Islamic reformism and Great Britain: Rashid Rida’s image as reflected in the journal Al-Manar in Cairo

Abstract

The present article intends to trace the images of Great Britain promoted by the Syro-Egyptian Muslim reformist Muhammad Rashid Rida as reflected in his well-known magazine Al-Manār (The Lighthouse). It goes beyond his political attitudes towards Britain as a colonizing power in the Muslim world by analysing his impressions of the British people, ethics, religion, education and culture. Despite his limited encounters with Englishmen and only a very short visit to Europe in 1921, Rida was able to formulate specific ideas on English life. Rida coupled his enthusiasm about England's high level of ethics, progress and society with his understanding of the reformation of certain Islamic ideals. The article argues that Rida's idealization of the British way of life and progress was also intertwined with a certain degree of fear about foreign domination. The heirs of Islamic reformism are currently showing a similarly mixed attitude in their critique of global jihad and embrace of democracy, while attacking American and British policies in the Middle East.