First, he entered the territory of the modern North Caucasus, but could not gain a foothold there. Islamization of the population lasted for centuries. In the Volga Bulgaria, Islam became widespread at the end of the 10th century, and penetrated even earlier than this time. In the XIV-XV centuries, Islam began to penetrate into the layers of the Turkic-speaking peoples living in Siberia. There he received less distribution.
In the modern world, Islam in Russia has become the dominant religion in the North Caucasus, Siberia, the Urals, as well as in the Volga region. After the collapse of the USSR, large groups of the Islamic population migrated to other cities of the country located in other regions.
The peoples of the Russian Federation, traditionally considered Muslim, are today considered Tatars, Chechens, Ingush, Bashkirs, Avars, Adyghe, Kabardins, etc. In total, about 15-20 million people who practice Islam live in the country.
Today, Islam plays a significant role in the political structure and public life of the population of the Russian Federation. Islamic movements and organizations are actively involved in the development and adoption of certain bills, discuss problems on political, economic and educational issues, and take positions in finding ways to solve them.
In addition, Muslims living in Russia take part in the activities of peacekeepers. They are looking for peaceful ways to regulate international clashes, which before that did not threaten the security and previous course of life of the population of the state.
The role of Islam
In the modern world, Islam occupies the position of the fastest growing of all world religions. This is due to the characteristics of religion itself, the demographic situation in Islamic countries, as well as the missionary policies of Muslim parties, movements and ministers.
Today we can say that there is a sharp increase in the Islamic factor and its influence on the political regimes and directions of religious states. In the near future, the strengthening of the position of Islam in the structure of Western Christian countries is expected. This will lead to changes in the politics and culture of countries that previously did not consider themselves Islamic.
At the same time, there is a rapid spread of radical Islam with an extremely conservative point of view. This has negative consequences for the whole world.