The Politics of Muslim Identities in Asia

'The Politics of Muslim Identities brings together nine case studies from across Asia. The discussions in each chapter together illustrate the contested diversity of Islam as it is understood and practiced by Muslims, and contributes to a growing and much-needed literature which emphasises the need for historicised and anti-essentialist understandings of Islam.' Syed Farid Alatas, Professor of Sociology, National University of Singapore Explores the intersection between Islam and politics in contemporary, Southeast Asia, South Asia and China Approaching religious identity with an emphasis on agency and contestation, this book offers a multi-disciplinary perspective on the development of Muslim identities in Asia and examines the contingent politics that influence how Muslims constitute themselves as modern subjects. Through 9 country-based case studies, the book analyses how Muslims articulate their religious identity vis-à-vis the state and society in which they live and how their position relates to specific social and political contexts. The contributors survey the contemporary ways in which religious affiliation sparks a politics of difference in contexts where Islamic practices, beliefs and aspirations are contested, as well as where Muslims are framed as the 'Other'. Key Features - Gives a comparative view of Asia's diverse Muslim identities, looking at the complexity of identity politics and the instrumentalisation of religious difference that create social divides - Situates the contemporary contestations of identity and belonging amid new waves of Islamic revivalism, ethnic nationalism and political repression - Includes 9 country-based case studies: Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Myanmar and China - Features contributions from experts in political science, anthropology, Islamic studies, sociology including: Irfan Ahmad, Syed Imad Alatas, Nazry Bahrawi, Syafiq Hasyim, Imrul Islam, Nazneen Mohsina, Matthew J. Nelson, Nathan Gilbert Quimpo and Joanne Smith Finley Iulia Lumina is an independent researcher who specialised in the comparative study of Islam at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Cover image: Indonesia, Jakarta (c) Afrijal Dahrin / EyeEm / Getty Images Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-6683-7 Barcode