Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
The first part of this thesis attempts to demonstrate the historical traces of the belief in reincarnation among Jews, Christian and Muslims. The second part is dedicated to a hermeneutical...Show moreThe first part of this thesis attempts to demonstrate the historical traces of the belief in reincarnation among Jews, Christian and Muslims. The second part is dedicated to a hermeneutical analysis of the Bible and the Quran regarding the indications to reincarnation in general, and reincarnation of the Messiah in particular.Show less
The Mecca of today displays a concrete image of a modern city. Contemporary buildings and planned communal spaces following the rules of 21st century architecture dominate the plains of this...Show moreThe Mecca of today displays a concrete image of a modern city. Contemporary buildings and planned communal spaces following the rules of 21st century architecture dominate the plains of this religious hub. This process of change on the Meccan cityscape can be traced through a number of factors; population growth, the globalization of the world, oil and its ties with the West. However, one factor lies key in triggering these changes - the Saudi-Wahhabi takeover of 1916. During the early beginnings of the First World War the Ottoman Empire was coming to a gradual end, loosing her power and influence on the lands under her rule. Challenged with fighting enemies on the western front, Ottoman focus on the Hijaz region shifted, offering a leeway for the Wahhabi faction to gain in strength and overthrow the Anatolian control, acclaiming the area known today as Saudi Arabia. This thesis aims to focus on what the consequential influences of the Wahhabi takeover in the 1920s were for the cityscape of Mecca through discussing: the differences between Mecca’s administrative styles under the diverging rule of the Ottoman Empire and the current Saudi decree; the religious background and effects the main principles of Wahhabism played on Meccan architecture; the discovery of oil and its repercussions of modernization and globalization; and the possible instigation of a new Islamic paradigm of Mecca, since its image has been altered so drastically. A time frame will be placed2, starting from the early stages of the 20th century, where the Ottoman Empire’s reign came to an end, up until the modern day Wahhabi rule.Show less
This paper engages in the debate on the banning of the burkini in coastal resorts in France in 2016. It uses this case study to assess whether there has been a change in attitudes towards Muslim...Show moreThis paper engages in the debate on the banning of the burkini in coastal resorts in France in 2016. It uses this case study to assess whether there has been a change in attitudes towards Muslim women in the country. The findings suggest that whilst perceptions remain similar there is now more open opposition towards women wearing Islamic veils. The history of France’s relationship with Islam, especially in regards to women, is used to put into perspective the 2016 bans. The differences between these prohibitions in comparison to previous laws regarding Islamic veils in France, but also the underlying similarities are analysed. Furthermore, the case study of France will be expanded EU-wide and will deliberate on the future of such restrictions to female Muslim dress.Show less
Bachelor thesis | South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)
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This thesis focuses on the social position of Shi'i Muslims in Indonesia. The emphasis lays on the attack of a Shi'i village in Sampang in 2012, on the island of Madura.
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
2018-08-11T00:00:00Z
This thesis explores the influence of Sayyid Qutb on Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd's methodology of interpreting the Qur'an. Motivated by Abu Zayd's own account and statements of the fact that Qutb has...Show moreThis thesis explores the influence of Sayyid Qutb on Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd's methodology of interpreting the Qur'an. Motivated by Abu Zayd's own account and statements of the fact that Qutb has influenced him, and his definition of Qutb's literary approach as "impressionistic", it compares the literary theories and approaches to the Qur'an of Qutb and Abu Zayd. It asks what Abu Zayd means by "impressionistic". A set of three theological questions (epistemology, nature of the Qur'an, predetermination) is applied to give original and critical insight in the theology and philosophy of these modern Muslim thinkers and how their theology shapes and determines their literary approach. The hypothesis is, that Qutb and Abu Zayd must share in some aspects of their epistemology, their ideas on the nature of the Qur'an, and/or predetermination, as this brings their literary approaches to the Qur'an together. Likewise, differences in their theological foundations explains their differences in the literary theory. My thesis asks these questions through the category of postmodernism, as this makes possible a dialogue between Qutb and Abu Zayd, instead of used typologies of contemporary Islam such as that of W. Shepard, which excludes any dialogue and makes some aspects of their thought unintelligible.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
closed access
