One of the most prolific writers, I like Naipaul more for his travelogues/non-fiction. What I don’t like about these books is a certain tone of pessimism that pervades therein–India, a Wounded Civilization is a good example of this.

Among the Believers is what I’m reading currently. At once, it is gripping–almost like a work of fiction–the fluidity of his narration, and his insights, very profound. I’m midway through the book and have decided to post the book review in parts, much in the same way like the book is organized (it is a coincidence). My earlier attempt at posting a review on Heart of Darkness ended as a disaster.

Among the Believers is Naipaul’s account of his journeys through four Islamic countries between 1979-80; countries, which were in various stages of “Islamic revolution.” His experiences, as he encounters cities, towns, villages, and people, are as vivid and variegated as those revolutions. The book and its penetrations into those societies is as relevant today as it was then. I’ve read about half of the book, and when I reflect now, I see a pattern in each of these revolutions: it is an attempt to turn the clock back, to revert to (Islamic) societal conditions that existed say, 800 (or more) years ago in the name of a “just, fair and pure” society. And this process has destroyed even those nations who were on the track towards progress. This pattern repeats, as we witness history before us–in Pakistan, in Afghanistan (the torchbearer of Islamic society–that is how a “pure, just and fair” Islamic society looks like–and in Iraq, now. Look what’s happening there, despite the presence of US troops.

As he writes, just when Iran, in the days of the Shah was on the way to prosperity–based on the western model of development (Oil pipelines, free trade, infrastructure development, technology, and that kind of stuff)–Ayatollah Khoemini overturned all the 37 years of the Shah’s hard work and threw the country back by about 700 years in one stroke. Yet, what did his revolution achieve in real terms? Flourishing Mullahs, Islamic Centres of Learning, Mosques, closing down and/or destruction of say, McDonalds, 5-star Hotels, sectarian fighting…the list is endless. The logical conclusion of this revolution is the mess we see today, that Iran has made of itself.

Here are some interesting statements made by Khoemini:

…(appeal for the help of the) Christians of the world as to the people of an equal civilization. (Jan 1979, New York Times)

The governments of the world should know that Islam cannot be defeated. Islam will be victorious in all the countries of the world, and Islam and the teachings of the Koran will prevail all over the world. (in a speech, Aug 1979).

When democrats talk about freedom, they are inspired by the superpowers. They want to lead our youth to places of corruption…If that is what they want, then yes, we are reactionaries. You who want prostitution and freedom in every matter are intellectuals. You consider corrupt morality as freedom, prostitution as freedom…Those who want freedom want the freedom to have bars, brothels, casinos, opium. But we want our youth to carve out a new period in history. We do not want intellectuals. (in a speech, date unknown)

Isn’t this exactly the language in which our dear Bin Laden speaks? Will mankind ever learn?

Watch this space.