A brave look at the future

I  have a psychological problem with admitting that we live in the 21st century. I  still feel that I am living in the 20th century. Perhaps this is due to the aura of that century and the great expectations for it by the great thinkers, scientists and artists of the 19th century.                       These expectations were raised by the progress of science and feared by philosophers and artists.  Fictional works that became classics, such as “Frankenstein” and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide” were followed later  by “Brave New World” and “1984”. They all looked at a different, exciting world but one that they viewed with trepidation and foreboding.  They appreciated the power of science and the unlimited scope of its inquiry and they felt that humanity is not only enlightened by it but also threatened.  However, all what they described is science fiction which can be subjected to a “suspension of belief”. But this is no more. Many of the predictions are coming true, with the twin revolution of information technology and micro-biology. There was also a flood of travel science fiction, such as Jules Verne’s pioneering fiction of sea and space or H. G. Wells’s. They were followed by lots of sea and space exploration films.  But we now live in the age of space; the “Final Frontier” as it is called in the “Star Trek” series. Science has made a reality of much that was considered fiction, especially in matters of space. We find ourselves enjoying the fruits of what science makes possible with very little fear. Have we got used to the achievements of science? Do we have more confidence in science? Or, has humanity changed? The last question is of some interest. Some of the main worries about science were that it has disregard  ethical questions and that it is running faster than the spiritual and intellectual development of man. Both worries are still there but  confidence in science is overcoming them. The present issue includes an excellent article by Mr. A. S. Shakiry on the new prospect of space travel for rich individuals. But before long the cost may come down and more people will find themselves travelling in space. There are also plans to build a bio-sphere in space so that a community can live there. The worrying doubt is the same as that of the angels when God created man: is he going to lead a life of peace and prosperity or is he bent on destruction? It is an open question. For your comments, please visit our website (www.islamictourism.com) or write to (post@islamictourism.com).  

Dr. Abdul-Rahim Hassan
Editor-in-Chief