Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2017, Political Science

This paper examines the strategies by which the American Muslim community seeks to normalize its presence within mainstream American culture, and assesses how the social and moral customs of liberal society are internalized and operationalized by American Muslims as orthopraxy, or correct practice and conduct. Recent trends by American Muslims toward “inclusivity,” particularly as it requires the prioritization of non-religious, social and/or political understandings of the function and purpose of the hijab, will form the primary focus of this examination. What has become increasingly prevalent is the use of non-religious language pertaining to the hijab, particularly as a religious symbol functioning in and engaging with the public sphere. The central argument will demonstrate exactly how and why the hijab, a key religious symbol, and being a “hijabi,” (an identifier of women who wear the hijab) is being liberalized (and consequently secularized). This liberalization and secularization of the hijab result from the increasing appeal by American Muslim public figures to individualism, autonomy, and other liberal sensibilities over established theological edicts when making sense of why they cover and what it means to cover.

Committee: Renee Heberle Ph.D. (Advisor); Ovamir Anjum Ph.D. (Committee Member); Samuel Nelson Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Islamic Studies; Political Science; Religion; Womens Studies

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2003, Political Science (Arts and Sciences)

Islam in Indonesia is acknowledged as moderate, although there are radical Islamic groups that are involved in violent religious conflicts and insist on the implementation of Islamic law in the post-authoritarian Soeharto era. The moderation of Islam in Indonesia is not merely because of historical factors, but is also the result of ongoing debates on how to reconcile Islam with modernity. Jaringan Islam Liberal/JIL (the Liberal Islam Network), a network of young Muslim intellectuals, emerges as a forum to disseminate liberal interpretations of Islam. This study is to determine whether JIL's liberal Islam is meant to develop an Islamic conception of liberalism or an Islamic liberal theology. This study shows that JIL's liberal Islam is the continuation of Islamic renewal projects by Islamic neomodernists. The ideas proposed by JIL activists mostly deal with the compatibility of Islam and democracy, especially on the issues of toleration, pluralism, secularization, and individual and women's rights. This network is very significant to the development of liberal Islamic ideas and the future of moderation of Islam in predominantly Muslim countries like Indonesia.

Committee: Michael Malley (Advisor) Subjects: Political Science, General