1 - Introduction

Summary

Chapter 1 introduces the focus of this book, which is to elucidate the degree to which the affective symbol of the umma shapes Muslim identities today and inspires social and political action. It notes that the discussion to follow will explore the ‘pull’ of the umma on Muslims. The volume will explore the ways in which the latent sense of attachment to a great enterprise of the faith is omnipresent, but, like other affiliations, seems more pronounced when facing opposition. A kind of societal pan-Islam — grassroots empathy with Muslims worldwide — has undergirded identification with the Palestinians or Rohingyas, for example. Even when this popular sentiment is expressed, however, Muslim states may find economic and political interests more important than support for Muslim victims. It is proposed that the identity that the umma provides must thus be contextualised and seen as open to widely divergent interpretations and self-interested political concerns. The chapter also explains that the book will investigate the effects of the ‘push’ of the umma on Muslims. It will demonstrates that states, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, seek to foster a sense of the umma and its importance through various means. So, too, collective non-state actors, such as ISIS, which attempt to harness the symbolic power of the umma in order to pressure individuals and groups into taking action. Chapter 1 concludes by outlining the structure of the book and observes that manipulation of the idea of the umma forms part of the pursuit of authentication and influence in today’s Muslim world.