Teaching “Islam and Politics” in the Wake of the Christchurch Terrorist Attack

Abstract

The terrorist attack against two Mosques in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 created an elevated interest in Islam and Muslims in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This article describes a course on Islam and Politics, which was designed and taught at a university in A/NZ in the wake of Christchurch 3/15. The audience comprises a majority non-Muslim and minority Muslim students with an academic interest in the relationship between Islam and politics. A Religious Studies programme offered the framework for the delivery of the course, while fearmongering, misinformation, racism and Islamophobia common to Muslim-minority countries influenced its philosophical conception. The 12-week course communicates two key themes: Islam is not a monolith and is complex; and Islamic law is inherently diverse. Nine case-studies augment these themes. Teaching objectives are for students to articulate their own views on contemporary debates concerning Islam and politics and to critique global influences and processes which contribute to the othering of Muslims. Moreover, the course aims to shift students’ perspectives.