Islamise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause a culture, society, or individual to adopt Islamic beliefs, practices, or cultural traits; to convert to or promote the religion and way of life associated with Islam
2. To influence or transform a region, group, or system in accordance with Islamic principles, customs, or religious doctrines; to embrace or encourage the spread of Islam
3. To integrate Islamic religious precepts, rituals, or legal norms into existing social, political, or cultural frameworks; to effect a shift toward the tenets and lifestyle of the Islamic faith

Etymology: "Islamise" is a plain formation: the noun "Islam" with the English verb-forming suffix "-ise" (the British spelling of "-ize"), which turns a noun into a verb meaning to make something into, or bring it under the influence of, that noun. The same pattern gives verbs like "Christianise", "Europeanise" and "modernise". The base word itself is the older of the two parts. "Islam" comes from Arabic "islām", a verbal noun from the root meaning submission or surrender, so the literal sense is something like "submission" to God. Because the suffix attaches so readily to names of religions and cultures, "islamise" follows naturally from it, and its meaning stretches from converting individuals to reshaping a whole society's customs and institutions.

Synonyms: islamize, muslimize, convert to Islam

Antonyms: deislamize, secularize