'Sectarianism' and Its Discontents in the Study of the Middle East

• Published in: The Middle East journal Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 363 - 382
• Main Author: Haddad, Fanar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Middle East Institute 01.08.2017
• Subjects: 21st century; Arabic language; Criminalization; Debates; English language; Identity; Mobilization; Political dissent; Political systems; Politics; Religion; Religious identity; Scholars; Sectarian violence; Sectarianism; Sociopolitical factors; Stigma; Vocabulary; Middle East; Iraq

This article offers a critical examination of the vocabulary associated with the study of 'sectarianism' in the Middle East. It surveys Arabic- and English-language works on 'sectarianism' to illustrate how the term's lack of definition has allowed it to be used in contradic...