Was the Muslim world more secular in the 1970s than now?

The question of whether the Muslim world was more secular in the 1970s compared to now is complex and can vary depending on the specific country or region being examined. It's essential to consider various factors such as political regimes, social norms, and cultural shifts when assessing secularism in Muslim-majority countries.

In the 1970s, several Muslim-majority countries were ruled by secular or nominally secular governments. For example, leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser in Egypt, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in Iran pursued modernization and secularization policies to varying degrees. These regimes often sought to diminish the influence of traditional religious authorities and promote a more Westernized, secular vision of society. However, it's important to note that even in these contexts, Islam still played a significant cultural and social role in people's lives.

Since the 1970s, there has been a resurgence of Islamism and a revival of Islamic identity in many Muslim-majority countries. This trend has led to the rise of political Islam and the implementation of Islamic law (Sharia) in some cases. Movements advocating for greater adherence to Islamic principles have gained traction, leading to changes in legislation, education, and social norms.

Additionally, the 1979 Iranian Revolution marked a significant turning point, leading to the establishment of an Islamic Republic in Iran and inspiring Islamist movements across the Muslim world. The Iranian Revolution demonstrated the potential for religiously motivated political change and influenced the trajectory of politics and society in many Muslim-majority countries.

While some countries have experienced a resurgence of religious conservatism and Islamization in recent decades, others have continued to maintain secular governance structures or have seen varying degrees of secularism coexisting with religious influences. Therefore, it's not accurate to make a blanket statement that the Muslim world was definitively more secular in the 1970s than it is now, as the situation is nuanced and varies across different contexts.