Rejecting shirk and promoting tawḥid? A critical examination of the motivation and objective of the iconoclasts in Bamiyan (2001) and Timbuktu (2012)

Litoing, Nougoutna Norbert (2015). Rejecting shirk and promoting tawḥid? A critical examination of the motivation and objective of the iconoclasts in Bamiyan (2001) and Timbuktu (2012). University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

This thesis critically examines the main motivation and objective given by Islamic puritans to justify the
destruction of sites of memory in Bamiyan (2001) and Timbuktu (2012). It sets out to answer the following
question: did Islamic iconoclasm in Bamiyan and Timbuktu achieve its avowed aim of doing away with shirk
(polytheism or idolatry) and promoting tawḥīd (Allah’s oneness)? The main method used for this investigation
is phenomenology of religion. It is complemented by other methodologies such as the historical critical method,
Qur’anic exegesis and post-colonial theory. After a scrutiny of the available data on iconoclastic acts carried out in Bamiyan (2001) and Timbuktu (2012), the thesis places these two episodes in a broader framework by comparing them to other major instances of Islamic iconoclasm. This comparison brings to light some of the common features present in the particular cases under consideration. A number of conclusions are then drawn, notably the fact that the motivation and objective of the iconoclasts are not always as clear as they would want us to believe, and, most importantly, that the puritans’ iconoclastic project is a contradiction in terms because their idol-breaking actually resulted into idol-making, consequently defeating the whole purpose of their venture.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):