Islam and the West: Interplay with Modernity

Modernity and globalisation have claimed ownership of civilization for many years and this continues into the 21st Century. This ownership has led to the human security of the non-western 'Other' being supremely challenged and at times impoverished. The postmodern/post-structural school of thought postulates that when the One rules so completely, it severely limits expression by the Other, and consequently, the Other will eventually exact a terrible reprisal. We argue that the terroristic challenge becomes more comprehensible when seen in this light. We ask, if terrorism is immoral and it is, then is not the order based on neoliberal globalisation that provoked it also immoral? This paper explores the interplay of Modernity between Islam and the West today and addresses issues such as why Muslim men and male youth from the West support a terror organisation like the new Islamic Caliphate showing how a global phenomenon is being acted out locally. The paper also discusses counter-movements to radicalization along with how Muslim-Western dialogue can be realized.