Religious and theocratic ideologies and movements Books

Book SynopsisAre Europe's 'Christian values' under threat? Can religion be a pillar of identity and culture? What will be the fate of Christianity in Europe? In this short but bracing book, Olivier Roy traces the Church's long battle against a tide of secularization in Europe. Since the Enlightenment, religion has been losing ground as the source of moral norms. But while the question of truth was contested, Christian values continued to define law and social life in even the most secular and anti-clerical countries--until the 1960s. Ever since, the Church has been swept into a new war of values, reduced to struggling over abortion and same-sex marriage. Mired in scandal, the Church's authority is crumbling, while populist demands pave the way for the final secularization of religion as part of 'national culture'. From one of the most acute observers of our times, 'Is Europe Christian?' represents a persuasive and novel vision of religion's place today.Trade Review'The secularisation of Europe is beyond dispute. … But as Olivier Roy points out in a timely book, it is a process that has taken centuries.' -- Financial Times'Provocative and sprightly' -- Times Literary Supplement‘[A] stimulating and rewarding book.’ -- Christianity TodayAn important contribution to a very difficult discussion.’ -- New Books Network'In Is Europe Christian? [Olivier Roy] offers little comfort to those who hope for the revival of Christian Europe. … I commend [his] book, because it raises questions which must be faced.' -- A.N. Wilson, Standpoint Magazine‘Roy’s fascinating, readable and packed little book reminds us that the story of European secularisation is a long but punctuated one’. -- Theos Think Tank'Roy's book is both complex and powerful, detailed without ever losing sight of the big picture, and full of telling illustrations. It represents a novel vision of the crisis in secularism brought about by its final absorption of religion in national life.' -- Faisal Devji, Professor of Indian History, University of Oxford, and author of 'Muslim Zion''Rivetingly, this unsurpassed authority on the politics of contemporary Islam turns to elucidate the tensions surrounding Christian morality, the scandal of clerical paedophilia, the libertarian individualism that has spread since the 1960s, and caricatural claims to a Christian European identity.' -- Jonathan Benthall, Director Emeritus, Royal Anthropological Institute'For those interested in the deep historical roots of our present political crisis, this book is a must-read. In plain language and with broad strokes, Roy traces the shifting lines of the culture wars that are rattling democracy on both sides of the Atlantic.' -- Philip Gorski, Professor of Sociology, Yale University'Another insightful contribution to our understanding of religion in Europe from Olivier Roy. Rich in historical reference and engaging in its approach, "Is Europe Christian?" brings vital nuance to what is truly a poignant question today.' -- Effie Fokas, Research Associate, London School of Economics Hellenic Observatory, and co-author of 'Religious America, Secular Europe?'‘Contains a wealth of interesting details.’

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Sectarianism' is one of the most over-discussed yet under-analysed concepts in debates about the Middle East. Despite the deluge of commentary, there is no agreement on what 'sectarianism' is. Is it a social issue, one of dogmatic incompatibility, a historic one or one purely related to modern power politics? Is it something innately felt or politically imposed? Is it a product of modernity or its antithesis? Is it a function of the nation-state or its negation? This book seeks to move the study of modern sectarian dynamics beyond these analytically paralysing dichotomies by shifting the focus away from the meaningless '-ism' towards the root: sectarian identity. How are Sunni and Shi'a identities imagined, experienced and negotiated and how do they relate to and interact with other identities? Looking at the modern history of the Arab world, Haddad seeks to understand sectarian identity not as a monochrome frame of identification but as a multi-layered concept that operates on several dimensions: religious, subnational, national and transnational. Far from a uniquely Middle Eastern, Arab, or Islamic phenomenon, a better understanding of sectarian identity reveals that the many facets of sectarian relations that are misleadingly labelled 'sectarianism' are echoed in inter- group relations worldwide.Trade Review'No one has written with more theoretical and practical insight on Muslim sectarianism than Fanar Haddad. In this volume, he brings together the best of his insights on a topic that remains poorly understood. An essential read for anyone who is serious about understanding "sectarianism" in the Arab world today.' -- Nader Hashemi, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, University of Denver, and co-author of 'Sectarianization''A clear-sighted and highly readable analysis of the shifting contexts and meanings of sectarian identification in the modern Arab world. Detailed and politically astute, this book makes a critical contribution to the literature on sectarian political identities.' -- Charles Tripp, Professor of Politics, SOAS University of London'A timely book that debunks several myths about the persistent Sunni-Shi'a divide in the Arab world. Haddad inspires us to reconsider common wisdom and offers a theoretically nuanced interpretation of a phenomenon that has dominated analyses of Iraq and beyond in the last decades.' -- Madawi Al-Rasheed, Visiting Professor, Middle East Centre, LSE, and editor of 'Salman's Legacy''A brilliant exploration of sectarianism. Haddad's unmatched combination of theoretical sophistication, historical perspective and political insight makes this one of the best books available on a critically important topic, and an essential read for understanding the real dynamics of religion, identity and political contention.' -- Marc Lynch, Professor of Political Science, George Washington University'A thought-provoking account of Sunni-Shi'a relations in the Arab world that critiques how the term "sectarianism" has often been used.' -- Toby Matthiesen, Senior Research Fellow in the International Relations of the Middle East, St Antony's College, University of Oxford

