ESSENTIALISM AND ISLAM

Authors

  • TWO Anonymous

Abstract

We live in an age of polarization.  The political centers in many western societies seem to have vanished.  “Right” and “Left” seem to be pulling further and further apart.  This dichotomy is nowhere more obvious than in the realm of the study of Islam.  Is Islam a religion of peace, or is it a religion of violence?  Are Muslims a terrorist threat, or are they the victims of a hijacking of their religion?  Is the present world-wide struggle the result of western neo-colonialist imperialism or is it the result of Islam’s inherent doctrines.  Are you a follower of Edward Said or are you a follower of Bernard Lewis?  Are the problems we associate with Islam complex or simple?

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