While there are academic scholars who have been studying the perceptions of Muslims about Hinduism and Hindus (Ernst, 2003; Engineer, 2007), there are no academic works which specifically deal with...Show moreWhile there are academic scholars who have been studying the perceptions of Muslims about Hinduism and Hindus (Ernst, 2003; Engineer, 2007), there are no academic works which specifically deal with the perceptions of Hindu (mystical) scholars about Islam and Muslims. The purpose of this thesis is to introduce some Hindu scholars from the 19th and early 20th century, who have dealt with Islam and Muslims in their works. This thesis could be used as a framework to explore the Hindu perceptions of Islam and Muslims and therefore as an explanation for the complex relationship between Hindus and Muslims. The thesis will draw on the ideas of: Rammohun Roy (1772 – 1833), Dayananda Sarasvati (better known as Svami Dayananda, 1823/1824 – 1883), Vivekananda (1863 – 1902) and Thanwardas Lilaram Vaswani (better known as Sadhu Vaswani, 1879 – 1966) as sources of inspiration. Vaswani’s thought on Islam and Muslim will shed a new light on the relationship between Hindus and Muslims (for example when we take a look at his personal experiences with both religious communities in Sindh) in the late 19th and early 20th century. Furthermore, Vaswani must be seen as an ‘inclusivist’ Hindu (mystical) scholar who tried to unite Hindus and Muslims not only for a political purpose, but also on a spiritual level.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
open access
In this master thesis I explore whether we can discover a link between the positions on nationalism and Nazism taken by Ṭāhā Ḥusayn and Sayyid Quṭb. In other words, does their particular...Show moreIn this master thesis I explore whether we can discover a link between the positions on nationalism and Nazism taken by Ṭāhā Ḥusayn and Sayyid Quṭb. In other words, does their particular redefinition of Egypt after independence from Britain lead them through a tunnel of love/hate, directly to the other end, i.e. a particular response to Nazism? Or is the path not necessarily as straight as we might think it to be?Show less
This research deals with the question what the economic system based on precious metals (the natural situation) looked like in the Muslim world and if the evolution toward fiat money violated the...Show moreThis research deals with the question what the economic system based on precious metals (the natural situation) looked like in the Muslim world and if the evolution toward fiat money violated the commandments of the sharia concerning riba, particularly riba al-fadl and riba nasi’ah? These two forms of riba apply specifically to gold and silver, designated in the Quran and Sunnah as natural money. The evolution of money described by Fox and Ernst consists of five different stages, namely the natural situation where gold and silver are valued by their intrinsic value. This situation is sharia compliant but in the next stage coins were valued at face or nominal value, a violation of riba al-fadl which prescribes the exchange of weight for weight. Bank money is seen as the next stage, and this is problematic regarding riba nasi’ah as the exchange of gold and silver is deferred whereas the sources prescribe exchange being done on the spot. Paper money convertible to gold is the fourth stage. This again constitutes deferred exchange of metals, but also riba al-fadl as there is no 100% backing of the notes brought in circulation. Fiat money is totally divorced from gold and silver and is always brought into existence as a loan with interest. Islamic finance hasn’t really engaged with the topic of the permissibility of fiat money, but it appears interest in the subject is gaining traction as most Muslims feel that from an Islamic perspective there is something fundamentally wrong with the current financial system.Show less
This thesis researched the struggle between national security and civil rights of Arabs, Muslims and Middle Easterners who have resided or have entered the United States after the 9/11 attacks. It...Show moreThis thesis researched the struggle between national security and civil rights of Arabs, Muslims and Middle Easterners who have resided or have entered the United States after the 9/11 attacks. It examines the USA Patriot Act and the National Security Exit Entry Registration System (NSEERS) closely.Show less
The thesis investigates in what ways cultural institutions in the West provide a platform for the representation of Muslim identities and how this can be significant for the accommodation of Muslim...Show moreThe thesis investigates in what ways cultural institutions in the West provide a platform for the representation of Muslim identities and how this can be significant for the accommodation of Muslim communities within the Netherlands at large. It does so by re-evaluating existing political and aesthetic theories and by analysing four case studies on different art and culture instances within the Netherlands.Show less
The purpose of this study is to analyse the relationship between Islamisation and democratisation in democratic Malaysia post-independence. It seeks to answer the research question ‘How do changes...Show moreThe purpose of this study is to analyse the relationship between Islamisation and democratisation in democratic Malaysia post-independence. It seeks to answer the research question ‘How do changes in the Islamic political landscape help shape Malaysian democracy?’ The analysis is threefold: the study focuses on political society, female representation in Malaysian politics and the role of civil society in promoting political Islam.Show less