Read more less

Book SynopsisFinalist for National Jewish Book Award for Writing Based on Archival Material 2022. Jewish political and cultural behaviour during the first half of the twentieth century comes to the fore in this portrayal of a forgotten movement with contemporary relevance. Commencing with the Zionist rejection of the Uganda proposal in 1905, the Jewish Territorialist Movement searched for areas outside Palestine in which to create settlements of Jews. This study analyses the Territorialists’ ideology and activities in the Jewish context of the time, but their thought and discourse also reflect geopolitical concerns that still have resonance today in debates about colonialist attitudes to peoplehood, territory, and space. As the colonial world order rapidly changed after 1945, the Territorialists did not abandon their aspirations in overseas lands. Instead, in their attempts to find settlement solutions for Europe’s ‘surplus’ Jews, they moved from negotiating predominantly with the European colonizers to negotiating also with the ever more powerful non-Western leaders of decolonizing nations. This book reconstructs the rich history of the activities and changing ideologies of Jewish Territorialism, represented by Israel Zangwill’s Jewish Territorial Organisation (the ITO) and, later, by the Freeland League for Jewish Colonization under the leadership of Isaac Steinberg. Via Uganda, Angola, Madagascar, Australia, and Suriname, this story eventually leads us to questions about yidishkeyt, and to forgotten early twentieth-century ideas of how to be Jewish.Trade Review"Beyond Zion...shows that Jewish politics in the pre-War and immediate post-War years were more complex and diverse than we might think."Simon Rocker, The Jewish ChronicleTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Israel Zangwill and the Jewish Territorial Organization 2. Recovering Atlantis: The Freeland League and Jewish Politics3. Freeland versus Zion4. Fitting the Zeitgeist: Territorialism and GeopoliticsConclusionBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisExploring the manifold relationships between religion and public administration, this topical book conceptualises and theorises the diverse influence of religions on the functioning of public administrative systems across the globe.International and comparative in approach, this book analyses the social and public dimensions to religion and its interplay with public administration as a field of social scientific inquiry and an area of professional activity. Taking methodological agnosticism as its sociological perspective to the study of the religious experience, chapters focus on Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to examine diverse religious compositions across both secularised and non-secularised societies and political regimes. The book uses a distinctive theoretical lens to analyse the influence of religions on organisational fit, public service motivation, individual and organisational behaviours and values, bureaucratic discretion, government funding, the delivery of public services, and the dynamics of social cohesion overall. It provides a fresh perspective on religion as a source of legitimacy and basis of accountability, responsibility, and delegation of power in public administration, institutional quality, and ethics.Students and scholars interested in the religious dimensions to public administration, policy, governance and management will find use in this book’s theoretical analyses. Its empirical findings will also be valuable to policymakers working in public administration and leaders of faith organisations engaged in public services.Trade Review‘This book is a revelation about both the influences of religion on public administration and how the field could be enriched from deeper scholarly attention to religion. I am struck by the breadth of the relevance of religion to public administration. The authors illuminate the relevance of the world’s great religions to the field as a whole and to prominent research streams, such as public service motivation. Ongaro and Tantardini offer new perspectives for all public administration scholars to consider and embrace in their research and teaching.’ -- James L. Perry, Indiana University, Bloomington, US‘Religion and Public Administration draws a welcome and comprehensive picture of the ways through which religions influence motivations, behaviours, the ideational basis of a society and ultimately the rules and practices of public administrations. By focusing on Abrahamic and Asian religions, Ongaro and Tantardini offer a global, fresh and convincing interpretation that reconsiders the historical roots of administrative systems through a comparative perspective.’ -- Giliberto Capano, University of Bologna, Italy‘Well-structured and thoughtfully written, this book is the result of an ambitious project. It addresses a truly original topic and provides an authentic look on the vast subject of the relationship between religion and public administration. Attempting to capture various insights, stemming from a wide range of academic corners, the authors managed to bring all this knowledge together in a coherent argument. Their pursuit of the objective of “bridging” while going through a highly fragmented scholarly landscape, can only be welcomed. An impressive tour de force.’ -- Peter Hupe, KU Leuven Public Governance Institute, Belgium‘If there’s anything Max Weber might have been wrong about, it’s the disenchantment of the world – there is very little of the sort, or if there is, it is hardly ever complete. And even where rationalization has set in, few things inform values and institutions in time and space as much as its respective religion(s). Ongaro and Tantardini have shouldered the Herculean task to (re)introduce the public administration community to the function and legacy of religion, and one hopes that many of its members will rise up the challenge and engage with this fascinating and multifaceted account.’ -- Wolfgang Drechsler, Tallinn University of Technology, EstoniaTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction: a framework of analysis of the relationship between religion and public administration 2. Religions and religious regimes across the world 3. A PA-focused introduction to Asian religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism 4. A PA-focused introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam 5. Religion as a personality system and individuals’ motivation and behaviour in public services 6. Organisational level themes 7. Religion as ideational basis: reflections on religion as source of legitimacy and basis of accountability, exercise of responsibility, and power in (politics and) public administration 8. A research agenda on religion in public administration: in dialogue with theologians References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSince 2017, Mozambique has been confronted with a jihadi insurgency. This book looks at the origins of that insurgency, and the broader and longer history of the relationship between Islam and politics in the country. Did Mozambique's Muslim politics always point towards jihad? Eric Morier-Genoud examines the period immediately after independence, when the state engaged in anticlericalism; he then moves across the decades to the 2000s, when the ruling party and the opposition alike courted Muslims for electoral purposes, before reaching the 2010s, when tensions between 'mosque and state' returned. Along the way, he explores a wide variety of phenomena, including the rise of Wahhabism, religious competition, state mediation, secularism, the alleged growth and radicalisation of Islam, and the origins of the ongoing insurgency. What emerges is a rich history, attentive to different branches and elements of the Muslim community, looking far beyond the narrow perspective of jihad. Taking a socio-historical perspective, 'Towards Jihad?' unpacks a complex dynamic, which the jihadi insurgency is in fact now disrupting. Understanding the long history of Muslims' engagement with politics in Mozambique sheds light on where the country has come from, where it stands now amidst violent unrest, and where it might go next.Trade Review'An excellent demonstration of how real grievances meeting an ideology can evolve into political violence. Morier-Genoud describes the evolution of the local insurgency in Mozambique into an affiliate of the Islamic State, accurately focusing on key local factors without denying the impact of IS central on the actual and future processes.' -- Wassim Nasr, journalist, France 24'A clearly argued, intellectually honest and carefully nuanced interpretation of the relationship between Islam and the State that challenges most current readings of both the context and origins of the jihadist struggle in northern Mozambique.' -- Edward A. Alpers, Research Professor Emeritus of History, University of California, Los Angeles'A sensitive exploration of the complex divisions within Mozambican Islam, providing welcome historical context for the insurgency.' -- William G. Clarence-Smith, Emeritus Professor of History, SOAS University of London'Documents succinctly that the insurgency comes not so much from a continuation of Muslim politics in modern Mozambique but as a rupture with it. Business, governments and NGOs concerned by the insurgency, its roots and its future trajectory should read this.' -- Alex Vines, Director of the Africa programme, Chatham House'A thoughtful discussion, shedding precious light on a pressing issue. This will be fundamental for all those trying to understand the jihadi movements in Mozambique, Africa and elsewhere.' -- Vincent Foucher, Senior Research Fellow, CNRS

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis comprehensive Handbook examines relationships between religion and international relations, mainly focusing on several world religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. Providing a timely update on this understudied topic, it evaluates how this complex relationship has evolved over the last four decades, looking at a variety of political contexts, regions and countries.Original chapters analyse how varying religions shape people’s attitudes towards the organisation and operations of political systems worldwide. As well as investigating core issues and topics such as religion, foreign policy, terrorism and international security, the Handbook also provides clarity on topical and controversial issues such as Islamist extremism, Hindu nationalism and Christian civilisationism. Top international contributors offer further analysis via important case studies of religion and international relations across the globe.Providing crucial information, this Handbook will be an excellent resource for higher-level students and researchers of religious studies, international relations and politics, as well as policy makers and professionals from a variety of backgrounds and orientations.Trade Review‘Notwithstanding, this Handbook provides a very informative treatment of relevant concepts, including but not limited to such notions as the advent of “God’s century” (187), the “global God divide” (200), “track two peace negotiations” (42, 201),“scriptualisation of Islam” (163), “sharia reservations” (218) with regard to freedom of religion and belief and the pro-life and pro-choice debates. Case studies of Turkey and India also prove to be very insightful, particularly from a historical viewpoint. This volume also presents excellent indexing of the most salient themes in the study of political actors’ approaches towards faith in global politics, primarily in Western contexts. This includes some insightful analysis of related topics in the fields of security, gender, environment, immigration, international development and foreign policy, among others.’ -- Vahid Nick Pay, The International Spectator‘This is a highly useful account of the impact of religion on international relations, and perhaps an important counterweight to both its absence in much of the literature, and, conversely, the breathless commentary that can suggest inevitable conflict between different belief structures.’ -- Anthony Smith, New Zealand International Review‘The global rise of strident new forms of politicized religion in international relations cries out for a single volume that provides a timely and authoritative overview. This book covers it all - the core issues, the key debates, and the arresting case studies - relating to every religious tradition in all sectors of the world. It is a handbook that will be essential to policymakers and scholars and to anyone concerned about the persistent role of faith in the global politics of the 21st century.‘Table of ContentsContents: Introduction: Religion and international relations in the twenty-first century 1 Jeffrey Haynes PART I CORE ISSUES AND TOPICS 1 Religion in international relations: Theory and practice 5 Jeffrey Haynes 2 The rise and fall of secularism in international relations 24 Daniel Philpott 3 Religion and foreign policy 38 John A. Rees 4 Religion and transnational relations: Bridges, barriers and breakthroughs 52 Jonathan D. James 5 A feminist perspective on religion in international relations 68 Anne Jenichen 6 Political Islam and international relations theory 83 Jocelyne Cesari 7 Religion and international security: From confessionalization to securitization 100 Delphine Allès 8 International religious terrorism 115 Gus Martin PART II DEBATES AND CONTROVERSIES 9 The clash of civilizations, then and now 129 Jonathan Fox 10 Religion and the international politics of climate change 143 Katharina Glaab 11 Religion and international migration 156 Ayhan Kaya 12 Religion and international armed conflict: Why and how religion precipitates and intensifies it 171 Davis Brown 13 Engaging religion through diplomacy: The case of the United States 187 Peter Mandaville 14 Religion and international development 197 Katherine Marshall 15 The international promotion of freedom of religion or belief: Key debates and divides 215 Marie Juul Petersen 16 Religiously affiliated organizations 231 Karsten Lehmann PART III CASE STUDIES 17 Religion and the United Nations 246 Claudia Baumgart-Ochse 18 Religion in the European Union 259 Lucian N. Leustean and Jeffrey Haynes 19 Struggling with jihad over Jerusalem: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s approach to war and peace 275 Turan Kayaoglu 20 International relations and the pope 289 Mariano P. Barbato 21 Religion and America’s international relations 302 Lee Marsden 22 Religion and Iran’s international relations 317 Nikolay Kozhanov 23 Religion and Turkey’s international relations 331 İştar Gözaydın 24 Religion and India’s international relations 348 Catarina Kinnvall 25 Religious diplomacy and US–Israeli relations 363 Daniel G. Hummel Index 375

Read more less

Book Synopsis'We fail to understand Islam,' writes Roger Hardy in the introduction to this book, 'and we are paying a high price for our failure.' "The Muslim Revolt" explains, in layman's language, a phenomenon that still seems to madden and perplex both the public and the policy-makers. In setting out to demystify Islamism and the forces that drive it, Hardy suggests that for the last two hundred years Muslims have been in revolt against Western domination - and against the failures and disappointments of modernisation. The book takes the form of a journey. Drawing on his travels and encounters as a journalist over the last thirty years, the author explains the political role of Islam in particular countries and regions - Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, south-east Asia, Europe - while at the same time telling the story of Islamism from its origins in the era of European colonialism to the emergence of Al-Qaeda and the global jihadists of today. In a challenging conclusion, Hardy warns that without a subtler grasp of Islamism and its discontents, the West will lose its much-vaunted battle for Muslim 'hearts and minds'.Trade Review'Roger Hardy is a BBC Overseas Service journalist who has worked on the Islamic world for more than 30 years. This familiarity seems to have affected his judgement or sense of proportion scarcely at all. He ranges from Egypt to Indonesia and from the founders of Islam to its interpreters today. Everywhere he finds the right man or woman to interview, follows up with a crystal-clear summary of the relevant background and rounds off with a shrewd conclusion. The result is scholarly, but scholarship without obfuscation. The Muslim Revolt is a valuable handbook for anyone who seeks to understand the Islamic world.' * The Times *'Accessible and authoritative. It is hard to imagine a more reliable guide across the varied and complex terrains of political Islam.' * Professor Peter Mandaville, George Mason University, author of Global Political Islam *'A sensitive, well-informed and subtle reading of the Islamic revival.' -- * Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University *'No journalist has studied the Islamic world more widely, for longer, or more thoughtfully than Roger Hardy. And no author has packed more wisdom into such a short, clear and readable book.' * Edward Mortimer, author, journalist and Fellow of All Souls, Oxford University *'The Muslim Revolt is the first book you should read if you want to discover and decipher the implications of political Islam. Roger Hardy's firm grasp of history and his long experience on the ground in the Middle East have given him