Islamic Awareness… The Phenomenon

It is incorrect to think that Islamic awareness only began at the end of the 20th century. Indeed, it started in this Modern Age at the time when the nation had to face two types of challenges: the ignorance that has been passed down since the era of the Ottoman and Mameluke Rules on the one hand, and the European domination that has crept over our country on the other.
And, what has happened lately is uprising of Islamic awareness after the retreat of the types that have been imposed upon us by the West. These types are Communism and Capitalism, and also due to the retreat of nationalism after the setback Egypt suffered from after the defeat of 1967. But, Islamic expansion neither failed nor encountered any setbacks. As, what failed were the trends of violence and extremism. For, in my opinion Islamic awareness is a phenomenon that has surpassed all the Islamic movements in its extensive expansion.
For, the awareness we are talking about encompasses many active factors such as the public who are searching for what is lawful and unlawful in Islam, and is also searching for piousness in general without having anything to do with politics or Islamic Movements. Also, there is the trend of helping others relief agencies and that is done through charity organizations that aim at easing peoples’ pains and sufferings. Further, there is the Intellectual trend that encompasses cultured of Islamic awareness, and offers an Islamic substitute to the different areas of thought, and they usually are not affiliated to any Islamic Movements.
But, what has really retreated through these past decades is the trend of violence. Because, it (the trend of violence) should have thought twice before pointing its weapon at the nation; against its soldiers and made its target assassinating leaders and authorities. As for groups such as Hamas, Jihad and Hizbullah that have taken violent action against the oppressive exterior enemy; against Zionism and imperialism they have been sanctified by the nation in what they have done and are still doing.
Further, in spite of the many challenges and pressures that Islamic expansion has had to face, and in comparison to the other political vessels, parties and intellectual trends that have failed and diminished, you will find that the Islamic vessel that is far from extremism and violence is still adrift. You will also find that Islamic awareness precedes all the other intellectual trends in our country.
Redeployed