Martyrs, Minorities, Faith and Fidelity:
Exploring ‘Loyalty’ in Christianity and Islam
Professor Mona Siddiqui
Introduction: Martyrs, Minorities, Faith and Fidelity
January 18, 2022
Summary: Meet your instructor, Mona Siddiqui, a Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Professor Siddiqui introduces the concept of “loyalty” as a problematic virtue and suggests that it can be both admirable and dangerous. What do you think?
Reflection and Discussion Questions:
- How would you define “loyalty” in your own words? Write down your definition along with an example or two of relationships or settings where you think loyalty is important. How does this understanding of loyalty reflect your personal experiences, religious tradition(s), and/or moral commitments?
- Is loyalty ever inappropriate or dangerous, in your view? Why or why not? What are some of the examples you have in mind?
- What should someone do when they experience a conflict between their loyalties to different people, moral principles, political causes, or even religious commitments? How should someone decide which of their loyalties to honor or not?
