The Quest for Cultural Authenticity and the Politics of Identity

Speaker: Sami Zubaida, SOAS Chair: Toby Dodge, LSE Middle East Centre In this event, Professor Zubaida explores the question of changing identities. What constitutes authenticity in different spheres of culture is contested between political and religious groups and ideologies. Discourses of difference between Muslim/national cultures and ‘the West’, and the resistance to perceived cultural invasion have featured prominently in these contests. These themes are explored in relation to religion, national culture, sexuality, music and food. Recorded on 5 February 2014.