William Gladstone's Attitude Towards Islam.

This article examines the complex views of William E. Gladstone, former British Prime Minister, towards Islam and the Islamic world within the context of nineteenth-century British imperialism and the Eastern Question. It challenges prevailing historiography that portrays Gladstone as inherently antagonistic or Islamophobic, arguing instead that his attitudes were shaped by a nuanced distinction between the Ottoman Turkish state’s Islamic governance and broader Islamic civilization, influenced by his Christian humanitarianism, liberal principles, and imperial considerations. Gladstone’s criticism focused primarily on the Ottoman Empire’s treatment of Christian minorities under Islamic law, while he maintained more favorable views toward other Muslim communities such as those in India and Afghanistan. The study highlights how Gladstone’s moral foreign policy and evolving perceptions of Islam were intertwined with his commitment to self-government, religious freedom, and British imperial strategy, culminating in a legacy that reflects both critique of Ottoman rule and respect for Muslim peoples.