Reflections of Western Civilization in the Islamic World and the Issue of Returning to the Self

In sociology, westernization is regarded as a cultural and social change. This cultural and social change emerges as the result of the confrontation of western culture with other cultures and comprehensive changes in the culture and communities of the societies which are invaded by western culture; therefore, westernization is a cultural and social change which happens in different cultures and societies as the result of the confrontation with western culture and civilization and it is a new phenomenon which emerges as the result of great changes in the realm of science and technology and also the mass production of goods and the necessity of exporting them by the countries possessing that knowledge and technology. Westernism is a special way of thinking which inclines towards accepting whatever that is western and dislikes anything that is traditional and eastern; however, returning to the self is considered as a response to westernism and westernization. The movement of returning to the self as a way of confronting westernism and westernization emphasizes the necessity of maintaining the value system of Islam, the capabilities of Islam in managing the government and positive adaptation of the technology and knowledge of the West.