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Thesis
THIN DESCRIPTION
University of West Florida
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2009
Abstract
With only a cursory look at most courses labeled "Islamic" or "Middle Eastern" Studies or the like, one may be shocked to learn that there may be little "Islam" in the syllabi. In most courses, Islamic holy texts are conspicuous by their absence. For scholars who wish to present Islam in the most innocuous terms possible, this makes perfect sense. For all of the Classical Islamic texts agree that perpetual violence towards unbelievers is incumbent upon every healthy Muslim. The motives of some scholars are most likely well-intentioned; they wish to further interreligious dialogue by skirting certain issues that have long been used as a vehicle for attacking Islam. Other scholars' motives may not be as noble. Such obfuscation is fundamentally wrong, in addition to being judgmental to an extent that is, to say the least, open to debate on the basis of available evidence. Moreover, this coddling leads to further confusion among Western students who know little or nothing about Islam to ask, for example, why, if violence in Islam has no validity, is the doctrine of violent jihad so influential in the Muslim world? Why indeed.
Details
- Title
- THIN DESCRIPTION
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090759306600
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida