"But the weakness comes from these Westernised co-opted Muslim leaders who just want to look good in the eyes of the West and Western media"
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Abu Bakar Bashir's quote slams particular Muslim leaders for compromising their values to acquire favor with Western nations and their media. The expression "Westernised co-opted Muslim leaders" suggests that these leaders have embraced Western methods and ideologies, potentially at the expenditure of authentic Islamic concepts and the interests of their own neighborhoods. By utilizing the term "co-opted", Bashir suggests that these leaders have actually been controlled or influenced, prioritizing Western approval over authentic management and representation of their individuals's requirements.
The phrase "simply want to look excellent in the eyes of the West and Western media" recommends a focus on shallow appearances instead of substantive policy or leadership. Bashir may be critiquing the prioritization of image over action, suggesting that these leaders are more interested in how they are perceived globally than with resolving critical problems dealing with the Muslim world. This could include anything from social justice to financial advancement, and from upholding spiritual principles to keeping cultural integrity.
Furthermore, by highlighting "weakness", Bashir is most likely pointing out that these leaders' desire to comply with Western ideals weakens their strength and reliability. In this view, true management might need resisting external pressures and supporting the worths and interests of one's neighborhood, even if it leads to stress with powerful international entities.
Bashir's statement can be thought about a call for leaders to seek credibility over approval, to assert their self-reliance, and to focus on serving their nations' real needs instead of catching external recognition. This point of view is rooted in the broader discourse on post-colonial identities, self-determination, and the function of international power dynamics in shaping national and cultural policies. It's an obstacle for leaders to maintain a balance in between engaging globally and remaining real to their own cultural and spiritual foundations.
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