Critical-Progressive Muslims: On Islamic hermeneutics, Gender and Interreligious Dialogue

In his highly informative  book , The Prophet's Whistle: Late Antique Orality, Literacy, and the Quran , George Archer explores the fascinating interplay between orality and literacy in the development of the Quran. Archer argues that the Quran emerged in a cultural environment transitioning from primarily oral to increasingly literate modes of thought. This transition is reflected in the Quran itself, which initially manifests as an oral performance but gradually incorporates more signs of literary thinking. This perspective carries significant implications for how we approach the interpretation of the Quran, demanding a methodology attuned to the nuances of its historical and cultural context. Archer argues that the Quran's earliest passages are deeply rooted in oral culture . These passages presume the physical presence of a speaker, Muhammad, and rely on pronouns and contextual cues rather than proper nouns and detailed explanations. This suggests that the early Quran wa...

    Adis Duderija   (Associate Professor, Griffith University )  The terms Islamophobia and antisemitism have become increasingly prevalent in public discourse, yet their meanings remain contested and often misunderstood. This ambiguity hinders efforts to address the real harms they inflict on individuals and communities. A robust definition of both Islamophobia and antisemitism are not merely academic exercises; they are essential tools for identifying, challenging, and ultimately eradicating prejudice and discrimination against Muslims and Jewish people respectively. Given my expertise in this article I focus on islamophobia but draw some   hopefully useful parallels with regards to definition of antisemitism.   Furthermore, I argue that having clear criteria for legitimate criticism of Islam, as proposed by the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia (CBMI), is crucial in navigating the complex landscape of religious discourse and preven...