Representing Religion and Resisting Secularism in English Language Textbooks: A Qualitative Study of Iranian Locally-produced Textbooks

English language textbooks are sources of instruction but also of religious or secular enculturation. Research shows that global English language textbooks have focused on the neoliberalization of the target society and culture, especially majority-Muslim societies. Neoliberalization is also considered to be an attempt to un-Islamize or, as some scholars conceptualize it, secularize such societies in that it (supposedly) promotes Western values (e.g., celebrity culture, consumerism, etc.) In order to combat this so-called un-Islamization, Islamic countries began to produce local language textbooks for preserving Islamic thought. Exploring the how of Islamizing English language textbooks is still a significant area of research. This study aims to contribute to the related literature by qualitatively analyzing the content of Iranian locally-produced textbooks. “Strong Islamization” and “resisting un-Islamization” emerged as the main themes in the textbooks. The pros and cons of this strategy are discussed and a path for future research is also highlighted.