Photo: AFP/Anadolu Agency/Ahsan Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed
Meszár Tárik
16/08/2024 07:00
In the Middle East, with the decline of socialism and pan-Arabism, the only real opponent to Islam is nationalism. However, the latter ideas are highly problematic to spread outside a given nation. This means that the leaderships of countries - even relatively secular and progressive governments - feel a strong incentive to incorporate Islam into their foreign policy, using religious ideas to enhance their prestige and promote their interests.
An important aspect of the soft power of Islam is the power of religious communities. This is present in both Islamic countries and Muslim diasporas in the Western world. In Islamic civilisation, imams and other religious leaders often have a significant influence on the lives and thinking of their followers. This influence is not limited to religious matters, but also extends to social, economic and political issues. For example, a fatwa (non-binding religious statement) issued by an imam or a sermon delivered in a mosque can have a major impact on the behaviour and values of a community.
Furthermore, it should not be overlooked that Islam's role is often reflected in activities in the fields of education and charity. Many Islamic countries have charities and foundations that provide educational programmes, health care and other social services. These organisations sometimes operate outside the Islamic world and their activities not only reflect the humanitarian values of Islam, but also contribute to the positive image of the Muslim world in the international community.
In cultural terms, too - be it in gastronomy, fashion or the film industry - Islam is being shown as an instrument of soft power. An excellent example of this is the Turkish series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, which has gained immense popularity in Latin America, South Asia and Africa since its release in 2014, but has also reached other parts of the world thanks to Netflix. With romance, authentic costumes, stunning music and bloody battle scenes, the series has given Islam a very positive image, which has helped to improve its image in these regions.
All in all, Islam's broad cultural, religious and social traditions are extremely effective tools for the exercise of soft power. These sympathetic aspects of the Islamic world continue to influence and shape global politics, economics and culture.
The author is a senior researcher at the Eurasia Center