Forum on the Future of Islam – Is Islamism(s) Prone to Produce Extremism?


Date posted: February 11, 2016

Rethink Institute has launched a new research program, Future of Islam, to debate and address the most critical questions, share ideas, and offer solutions to salient issues related to the future of Islam and Muslims. Forum on the Future of Islam has been established as the deliberative component of the program whereby prominent experts and leaders meet annually to discuss and deliberate specific themes. The first meeting of the Forum under the theme “Muslim Perspectives on Islamic Extremism”took place in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2015.

Since the end of the Cold War, unfortunately, Islam has become one of the top global concerns. Political, social, and sectarian fault lines in Muslim geographies continue to produce conflict and violence, affecting not only domestic but also regional and global power dynamics. In addition, in an age of fast, cursory, unfiltered information and a continuous news cycle, any misdeed committed by any Muslim anywhere, at any time, with any motive, is haphazardly attributed to Islam. It may not be far-fetched to argue that the future of Islam is also the future of Muslims. And given the magnitude of the issues surrounding this people and religion, the future of Islam will also determine the future of humanity at large.

The first meeting of the Forum considered:

  • The challenge of extremism and radicalism in Muslim communities around the world;
  • The failure of Islamism to address social, political, and economic issues;
  • Identity crises and the social predicament of Muslim minorities in Western societies;
  • Radicalization of Muslim youths;
  • The conflict between modern values and institutions and the tenets of Islam as conceived by some Muslims and non-Muslims;
  • Conflicts among state, civil, Sufi, and political manifestations of Islam;
  • Coexistence of Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

Forum speakers included:

Asma Afsaruddin, Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, Azizah al-Hibri, Mehdi Aminrazavi, Abdul Karim Bangura, Birol Baskan, Fevzi Bilgin, Mustafa Gurbuz, Shireen T. Hunter, Arsalan Iftikhar, Margaret A. Johnson, Ozgur Koca, Ahmet T. Kuru, Nadia Oweidat, Leila Piran, Zeki Saritoprak, Asma T. Uddin

Source: Rethink Institute , Jan 22, 2016

Tags: | | |


Related News

Int’l symposium in Washington D.C. to discuss Hizmet’s contribution to world peace

An international symposium under the name of ‘The Hizmet Movement and PeaceBuilding” will be held on Oct. 25-26 in Washington D.C. In attendance at the symposium organized by Georgetown University, American University, Mount St. Mary’s University and the Rumi Forum will be numerous academics and scientists from more than 20 countries in six continents.

Main opposition CHP’s visit to Gülen organization a ‘unifying action’

The main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) recent visit to the Turkic American Alliance (TAA), one of Fethullah Gülen’s U.S.-based organizations, was an “inclusive, unifying action,” CHP deputy chair Faruk Loğoğlu has said. “There is no doubt that some circles will be annoyed by the breakfast we had [with TAA officials]. But we did not […]

The unwanted truth: the Muslim enemies of Islam

GÖKHAN BACIK Islamists (or Islamic groups) have to face a simple reality: There are radical religious Muslim groups around the globe with false interpretations of Islam. The threat of religious radicalism is not simply Western imperialist jargon devised to benefit self-serving Western strategies. It is a fact that various radical Islamic groups have paradoxically served […]

Turkish evidence for Gulen extradition pre-dates coup attempt

Turkey’s request for U.S. extradition of self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen refers only to his alleged activities before last month’s failed coup attempt, for which the Turks have not yet provided any evidence of his involvement, a senior administration official said.

Peace Islands Massachusetts bestows Friendship Awards

The turnout for the event was spectacular thanks to our distinguished guests who were legislators, peace activists, policy advisers, community leaders, and academicians from a variety of fields.

Turkey squandered historic opportunity to achieve democracy, says Gülen

Stressing that In Turkey or elsewhere, authoritarian rulers have exploited the differences within the society to polarize various groups against each other, Gülen said “citizens should come together around universal human rights and freedoms and be able to democratically oppose those who violate these rights.”

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Erdogan regime keeps defamation of the Gülen mov’t, calls it crusader organization

Teacher detained just after giving birth, handcuffed to bed at hospital

Egyptian Congressmen Visited the Turkish School in Cairo

Turkey’s failed coup could worsen Nigeria’s recession

TV series shooting banned over controversial scene depicting the Prophet Muhammad

Purge-victim businessman dies of cancer days after being released from prison

Turkish schools building peace in Africa

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News