Identity Conflict
The violent reactions that followed Charlie Hebdo cartoons provided an ugly image of two different world perspectives, each standing firmly against the other, charged with emotions and determined not to compromise.
While Islam, fundamentalism and freedom of speech have been at the heart of heated discussions that followed, another source of conflict in the background did not receive enough attention. It is the identity conflict.
This concept might be difficult to understand unless we shed first some light on how Muslims in this age perceive Islam, and the role it plays in their life.
Role of religion in Middle East countries, has drastically changed in the second half of 20th century. Following the collapse of Arab Nationalism after 1967 war, and the increase of Muslim population in Europe, the role of Islam changed gradually from a religion to an identity. Although for different reasons, approaching Islam as a sign of identity that defines self and other is a common factor between Middle East societies and minorities coming from the same in Europe.
Within this understanding of Islam, religion provides a comprehensive narration that goes beyond spiritual set of beliefs and that defines and regulates self, other, society and enemy within a spiritual-ethical framework. And while doing so, it draws on a historical process rooted on the era of emergence of Islam and the establishment of Islamic state, which has provided common identity to nations with substantially different cultural background. Such narration fulfills the need for solidarity, belonging and identity in a way remarkably similar to what nationalism does.
This shift in understanding separates religion from its philosophical core and reintroduces it as a national identity to belong to. In this context, criticism of Islam would be perceived as an aggression directed toward a Nation and People, not as a criticism of an idea or an ethical or spiritual system.
With the conflict finding root and source of escalation in identity politics, approaching it using framework that draws on freedom of speech would probably fail to address it, and would open the door for further waves expected in the future.
