Nationalism and Islamization: Is There a Causal Link?

Abstract

This introductory chapter reviews the typical reasons given for Islamization in the Muslim world, the need for legitimacy of authoritarian regimes and the popularity of Islamist parties, finding them inadequate. The focus then shifts to nationalism, state nationalism, and religion. The central argument of the book is that Islam’s role in state nationalism and the Islamization of government are causally linked. The chapter introduces the indicators used to measure Islam’s role in state nationalism (the presence of Islamic provisions in the constitution, Islamic themes in national symbols, and Islamic images on the national currency) and the Islamization of government (the Islamic foundation of family law, the Department of Religious Affairs, and governmental support for religious education). The dominant narratives regarding Islam’s role in Turkish and Pakistani nationalism are also explored