Muslim critiques of modernity; the case of Taha ‘Abd al-Rahman

There are two main objectives underlying this research. First, this thesis aims at exploring Tähä ‘Abd al-Rahmän's critique of Western modernity by examining his conception of modernity and the nature of that critique. Second, it aims at exploring his concept of an alternative Islamic modernity under the conceptual framework of "multiple modernities". The thesis also seeks to explain his popularity, uniqueness, and the reception of his work in the Arab world. The thesis argues that ‘Abd al-Rahmän's critique of modernity and his construction of an Islamic modernity should be understood within the context of pan-Arab nationalism and identity politics.