Globalization and the Muslim World Middle East and Islamic Studies by Faheem, Shahid, Shahab and Bashar

1. Globalized Islam at theGlobalized Islam at the
Age of GlobalizationAge of Globalization
Group-BGroup-B
M.Faheem, Shahid Khan, Shahab Ali &M.Faheem, Shahid Khan, Shahab Ali &
Noor Ul BasharNoor Ul Bashar

2. DefinitionsDefinitions
 Globalization is a thoroughly contested subject andGlobalization is a thoroughly contested subject and
there are competing definitionsthere are competing definitions
 Roland Robertson (Univ. of Aberdeen):Roland Robertson (Univ. of Aberdeen):
““Globalization refers both to the compression ofGlobalization refers both to the compression of
the world and the intensification of consciousnessthe world and the intensification of consciousness
about the world as a wholeabout the world as a whole.”.”
 Technology- and economic-driven processes: facilitatedTechnology- and economic-driven processes: facilitated
by global capitalism, consumerism, transnationalby global capitalism, consumerism, transnational
migration, online communications, and identity politics.migration, online communications, and identity politics.
 Globalization is a set of contradictory and contingentGlobalization is a set of contradictory and contingent
processes.processes.

3. FeaturesFeatures
 Thomas Hylland Eriksen (Univ. of Oslo):Thomas Hylland Eriksen (Univ. of Oslo):
 DisembodyingDisembodying: distance is becoming irrelevant,: distance is becoming irrelevant,
relative, or at the very least less important (de-relative, or at the very least less important (de-
localization)localization)
 Acceleration (speed an important feature ofAcceleration (speed an important feature of
globalization)globalization)
 Interconnectedness (transnational connections andInterconnectedness (transnational connections and
information erainformation era  global symbols, events, solidarities)global symbols, events, solidarities)
 Re-embeddingRe-embedding: concerns with local power and: concerns with local power and
community integration, national and sub-nationalcommunity integration, national and sub-national
identity politics.identity politics.

4. ParadoxesParadoxes
 Globalization does not create “global persons.”Globalization does not create “global persons.”
 The disembodying forces of globalization areThe disembodying forces of globalization are
complemented by re-embedding projects seeking tocomplemented by re-embedding projects seeking to
retain or recreate a sense of continuity, security, andretain or recreate a sense of continuity, security, and
trust.trust.
 Identity politics—religious, ethnic, national, or regionalIdentity politics—religious, ethnic, national, or regional
—is a typical form of resistance to globalization.—is a typical form of resistance to globalization.
 Paradoxically, identity politics insisting on the primacy ofParadoxically, identity politics insisting on the primacy of
the local and unique tends to draw on globalized resourcesthe local and unique tends to draw on globalized resources
such as international NGOs and computer networks.such as international NGOs and computer networks.

5. Is There a ‘Global’ Way?Is There a ‘Global’ Way?
 Meshing the universal with the particular?Meshing the universal with the particular?
 In some societies,In some societies, the freedom of thethe freedom of the
individualindividual is seen as the highest value, while inis seen as the highest value, while in
others,others, the integrity of the familythe integrity of the family, which gives, which gives
the individual security, is deemed morethe individual security, is deemed more
important.important.
 Human rights must be interpreted,Human rights must be interpreted,
contextualized, and sometimes prioritized incontextualized, and sometimes prioritized in
order to be useful.order to be useful.

6. Views on GlobalizationViews on Globalization
 Traditionalist:Traditionalist: resistance to globalization; theyresistance to globalization; they
see globalization as a new form of culturalsee globalization as a new form of cultural
imperialism.imperialism.
 GlobalizersGlobalizers:: EconomicEconomic interdependence isinterdependence is
inevitable. So is cultural change.inevitable. So is cultural change.
 Transformation listsTransformation lists: Culture flows are not: Culture flows are not
simply one-way. States and cultures are notsimply one-way. States and cultures are not
going away, but seeking a new way togoing away, but seeking a new way to
accommodate changes without losing nationalaccommodate changes without losing national
features and cultural values.features and cultural values.

7. IslamIslam
 Islamic resurgence a reaction to defeats in wars,Islamic resurgence a reaction to defeats in wars,
corrupt secular regimes, and disruptivecorrupt secular regimes, and disruptive
modernization trends.modernization trends.
 Islamic piety as an alternative construction ofIslamic piety as an alternative construction of
modernity, cognizant of non-materialistmodernity, cognizant of non-materialist
dimensions of progress and their place in andimensions of progress and their place in an
ethical, Islamic social formation.ethical, Islamic social formation.

8. The Rise of IslamThe Rise of Islam
 Anti-colonialismAnti-colonialism
 Renunciation of the antiseptically secularizingRenunciation of the antiseptically secularizing
tendencies of modernitytendencies of modernity
 Calling into question political and cultural lifeCalling into question political and cultural life
that are lacking in ethical or moral content.that are lacking in ethical or moral content.
 Anti-globalization largely in a cultural senseAnti-globalization largely in a cultural sense

9. Piety in IslamPiety in Islam
 Piety as faithPiety as faith
 Piety as covenantPiety as covenant
 Piety as a social movementPiety as a social movement
 Piety as a resistance to foreign intrusionPiety as a resistance to foreign intrusion
 Islam’s appeal also lies in being able to connectIslam’s appeal also lies in being able to connect
the faith, the covenant, and the mobilizingthe faith, the covenant, and the mobilizing
elements to produce powerful resistance to foreignelements to produce powerful resistance to foreign
intrusion.intrusion.
 The crucial dimension is not economic but socialThe crucial dimension is not economic but social..

