Notes on An Enchanted Modern: Gender and Public Piety In Shi'i Lebanon
Setting: The discussion revolves around a comment made by HajJEH UMM ZEIN, which critiques the Taliban's destruction of ancient Buddha statues. This act raises questions about the perception of backwardness attributed to the Taliban in their actions, particularly from the perspective of modern Islamic thought. It signifies a broader conversation about the intersections between traditional values and modern interpretations of Islam.
Participants: The conversation includes HajJEH UMM ZEIN, her daughter, and the narrator. Together, they represent a community of pious Shi‘i Muslims based in Beirut's al-Dahiyya, an area closely linked with Hizbullah. Their insights reflect local religious practices and a nuanced understanding of Islam that contrasts sharply with extremist actions attributed to groups like the Taliban.
Taliban and Islam: Although there is a prevalent media narrative that classifies the Taliban as Islamic fundamentalists, the women clearly articulate a distinction between their beliefs and the actions taken by the Taliban. They argue that such actions do not represent true Islam, revealing an internal discourse within Islamic communities about the meanings of faith, culture, and modernity.
Field Research Background
Research Context: This study spans 22 months, conducted between 1999 and 2001, focusing on the daily lives of pious Shi‘i Muslims. It seeks to delve deep into their views on modernity and the interpretations of Islam that reject the notion of a monolithic identity for the faith, exploring how these interpretations coexist with modern Western ideas.
Objectives: The study aims to unpack the dual concept of Islam, emphasizing two key points: that Islam is heterogeneous and that it can exist alongside modernity without compromising its core tenets. The research also highlights broader cultural implications, demonstrating that global religious movements often adhere to modernity while maintaining their spiritual roots, which contradicts common perceptions.
Broader Implications: The rise of religious movements worldwide challenges the simplistic view that modernity equates to secularization. Instead, emerging pathways illustrate that spirituality can be relevant in contemporary dialogues, offering frameworks for understanding identities skewed by political or cultural narratives.
Goals of the Study
Two-fold Purpose:
To analyze how pious Shi‘i Muslims perceive modernity and engage with contemporary discourses that shape their lives.
To investigate new forms of public piety, highlighting women's roles within the new Islamic interpretations influenced by modernity.
Critical Themes: The study navigates critical themes that explore ambivalence towards secularism versus religiosity and the shifting dynamics of gender roles in contemporary Islamic settings, revealing both challenges and advancements.
Understanding the Pious Modern
Modern-ness and Spiritual Progress: Ethnographic examples illustrate how notions of material progress intertwine with spiritual aspirations in the community's conception of modernity. This connection showcases how advancements in lifestyle do not negate religious values but can coexist with them.
Emerging Forms of Engagement: The evolving expressions of piety create new spaces for individuals, especially women, to articulate their faith and modern identities. These new pious practices incorporate both traditional Islamic values and contemporary cultural elements, fostering tolerance and adaptation to the changing social landscape.
Importance of Women: Women play a pivotal role in the enactment of public piety within the community, thereby influencing broader discussions about contemporary Shi‘i identity and its implications for social dynamics and community cohesion.
Complex Dynamics of Visibility
Ethnographic Focus: This study emphasizes how public expressions of piety challenge conventional classifications, forcing a reconsideration of Islam and modernity as mutually exclusive. The complexities of these expressions highlight the authenticity of faith as seen in daily practices.
Public Piety: Central to the pious modern identity is the concept of visibility, which embodies individual morality intertwined with collective identity. This visibility often manifests through community engagement and representation, challenging stereotypes of Islamic practice.
Intersection of Religion and Politics: The everyday practices of individuals provide critical insights into how personal faith intersects with public life, shaping their political identities and social responsibilities.
Expected Chapters Overview
Chapter Structure: The examination of al-Dahiyya unfolds across multiple chapters, each focusing on the transformation of public piety and the historical context of Shi‘i Islamic movements in Lebanon.
Urban Landscape: Describes how public spaces within al-Dahiyya reflect pious Islamic practices and contribute to community identity.
Historical Context: Provides a comprehensive backdrop of Lebanese Shi‘i movements, outlining their historical significance in shaping contemporary Islamic thought.
Embodied Practices: Discusses how daily interactions embody piety through gestures and expressions that reinforce solidarity and shared beliefs.
Ashura Commemorations: Examines the importance of Ashura in the community, detailing the religious, cultural, and political implications inherent in these observances.
Women’s Activism: Focuses on women's roles in public piety, illustrating how their activism reshapes gender norms and community narratives.
Generational Shifts: Explores the evolving notions of piety across different generations, capturing the impact of globalization and sociopolitical changes on public engagement.
Understanding Community Identity
Fluid Identity: The Shi‘i pious modern identity is characterized by its fluidity and complexity. This community expands beyond mere geographical boundaries, redefining itself through shared values and collective piety.
Community vs. Movement: Discussions of community are deeply intertwined with notions of a movement, reflecting the diverse views on identity, belonging, and activism.
Public Piety and Social Structure: The exploration of public piety encompasses how acts signify moral standing, fostering a sense of belonging and differentiation within Shi‘i Islam and the wider Lebanese society.
Intersectionality of Faith and Identity
Faith as Integral: The diverse expressions of faith among individuals illustrate the intricate relationship between religious beliefs and personal identities.
Critiques of “Religious” Labels: In the community, many individuals prefer the term “practicing Muslims” over “religious,” suggesting a focus on active engagement with faith rather than passive adherence to labels.
Personal vs. Collective: The necessity for community-centered discussions is emphasized, which aims to reconcile personal commitment to faith with broader social responsibilities and communal ties.
Religion in Daily Conversations
Religious Integrations: Religion is a pervasive influence in daily life for pious Shi‘is, deeply ingraining their identity and practices within both public and private realms.
Authenticating Religion: Social interactions frequently involve discussions of religious significance, crafting a shared narrative that redefines piety in personal and collective terms.
Cultural Reflections: Engaging with religious texts and narratives highlights the importance of continuous learning and dialogue within the community’s understanding of faith.
Embodied Practices and Public Displays of Faith
Dress as a Marker of Identity: The practice of wearing Islamic dress serves as a visible marker of piety and contributes to the ongoing dialogue about cultural identity versus autonomy in personal choice.
Intersection of Piety and Modernity: Public displays of piety, including prayer and veiling, showcase how pious Shi‘is engage with modernity while countering prevalent stereotypes of backwardness.
Community Connections: The emphasis on social structures that support public displays reveals the communal aspect of individual faith expressions, emphasizing interdependence in celebrating spiritual identities.
Conclusion: Public Piety and Its Implications
Visibility of Religion: The concluding reflections illustrate how public piety shapes individual experiences and influences broader community identities and political frameworks.
Authenticating Discourse: The essential discussions surrounding personal and public modes of piety are crucial in shaping contemporary understandings of Shi‘ism and the modern identity in Lebanon.