Definition or Meaning of "Islamism" beginning in 1747.

Submitted by Ludvikus (United States), Feb 10, 2022 at 00:22

One of the many things I like about Dr. Daniel's blogs is his strong advocacy genuine for scholarship in Middle East Studies. With that in mind, here are the lexicographical facts about "Islam and Islamism":

Definition of Islamism [Merriam-Webster]
1 : the faith, doctrine, or cause of Islam
2 : a popular reform movement advocating the reordering of government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam
First Known Use of Islamism
1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

So, at least as early as 1747 there was nothing controversial about the meaning of "Islamism."

But some time later the term took on a reformist movement. However, the M-W dictionary does not inform us when this happened. Furthermore, this dictionary also does not tell us when said reform movement became pejorative.

How and when did the "Islamist" ("Islamism") reform movement become a pejorative? I would imagine that to answer this question one must specify the part of the world where Islamist events took place, USA 9/11, for example; or Palestinian suicide vest exploding in Israel; or Hamas terrorist events?

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