10. Islamic PerspectivesIslamic Perspectives
 Traditional Islam:Traditional Islam: orthodox, non-modern, relying onorthodox, non-modern, relying on
SunnaSunna and the holy bookand the holy book
 NeorevivalistNeorevivalist (neo-fundamentalist) Islam: militant and(neo-fundamentalist) Islam: militant and
radical Islam; resistance and revolutionaryradical Islam; resistance and revolutionary
 PragmatistsPragmatists: accepting “the other,” faces up to this: accepting “the other,” faces up to this
challenge by reminding us of the eternal, but Herculean,challenge by reminding us of the eternal, but Herculean,
task of balancing utility, with responsibility and justice.task of balancing utility, with responsibility and justice.
 SecularistsSecularists: Benefiting from its “positive: Benefiting from its “positive
opportunities” in knowledge, science, and technology,opportunities” in knowledge, science, and technology,
without necessarily losing one’s cultural individuality:without necessarily losing one’s cultural individuality:
Arab-Islamic, Persian-Islamic, and Egyptian-IslamicArab-Islamic, Persian-Islamic, and Egyptian-Islamic
identity.identity.

11. ReactionsReactions
 TraditionalistsTraditionalists: globalization is a form of cultural: globalization is a form of cultural
invasion. It undermines our distinct “culturalinvasion. It undermines our distinct “cultural
personality.” It destroys our heritage and poses a threatpersonality.” It destroys our heritage and poses a threat
to our “authenticity,” “beliefs,” and “national identity.”to our “authenticity,” “beliefs,” and “national identity.”
 Islamic radicalsIslamic radicals: have been in fact strengthened by: have been in fact strengthened by
globalization. They benefit from an increase in the flowglobalization. They benefit from an increase in the flow
of information, speed of communication, and mobilityof information, speed of communication, and mobility
more than any other political movements in the region.more than any other political movements in the region.

12. The Conflict WithinThe Conflict Within
 James H. Mittelman (American Univ.,James H. Mittelman (American Univ.,
Washington, D.C.)Washington, D.C.)
 The continuing struggles within the MuslimThe continuing struggles within the Muslim
world: “Resurgent Islamic movements project aworld: “Resurgent Islamic movements project a
vision of modernity that fuses an ethicalvision of modernity that fuses an ethical
dimension for establishing an alternative worlddimension for establishing an alternative world
order with a struggle for empowerment.”order with a struggle for empowerment.”
 ““These varied groups aim to construct anThese varied groups aim to construct an
identity denied to them in a globalizing world.”identity denied to them in a globalizing world.”
(1996: 240).(1996: 240).

13. Mutual AdjustmentsMutual Adjustments
 Pragmatic IslamPragmatic Islam: A democratizing and: A democratizing and
synthesizing Islam, reflecting influences fromsynthesizing Islam, reflecting influences from
the bottom (grassroots and social movements),the bottom (grassroots and social movements),
is better placed to respond to globalization.is better placed to respond to globalization.
 For the Western world, the task is toFor the Western world, the task is to
acknowledge the diversity of the Muslim world,acknowledge the diversity of the Muslim world,
and strive toward a solidarity based onand strive toward a solidarity based on mutualmutual
recognition and respectrecognition and respect..

14. Muslims in EuropeMuslims in Europe
 There are 23 million Muslim immigrants inThere are 23 million Muslim immigrants in
EuropeEurope
 In Europe 33 and plus Russia: there willIn Europe 33 and plus Russia: there will
approximately 50 million Muslim immigrantsapproximately 50 million Muslim immigrants
 France with 6 million and Germany with moreFrance with 6 million and Germany with more
than 3 million are host to the largest Muslimthan 3 million are host to the largest Muslim
immigrants.immigrants.
 Islam has gone global through the newIslam has gone global through the new
transnational identity and networks.transnational identity and networks.

15. Globalized IslamGlobalized Islam
 Olivier Roy: Globalized Islam has contributed toOlivier Roy: Globalized Islam has contributed to
the sociological Westernization of Muslimthe sociological Westernization of Muslim
immigrants, as many European Muslims seem toimmigrants, as many European Muslims seem to
have multiple and overlapping identities.have multiple and overlapping identities.
 Peter Mandaville (George Mason Univ.):Peter Mandaville (George Mason Univ.):
 This is the case especially as second and thirdThis is the case especially as second and third
generation Muslim immigrants tend to havegeneration Muslim immigrants tend to have
trans-local identity.trans-local identity.

