The Role Of Orientalism In Western Muslim Ideology And

Abstract

This study is an effort to understand who is speaking for Islam in twenteith century America and why. It seems that when there are public discusions regarding Islam others drive it. There was a pont when we were constantly seeing non-muslim experts on Islam and the Middle East leading the narrative which determined official policy and group thought. In the rare case when a Muslim would speak the tone was usually apologetic or even anti-Islamic. One could have even found an unabashed lesbian Muslima speaking about “the trouble with Muslims today”, for example. Why do Muslims have doubts pertaining to Islamic fundamentals? Perhaps a better question is how and when where these embedded in their minds? Then back to the so-called Middle East experts, are they intentionaly mis-representing Islam? What is their motive, where do they get their expertise and is there a history for all of this? In order to answer these questions one might begin by searching the literature regarding some of the common criticisms upon Muslims. They would find claims that Muslims are inherently violent, against modernization, abusive to women and the like. Perhaps more important than what is being said is why it is being said. So, the historical background must be a focal point of analysis in order to see the proverbial big picture. Consequently, a consistant patern of intent will surely become evident from about the eleventh century up until today. Could it be that the so-called Middle East expert and their unsuspecting cohorts are from a tradition of those who seek to undermind their perceived enemy through conspicuous means. According to ones perspective, it can be said that throughout the centuries they have met varying degrees of success. But for those who see Islam as backward the ultimate success would surely be to erradicate it completely, if not in name then in effect. Muslims today use various adjectives to exclude themselves from the critical eye, saying they are moderates, reformist or progressives. Could it be that those Muslims are themselves victims of prevelent propaganda which makes them apologist. Are their philosophies mere results of idealogical weapons used against them, premissed with a Western exceptionalist paradigm. This study examines Orientalist driven agendas in the East and the West through which real motivations assumed through events that led to the status quo may arise.