the perspective essential to understanding what is happening today and is likely to happen tomorrow. His clear, concise writing makes it possible for the layman or, indeed, the expert to better comprehend, analyse and even empathise with these complex societies.' * Christopher Dickey Newsweek Paris Bureau Chief *'This admirably concise book by an experienced journalist takes us on a vivid and well-informed journey through various strands of political Islam in their different national and regional contexts - from Indonesia to Europe - and considers how less hostile relations between the West and Islam might be achieved. The Muslim Revolt successfully avoids the superficial and stereotypical renderings common in the mainstream media and makes effective and informative use of direct quotations by political Islamists - a rare and difficult feat.' * Dr John Chalcraft, London School of Economics *Table of Contentscontents: Dream of Revival * Martyrs for Hussein * Culture of Jihad * A Bridge to Africa * The Pious Ancestors * The Turkish Exception * Muslim Archipelago * The Bomb in the Turban * Hearts and Minds * Bibliography * Glossary

Read more less

Book SynopsisSince early 2007 a new breed of combatants has appeared on the streets of Mogadishu and other towns in Somalia: the 'Shabaab', or youth, the only self-proclaimed branch of al-Qaeda to have gained acceptance (and praise) from Ayman al-Zawahiri and 'AQ centre' in Afghanistan. Itself an offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union, which split in 2006, Shabaab has imposed Sharia law and is also heavily influenced by local clan structures within Somalia itself. It remains an infamous and widely discussed, yet little-researched and understood, Islamist group. Hansen's remarkable book attempts to go beyond the media headlines and simplistic analyses based on alarmist or localist narratives and, by employing intensive field research conducted within Somalia, as well as on the ground inter- views with Shabaab leaders themselves, explores the history of a remarkable organisation, one that has survived predictions of its collapse on several occasions. Hansen portrays al-Shabaab as a hybrid Islamist organisation that combines a strong streak of Somali nationalism with the rhetorical obligations of international jihadism, thereby attracting a not insignificant number of foreign fighters to its ranks. Both these strands of Shabaab have been inadvertently boosted by Ethiopian, American and African Union attempts to defeat it militarily, all of which have come to nought.Trade Review'Essential reading - Hansen focuses on the complex ideological detours and military tactics of the Shabab from its inception - a succinct and definitive history.' - The Economist 'E‪xceptional‬ - D‪eserve‬[s]‪ a broad readership‬.' - Nicholas van de Walle, Foreign Affairs‪ ‬ 'An intimidatingly impressive book. No one else has amassed this level of detail and matched it with analysis. - Stig Jarle Hansen knows more about the positions, decompositions and recompositions of Al-Shabaab than any Western scholar. This book is a real service to us all.' - Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London, The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Studies 'Hansen has travelled widely through Somalia for years and is personally familiar with many of the members and leaders of the movement. As a result, his description of events carries a powerful sense of legitimacy - [He] has put together a remarkably a remarkably detailed account of al-Shabaab's history - [and] until the distant and unlikely day when something better comes along, Al-Shabaab in Somalia is the definitive book on the subject.' - Richard J. Norton, Parameters, The US Army War College Quarterly 'A compact and rich history' - RUSI Journal 'If you want to understand the reality of the Al-Shabaab phenomenon in Somalia, its existence in the country and its grounding in that ravaged land, this short book, written by a researcher who actually engaged in person with his research topic, will provide you with more concrete nourishment than a whole raft of official reports.' - Gerard Prunier, author of From Genocide to Continental War: The 'Congolese' Conflict and the Crisis of Contemporary Africa ‪'Unlike the legion of ivory-tower academics, armchair analysts, and self-promoting pundits who have expatiated about Al-Shabaab without even having set foot anywhere near Somalia, much less ever encountering an adherent of the group, Stig Jarle Hansen is a charter member of the small band of intrepid scholars who, even at the height of the insurgency, still pursued their research in the country, their work consistently informed by direct knowledge of actors and events. His is a comprehensive and accessible treatment of a significant subject. Highly recommended.' - J. Peter Pham, Director, Michael S. Ansari Africa Center, Atlantic Council, and Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of the Middle East and Africa‬ 'This disturbing but fascinating book not only documents the rise of one of the most dangerous of al-Qaeda's affiliates but also explains its central importance to Somali politics. Hansen is a skilful writer whose long experience of Somali life allows him to enter into the thinking of one of the world's most dangerous fundamentalist groups.' - Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics, and author of Warrior Geeks: How 21st Century Technology is Changing the Way We Fight and Think About War 'So far, no book-length treatment of Al-Shabaab exists in the academic literature, and due to the political and military importance of the group in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, policymakers and development workers, as well as area specialists, are in urgent need of such a detailed account.' - - Markus Hoehne, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology 'Stig Jarle Hansen has written what is undoubtedly the best book on Al-Shabaab [ - ] Predictions of Al-Shabaab's collapse have occurred frequently since 2008 but, despite notable set-backs, it has survived [ - ] Hansen's book is an essential tool for those wishing to understand what the future might hold.' - Magnus Taylor, African Arguments

