According to particular groups both in the West as well as within the regions in which Islam has a marked presence, such as the Middle East, the people of the "Islamic" world speak the Islamic language, eat Islamic food, make Islamic films, write Islamic literature and produce Islamic art and architecture. Would it be easier to acknowledge the vast diversity—on every level—of the so-called "Islamic world" and the many peoples that comprise it, rather than use the term "Islamic" in every possible instance? But to ditch the term "Islamic" simply wouldn’t be convenient for certain groups, nor would it serve their interests. "Behold the glories of the Islamic world," they can tell their visitors. In short, the term "Islamic," particularly in the context of arts and culture, has been abused, exploited and misapplied by many.

Source: Forbes February 07, 2017 17:08 UTC