Beyond Fixed Political Models of Religion–State Relations

Some of the dominant academic approaches to Muslim politics continue assume centrality Islam on question religion’s relationship state and possibility successful democracy in Muslim-majority states. On one hand, based findings from large N-surveys, some scholars have argued that most Muslims many states desire a political ‘third model’ is neither secular nor theocratic. Instead, they want public role for shari’a Islam. However, this literature does not fully explain what such third model would mean certain individual rights practice. It also assumes normative position tends favour or another version ‘Islamic’ democracy. other form possible. Both views reinterpretation religious resources crucial achieve desired ends. This ‘reformist approach’ seriously consider implications servicing Islam, even its more reformist forms, Through combination theoretical arguments in-depth interviews conducted Maldives, article argues plurality viewpoints underlying reasonings those among ordinary people suggest necessity move ‘beyond Islam’. As such, an alternative discursive democratisation approach considers takes discourses neutrally without privileging can be capacious. Instead fixating particular religion–state type discourse (e.g., Islamic), points democratic possibilities how religion–politics nexuses may shaped reshaped through contestations within spheres as Maldives.