Christian-Muslim Relations in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring
Beyond the Polemics over 'The Innocence of Muslims'
- Highlights the diversity of Middle Eastern Christian experiences and attitudes towards Islam, including understudied groups (Jordanian Christians, Coptic Catholics, lay Christian activists and politicians)
- Explores the diverse Muslim attitudes towards Christians, of both Islamist/Salafi figures and official Islam, and their use of Christians as political and ideological tools in the aftermath of the Arab Spring
- Offers theoretic reflections on violence, agency and the ‘inclusion–moderation hypothesis’ of Islamist actors through a comparative approach
In September 2012, a video titled The Innocence of Muslims provoked widespread condemnation and protests in the Middle East. It depicted an attack on Copts by a presumably Muslim group, connecting it with the prophet of Islam, Muhammad, portrayed as a ruthless killer and child-molester. Although the video could have had dramatic consequences for Christians in the region, since Coptic individuals living in the US had produced it, the controversy turned instead into a moment of Christian–Muslim unity.
Introduction: Revisiting Christian-Muslim Relations through a Minor Controversy
1. Beyond the Controversy: Islamist Movements and the Constraints of the Political Game Introduction Egypt: Claiming the Islamic Leadership The Risks of Antagonising Copts Lebanon: Contesting Hezbollah’s Islamic and Lebanese leadership Jordan: Dissatisfaction with the Regime Conclusion
2. Another Understanding of Violence: From Coptic-Muslim Violence to a Far Greater Danger Introduction The Starting Point: Sectarian Violence in Egypt The Issue of Christian Fear The Hierarchisation of Targets and Victims The Greater Danger: Potential Violence Conclusion
3. The Stakes of Being Christian or Muslim: The Other Key Actors of Christian-Muslim Relations Introduction The Legal and Political Foundations of being Christian or Muslim in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon Another Key Player: Official Islam The Forgotten Christian Laity The Churches Upset Speaking as and for Christians Conclusion
4. Searching for Proximity to the Other: Redefining Fitna and Dhimma Introduction Classical Islamic and Christian Attitudes: Polemics The Moderation of Islamist Attitudes towards Christians The Fear of Fitna A Christian Expansion of the Term dhimma Searching for Proximity to Muslims The Limited Institutionalisation of Proximity Conclusion
5. The Core of Peaceful Relations: Rituals of Solidarity and Avoidance Introduction Ritualised and Avoiding Language: Rituals of Solidarity Behaviour and the Expectation of Reciprocity Excurse: The Issue of Christmas A Powerful Ritual: The United Egyptian Nation Conclusion
6. Renegotiating the Promises of the Arab Spring Introduction Old and New Fears What Level of Differentiation? The Egyptian, Lebanese and Jordanian Nations The Religious Foundations of Unity The Political Sources of Unity Conclusion
Conclusion: The Requirements for the Ideal Islamic Society
Bibliography
Christian-Muslim Relations in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring offers timely reflection on the character of relations between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. Based upon a wide range of sources skilfully deployed, Hager seeks to describe how society assuages violence, reframing Muslim-Christian relations at moments of tension around Christian agency and the constraints on radical Muslim actors, thus allowing for a dynamic and complex web of political factors to strengthen their relations and respective religious statuses. Hager offers much to ponder in considering the Christian-Muslim encounter today.
