Postmodernism, Challenges and Opportunities

Syed Sadat Husaini

Modernism
An ideological and philosophical trend
Stress on Rationalism, Freedom, Democracy,

Scientific Attitude and Development

Modernity signifies the Age and

Characteristics influenced by Modernism

Traditionalism and Modernism

Dogmas and Rationalism Positivism Freedom Democracy Free-Market

Religious Beliefs Sacred Knowledge Social Hierarchy Monarchy Feudalism

Traditional Moral

values Patriarchy

Capitalism and Communism Utilitarianism Feminism

Major Philosophers

Jacques Derrida D. 2004

Michael Focault D. 1984

Francois Lyotard D. 1998

Postmodernism Post Modernism is Incredulity towards Mega Narratives

Major Themes of Post Modernism

Relativity of Truth Unreal World Deconstruction Multiple Identities Multiculturalism and Pluralism

Typical Postmodern
A Gay American Baptist who speaks
Spanish, practices Buddhist Meditation

and believes in Darwins theory of

evolution.

Modernism and Postmodernism

Scientific Reality is Relativity of Truth

Universal
Grand Theories Social and Cultural Localized Theories Pluralism Skeptic of

Unity
Science, and

Development

Development

Islam and Postmodernism

Islam and Truth
Divine Revelations Human Intellect and Senses

Islam and Rationality

Quran focuses on Rational Thinking Divine is superior to Rational

Islam and Pluralism and Multiculturalism

Opportunities
Ally in curbing the Modernism and Mega

Narratives
Revival of Traditions, Religion and

Spirituality
Declaration of La Ilah,

Challenges
Lack of Seriousness, No Ideology, No ideological

commitment
High Permissiveness, Homosexuality etc. Requirement of Postmodern Approaches of

Dawah
Postmodern Organizations and Management Power of Knowledge and Information Pluralism and Sarva Dharma Sambhava