Islamic Fundamentalism

What is religious fundamentalism? It is an attribute of society (human nature?) to find solace and refuge in religion Religious fundamentalism is something else  American Academy of Arts and Sciences network: Fundamentalists are selective. The may well consider that they are adopting the whole of the pure past, but their energies go into employing those futures which best reinforce their identity, keep their movement together, build defenses around its boundaries, and keep others at a distance…they are always reactive and reactionary.

Religious fundamentalism Definition: Religious fundamentalism is the construction of collective identity under the identification of individual behavior and society’s institutions to the norms derived from God’s law, interpreted by a definite authority that intermediates between God and humanity. Religious fundamentalism has existed throughout the whole of human history, but it appears to be surprisingly strong and influential in this new millennium. Why so?

Umma versus Jahiliya: Islamic fundamentalism 1970s: beginning of a cultural/religious revolution spread throughout Muslim lands, sometimes victorious (Iran) sometimes subdued (Egypt) sometimes triggering civil war (Algeria) sometimes formally acknowledged in the institutions of the state (Sudan and Bangladesh) The cultural identity and political fate were being fought for in the mosques and in the wards of Muslim cities

What is Islamic fundamentalism? For most Muslims shari’a (divine law) is not an invariable, rigid command, but a guide to walk towards God, with the adaptations required by each historical and social context. In contrast, Islamic fundamentalism implies a strict interpretation of shari’a (with great variation depending on who interprets) and the perennial submission of state to religion For the umma (community of believers) to live and expand, until embracing all of humanity, Muslims must undertake a fight against Jahiliya (the state of ignorance of God), into which societies have fallen

What is Islamic fundamentalism? To overcome impious forces it may be necessary to proceed through jihad (struggle on behalf of Islam) against infidels which may include holy war The ultimate goal of all human actions must be the establishment of God’s law over the whole of humankind  the end of the current opposition between Dar al-Islam (the Muslim world) and Dar al- Harb (the non-Muslim world)

Why now? The rise of fundamentalism is related to both the disruption of traditional societies, and the failure of the nation-state, created by nationalist movements, to accomplish modernization, develop the economy, and distribute the benefits of economic growth among the population at large  Islamic fundamentalism is in opposition to capitalism, to socialism and to nationalism