Taqwacore

Punk music that deals with Islam, its culture, and interpretation. Originally conceived in Michael Muhammad Knight's 2003 novel, The Taqwacores, the name is a portmanteau of “hardcore” and the Arabic word “taqwa,” which is usually translated as “piety” or the quality of being God-fearing, and thus roughly denotes reverence and love of the divine. The overarching theme of individual interpretation, as well as a break from imams, mainstream Islam, and classical interpretations of the Qur’an are very prevalent in the music, yet some bands expand that into general rebellion, political commentary, multiculturalism, and activism. 2003–    .