Putting Islam to work

Book Description

In contemporary Egypt and across the Muslim world, the landscape of Islamic practice and understanding has undergone a profound transformation. Gregory Starrett examines how modern educational systems and mass media have fundamentally altered the way Islamic traditions are transmitted and experienced in daily life.

This scholarly exploration reveals how twentieth-century innovations in religious instruction moved beyond traditional text recitation toward moral guidance integrated into broader social development initiatives. The Egyptian government strategically employed these educational approaches to address political challenges, particularly in response to Islamist opposition movements.

However, the adoption of Western-influenced teaching methods produced unexpected consequences. Rather than creating the intended political stability, these approaches accelerated the presence of Islamic perspectives throughout public discourse, challenged established religious leadership patterns, and created new tensions within governmental authority.

Through careful analysis of historical records, textual materials, and field research, Starrett demonstrates that contemporary Islamic revival movements emerge from fresh approaches to understanding faith that are deeply connected to marketplace dynamics, media influence, and institutional learning environments. His work illuminates how modern communication tools and state educational policies have reshaped religious experience in ways that extend far beyond their original intentions.

For readers seeking to understand how spiritual traditions adapt and evolve within modern societies, this book offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between faith, education, and cultural change in the Islamic world.