16. CyberspaceCyberspace
 Mandaville: Cyberspace has created a “thirdMandaville: Cyberspace has created a “third
space” for the younger generation ofspace” for the younger generation of
immigrants.immigrants.
 A growing number of Muslim immigrants,A growing number of Muslim immigrants,
especially second and third generation Muslims,especially second and third generation Muslims,
tend to discover identities of their own, whichtend to discover identities of their own, which
belong neither to their parent’s homeland nor tobelong neither to their parent’s homeland nor to
the country in which they reside–that is, “in-the country in which they reside–that is, “in-
between.”between.”

17. Enlargement of EuropeEnlargement of Europe
 Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Islam areCatholicism, Orthodoxy, and Islam are transnationaltransnational
religious traditionsreligious traditions that each have their conception ofthat each have their conception of
European identity, European unity, and even ofEuropean identity, European unity, and even of
European modernity.European modernity.
 Muslim have become permanent members of theMuslim have become permanent members of the
European societies in large part because of theEuropean societies in large part because of the
emerging demographic trends.emerging demographic trends.
 Aging population of Europe poses a clear and presentAging population of Europe poses a clear and present
threat to economic growth of European countries.threat to economic growth of European countries.

18. Globalization andGlobalization and
Economic RightsEconomic Rights
 Roy: migration to Europe has created a sizableRoy: migration to Europe has created a sizable
underclass and jobless youth, many of whomunderclass and jobless youth, many of whom
were born and socialized in Western secularwere born and socialized in Western secular
democracies.democracies.
 They tend to reject their minority status and feelThey tend to reject their minority status and feel
utterly dejected.utterly dejected.
 Elevating Muslim immigrants’ economicElevating Muslim immigrants’ economic
conditions is bound to have a moderatingconditions is bound to have a moderating
impact on their social and political attitudes.impact on their social and political attitudes.

19. MulticulturalismMulticulturalism
 If not properly adopted, multiculturalism would onlyIf not properly adopted, multiculturalism would only
serve as a framework for the coexistence of separateserve as a framework for the coexistence of separate
cultures or groups.cultures or groups.
 Assimilation is unlikely to work in EuropeanAssimilation is unlikely to work in European
multicultural societies. That is an unrealisticmulticultural societies. That is an unrealistic
expectation.expectation.
 Headscarf-Headscarf-HijabHijab issue: has become an empoweringissue: has become an empowering
statement of individual and collective Islamic identity.statement of individual and collective Islamic identity.
 Should women be able to choose?Should women be able to choose?

20. Identity-Rights NexusIdentity-Rights Nexus
 Dominic McGoldrick (Univ. of Liverpool):Dominic McGoldrick (Univ. of Liverpool):
Identity is an aspect of individualIdentity is an aspect of individual humanhuman
dignitydignity,, autonomyautonomy, and, and self-determinationself-determination..
 Identity is an aspect ofIdentity is an aspect of religious freedom,religious freedom,
expression, and privacyexpression, and privacy that “allowsthat “allows
individuals to function freely and to enjoy theindividuals to function freely and to enjoy the
possibility of self-definition and self-possibility of self-definition and self-
determination.determination.

21. Women’s VoicesWomen’s Voices
 Globalization has diffused certain effects andGlobalization has diffused certain effects and
values. The women’s movements have takenvalues. The women’s movements have taken
advantage of such developments to advanceadvantage of such developments to advance
gender equality.gender equality.
 Women Living Under Muslim LawsWomen Living Under Muslim Laws
(WLUML) is an international solidarity network(WLUML) is an international solidarity network
that provides information, support, and athat provides information, support, and a
collective space for women whose lives arecollective space for women whose lives are
shaped, conditioned or governed by laws andshaped, conditioned or governed by laws and
customs said to derive from Islam.customs said to derive from Islam.

22. EuropeEurope
 Integrationist vs. differentials modelsIntegrationist vs. differentials models
 France equates national identity with homogeneity ofFrance equates national identity with homogeneity of
the nation. A central part of French national identity isthe nation. A central part of French national identity is
premised on the idea that it is a secular state(premised on the idea that it is a secular state(LaïcitéLaïcité ).).
 BritainBritain: whether to give state funding to private Islamic: whether to give state funding to private Islamic
schoolsschools
 FranceFrance: female students wearing a headscarf in public: female students wearing a headscarf in public
schools?schools?
 GermanyGermany: whether to grant “public corporation” status: whether to grant “public corporation” status
to Muslim minoritiesto Muslim minorities

23. ConclusionsConclusions
 Muslim identities areMuslim identities are multiplemultiple,, fluidfluid, and, and contentiouscontentious,,
and the construction of identity is influenced by theand the construction of identity is influenced by the
various and complex ways in which local cultures andvarious and complex ways in which local cultures and
globalization interact.globalization interact.
 There will always be cultural resistance to globalization.There will always be cultural resistance to globalization.
 Muslims face two challenges: (1) to find a balanceMuslims face two challenges: (1) to find a balance
between their traditions and modern standards andbetween their traditions and modern standards and
practices and (2) to determine whose conception ofpractices and (2) to determine whose conception of
change and modernity should prevail?change and modernity should prevail?
 The struggle within the Muslim world rages on.The struggle within the Muslim world rages on.