Wahhabism (Noun)
Meaning
A conservative and intolerant form of Islam that is practiced in Saudi Arabia; "Osama bin Laden and his followers practice Wahhabism".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- Critics have often attributed the extreme nature of groups like al-Qaeda to the rigid interpretation of Wahhabism that inspires its members.
- As Wahhabism spread, several liberal and secular Sunni mosques in some countries found themselves marginalized or forcibly closed.
- While many Muslims believe in the oneness of God, many critics of Wahhabism consider it far too fundamental and unbending.
- Analysts feel that Wahhabism creates a strong anti-Western bias that many radical groups utilize to build legitimacy.
- The ruling monarchy in Saudi Arabia has struggled to distance the country's overall image from harsh connotations of Wahhabism.