Secular System Research Articles

Exploring Political Polarization Between Opponents and Supporters of Ruling Parties Following the 2019 Lebanese Uprising

ABSTRACTThe 17 October 2019 uprising in Lebanon marked a pivotal period of economic crisis and discontent with the ruling elite. We examined social cohesion post‐uprising by exploring political polarization between “anti‐ruling parties” citizens and “partisan/unaligned” citizens, in two surveys with a community sample (Study 1, N = 357) and a nationally representative sample (Study 2, N = 1200). Across both studies, “anti‐ruling parties” respondents exhibited lower institutional trust, lower sectarianism, and greater support for a secular system compared to “partisan/unaligned” citizens. Conversely, no differences emerged surrounding economic discontent. Importantly, disenchantment with the status quo emerged across political lines. (De)mobilization tendencies varied. In Study 1 (2020), with lingering revolutionary hope, “anti‐ruling parties” respondents showed stronger system‐challenging collective action orientations. In Study 2 (2022), amid counter‐revolutionary gains, disenchantment with October 17 groups emerged, with “anti‐ruling parties” respondents showing lower voting intention, greater migration tendencies, and less readiness to use arms.

IN SEARCH OF RECOGNITION: ALEVI IDENTITY POLITICS IN THE CASE OF THE (TÜRKIYE) UNITY PARTY

Identity politics can be defined as a phenomenon that focuses on the existence of marginalised individuals or groups in the political arena within social structures. Accordingly, this phenomenon puts an emphasis on making the identity, culture and values of certain individuals or groups visible and establishing social, political and economic equality between them and other dominant individuals or groups in society. While the Alevi community can be characterised as a minority religious group in Türkiye, it can be stressed that their efforts to exist in the political arena are reflected in the (Türkiye) Unity Party—(T)BP. The main objective of the present research is to examine how Alevis' desire for recognition in the society has been established in the context of (T)BP. The data set of the research, which was designed as a single-site case study, was analysed through thematic analysis method. The findings revealed six themes, including human rights and equality, secularism and freedom of belief, social justice and development, social reforms, education and cultural rights, and women rights, and the themes provided fertile ground for increasing the visibility of Alevi identity politics and defending their rights. Furthermore, it was concluded that Alevi identity is not only a religious issue but also has a broader perspective anchored in socio-economic and political justice demands. Consequently, it was demonstrated that the (T)BP has played an important role in the construction of Alevi identity politics and has contributed significantly to the consolidation of the democratic and secular system in Türkiye.

The Concept of Peace in Conflict (Analysis of Western and Islamic Political Thought Theory)

Western political thought is often based on principles such as democracy, human rights and secular systems. The concept of peace in Western political thought is often related to diplomacy, conflict resolution through negotiation, as well as the recognition of human rights as a universal foundation for peace. This research examines the concept of peace in conflict from the perspective of Western and Islamic political thought. Aristotle focused on the concept of justice and good forms of government, including monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. Al-Farabi: Developed the concept of an ideal state oriented towards morality and ethics. He believed that politics should lead to the happiness of society. Western political thought emphasizes diplomacy, democracy, human rights, free trade and tolerance as the foundations of peace. Meanwhile, Islamic political thought prioritizes upholding justice, sharia law, and security as the foundation of peace, and introduces the concept of jihad as an effort to defend justice. This study uses a qualitative research method with a literature study approach, analyzing literature sources related to Western and Islamic political thought. The results of the analysis show that despite their principled differences, the two traditions share values such as tolerance and interfaith dialogue that can contribute to global conflict resolution. By understanding the potential common ground, this research offers a more inclusive and holistic approach in addressing the complex conflicts of the modern world.

Conceptualization of the Integrated Islamic Religious Education Curriculum: A Literature Study at Imam Hatip Schools Turkey and MAN Insan Cendekia Indonesia

