I'm concerned that Islam has not just been politicised but that it's becoming an identity. This is like turning religion into a football match; it's a distraction from the real thing.

Leila Aboulela's quote expresses her concern about the growing trend of politicizing Islam and its transformation from a religion into a form of identity. She argues that the focus on political agendas and cultural identity is detracting from the core spirituality and faith that define Islam. By saying, "it's becoming an identity," she highlights how Islam, like many religions, has increasingly been used as a marker of cultural or national identity, often overshadowing its spiritual and moral teachings.

Aboulela compares this phenomenon to a football match, implying that the heated, often divisive nature of political debates surrounding Islam is like a game where the stakes are high, but the ultimate purpose—genuine spiritual practice—is lost in the noise. In her view, turning religion into something that is used to define one's political or social standing is a distraction from its true essence, which should be focused on personal growth, faith, and community.

The quote is deeply rooted in Aboulela's own experience as a Muslim writer and thinker, particularly in the context of the political climate surrounding Islam in both the West and the Muslim world. As someone who often explores themes of faith, identity, and culture in her work, Aboulela has seen firsthand how religion can become distorted when it is used as a tool for political and social agendas. Her concerns reflect a broader issue in contemporary society where religion is sometimes exploited for division rather than its intended purpose of fostering unity and spiritual development.

The origin of this quote comes from Aboulela's reflections on the growing trend of religious politicization, especially in the modern era, where Islam, along with other religions, is often entangled in political and cultural conflicts. Aboulela seeks to remind us that religion, at its core, is about personal faith, spiritual integrity, and connection to the divine, not about serving as a symbol for political or cultural battles.