Alternative Islamic Discourses and Religious Authority

Carool Kersten, Susanne Olsson

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

Abstract

Like anywhere else, the present-day Islamic world too is grappling with modernity and postmodernity, secularisation and globalisation. Muslims are raising questions about religious representations and authority. This has given rise to the emergence of alternative Islamic discourses which challenge binary oppositions and dichotomies of orthodoxy and heterodoxy, continuity and change, state and civil society. It also leads to a dispersal of authority, a collapse of existing hierarchical structures and gender roles. This book further argues that the centre of gravity of many of these alternative Islamic discourses is shifting from the Arabic-speaking 'heartland' towards the geographical peripheries of the Muslim world and expatriate Muslims in North America and Europe. At the same time, in view of recent seismic shifts in the political constellation of the Middle East, the trends discussed in this book hold important clues for the possible direction of future developments in that volatile part of the Muslim world.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherRoutledge
Number of pages220
Volume2
ISBN (Electronic) 9781409441311
ISBN (Print)9781409441304
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

Publication series

NameContemporary Thought in the Islamic World
PublisherRoutledge

Keywords

  • Islam
  • Contemporary Islam
  • Muslim World
  • RELIGION / Islam / General

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