A Rejoinder

Abstract

Ahmet Kuru replies to two important and critical reviews of his book, Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global and Historical Comparison (Cambridge University Press, 2019), in this volume. He explains why he disagrees with certain points in Knut Vikør's and Roel Meijer's reviews. He particularly reiterates the ulema's negative roles in contemporary Muslim societies. From Egypt's Al-Azhar to Turkey's Diyanet, from Iran's mullahs to Pakistan's sharia courts, the ulema hold the power to shape the public discourse in many ways, such as controlling Islamic education, issuing fatwas, and imposing blasphemy laws, in partnership with the state. The ulema have been the main ally of the rulers in marginalizing intellectuals and economic entrepreneurs, and thus, they share the responsibility with the rulers in problems of authoritarianism and underdevelopment.

Citation

Kuru, A.T. (2024), "A Rejoinder", Mjøset, L., Butenschøn, N. and Harpviken, K.B. (Ed.) A Comparative Historical and Typological Approach to the Middle Eastern State System (Comparative Social Research, Vol. 36), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 271-275. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0195-631020240000036010