Contemporary Relations of Islam and Politics: Deconstructing Islamism, Salafism and Jihadism

Introduction

The rise of Islamism, Salafism and Jihadism are some of the most important developments of the twentieth century in the Islamic world. These developments had resulted in the changing political, religious and social landscape of many Muslim countries and communities in the modern period. This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the dynamics and challenges of modern day Islamism and political Islam with a particular focus on the phenomenon of modern Salafism and Jihadism. The course is designed to provide a more in-depth examination and analysis of the politics and dynamics of Islamism and other modern Islamist ideologies and political movements in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It looks at the evolution of Islamist philosophy and movements focusing on the emergence of the modern Salafi ideology and Jihadism and the impact these ideologies and movements have on the socio-religious and political arena of the contemporary Muslim world.

The course is intended to benefit students, academics, religious scholars and also those involved in counter-terrorism efforts. It will help to improve their understanding of Islamism, Salafism, Wahhabism and other related ideologies. Students will be taught and exposed to understand and critically analyse the various ideological trends and inclinations of different Islamists and modern Salafi groups and movements.