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East has always attracted widely divergent attention. Scholars have regarded it both as the source of terrorism, and, more recently as the potential harbinger of democratization. The Muslim Brotherhood in Europe has attracted far less attention. But heavily influenced by its ambiguous reputation in the Middle East it has led to widespread speculation about its character. Its critics regard the European organizations as part of a suspicious, secretive, centrally led world-wide organization that enhances the alienation of Muslims in Europe. Its sympathizers, on the other hand, regard the Brotherhood as a moderate movement that has been Europeanized and promotes integration. This volume brings together experts on the European Muslim Brotherhood who address some of the main issues on which the debate has concentrated. After an introduction dealing with the European debate in the press, the first section shows that Brotherhood consists primarily of a network of informal ties, which have developed a host of localized practices and contradictory trends. The second part deals with the Brotherhood organizations in different European countries and traces their highly specific trajectories and relations with the local non-Muslim press and authorities. The third section concentrates on the ideological developments of the movement in the Middle East and Europe.Trade Review'This volume is a rich documentation and critical assessment of political movements related to the Muslim Brothers and their changing ideologies in various European nation states since the 1960s. It systematically addresses not only the often negative perceptions by journalists and politicians in Europe, but also the contradictions and ambiguities within the organisations. It is a highly qualified academic approach that helps to paint a much-needed differentiated picture.' * Bettina Graf, Zentrum Moderner Orient Berlin, co-editor of Global Mufti: The Phenomenon of Yusuf Al-Qaradawi *'This is a very timely collection of contributions on a much vilified movement by a fine group of first class scholars. They portray the Muslim Brotherhood and its complex intellectual and ideological heritage, trying to come to grips with the many contemporary and multiple challenges it faces. While critically assessing its enduring secrecy and monopolistic claims about its representativeness, this volume convincingly argues that the Muslim Brotherhood has dramatically changed over the decades. It is now a moderate movement, as diverse as the national environments in which its affiliated organisations operate. This volume confronts head-on the argument of pundits who argue that Islam cannot change.' * Rik Coolsaet, Ghent University, author of Jihadi Terrorism and the Radicalisation Challenge: European and American Experiences *'A penetrating assessment of the origins and inner workings of an influential and diverse Islamist movement operating in Europe. Where the Brotherhood is widely portrayed as a counter-Enlightenment Trojan Horse, this volume offers an impressively more nuanced understanding of its evolution, moving away from its totalising dogma and militancy towards political pragmatism as it engages with democracy, secularism, and Muslim minority status.' * Humayan Ansari, Professor of Islam and Culture, Royal Holloway, University of London, and author of The Infidel Within: Muslims in Britain Since 1800 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn late 2002, over 1500 audiotapes were discovered in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in a house once occupied by Osama bin Laden. The Audacious Ascetic is the first book to explore this extraordinary archive. It details how Islamic cultural, legal, theological and linguistic vocabularies shaped militants' understandings of al-Qa'ida, and, more controversially, challenges the notion that the group's original adversary was America and the 'far enemy'. Miller argues that Western security agencies' 'management' of Bin Laden's growing reputation went awry. When magnified through global media coverage, narratives of al-Qa'ida's coherence were exploited by Osama and his militant supporters for their own ends. Focusing on over a dozen previously unpublished speeches by Bin Laden as well as on discussions by top al-Qa'ida leaders and Arab- Afghans, Miller chronicles the Saudi radical's evolving relationship with a host of Muslim insurgencies that found his stripe of asceticism (zuhd) tactically useful, especially when circulated via audiotape.These recordings also reveal militants' disenchantment when Bin Laden, marginalised through the '90s, began pandering to Western television networks in his attempt to direct hetero- dox Islamist armed struggles against America. Such audio evidence exposes al-Qa'ida's lack of coordination before 9-11 and invites scrutiny of dominant narratives of Western law enforcement, intelligence and terrorism analysts.Trade ReviewThe story of how [Bin Laden] came to be the west's ultimate 'ascetic adversary' and how the US expanded its security footprint into the Islamic world, needs to be told. Miller has succeeded. * Prospect *Selectively transcribed and interpreted … [the tapes] allow us to eavesdrop on Bin Laden during the 1990s as he rallied his followers, first to upbraid Islamic renegades in Saudi Arabia, then to prepare an assault on infidel America. * The Guardian *[Miller] does well in contextualising the often heavy-going material with the more interesting details of bin Laden's life and has undeniably added to our understanding of the man. * The Times *This is a truly magnificent work. Flagg Miller's knowledge in Arabic is unrivalled, as is demonstrated brilliantly in every chapter of book. In fact, The Audacious Ascetic almost brings Bin Laden back from the dead. The reader will feel as though he or she is listening in real time to the audio tapes that may have shaped Bin Laden into the jihadi leader that we now know. In addition Miller analyses, from a new perspective, some of Bin Laden's early--and almost forgotten--speeches which gave a clear picture his aims and strategy. Highly recommended. -- Camille Tawil, author of 'Brothers in Arms: Al Qa'ida and the Arab Jihadists'Flagg Miller is a rare specialist on the Modern Middle East. I know of no other linguistic anthropologist of the Middle East who combines interests in Arabic poetics with Islamic political discourse and relates both to media and mobilisation in the Arab/Muslim world, and especially to Yemen. 