Who Speaks for Islam?: 'Authenticity' and the Interpretation of Islamic Law in America's War on Terror

Nelson, Matthew J.

Abstract

Recognising that America's response to the events of 11 September would do well to maintain a sharp distinction between the ‘war on terror’ and a war ‘against Islam’, this article argues that American diplomatic rhetoric would benefit from an explicit effort to engage ‘frameworks of legitimacy’ within Islam, including the terms of Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic legal debate. The article examines the merits of such an approach in the context of several recent diplomatic dilemmas, including the Jyllens-Posten cartoon controversy. It concludes with an assessment of the American (domestic) political environment within which this approach tends to encounter its most ardent critics.

Citation

Nelson, M. J. (2007). Who Speaks for Islam?: 'Authenticity' and the Interpretation of Islamic Law in America's War on Terror. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 61(2), 247-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357710701358386

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 28, 2007
• Online Publication Date: May 22, 2007
• Publication Date: May 22, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jun 25, 2008
• Journal: Australian Journal of International Affairs
• Print ISSN: 1035-7718
• Electronic ISSN: 1465-332X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 247-66
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10357710701358386