Crossing the Cultural Divide between Muslim and Non-Muslim

Formation of Ambassadorial Identity

Bibliographic Data

ID3017632
AuthorsWai-Yip Ho, Wai Yip 何偉業 Ho (0000-0002-4231-1312, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume11
Issue1
Pages5-19
Publication date2005-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Identities (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-4630 • E-ISSN: 1363-0296
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13504630500100399
OpenAlexW2011460718
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited36

Akbar S. Ahmed is widely acknowledged in the West as ‘The Ambassador for Islam’ and is an eminent Pakistani Muslim anthropologist. This article examines his Muslim ambassadorial identity. The paper argues that his ambassadorial identity is not given, but is partly influenced by the theoretical inspiration and compassionate encouragement of Ernest Gellner, himself a brilliant anthropologist, philosopher and social theorist. Identifying the informal pedagogical role influencing the young Akbar S. Ahmed in bridging the present deep cultural divide, it is shown how Muslims and non-Muslims can enlighten one another away from a clash of civilizations. More importantly, through their example, it shows the importance and possibility of inter-cultural understanding in the aftermath of September 11 and the war against terrorism

Aesthetics · Cultural identity · Islam · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Terrorism · Theology · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Gender Studies · Islamic Studies and History · Law · Philosophy · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East · Religious studies

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