'The Audacious Ascetic' is his most extraordinary book to date, exceptional in the range and depth of its analysis of Osama bin Laden as a modern day ascetic. It should be an outrageous success in framing a figure who remains as murky as he is legendary in the saga of Islamic terrorism. -- Bruce Lawrence, Nancy and Jeffrey Marcus Humanities Professor of Religion, Duke University, and author of 'Who is Allah?'A painstakingly researched examination of a 'never-before-studied' collection of 1,500 audiotapes detailing Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida's theoretical and organizational development. … [T]he cache provides an enormously nuanced portrait of the thinking behind [al-Qaida's] operations. … Moving chronologically in the recordings, Miller gives a multilayered sense of how al-Qaida actually developed. Dense, scholarly, and bizarrely compelling. * Kirkus Reviews *Original, detailed and important. The Audacious Ascetic captures the complex fifteen year discourse between Bin Laden and his audiences about global jihad. Flagg Miller has mined an impressive array of Osama Bin Laden's 1980s and 1990s speeches and conversations, demonstrating the durability of the ideology appropriated in building Al-Qaeda and Bin Laden's single-minded focus on jihad against the United States. It is an essential text for those wishing to understand Al-Qaeda's historic essence and its continuing global relevance. -- Thomas F. Lynch III, Distinguished Research FellowThe Audacious Ascetic's contextualisation of difficult and, for most of us, recondite, narratives against the backdrop of Saudi and Yemeni radical discourse makes this volume outstanding. Flagg Miller offers vital clues on how to understand the appeals of movements such as al-Qaeda. It is a challenge to know one’s enemy but Miller accomplishes this task with careful editing and commentary that is both insightful and easy to follow. -- Dale F. Eickelman, Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of Anthropology and Human Relations, Dartmouth College and co-author of Muslim Politics

Read more less

Book SynopsisBoko Haram's appetite for exemplary violence and kidnapping women and girls has thrust it to the top of the global news agenda. In a few furious years its cadres have all but severed parts of northern Nigeria -- Africa's most populous state and largest economy -- from the hands of the government in Abuja. Videos broadcast by Boko Haram feature its leader, a grimacing rantingdemagogue who taunts viewers, claiming he will 'eat the heart of the infidel' and calling on Nigerians to reject their corrupt democracy and return to a 'pure' form of Islam. Thousands have been slaughtered in their campaign of purification which has evolved through a bloody civil war. In Northern Nigeria - which has witnessed many caliphates in the past - radical ideas flourish and strange sects are common. Boko Haram has drawn on and exploited these traditions to mobilise people against the corruption of Nigeria's politicians and oligarchs who have preyed on a state buoyed by oil revenues and turned public institutions into spoons for the pot. When the going was good it didn't matter. Now a new ravenous force threatens them all.Andrew Walker guides the reader through Boko Haram's hinterland - examining northern Nigeria's history, culture and politics - in search of where the group comes from and where Nigeria might be going.Trade Review'Walker's book is anecdotal, well researched and engaging. He has a novelist's eye for story and situation. But the most important thing is that he knows Nigeria well, having lived there for about a decade ... there is no denying the author's mastery of his subject and the usefulness of this overview to anyone interested in Nigerian history and the role of religion in Nigerian politics.' -- The Guardian'A fascinating and disturbing read. Eat the Heart of the Infidel is vital for anyone interested in understanding the origins of Boko Haram.' -- Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker staff writer, and author of 'Guerrillas: Journeys in the Insurgent World''a major addition to existing literature on Boko Haram ... The book is a reader's delight. The journalistic background of the author gives life to the book and enthrals in many ways. It provides a dispassionate analysis of Nigeria's history, particularly of the north, and the prevailing structural and societal imbalances that gave rise to Boko Haram ... dutifully analysed and beautifully written.' -- LSE Review of Books'Boko Haram have often appeared as nothing more than a Nigerian offshoot of Al Qaeda. Andrew Walker's wide-ranging, solidly-researched and grippingly-told story shows a more complex and troubling picture of a group whose historical precedents go back centuries, and whose recent rise owes as much to local social injustice, political instability and local rivalries as to religious fanaticism. The conflict as Walker presents it is over nothing less than Nigeria's identity.' -- Anthony Sattin, author of 'The Gates of Africa';'Global responses to modern day terrorism have been marked by a crisis of imagination and an inability to look back in search of the solutions that would enable us to move forward. Andrew Walker's book provides us with a rare insight into the historical and cultural factors that drive insurgencies, a veritable road map into this complex world.' -- Dr Fatima Akilu, expert on countering violent extremism and Director, Neem Institute'In a sea of shabby work on Boko Haram, from the excessively sensational to the simplistic, Andrew Walker's stands out by going many extra miles, reaching the heart of several matters either unexplored or inadequately dealt with by most previous commentators. Whatever one makes of the connections he teases out between contemporary events and historical figures in northern Nigeria, one thing is evident: Eat the Heart of the Infidel is well-researched, deeply contemplated, and beautifully written.' -- Elnathan John, Nigerian novelist, satirist and writer

