Puritanical Approaches to Islam and Anti-Muslim Sentiments

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 9 May 2024 It Is Essential To Understand The Distinction Between Anti-Muslim Sentiment And Islamophobia In Order To Address The Challenges Faced By Muslim Communities Effectively. While Both Terms Relate To Negative Attitudes And Discrimination Against Muslims ------ In recent years, anti-Muslim sentiment has witnessed a worrying rise across various parts of the world. While it is essential to acknowledge that multiple factors contribute to this phenomenon, we cannot overlook the role played by puritanical, socially conservative, and politically reactionary approaches to Islam in this respect. These approaches, often characterized by a narrow and heavily textualist interpretation of religious texts, can lead to the promotion of divisive ideologies and practices that exacerbate anti-Muslim sentiment. Furthermore, the counterproductive nature of essentialising the Other compounds the problem by perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing divisions between different cultures and religions. In this article I aim to explore the detrimental effects of such approaches by examining specific examples, including the promotion of exclusivism, gender inequality, archaic political theology, focus on proselytization, support for harsh criminal punishments, restrictive views on sexuality, and the essentialisation of the West, Jews, Christians, and Hindus. Distinguishing Anti-Muslim Sentiment from Islamophobia It is essential to understand the distinction between anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia in order to address the challenges faced by Muslim communities effectively. While both terms relate to negative attitudes and discrimination against Muslims, they have nuanced differences that deserve clarification. Anti-Muslim Sentiment Anti-Muslim sentiment refers to negative attitudes, stereotypes, or prejudices held against Muslims as individuals or as a religious group. Anti-Muslim sentiment is rooted in ignorance, fear, and the perpetuation of stereotypes, often fuelled by conflation of puritanical and archaic forms of Islam with the most authentic and true form of Islam or what Islam has always been and can ever be. It is crucial to recognize that anti-Muslim sentiment can be addressed through education, dialogue, and promoting understanding to challenge misconceptions and foster social inclusion including the criticism of puritanical, politically reactionary, and socially highly conservative forms of Islam. Islamophobia Islamophobia, on the other hand, goes beyond mere negative sentiment and encompasses a systemic and institutionalized prejudice and discrimination against Muslims. It involves a deeply ingrained and irrational fear or hatred of Islam and Muslims, often leading to the marginalization, exclusion, and unequal treatment of individuals based on their perceived religious affiliation. Islamophobia operates at the societal level, influencing policies, media narratives, employment practices, and public discourse. It is characterised by the dehumanisation of Muslims, the portrayal of Islam as inherently violent or oppressive, and the denial of basic rights and freedoms to Muslim individuals and communities. As noted above one way to counter anti-Muslim sentiment is to critique regressive ideas found in certain approaches to Islam to which I turn next. Exclusivism and Religious Segregation Some Muslim preachers, influenced by puritanical ideologies, espouse teachings that discourage Muslims from befriending individuals outside their faith. This exclusivist mindset fosters division and reinforces stereotypes, preventing meaningful interfaith dialogue and understanding. By promoting social isolation, these teachings contribute to the perpetuation of mistrust and misunderstanding between Muslim communities and the wider society. Gender Inequality and Male Dominance Another manifestation of puritanical approaches to Islam is the use of religion to argue for the subordination of Muslim women. Some interpretations of religious texts are employed to justify and perpetuate male dominance within Muslim communities. This regressive mindset not only undermines the principles of equality and justice but also reinforces negative stereotypes about the treatment of women in Islam. Consequently, it fuels anti-Muslim sentiment by portraying Islam as inherently oppressive to women. Archaic Political Theology Puritanical approaches to Islam often involve defending and advocating for medieval political theology, which seeks to establish a rigid and authoritarian system of governance. These ideologies reject modern principles such as democracy, pluralism, and human rights, viewing them as incompatible with Islamic teachings. By advocating for an outdated political framework, proponents inadvertently reinforce negative perceptions of Islam as an inherently regressive and anti-modern religion. Proselytization and Exclusivism Puritanical interpretations of Islam often place a strong emphasis on proselytising the belief that their understanding of the faith is the only correct one. This exclusivist mindset rejects diversity of thought and discourages critical thinking, leading to a closed-minded approach. Such dogmatism further alienates non-Muslims and reinforces anti-Muslim sentiment by promoting an image of Islam as uncompromising and intolerant of differing beliefs. Support for Harsh Criminal Punishments Certain puritanical approaches to Islam defend the idea of implementation of classical criminal laws known as Hudud if certain conditions are met as part of non-negotiable Divine law. These laws include severe punishments such as amputation, stoning to death and public flogging, which are seen as archaic and inhumane by many. Advocating for such punishments not only disregards the principles of human rights and due process but also reinforces negative stereotypes about Islam's compatibility with modern values. Consequently, it contributes to the marginalization and stigmatization of Muslim communities. Puritanical Approach to Sexuality and Gender Segregation Puritanical interpretations of Islam often adopt a restrictive view of sexuality and advocate for strict and all-encompassing gender segregation . These interpretations a culture of misplaced purity, cult of virginity , guilt, shame and suppression, which can have detrimental effects on the mental well-being and personal freedom of individuals within Muslim communities. By defending gender segregation and imposing strict moral codes, puritanical approaches inadvertently contribute to the negative portrayal of Islam as an intolerant and repressive religion. Essentialising the Other In addition to the puritanical, socially conservative, and politically reactionary approaches to Islam, it is essential to highlight the counterproductive nature of essentialising the Other. This approach, which is often seen in puritanical interpretations of Islam, involves reducing diverse groups such as the West, Jews, Christians, Hindus, and others to simplistic stereotypes and generalisations. By essentialising and dehumanizing these groups, proponents of such views inadvertently perpetuate a cycle of mistrust, misunderstanding, and anti-Muslim sentiment. Puritanical, socially conservative, and politically reactionary approaches to Islam, coupled with the counterproductive nature of essentializing the Other, have detrimental effects on interfaith dialogue, understanding, and social cohesion. By promoting exclusivism, gender inequality, archaic political theology, proselytization, support for harsh criminal punishments, restrictive views on sexuality, and essentialising different cultures and religions, these approaches perpetuate negative stereotypes, hinder constructive engagement, and contribute to the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment. It is crucial to foster a more nuanced and progressive interpretation of Islam that values inclusivity, equality, and human rights while rejecting essentialising narratives. Only through such an approach can we overcome divisions, promote understanding, and build a more harmonious and inclusive society. ---- A decades old patron of New Age Islam, Dr Adis Duderija is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science; Senior Fellow Centre for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, Griffith University | Nathan | Queensland | Australia. His forthcoming books are ( co-edited)- Shame, Modesty, and Honora in Islam and Interfaith Engagement Beyond the Divide (Springer) URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-politics/puritanical-approaches-anti-muslim-sentiments/d/132287 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism