Crime shows and Islam: the modern and the medieval

Paper


Henderson, Lindsay. 2013. "Crime shows and Islam: the modern and the medieval." Mountfort, Paul (ed.) 4th Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (PopCAANZ 2013). Brisbane, Australia 24 - 26 Jun 2013 Auckland, New Zealand.
Paper/Presentation Title

Crime shows and Islam: the modern and the medieval

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorHenderson, Lindsay
EditorsMountfort, Paul
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 4th Annual Conference of the Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand (PopCAANZ 2013)
Year2013
Place of PublicationAuckland, New Zealand
ISBN9780646915616
Conference/Event4th Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (PopCAANZ 2013)
Event Details
4th Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (PopCAANZ 2013)
Event Date
24 to end of 26 Jun 2013
Event Location
Brisbane, Australia
Abstract

The medieval appears on our small screens in many guises, some more subtle than others. One of the more subtle medievalisms is evident in the very modern US crime shows: Criminal Minds, Numbers, NCIS: LA, Bones and Castle. All five shows use modern technology and innovative methods to solve serious crimes, and across their seasons, have addressed the issue of terrorism. Typically, the detectives of the shows catch the terrorists and prevent another serious attack on American soil, but in the process, they opt for a depiction of Islam that is surprisingly similar to the medieval depiction of Islam and the Muslims. In this version, Islam is portrayed as a religion of fanatics, prone to holy war, and devoted to attacking Western civilisation in the form of the USA. This crusading approach is matched by the detectives' Christian or Judaic affiliations, and whose own violent actions are justified by the need to protect the innocent. As in the medieval Crusades, the target of the attack - substituting the USA for Europe - has done nothing to deserve such violent attentions. There are, however, some serious problems with the popular continuation of this medievalist approach to Islam, the foremost being the unbalanced depiction of a global and largely peaceful religion, particularly as practiced by Muslims resident in Western countries. Greater awareness of the ideology carried by medievalist Islam
in these crime shows is an important part of grasping how the modern West understands this Abrahamic religion.

Keywordstelevision; crime shows; Muslim religion; terrorists; manipulation
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020500405. Religion, society and culture
520599. Social and personality psychology not elsewhere classified
470214. Screen and media culture
Public Notes

Author retains copyright.

Byline AffiliationsOpen Access College
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q209y/crime-shows-and-islam-the-modern-and-the-medieval

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