We are the very model of a moderate Muslim state: The Amman Messages and Jordan’s foreign policy

Abstract

Abstract. Despite its significance to one of the most problematic discursive binaries of the 'War on Terror', moderation has been a largely taken for granted theoretical and empirical category in the discipline of International Relations. To prompt further conversation, this article examines 'Islamic moderation' as part of Middle Eastern states' nation branding in the decade and half since 9/11, using Jordan as a case study. I argue that while Jordan's official and state-endorsed civil society efforts to promote 'moderate Islam' and interfaith dialogue stem in part from an authentic interest in promoting dialogue and peace, the Jordanian Hashemite regime has also used the Amman Messages to deepen political trust with the United States, attempting to instrumentalize the moral authority of religion as a form of state productive power. It has done so by playing on a myth of religious moderation which has resonated in both the Middle East and the West since 9/11.

EU religious engagement in the Southern Mediterranean: Much ado about nothing?

“…Although initially a discursive action ideationally motivated to counter Huntington's clash of civilizations, civilizational politics, also known as inter-religious and inter-faith dialogue, have provided a 'shared organising frame' (Gutkowski, 2016) to moderate Islam. This section shows that the EU has privileged engagement with official and state-led religious actors in Morocco and Jordan, thus servicing the security objective of moderating, or containing, Islam.…”

Explaining Interfaith Dialogue in the Muslim World

“…The government acted in earnest to assert its control over religious institutions and religious discourse in the state, delegitimize "radicals," prevent the spillover of sectarian violence from Iraq, and signal its willingness to participate in the War on Terror (Gutkowski 2015). A Common Word as well as the Amman Message should both be understood within the broader context of Jordan's domestic, regional, and international political and security needs, especially in the post-9/11 era.…”

“…This new global landscape posed immediate challenges for the Jordanian government, whose authority rests on a claim of religious legitimacy. The government acted in earnest to assert its control over religious institutions and religious discourse in the state, delegitimize “radicals,” prevent the spillover of sectarian violence from Iraq, and signal its willingness to participate in the War on Terror (Gutkowski 2015).…”

“…Other scholars claim that Muslims’ interfaith efforts are driven by their desire to invite non-Muslim individuals and communities to Islam (Duries 2008; Sookhdeo 2010). Still other scholars see interfaith dialogue as a public relations activity on the part of Muslim actors (Hendrick 2013; Gutkowski 2015).…”

Islamisk enhedsdiskurs: Et studie af sunni-shiarelationer fra britiske shiamuslimers perspektiv

“…Den diplomatiske afspaending mellem de to lande i 1990' erne havde positive "bivirkninger på det religiøse niveau", men de forsonlige gestusser i for-hold til den anden trosretning var politiske fremfor egentlig teologisk-juridisk tilnaermelse (Brunner 2004, 376-9). Et andet vaesentligt økumenisk initiativ var Amman Budskabet i 2004, som var støttet af Jordans monarki i et forsøg på at styrke dets egen position såvel nationalt som regionalt og internationalt (Browers 2011;Gutkowski 2016).…”