”COSMOPOLITANISM IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR MUSLIMS"

Interview with Dr. Ermin Sinanovic

Abstract

Dr. Ermin Sinanovic is an assistant professor of political science, teaching politics of the Muslim world, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In this interview, Dr. Sinanovic presents his views about the role of faith in the era of globalization. According to him, theories of modernization, which declare faith as obsolete, have been proven wrong. Furthermore, he anticipates that religion will play an important role in the 21st century. The phenomenon of globalization comprises of political, cultural, and economic dimensions. Political globalization can often entail a cultural globalization which tends to reduce cultural diversity. Liberal democracy and free market economy are the fundamental ideologies behind the globalization. Those who have reservations towards these ideologies are often declared enemies of democracyin general. At the same time, globalization provides an opportunity to present the universal values of Islam. Muslim cosmopolitanism is one such opportunity.