Imperialism, Orientalism, Christianity, Islam, religions, beliefs
Christianity and Islam have shared some commonalities since they have some beliefs that are similar and although the two may have shared some good relations and interaction the European Christians and the Middle Eastern Muslims have had their fair share of conflict and aggression in the past. In the Middle ages Islam had conquered and taken control over a large part of African states, the Middle East and some European states a factor that caused aggressive behavior and conflict between the European and Islamic parts of the divide.
[...] There was also the paradigm of the superiority of European Civilization that became dominant among the academicians and Europeans. The rise of Europe seemed inevitable and Europe became the most dominant model due to its changes and rise of academic superiority over the other models thereby labeling Islam as “others”. The Muslims that were in this case being labeled as the Orient were associated with stagnation and immobility meaning that the Europeans considered Christianity and the European culture to be the dominant culture (Harlow Barbara and Mia 85). [...]
[...] During this period there was also consolidation of European power and control over the Muslim nations and also the strengthening of the different colonial empires in Europe to ensure that they remained as the sole colonial power in the world. The question of division of the empires by the European powers was also raised with different colonial powers looking to cement their power over the Islamic nations and the divisions were therefore important to ensure that each European state party to the engagement had its fair share of control in the Islamic region. [...]
[...] Theories were developed and they were being drafted and associated with all forms of generalization and assertions and in the process this led to the complete discrediting of Islam and gave the Europeans the power to control and rule over the Islamic nations (Harlow Barbara and Mia 101). The line of thought that believed the Europeans to be more powerful and superior than the Muslims was referred to as the Orientalism The perceptions that were born out of this period by the Europeans have been carried over to the present day as more people continue to believe in some of these assertions even in the modern world. [...]
[...] The conflict between Islam and the Western world may have ended but the beliefs that some of the European countries had to be more superior than others remains. Religion is no longer a source of contradiction so too is the division and fight for power between countries. However, the stereotyping and fanatical assertions plagued the religions for many years. Works Cited Harlow, Barbara, and Mia Carter. Imperialism & Orientalism: A Documentary Sourcebook. Malden: Blackwell Publishers Print. [...]
[...] The Europeans further asserted that Knowledge among the Muslims stagnates and could only be developed through the adoption of European ideas and standards. In addition, the Muslims were said to oppress their women through Islamic religion and were also said to be anti-modern. The major stereotypical statement that was widespread and carried the greatest weight among Europeans was the fact that Islam was an impediment that hindered modernization, enlightenment and progress making the Muslim nations inferior in political, military, economic and cultural terms. [...]
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