Muslims, I don't want to misrepresent you...?

Question

...and one of my assignments is to define the difference between Islam and Islamism. This is how my definition reads in my current draft:

"The word "Islamism" when used in opposition to the word "Islam" designates a particular interpretation of the Muslim faith which holds that a principle of civil governance in included in the Islamic praxis. Thus understood, the government and the faith become almost identical entities, with the Qu'ran informing the leadership, and the leadership in turn guiding the citizens along the path of the life of faith."

Is this a fair assessment, or does it need some tweaking?

Answer 1

Islamism is a term that is usually used to denote a set of political ideologies holding that Islam is not only a religion but also a political system and its teachings should be preeminent in all facets of society.

Islam is just the religion by it self separate from government affairs.

Answer 2

I am taking a history course as well, and our Prof. said that Islamism can be used to refer to events that are a part of islamic history but not necessarily a part of islamic theology. This means that it may include events which may go against islamic theology but, which are, essentially a part of the history of the ''islamic civilization'', one example of this is the ''fitna al kubra'' --- the first civil war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamism

Answer 3

This is a pretty neutral stand so its good...in my opinion, "Islamism" is somewhat derogatory, so i think you should talk about that. Anyway, hope you get a good grade on that. Thank you for trying to not misrepresent us