The Impact of Political Approaches on the Development of Islamic and Shiite Studies in the British Academic Community

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Philosophy and Theology, Baqir al-Olum University, Qom, Iran

2 PhD, Shia Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

10.22081/psq.2024.68566.2869

Abstract

The British academic community has produced a plethora of studies encompassing various approaches to Islamic studies, ranging from foundational to practical or applied dimensions. This research aims to explore whether the British political system played a role in the initial development of these studies and, if so, whether it has exerted a distinct influence on Islamic initiatives. To address the first question, we employ the picture theory to examine the involvement of the British political system in Islamic studies. We assert that pictures—mental representations of reality—significantly influence decision-making and policymaking within political systems. By analyzing existing centers, articles, speeches, and other factors, alongside the mental images held by politicians, we conclude that Islamic and Shia studies in Britain are, to some extent, shaped by the perceptions and policies of the governing authorities and media. Drawing on the picture-making theory and its application to decision-making processes at both individual and organizational levels, we argue that these studies are partly constructed based on the prevailing images projected by governmental policies and media narratives, particularly through a critical lens of the governing policies regarding the Islamic world.

Keywords

References

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Political Science
Volume 26, Issue 4 - Serial Number 106
November 2023
Pages 80-111

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