Purpose – The authors aim to compare Imam Hatip School (IHS) with MAN Insan Cendekia (MAN IC), two Islamic educational institutions that have successfully implemented an Islamic religious education curriculum integrated with general science. Design/methods/approach – This study used a literature review research method that examined several sources and government documents in three languages. The data collection technique was conducted by extracting and evaluating information in articles that meet the inclusion criteria. Once extracted and evaluated, the authors analyzed and interpreted the data. Findings – The integrated curriculum of Islamic education in IHSs aims to anticipate extreme, radical understandings and rejection of the state that implements the secular system. It will form the nature and attitude of tolerance among fellow citizens, allowing it to reduce social conflicts. The IHSs has implemented the integrated Islamic education curriculum by adopting a modern education system. The implementation of the integrated PAI curriculum at MAN IC aims to eliminate the paradigm and praxis of the dichotomy of science. MAN IC adopts an integrated Islamic religious education curriculum based on the traditional Islamic system with a mandatory policy to stay at a dorm for students, where religious activities are more emphasized when students are in the dormitory. Research implications/limitations – This research still has limitations due to a limited literature review and verification study in closed terms on our respondent informants. Therefore, further research is required to deepen the examination in this study. Originality/value – The findings in this study have included the aspects of policy, strategy, content or material development, and the implementation results of the integrated PAI curriculum in the two institutions. Those aspects build a socio-cultural identity, allowing it to develop the school in the realm of progress and achievement. The expectation is that this research can become an example for the development of Islamic Education Institutions in integrating the PAI curriculum.

‘Juristecture’ and the regulation of normative space

AbstractCathedrals have been described as ‘normative space’ insofar as their regulation both shapes, and is shaped by, their architecture. This article extends that description and applies it, by analogy, to listed Church of England churches and examines how the concept of ‘normative space’ relates to, and informs, their regulation within ecclesiastical and secular systems. The article goes on to outline the implications for (1) architectural and artistic innovation and (2) the worship and mission of the Church.

Torah as the Basis of Modern Ideas about the Judiciary: Introduction to the Topic

The diversity of relationships between people determines the multiplicity of types of social norms that regulate interactions in human society. Various systems of social regulation – such as customs, morality, religion, law – throughout the history of mankind are also in constant mutual influence. Their relative importance is fluid, social norms have a constant impact on each other, often experiencing transformations from one type to another. In light of this, the influence of religious institutions on the formation of secular law and the secular system of public, including judicial, power deserves serious study. The Torah, the main holy book of the Jewish people, the basis of Judaism (the oldest and most enduring monotheistic religion in history), which had a significant influence on the formation of Christianity and Islam, is the source of many well-known and established legal ideas. In particular, the Torah contains many provisions concerning the values of justice, the principles of organization and the exercise of judicial power. In fact, all the fundamental principles of justice that have become widespread in the modern world – the institutional organization of the judicial system, the staged nature of legal proceedings, the principles of fair justice, accessibility of court, impartiality of judges and many others – are enshrined in the Torah (and detailed in other sacred Jewish texts) as Divine commandments obligatory for people to fulfill. The article concludes that the study of the Jewish religious heritage can strengthen the significance of the values and principles of justice as the fundamental basis for the existence and functioning of human society.

عبا دات کا میقاتی تصور :سامی ادیان کے تناظر میں ایک مطالعہ

Worship is an integral part of every religion. Now a days there is not any region in world where worship is not practiced in one way or another. Islam is a natural religion. Everything comes under the cover of Islam including Human Rights, Commands of Allah, human relations and interactions with each other etc. All commands, rights and actions are as per path of nature. However, other religions are lacking such kind of delicate balance of nature in every aspect of life. On one side excess and other side deviation is observed. Some religions consider material things core of life while others completely deny it. Islam kept balance between spirit and body. It commands as per requirement of each part. It has not refused one part and encouraged other part of it. Such kind of access and deviations are possible in secular systems but not under the Divine Religion of Islam where everything is written on “Tablet of Heaven”. Therefore there are no chances of such kind of error in this divine religion of Islam. He has been given as much importance and priority as he has the right and demand. It is possible for the human mind and free thinking to be completely inclined towards the other side by denying one aspect, but it is absolutely not possible in the divine system of Islam. Because here are the commands of the Creator of the slaves instead of the slaves and like His essence, His commands are also free from all defects.

