2015/09/01 by Talal Asad · 2 citations
Social Sciences · #Islamic Studies and History #Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies #Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence #Politics #Religious studies #History #Political science #Sociology #Ancient history #Philosophy #Law
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/683002
openalex publication_date 2015/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/22
In this essay, Talal Asad reflects on politics in contemporary Egypt and its relationship with Islamic tradition. Against the background of the Egyptian revolution of January 2011 and its following events, including hostility towards the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters, Asad not only looks at the links between the modern secular worldview and Islam but fundamentally for the aspects of this tradition that, according to secularists, are incompatible with the modern sovereign state. Assuming a critical stance on modern practice and discourse -aimed at undermining Islamic tradition -the author explores the possibilities of reintegrating this tradition into the post-2011 Egyptian democratic path but using it only as a model for how liberal states can benefit from a kind of embodiment of customs and ethical principles offered by tradition.