Depiction of Religious Fundamentalism and Religious Enlightenment in The Horizon of a New Dawn

Abstract

This article is about the ways religious fundamentalism versus religious enlightenment is represented in the novel The Horizon of a New Dawn written by Asmat Ali and Karim Khan. The first aspect of this study examines different events of the novel from the perspective of Gregg's theory of religious fundamentalism through the rebels, the main characters of the novel. The second aspect of this study analyzes the counter impact of Dominguez's theory of religious enlightenment through Barkhia, the protagonist of the novel. The researcher uses the qualitative closing reading method for collecting data. The finding of the research implies that the effect of religious fundamentalism is identified in the novel in the form of violence on Afghan society. This study also finds out the instances of religious enlightenment through Barkhia's nonviolent action. Barkhia opposes rebels’ false beliefs through his teaching and organization in Afghanistan to create peace in Afghanistan.