Islamic values and Western 'culture'

Nausheen wrote: Being westernised is a problem, but its not the only problem that challenges a muslim - neither do I see it as a lot bigger than other challenges.

Yes. Our greatest problem is lack of education. It weakens our ability to communicate. I am surprised you made no mention of our unwillingness to selflessly help poor Muslims in need, as one of our most serious weaknesses. Perhaps, our next greatest problem.

To think one's faith is safe if they are not westernised, is just and image of safety - that is all.

Who thinks so?

� �On the otherhand if one wants to practice islam, there is no place where one cannot. It all depends on ones conviction and faith.�

True. It depends a lot on upbringing too.

I think one can become a better muslim when there are challenges because they have to take an active stand in maintaining their faith.

That might be true for adults but, children and teenagers simply don't have the foresight and wisdom to value their faith, in spite of parental guidance.

When one is in a company of five muslim friends who don't observe prayers on time, its harder to get up and pray rather than when one is with five non-muslim friends - I think.

HAHAHAHAHA
So Muslims should avoid each other and live with non-Muslims to be stronger in faith
In my experience, living with 2 Muslims, who are regular in prayers, made me more observant of prayers than when I was living with non-Muslims.

Edited by candid_new - 17 March 2009 at 11:06am

"Don't be silly. If the people are illiterate they won't know how to maintain hygiene, therefore they will have greater health problems. What's the point in having good infrastructure if there are not enough skilled workers that can be employed in the factories."

Edited by Shasta'sAunt - 17 March 2009 at 4:32pm

Edited by Shasta'sAunt - 17 March 2009 at 10:02pm

Chrysalis wrote: candid_new wrote: Shasta'sAunt wrote: candid_new wrote: Higher education is important but it should not be at the cost of primary education of the masses. Primary education is important for reforming the society. Technological advancement is ineffective without social progress. � So when everyone is a high school graduate but there are no doctors or scientists society will progress? � You have comprehension problem, it seems. I suggest you re read what I posted. I said higher education is important, but primary education is more important than higher education. I meant if nearly all the educated people of the country are doctors and engineers, but the literacy rate is low and the masses are ignorant and poor, the country still can't make significant progress. � Thats not neccassarily true. There is no such primary vs higher education formula. You cannot put one up against the other. � India - does not have literacy of the masses - yet has a significant higher educated class, and despite its many faults, seems to be developing. � Phillipines - where the majority are literate, does not seem to be developing/improving like it should. � It also cannot be guaranteed that education will neccassarily eradicate poverty and ignorance. �

Population-wise and availability of resources India is more comparable to China than Phil.