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RA’IYAT AL-FIKR via Pure Wilayah Substack
In a powerful address at the 13th International Bediuzzaman Conference in Istanbul, held under the theme “Quranic Solutions to Global Crises,” prominent British journalist Lauren Booth called for a steadfast return to Quranic values to confront the moral, political, and technological crises gripping the modern world.
Addressing the profound challenges of our time, Booth argued that true freedom is found in resisting the pervasive culture of consumerism and rejecting the capitalist paradigm that reduces human beings to mere commodities. She delivered a sharp critique of modern political systems, corporate overreach, and the corrosive impact of consumer culture on human thoughts, desires, and daily life.
Drawing upon the divine wisdom of the Holy Quran, Booth began her speech by reflecting on verses 11 and 12 of Surah al-Baqarah (Chapter 2, The Cow). These verses profoundly condemn those who spread corruption and mischief on earth while falsely claiming to be peacemakers and reformers.
She drew a striking parallel between the oppressive regime of Pharaoh and modern global power structures. According to Booth, while the tactics of attraction and fear used by ancient tyrants to maintain dominance have taken on more sophisticated, technological forms today, their oppressive underlying nature remains entirely unchanged.
Beyond the political and societal analysis, Booth shared the deeply personal and spiritual dimensions of her journey toward Islam. She recounted the pivotal moment she informed her two young daughters that she was considering embracing the faith. Instead of resistance, her daughters asked innocent yet profound questions: whether she would still be their mother, if she would stop drinking alcohol, and if she would begin to dress modestly.
Booth described these questions as a moving reflection of the innate purity of human nature, or fitrah. When she explained the positive, spiritual changes she intended to make, her daughters embraced the message of Islam wholeheartedly.
Concluding her impactful address, Booth issued a resounding call for greater unity among Muslim communities worldwide. Standing firm against global arrogance, she also voiced her unwavering support for the freedom and liberation of Palestine, reminding attendees that the struggles against moral decay and geopolitical oppression are deeply intertwined.
Reference: ABNA24
