Book Review
Chasing A
Mirage – The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State.
- Author:
Tarek Fatah
-
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.,
Canada
-
Reviewed
By: Javed I.
Chaudry
Tarek 's dilemma – A
commentary
Tarek Fatah has taken on a subject knowing full
well what he could be into. I agree with most of
Javed I. Chaudry. Tariq in his book is often
wrapped up in contradictions and abiguties that
most knowledgeable could put their fingers on.
Despite his strong literary presentation,
religious topics demand considerable
scholarship, while tendency towards overkill
does not help. But that is his book that will
have to test its fitness.
An evaluation however, must present both sides.
Here some valid issues have been raised, say,
the hypocrisy of Muslim leadership in the Middle
East that Tarek has detailed with fair accuracy
and there is more ……….
His Islamic version of Church and State, is as
yet unresolved historical conflict any where.
His careless attribution of Jehad to violence
while simultaneous proscription to the bigger
Jihad as sham is troubling.
While individual analysis is beyond the scope of
these comments, for best, I would perhaps focus
on the difference between Mr. J.Chuadry and Mr.
Joshua’s views to find a middle ground. As an
addition, the world today is in an economic
quagmire with Islam becoming the target. We
could live without the Al Chemists search for
gold, but today it is the oil for life survival
that Muslims no longer control.
I have no problem with Mr. Fatah with family
responsibilities. Alas! a cradle of talent, and
good inspired spokesman for most part of his
life, he can do a lot. But once withered the
storm, unlike Mr.Rushdie, I am sure Tarek will
re emerge for his true self.