Polarization of Turkish Society and Technologies of “Network Revolutions”: The Experience of 2013, the military Coup of 2016 and a Look into the Future

The authors of the article, basing on the structural-functional method of system approach, investigate the long-term confrontation in Turkey between the supporters of national independence (neo-Ottoman system) and integration into the liberal-democratic paradigm of the collective West (secular system). The Taksim-Gezi mass protests in 2013 and the attempted military coup on July 15, 2016 by supporters of Fethullah Gulen (“Feto”) are examined through the prism of the methodology of influencing the “pillars” of the political regime. The tools of mass communication, coordination, and mobilization of the population during the mentioned period are studied. The publication uses content analysis and behavioral analysis of user search queries in Google Trends.
 The successful counteraction of the “neo-Ottoman” system to the challenges of the “secular” camp, internal opposition, as well as the role of R. T. Erdogan in maintaining the balance of power in the country is underlined.
 In conclusion, the author highlights the possible risks to Turkey’s stability in the future, associated with changes in the political situation and the opposition, in case of a change of leadership in the country.
 The study is aimed at developing a methodology for determining the cycles of protest activity and the involvement of the population in these events. This will make it possible to predict the level of stability of the political regime to “network revolutions” and coups d'état.

The Ideality of Pancasila and Reality of Maqaashid Syariah

This study discusses the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, which is not a religious state, but the Pancasila, produced based on a formulation of taste, nobility, customs, culture, religion, and beliefs that exist and grow in Indonesia. Because Pancasila was born from the womb of the Indonesian nation, even though the majority of the population is Muslim, Pancasila has succeeded in establishing itself as the basis of the state, state philosophy, and state ideology for many years now. It shows how powerful and great Pancasila is. However, recently, Pancasila has again clashed with Islam. Pancasila is considered a taghut system, created by infidels, and a secular system that is no longer relevant to the life of the Indonesian nation, which is predominantly Muslim. This research uses a qualitative approach with literature research methods. Primary and secondary data are from books, articles, news, and journals. The theory used in this research is the maqashid sharia approach as a cognitive, open, comprehensive, hierarchical, multidimensional, and purposeful system. Hence, it is found that the ideality of Pancasila rests on the reality of the Indonesian nation's activities in implementing the substantive values of Pancasila and Islam, not on its format. So, it was found that Pancasila and Islam met simultaneously in protecting their people, especially in protecting religion, soul, reason, property, lineage, and honor.

An Assessment of the Progress of School Education Based on Source of Funding and Expenditure Incurred in the United Provinces in Modern India

The advent of modern education in India, based on a secular system of grants- in-aid, is attributable largely to the policies introduced by the Government in the latter half of the nineteenth century. While the present educational system has evolved over the years, and tuned itself to the present needs, both global and national, it still retains various foundational aspects of modern education, one being the grants-in-aid system.
 This paper attempts to analyze the gradual development of school education, from the lens of the expenditure incurred in this exercise, which was crucial for its implementation. The various sources and modes of funding have been elaborated, and juxtaposed with the actual progress displayed by the aided schools, to understand the efficacy as well as the drawbacks of the system.

Women’s issue in Afghanistan under the Taliban*

The article is devoted to the study of the rights and status of women in Afghan society over the past 30 years, after the end of the secular system in the country. A brief overview of the situation since the beginning of the 20th century is given, the place and position of Afghan women in society after the coming to power of the Mujahideen and then the Taliban* is shown, the development of education and the process of involving the female population in socio-economic and political life after 2001 and the change in the situation with the return to power of the Taliban are studied.

Democracy In Islam from The Political to The Religious and Ethical Perspective: Turkiye as A Model

The study discusses the problem of democracy in Islam, from the political to the religious and ethical perspective in an Islamic country with a strict secular system (Turkiye). The study is aiming to monitor the role of democracy as a fair movement for peoples, especially Muslims, in secular regimes, in which it affects their lives by reconstructing the political system and its legislations and authorities in a way that consider their beliefs and moral ethics. Taking that into consideration as Muslims to answer the question: Can we, as Muslims, take a fair stance on democracy and other Western theories that can be benefited the lives of Muslims? As an analytical study, we will follow the Qualitative Methodology to achieve the goal of the study, which led us to the result of elaborating on the possible ways to benefit as Muslims from political concepts particularly democracy without allowing for these Western concepts to eliminate Islam and its ethics from our lives from one hand or make the extremists Muslims alienate others from this religion from another hand; by considering two main points: 1) Being convinced of the historicism of political practice in Islam and reconsidering the legal texts according only to Islamic ethics and the Shariah objectives. 2) Dismantling the relevant terms coming to us and activating the functional view of these interests and their abstract principles and giving them priority over the textual and idiomatic definition. Therefore, it is necessary for us as Muslims to develop new concepts in politics which are compatible with Islam and its ethical principles and stem from reality and civilizational requirements, to play the leading role in achieving both intellectual and applied advancement for the Muslim nation, which leads it to return to the forefront of its civilized role that combines Islamic values and civilized development.

