Final answer:
The most dramatic change occurring in Islam today is the ideological rift between Islamic fundamentalists, who seek a conservative return to Islamic teachings, and democratic reformers, who favour modernization and social freedoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of Western ideas and customs to the Middle East during the 1960s and 1970s was indeed perceived as a threat by conservative Muslims. As a response to Western influences and cultural forces advocating for democratic reforms, there has been a resurgence in Islamic fundamentalism. This movement emphasizes a return to strict adherence to Islamic teachings, the application of Sharia law, and resistance to the secular and liberal aspects of Western society, including any democratic reforms that could undermine traditional Islamic values.
Today, the most dramatic change occurring in Islam is the ongoing rift between those who support Islamic fundamentalism and advocate for a more conservative and traditional Islamic society, often in opposition to Western intervention, and those who push for modernization and democratic reforms within Islamic countries. This division impacts not only political and religious discourse but also has broader implications for the social, cultural, and economic development of the Muslim world in a globalized economy.