Abstract
This article is concerned with the academic use and definitions of terms such as “radical” and “extreme” as well as “Islam” and “Muslim(s)”. Some scholars hold that such terms ought to be avoided, but the author argues to the contrary. The article probes into effects that our usage of such terms may have in society at large. As scholars of religion, we need to keep the relational aspects of our terminology in mind, and the author argues that a clear benchmark is necessary when using a value-laden terminology. That would make it possible to avoid an apologetic or uncritical stance toward the object of study, which is part of being a critical, analytical, as well as responsible scholar.
Highlights
This article is concerned with the academic use and definitions of terms such as “radical”
“Islam”? Or “religion”? What consequences may our use of terminology have? Research shows that an uncritical use of terminology and expressions such as “radical Islam” leads to an increasing fear of Muslims, Islamophobia, and a general othering of Muslims (Hoewe and Bowe 2018)
Radical Islam is often equated with terrorism
Summary
Radical Need of a Critical Language: On Radical Islam. What consequences may our use of terminology have? A radical Muslim is suspected of being a terrorist. A Muslim is understood as being at least a potential terrorist. This is the backdrop condition for this short article, which focuses on Salafism, and terms often associated with it. The main concern addressed in the article is what we, as scholars of religion, are going to do about this problem. I argue that we need to uphold a critical and analytical language and avoid being apologetic, and in this way be able to use terms such as “extreme”, but as analytical and not value-laden terms
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