Democracy In Islam from The Political to The Religious and Ethical Perspective: Turkiye as A Model

The study discusses the problem of democracy in Islam, from the political to the religious and ethical perspective in an Islamic country with a strict secular system (Turkiye). The study is aiming to monitor the role of democracy as a fair movement for peoples, especially Muslims, in secular regimes, in which it affects their lives by reconstructing the political system and its legislations and authorities in a way that consider their beliefs and moral ethics. Taking that into consideration as Muslims to answer the question: Can we, as Muslims, take a fair stance on democracy and other Western theories that can be benefited the lives of Muslims? As an analytical study, we will follow the Qualitative Methodology to achieve the goal of the study, which led us to the result of elaborating on the possible ways to benefit as Muslims from political concepts particularly democracy without allowing for these Western concepts to eliminate Islam and its ethics from our lives from one hand or make the extremists Muslims alienate others from this religion from another hand; by considering two main points: 1) Being convinced of the historicism of political practice in Islam and reconsidering the legal texts according only to Islamic ethics and the Shariah objectives. 2) Dismantling the relevant terms coming to us and activating the functional view of these interests and their abstract principles and giving them priority over the textual and idiomatic definition. Therefore, it is necessary for us as Muslims to develop new concepts in politics which are compatible with Islam and its ethical principles and stem from reality and civilizational requirements, to play the leading role in achieving both intellectual and applied advancement for the Muslim nation, which leads it to return to the forefront of its civilized role that combines Islamic values and civilized development.

A historical survey of the African Neo-Pentecostals’ response to digital transformation

The ongoing digital transformation (DT) in our world has not only brought change to secular systems but also to how things are done in the mission and ministry of the Christian faith. Although before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some churches were interacting with DT, the post COVID-19 experience has shown that many more Christian organisations, especially, the African Neo-Pentecostal Churches (ANPC), have carved their niche in the digital space. With South Africa and Nigeria in view, this article investigated how the ANPC interacts with DT to improve missional work and the possible implications of doing so in the last 15 years. In the process, three strategies were applied. Firstly, a literature review and some online investigations were undertaken to articulate how the ANPC have engaged with DT in the past. Secondly, as a primary source, a quantitative empirical survey was conducted through data collection from 109 Neo-Pentecostal leaders to assess the current development in the use of digital technology (DTECH) by the ANPC. Thirdly, the article applied Albert Humphrey’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) framework to analyse the implications of the interaction. The outcome showed that the strengths and opportunities of digital interaction such as the wider and easier reach of audience, online training, online giving, improved sound and light technology and advertisements among others are helpful in missional assignments. Nevertheless, some observed Weaknesses and Threats need attention. Most importantly, the lesson from the findings is that ‘techno church’ practices come with gains; however, interaction with DT is not sufficient for missional services.Contribution: Aligning with HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies’s focus and scope, this article contributed to an interdisciplinary religious aspect of research as it brought forward the interactions of African Pentecostalism, Historical Theology and Information Technology.

Kelangsungan Pendidikan Agama Islam di Negara Sekuler: Madrasah di Singapura

This paper explores how Islamic madrasahs changed the minds of their students by teaching both religious and academic subjects. This comes alongside examining how these schools created racial and religious cohesiveness outside the boundaries of traditional conservatism and extremism. This research is qualitative, meaning it uses a variety of methods to gather its findings. This paper examines the negative effects of Madrasas on economic development in Singapore. It looks at historical methods for gathering data and literature from its research. Some specific data analyzed and presented in the paper includes relevant literature and information gathered by these methods. Before 2001, the Singaporean government pushed to close traditional or conservative schools of religious learning. They considered traditional madrasas a source of religious and racial strife that impeded cohesion among the races and religions in their country. Islamic education in Singapore can be observed through three phases. The first is the colonial phase where a secular system was adopted. After the country was no longer colonized, a traditional system was implemented. Currently, the third phase has begun where an integrated curriculum is in use.

