Category: Politics

Politics

Reconsidering the Liberal Asylum

In recent years, the right wing’s increased outward animosity towards Islam and Muslims has driven Muslims to become disillusioned with the conservative Republican party. Muslim immigrants to the United States used to disporportionately vote republican in the years preceding 9/11. George W. Bush’s campaign made calculated attempts to win over Muslims. Analysts attribute this behavior to republican politician Grover Norquist stating that because Muslims are … Continue reading Reconsidering the Liberal Asylum

Wassim3 Comments
Politics

Countering the Assault of Secularization

This piece is the final part of a three part policy report on the secularization of the Muslim mind. You can read part one here and part two here. The battle for the hearts and minds of Muslims comes while the Muslim world stands at a crossroad between liberation from authoritarian regimes and a continuation of corrupt neoliberal and neocolonial rule. If the Muslim community is … Continue reading Countering the Assault of Secularization

Traversing Tradition1 Comment
Politics

The US State and the Making of a Secular Islam

This piece is part two of a three part policy report on the secularization of the Muslim mind. You can read part one here and part three here.  Fear and the “Bad Muslim”: Identity and Radical Islam Islamic fundamentalists… [are determined] to restore the superiority of the Islamic civilization by resuscitating the past. They seek to impose the Sharia, a code of law based on … Continue reading The US State and the Making of a Secular Islam

Traversing Tradition3 Comments
Politics

The Secularization of the Muslim Mind

This piece is part one of a three part policy report on the secularization of the Muslim mind. You can read part two here.  This report aims to highlight a subtle yet existential threat to the Muslim community in America: an assault on the Muslim mind, in other words, the Secularization of the Muslim mind. In contrast to the right-wing’s physical and verbal attacks on … Continue reading The Secularization of the Muslim Mind

Traversing Tradition6 Comments
Politics

Deconstructing Western Representations of Political Islam

Introduction There is a spectre haunting the Muslim world, by the name of political Islam. Whether in the form of violent terrorist groups or in the guise of political parties pragmatically using the democratic process to gain power, it seems that everywhere behind the stunted development of Muslim-majority societies is the troublesome presence of political Islam. Observers of contemporary affairs will note Islamic politics as … Continue reading Deconstructing Western Representations of Political Islam

Traversing Tradition5 Comments
Politics

Dostoevsky’s Strange Ideas and the Modern Terrorist

While nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer, nothing is more difficult than to understand him. [1] ​The quotation above is less a reflection of what Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) actually said — as it remains unverified but frequently cited — but more of what the Russian author’s novels continue to offer us: an understanding of the evildoer. His novel, Crime and Punishment, is known for … Continue reading Dostoevsky’s Strange Ideas and the Modern Terrorist

Traversing Tradition1 Comment
Politics

Envisioning Politics Beyond Left and Right

En Français Modern politics is characterised by a multitude of political differences. This reveals a profound ontological uncertainty we were promised would not happen. We were sold the idea that with the rejection of divine revelation, supposedly the cauldron of hostility and division, we would find social harmony. Instead of God, we would embrace Reason and man-made ideology which would end all strife and hardship … Continue reading Envisioning Politics Beyond Left and Right

Traversing Tradition4 Comments
Politics

The Secular Pretense: The State as God

En Français With technological advances and breaking news hurtling towards us at hyperspeed, we are confronted with an onslaught of profoundly ethical questions. From the impact of economic policies on local communities to the parameters of  freedom of speech and down to the inception and sanctity of human life, we look on as politicians put forth proposals that stake ethical claims in one way or … Continue reading The Secular Pretense: The State as God

Mariem4 Comments
Politics

Progressive Muslims and The Right-Wing: An Alliance

Critics of Islamophobia, often left-wing activists, position themselves passionately against far-right hateful bigots, creating the mirage of the left being unconditionally allied with Islam and Muslims. It’s an easy (and necessary) task to identify calls for purging Muslims and passing anti-Muslim legislation as hateful and vile, but the manner in which this is done neglects an equally formidable enemy to Islam. The left tends to … Continue reading Progressive Muslims and The Right-Wing: An Alliance

Wassim4 Comments
Politics

Modern Myth: The Moderate Muslim

Modern Myths is a series of articles that deconstructs popular myths that are informed by modernity. This series first presents the myth, analyzes and dismantles it from a lens of tradition, and ultimately, offers alternatives in viewing or resolving the legitimate challenges associated with the myth. We hope the “Modern Myths” series will enable you to not only question your understanding of these topics, but also … Continue reading Modern Myth: The Moderate Muslim

Heraa6 Comments