The article discusses the relationship between Islam and secularism in Muslim

societies. It explores the tension between Western liberal values and the visible
presence of religion in the public sphere of Arab-Islamic countries. The author
focuses on the political dimension of secularism and questions the possibility of
liberal democracy in the Muslim world until the question of political secularism is
resolved. The concept of secularism is seen as inherently ambiguous, and the author
provides a three-tier conceptualization of it: philosophically, sociologically, and
politically. The article also challenges the belief that Islam is uniquely anti-
modern and rejects the separation of religion and politics. The debate on Islam and
secularism is important in international affairs as it has been connected to post-
9/11 tensions and the clash between Islam and the West.

There is a growing body of literature that attributes contemporary international

conflict involving Muslims to a clash between Islam and secularism. This narrative
has reinforced Islamophobic narratives in the West and has implications for
understanding Middle East politics. Bernard Lewis, despite his controversial
reputation in Islamic Studies, is still regarded as an authority on the history and
politics of the Islamic world. However, he misreads the political history of
Christendom in relation to the absence of political secularism in Muslim societies.
The reasons for this difference lie in the early religious histories and teachings
of Islam and Christianity. Lewis overemphasizes the importance of a single verse in
Matthew 22:21 in shaping church-state relations. Alternative interpretations
challenge the significance of this verse.

The debate on the meaning and intent of Matthew 22:21 and its relationship to
political secularism is explored in this text. The author questions the selective
interpretation of scripture and argues that there are other verses from the Bible
that have historically been used to justify a firm union of religion and state. The
author also argues that it is not sufficient to rely on ancient biblical quotations
to explain the rise or absence of political secularism in different religious
traditions. Instead, the author suggests looking at state-society relations and the
role of religion in times of political crises. The complexity of religion-state
relations in Christendom is emphasized.

Over the course of history, the relationship between religion and politics has been
complex and varied. While many civilizations based their understanding of political
authority on a divine connection, the erosion of this divine nexus in Latin
Christendom led to the rise of political secularism. However, it is important to
note that assumptions about close religion-state relations in Islam ignore the
historical presence of similar relationships in some branches of Christianity.
Scholarly examination of religion-state relations in different historical contexts
is needed to challenge assumptions and reveal surprises. The rise of political
secularism in the West was influenced by factors such as the Protestant Reformation
and the Wars of Religion. In contrast, pre-modern Muslim societies were generally
more tolerant of religious pluralism, although this does not imply they were
bastions of liberal tolerance. Sunni-Shia relations and the treatment of religious
minorities were relatively more tolerant in the Muslim world compared to Europe.

Muslim societies have had a different historical experience with religious

toleration compared to Western societies, leading to a different understanding of
the relationship between Islam and secularism. In Muslim societies, religion played
a role in maintaining sociopolitical stability and limiting autocratic rule.
Secularism in the Muslim world has been perceived as an alien ideology imposed by
colonial and post-colonial states, resulting in weak intellectual roots and a lack
of penetration into mainstream society. The association between secularism and
oppressive regimes further contributed to its decline. It is important to consider
these different historical contexts when discussing the relationship between
religion and state in the Muslim world.
The Muslim world has not experienced the same political crisis that led to
secularism and religion-state separation as seen in other societies. Instead of
focusing on the theological doctrines or religious history, this approach
emphasizes state-society relations and the role of religion during moments of
political crisis. This framework provides a more objective understanding of the
topic of comparative secularism in the emotionally charged Muslim world.