One of the most important actors in Middle Eastern politics today is the Islamic Republic of Iran. This country has been the subject of much controversy over the past years, partly due to the fact...Show moreOne of the most important actors in Middle Eastern politics today is the Islamic Republic of Iran. This country has been the subject of much controversy over the past years, partly due to the fact that it is the only state in the world that officially bases its domestic policy and legal system on Shi’a Islam. However, the extent to which Shi’ism influences Iran’s foreign policy has been disputed. It has been argued by some that Iran’s behaviour on the international arena has more to do with political and economic interests than with defending their religion; others have claimed that, on the contrary, some of the country’s actions cannot be explained without taking into account the influence of the Shi’a identity. One situation that has been explained from both perspectives is Iran’s decision to support Armenia, rather than their Shi’ite neighbour Azerbaijan, in the Nagorno-Karabakh war of 1988-1994. This conflict presents an interesting case study in the question of the influence of Shi’ism on Iran’s foreign policy. Some have claimed that Iran’s support of Armenia aligned perfectly with the Shi’a ideology of supporting and uplifting the oppressed, viewing Azerbaijan as the aggressor in the situation, rather than a fellow Shi’ite ally. At the same time, it is undeniable that Iran’s partnership with Armenia has provided and continues to provide economic benefits to both states. As such, the question arises: to what extent did the Iranian regime’s Shia identity influence the country’s decision to support Armenia, rather than Azerbaijan, in the Nagorno-Karabakh war?Show less
Today the Orientalist figure of the Muslim female is being generalised all over the world, blurring the otherwise wide diversity of women originating from the Middle East and part of the Muslim...Show moreToday the Orientalist figure of the Muslim female is being generalised all over the world, blurring the otherwise wide diversity of women originating from the Middle East and part of the Muslim faith. Shirin Neshat's "Turbulent" encourages such a confusion, taking place in most Western art and academic circles. The discourses upholding the image portrayed in the artwork are part of a social myth that could be overcome. Therefore, this study opens with a contextualization of Shirin Neshat and of her work. Subsequently, it sets out to establish a theoretical background for the myth and the way it can be applied to the present situation in the Middle East. Finally, to demonstrate that this short film, "Turbulent" can overcome existing myths about the ‘Oriental’ woman, it will present an semiotic analysis and propose an alternative reading.Show less
In this thesis I will research how young Indonesians express their identities or how they create new identities in the period from the 1990s until today and I will examine this through forms of...Show moreIn this thesis I will research how young Indonesians express their identities or how they create new identities in the period from the 1990s until today and I will examine this through forms of Indonesian popular music. Popular music is an important site of cultural struggle and can reveal much about class, gender and other social divisions. That is why I want to zoom in on these social divisions by dividing them in class, religion and gender, to see how each of them relates to popular music and identity formation. I choose to focus on class, religion and gender because these have undergone drastic and interesting transformations during the period I want to examine, allowing people to reconsider their place or someone else’s in the social ladder, as a religious person or as a woman or man in society. Popular music and the way people consume it can reveal a lot about people’s thoughts and conceptions on class, religion and gender in contemporary Indonesia. The period from the 1990s until the present knew for example a remarkable growth of the Indonesian middle class who adopted a consumerist lifestyle and wanted to set themselves apart from the lower class, using popular music among other things. Concerning religion, I will focus on the developments of Islam in Indonesia, the religion of roughly 90% of the country's population. The fall of Suharto has been a significant turning-point for religious expression, because for much of the New Order, Islam was marginalized especially in the political sphere and Islamic organizations were restricted. After 1998, Indonesian Muslims could express themselves more freely, leading to an amplified process of Islamization which includes the creation of new Islamic political parties, the rise of radical Islam and the expression of religious identities in public that could not be expressed before, particularly extremist ones. Moreover, in the 21st century Muslim pop culture has flourished immensely and popular music has helped in the process of articulating religious identity. Finally, issues of gender, including for example femininity, masculinity and the role of women in the family have become a more prominent subject of discussions and debates in the past two decades. Women's rights groups and opinions about feminism have more political support than before, but so has (conservative) Islam. This leads to diverse opinions about popular female artists who are regarded as a role model to some and an actor of immorality to others. Popular music is a strong medium to spur debates about gender and to introduce new images of how young men and women can, or should, dress and behave. Consequently, this makes young Indonesians rethink and possibly reshape their gender identities.Show less
