Treating Muslim identity as incidental underwrites the Enlightenment’s universalism claim

Evidence

For Muslims—as also for most medieval but few modern Christians—the core of identity was religion, rather than nation, country, or continent, and the basic divisions of mankind were religiously determined. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1056 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Enlightenment universalism, despite Eurocentrism, respected non-European civilizations; Theoretical universalizations can recuperate difference into old Enlightenment universalist frameworks — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2: Identity…, 409; Religious identity, not nationality, structured medieval Muslim self-conception (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Religious identity, not nationality, structured medieval Muslim self-conception #complicates (0.74)
• Pre-modern Muslim identity centered on religion rather than geography or nation #complicates (0.74)
• Religion rather than nationality has been the primary basis of identity in Islam #complicates (0.74)
• Religion, not nationality, anchored identity for Muslims and medieval Christians #complicates (0.74) — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1056