Islam is the youngest of the three world religions. Today, the spread of Islam in the modern world is becoming ever larger.
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 Muslims.
Revival of religion
At the end of the 20th century, Islam embraced a period of revival that had never happened before in its history. Today, no matter how incredible it 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.
At the same time, 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.
Historic protests
The history of religion has recently experienced a radical upheaval. At the end of the 19th century, Western countries, with their colonial policy, greatly changed the face of traditional Muslim society. Millions of people living in settlements were forced to look for food in big cities. This led to the emergence of protest moods among the people.
Speaking briefly about Islam in the modern world, it should be noted that this religion has been closely connected with politics throughout its existence. In a large number of Muslim countries, religion is the main determinant of people's behavior. Political parties have less authority than the ministers of religion - the 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 mood prevailing in society into the mainstream of religion. In Iran, this phenomenon is called the "Iranian experiment". He made a big world splash.
The appearance of oil
Great importance for the wide spread of Islam in the modern world was the emergence of a strategic resource in the conservative countries of the East, necessary for the development of industry and science inthe modern world. In countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, as well as the states of the Persian Gulf, large reserves of oil have been discovered. The emergence 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 proceeds of material resources began to be spent on the development of religion, as well as on the preservation of the conservative system within the state.
Foreign relations
In addition, the revival of Islam in the modern world after the liberation from colonial policy contributed to the development of international political conflicts. These are, for example, religious clashes between 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 by numerous religious parties and movements. Some of them take a radical position. Others, on the contrary, see danger in the growth of Muslim radicalism and try to prevent its spread.
Among them stands out the largest religious party, the Islamic Conference, which was formed in 1962. It also has observer status with the United Nations. The main body of this party is the meeting of the rulers of Muslim states. There is also an Islamic bank responsible for future development. It doesparty as an influential member of the world community, and the opinion of its members is weighty and important.
There are also non-governmental Islamic organizations that oppose excessive radicalism: the Islamic World League, the World Islamic Congress, etc. These movements are engaged in propaganda and a comprehensive study of the Muslim religion, unity and international cooperation of Islamic states, the search for peaceful ways to solve problems arising on religious grounds.
The actions of the above parties have a positive impact on the development of the Muslim religion around the world. In addition, they are reducing the influence of radical adherents and are looking for ways to eliminate the orthodox situation that has developed 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 being liberated from Western rule, members of the state governments saw the need to modernize their religion for the further development of Islam in the modern world. From that moment, the era of popular protest began, as well as radical changes, which undoubtedly had negative consequences.
Already at the end of the 20th century, due to the receipt of income from the sale of petroleum products, the strengthening of the economic power of countries began. In addition, it has increased the political influence of countries on the world stage.
So in these countries there was a sharp increase in the importance of Islam in the national tradition. On thethe religious factor was the easiest to rely on in the event of a sudden attack by enemies. This played an important role in the unity of the countries.
Struggle for Independence
Under the banner of religion very often stand forces fighting for the country's independence from other major powers. This, for example, characterized the revolution in Iran.
However, 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 precepts of Sharia. 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.
It must be said that this situation is not typical for all Muslim countries. Some of them are following the path of orientation towards society, making promising changes in their political system.
Strengthening Religion
In the modern world, Islam is in conditions that contribute to its development in a tough form. Through the forces of propagandists, these conditions have been actively implemented. 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 explained by the fact that religion has always played a different role for Muslim countries compared to other countries. Islam was included in the political system of the state and formed another form of organization of society. Alsohe also determined other areas of the people's structure: international economic relations, culture and everyday characteristics of his adherents.
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 research, the Muslim religion was still the fundamental basis of all their works. All conclusions and discoveries were based on it.
It can be assumed that the constant presence of religion in people's lives contributed to its strengthening.
Influence 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 centuries-old traditions, modernized in some places to the current culture. This can be seen in the example of a country such as the United Arab Emirates. Based on ancient customs, it develops towards new perspectives, excellence and material gain.
Servants of religion today have a good education and a broad understanding of Islam, live in step with modern times and use all the inventions and achievements of the current civilization. Therefore, they also influence the spiritual development of the population of Islamic countries.
This attitude has intensified in recent years. Besides,Islam has become one of the main factors influencing the political course of some states (Iran, Afghanistan, Algeria).
Islam in Russia
Islam came to the territory that now belongs to the Federation in the 7th century, that is, from the very first century of its occurrence. First, he penetrated 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 that time. In the XIV-XV centuries, Islam began to penetrate into the layers of the Turkic-speaking peoples living in Siberia. There it was less common.
In the modern world, Islam in Russia has become the dominant religion in the North Caucasus, Siberia, the Urals, and also 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 now considered to be Tatars, Chechens, Ingush, Bashkirs, Avars, Adyghes, Kabardians, etc. In total, about 15-20 million people who profess Islam live in the country.
Today, Islam plays a significant role in the political structure and social life of the population of the Russian Federation. Islamic movements and organizations take an active part in the development and adoption of some bills, discuss problems on political, economic and educational issues, take positions in finding ways tosolutions.
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 the way of life of the population of the state.
The Role of Islam
In today's world, Islam occupies the position of the fastest growing of all world religions. This is due to the peculiarities of the religion itself, the demographic situation in Islamic countries, as well as the missionary policy of Muslim parties, movements and ministers.
Today, we can say that there is a sharp increase in the Islamic factor and its influence on 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.