A „nőkérdés” tematizálása a politikai pártok diskurzusaiban a forradalom utáni Tunéziában (2011–2014)

For more than fifty years, the Tunisian political system has been considered as a so-called secular system that had provided women with many rights in education, healthcare and in economic and political sectors, besides that woman friendly family laws reforms After the overthrown of Ben Ali regime on 14th of January 2011, the Tunisian society witnessed an economic, social and political significant transformation. A new Islamic-secular discourse have been raised debates both in public and private sphere, women’s rights have been one of the incendiary topics of these debates. Therefore, with the participation of the Islamists in political life, the country has faced a new political dynamic which made the pollical scene complex and ambiguous. In this context, discourse analysis is a very important and crucial to be used as a method to approach to the research main question. Some leaders’ speeches, events which took place during the democratic transition are examined and analyzed in order to serve the research’s analytic interest through the relevant materials.

Reasons And Development Of The "Algeria Crisis". The Attempts At A Political Settlement In 1991-1995

Abstract Algeria's domestic political environment began to change rapidly in 1989 February, after the adoption of the new Constitution, article 40 of which guaranteed the right to form political unions. This democratic process led to the legalization and further strengthening of many parties, including the Islamic. The purpose of this article is to present the socio-political developments in Algeria, which emerged as a result of the widespread Islamic movements in the country. The systemic crisis in Algeria during this period was one of the most important factors that significantly influenced the spreading of extremist Islamic ideologies in society. The Islamic movement united around the Islamic Salvation Front in a very short time and the latter became the most influential, strong Islamic organization whose primary goal was the Islamization of Algeria. In this context, special emphasis has been required on the role of the army in resolving the Algerian crisis. Due to the peculiarities of historical development, the army had a special role in the political life of the country, it was the only real force that was able to maintain the secular system established in Algeria. The attempts to resolve the economic, political, and social consequences of the armed struggle launched by the authorities against the Islamists are also studied in this article. The steps taken by the authorities and the opposition parties in the peaceful settlement of the "Algerian crisis" are considered separately. It is noteworthy that despite the fact that the supporters of the Islamization of the country were a huge and influential force, nevertheless, the authorities managed to maintain the established system of the government, preventing the further development of the Islamic extremist movements in the country.

Rebel Angels: Space and Sovereignty in Anglo-Saxon England

Rebel Angels: Space and Sovereignty in Anglo-Saxon England

Sharia Politics in Nigeria and Malaysia: Governance, Islamization and Human Rights

Despite being federal secular states, the scope of Islamic law application and Islamic bureaucracy in both Nigeria and Malaysia has expanded tremendously under the influence of Islamist movements. Ideologically, Islamism aims to establish a political system based on Islamic tradition and the full implementation of Sharia law. Islamist activists in both countries have been working and pushing for the full implementation and enforcement of Islamic law including its criminal code which is also known as Hudud. Situating our analysis within a framework of the differentiated context of governance, this study expounds a comparative analysis of the processes of sharia implementation and the varying natures of human rights violation. Our analysis illustrates that the state failure in Nigeria cannot be resolved by replacing the secular political system with an Islamic one as the problem lies elsewhere. In Malaysia whereby state capacity in governance is much more effective, problems peculiar to the contemporary Islamic doctrine such as the theological interpretation of apostasy from the perspective of human rights are aggravated by a strong state capacity in regulating individual Muslims’ private lives. The tendency of seeing harsh punishment as an effective means of weeding out vices and associating it with the seriousness of the state in enforcing Islamic belief leads to the loss of a sense of jurisprudential proportionality, and a zero-sum-game mentality vis-à-vis the respect for human dignity and liberty for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Secularism Orientations

Introduction: There has been extensive research conducted on religious orientations, but less so of secularism orientations. We sought to examine several ways that secularist beliefs connect and compare. 
 Methods: Undergraduate students in introductory psychology classes (n = 397) completed an online questionnaire assessing their secularist beliefs, religious orientations, and psychological well-being.
 Results: An exploratory factor analysis yielded four types of secularism orientations: Faith in Humans, Faith in Law, Faith and Science, and Faith in Paranormal. These four factors then distinctly correlated with religious orientations and subcomponents of well-being. 
 Conclusions: Identifying secular belief systems and their implications is key to understanding the consequences of the Western decline in religious practice. These preliminary data provide insights into their types and benefits for psychological functioning.