Contribution short abstract:

This contribution analyzes Hizb ut-Tahrir’s retrotopic ideologies and their social and political impact using Bauman's theory. It explores narratives of exclusion, their influence on marginalized communities, and proposes ethical approaches to interreligious and intercultural engagement.

Contribution long abstract:

This study employs Bauman’s Retrotopia theory to critically investigate Hizb ut-Tahrir’s (HT) ideological narratives and their socio-political impact. As a transnational Islamist organization, HT advocates for a global caliphate grounded in an idealized version of the past. The research highlights how HT’s selective referencing of Islamic traditions constructs exclusionary narratives that undermine pluralistic values and propagate monolithic governance models.

The analysis raises pivotal ethical and methodological questions concerning the representation of marginalized communities often affected by exclusion and securitization. By focusing on the dynamics between religious identity and political authority, the study underscores how retrotopic ideologies erode trust in democratic structures and contribute to social fragmentation.

The methodological approach combines textual analysis of HT’s primary sources with classical Islamic texts, identifying ideological discontinuities. This interdisciplinary inquiry integrates sociological and political frameworks and draws from ethnographic case studies on HT’s influence in European Muslim communities, particularly in Germany. These case studies shed light on the challenges researchers face when accessing and representing securitized groups while upholding ethical research standards.

Key findings reveal that HT’s narratives reshape historical religious concepts to justify exclusionary political agendas. These narratives contribute to social stigmatization, reinforce negative stereotypes, and exacerbate the marginalization of vulnerable groups.

This contribution aligns with the conference theme by examining how ideological frameworks assert political power and challenge intercultural and interreligious ethics. It advocates for diverse interpretations of Islamic governance, ethical academic practices, and inclusive dialogues to disrupt exclusionary discourses and promote cohesive, pluralistic societies.