George Yeo On Bonsai, Banyan and the Tao by Asad-ul Iqbal Latif

Author:Asad-ul Iqbal Latif [Latif, Asad-ul Iqbal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Islam and the West

In addition to the Buddhist heritage, the Islamic heritage and the Western heritage are also important unifying elements in Asia. Unlike Islam’s historical contact with the West which was usually unhappy, Islam’s arrival in Southeast Asia was very different. It brought hygiene and a system of trust which facilitated trade. For centuries, the maritime silk route from the Mediterranean to China was dominated by Muslim traders. The Ottoman influence among Muslims in Southeast Asia was profound. The songkok which Southeast Asian Muslims wear is a relic of that influence. It was not only from the Middle East and India that Islam came to Southeast Asia. It was also from China. The great fleets from Ming China that sailed to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean 600 years ago were commanded by Muslim Admirals, the most famous being, of course, Zheng He. The Islamic heritage is therefore another theme in the Asian renaissance which should one day be taken up. We should not only be preoccupied with the dangers of Jihadist extremism.

The Asian renaissance is also incomprehensible without taking into account the Western influence of the last 500 years. Although the Western dominance has receded, its impact on every aspect of life in Asia is obvious and enduring. Any honest treatment of the Asian revival must acknowledge the many positive contributions of the West including the ideas of democracy, socialism and individual rights. The Christian influence in Asia is pervasive. Without Christian missionaries dedicating their lives to the education of millions of Asians, Asia’s modernisation would have taken much longer to happen.

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