Imagining Antiquity in Islamic Societies

This book explores how Muslims have engaged with the material leg, legacies of ancient and pre-Islamic societies, and how Islam's own heritage has been framed and experienced over time. It argues that ISIS's actions are one manifestation of an assumedly pervasive and historically on-going Islamic antipathy toward images and pre-contemporary holy localities, and that Muslims have imagined Islamic and pre-Islamic antiquity and its localities in myriad ways. The book presents thirteen essays by leading scholars that address the issue of Islamic interest in the material past of the ancient and Islamic world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2022
Publisher: Intellect Books

The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage by Islamist groups like ISIS has led to a misguided association of Islamic doctrine and practice with such acts. This book delves into the diverse ways Muslims have interacted with the material legacies of ancient and pre-Islamic societies, as well as how Islam's heritage has been framed and experienced over time.

The tragically familiar spectacles of cultural heritage destruction performed by ISIS in Syria and Iraq are often portrayed as barbaric and beyond the realm of normative, civilized uses of the past. These actions are often explained as an attempt to eradicate idolatry or as a fundamentalist desire to revive and enforce a return to a purified monotheism. However, a deeper analysis of these spectacles reveals that there is an Islamic manner of imagining the past, including its architectural manifestations, traces, and localities. These actions, whether constructive or destructive, have moral and ethical consequences for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

In this reading, the iconoclastic actions of ISIS and similar groups, such as the Taliban or the Wahhabi monarchy in Saudi Arabia, are seen as one extreme manifestation of an assumedly pervasive and historically ongoing Islamic antipathy toward images and pre-contemporary holy localities. This antipathy extends to the broader concept of heritage and the various uses it has been put to by modern nationalism.

It is important to recognize that the destruction of cultural heritage is not exclusive to Islamist groups. Throughout history, various forces have engaged in the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, driven by political, religious, or economic motives. The examples of the Roman Empire's destruction of Carthage, the Mongol invasions' destruction of cities and temples, and the **** regime's destruction of Jewish cultural sites are just a few examples of this phenomenon.

However, the association of Islam with cultural heritage destruction has been particularly strong due to the historical and political context in which these acts have occurred. The rise

The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage by Islamist groups like ISIS has led to a misguided association of Islamic doctrine and practice with such acts. This book delves into the diverse ways Muslims have interacted with the material legacies of ancient and pre-Islamic societies, as well as how Islam's heritage has been framed and experienced over time.

The tragically familiar spectacles of cultural heritage destruction performed by ISIS in Syria and Iraq are often portrayed as barbaric and beyond the realm of normative, civilized uses of the past. These actions are often explained as an attempt to eradicate idolatry or as a fundamentalist desire to revive and enforce a return to a purified monotheism. However, a deeper analysis of these spectacles reveals that there is an Islamic manner of imagining the past, including its architectural manifestations, traces, and localities. These actions, whether constructive or destructive, have moral and ethical consequences for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

In this reading, the iconoclastic actions of ISIS and similar groups, such as the Taliban or the Wahhabi monarchy in Saudi Arabia, are seen as one extreme manifestation of an assumedly pervasive and historically ongoing Islamic antipathy toward images and pre-contemporary holy localities. This antipathy extends to the broader concept of heritage and the various uses it has been put to by modern nationalism.

It is important to recognize that the destruction of cultural heritage is not exclusive to Islamist groups. Throughout history, various forces have engaged in the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, driven by political, religious, or economic motives. The examples of the Roman Empire's destruction of Carthage, the Mongol invasions' destruction of cities and temples, and the **** regime's destruction of Jewish cultural sites are just a few examples of this phenomenon.

However, the association of Islam with cultural heritage destruction has been particularly strong due to the historical and political context in which these acts have occurred. The rise of Islamism in the late 20th century, particularly in the context of the Cold War, has been linked to a rise in religious and political extremism, including the promotion of a puritanical interpretation of Islam that emphasizes the strict separation of religion and state. This interpretation has led to the marginalization of certain cultural practices and traditions, including those related to heritage, as being incompatible with Islamic principles.

Furthermore, the rise of nationalism in the Middle East and North Africa has also played a role in the destruction of cultural heritage. Nationalism is often associated with a sense of identity and pride, and it is often expressed through the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. However, in the context of the Arab Spring and the subsequent conflicts in the region, nationalism has been used as a tool to justify the destruction of cultural heritage, particularly that associated with non-Muslims or perceived as opposing the interests of the state.

In conclusion, the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage by Islamist groups like ISIS is a complex issue that requires a nuanced and multifaceted approach. It is essential to recognize that the actions of these groups are not representative of all Muslims or the Islamic faith, and that there are many diverse ways in which Muslims have engaged with the material legacies of ancient and pre-Islamic societies. It is also important to acknowledge the historical and political context in which these acts have occurred, including the rise of Islamism, nationalism, and the rise of religious and political extremism. By understanding these factors, we can work towards promoting a more inclusive and respectful approach to heritage preservation and promotion that recognizes the diversity and complexity of the world's cultural heritage.

Weight: 872g
Dimension: 176 x 238 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789385489
Edition number: New ed