Honestly I think that the term wahhabism is more important in the west than the middle east itself.. It is a tool used by Western Muslims (or those who have largely accepted Western ethics) and those generally friendly to them to separate themselves clearly from the fundamentalists and thus reduce resentment from the larger population. They are the "bad Muslims" responsible for terrorism, Jihad, homophobia, fgm, or any other aspect of Islamic theology or practice (real or perceived) we find offensive. The locals are the good Muslims (ie westernised Muslims who have dropped all aspects of Islam offensive to the west). Thus it is essential that a sharp distinction be drawn between the two for the purposes of domestic tranquility and if possible they be seen as almost separate religions. Thus the monstrous importance given to it in the west especially in liberal circles. (Not to say that western Muslims are insincere in declaring wahhabism entirely foreign to them. They probably do believe it some entirely new phenomena in Islam.)
In the Muslim world itself this is not necessary and from what I have read the Wahhabi movement is seen as far less distinctive.
In the Muslim world itself this is not necessary and from what I have read the Wahhabi movement is seen as far less distinctive.
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