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnalysis of both official and opposition Saudi divine politics is often monolithic, conjuring images of conservatism, radicalism, misogyny and resistance to democracy. Madawi Al-Rasheed challenges this stereotype as she examines a long tradition of engaging with modernism that gathered momentum with the Arab uprisings and incurred the wrath of both the regime and its Wahhabi supporters. With this nascent modernism, constructions of new divine politics, anchored in a rigorous reinterpretation of foundational Islamic texts and civil society activism are emerging in a context where authoritarian rule prefers its advocates to remain muted. The author challenges scholarly wisdom on Islamism in general and blurs the boundaries between secular and religious politics.Trade Review'In this latest publication, the increasingly prolific Madawi al-Rasheed demonstrates again why she is one of the foremost authorities on developments in Saudi Arabia. Muted Modernists not only challenges one-dimensional portrayals of Islamists, it also shows an ability to look behind the scenes of superficial media coverage and identify issues that often go unnoticed, but which are affecting the social fabric of what remains one of the most poorly understood countries in the Muslim world. Forceful in her conclusions, her findings evince a subtle understanding of the complexity of Saudi society. She offers valuable insights that should not be ignored by anyone with a genuine interest in one of the major players in Middle Eastern politics.' * Carool Kersten, Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam & the Muslim World, King's College London, and author of Islam in Indonesia: The Contest for Society, Values and Ideas *'Madawi Al-Rasheed demonstrates here, as she has in her past works, that the intellectual and political scene in Saudi Arabia is much more diverse and argumentative than the conventional view would have it. Despite an authoritarian government that clamps down on even the hint of critical political speech, a religious establishment that rejects modernist reinterpretations of Islam and a general public that has not yet mobilised in large numbers for political change, there is an active intellectual debate among Saudis about what their religion means for their politics. Al-Rasheed captures a part of that debate that most outsiders could easily miss. No one writing in English follows the Saudi political scene more closely and more critically than she does.' * F. Gregory Gause, III, Bush School of Government, Texas A&M University *'Islamism is a piebald, elusive form of religious politics in the modern Middle East. Saudi Arabia is a key player, yet until now no one has shown how notable Saudi scholars, many of them marginal to traditional networks but with access to social media, are reshaping Islamism within the Kingdom. Written by the foremost scholar of dissident political movements in Saudi Arabia, this book is a must read for policy mavens and students of international affairs as well as Middle East specialists from all disciplines' - * Bruce Lawrence, Professor of Islamic Studies Emeritus, Duke University, and author of Who is Allah? *'Western (and Saudi) categories of 'radical' and 'moderate' fail to capture the intensely fluid politics in Saudi Arabia of Islamist modernists who publicly challenge the religious roots of authoritarianism and advocate the emergence of genuine civil society. At great personal risk, especially after 2011, Saudi youth and intellectuals have sought, often via Twitter and other new media, to shape the debates over the direction that Saudi society should take. Muted Modernists is a must-read for understanding Saudi Arabia today and for asking better questions about turmoil in neighbouring states.' * Dale F. Eickelman, co-author of Muslim Politics *'A highly critical and informative inside-out study of Saudi society, Muted Modernists gives voice to Saudi youth and public intellectuals who struggle, against great odds, to shape the debates about the future direction of their country. Al-Rasheed expands the intellectual lens through which to view Saudi Arabia, and shatters the notion of Saudi uniformity and exceptionalism. A must read.' * Fawaz A. Gerges, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe military victories of ISIS have overturned the geopolitical map of the Middle East. Media attention has focused on ISIS' savage treatment of its enemies and its ability to attract foreign fighters. However, in order to explain its success, a dispassionate account of its innovations in insurgency, ideology and governance is needed. The first effort to build an 'Islamic state' in Iraq was defeated by US and Iraqi forces in 2011. That the second attempt, dating from 2014, has been more successful calls for explanation. Hashim argues that by focusing their ideology first and foremost on extreme anti-Shia sectarianism -- rather than on Western 'infidels' -- ISIS' founders were able to present themselves as the saviours of what they saw as the embattled Sunni 'nation' in Iraq. This enabled them to win the support of Sunni communities. Moreover, ISIS' stunning ability to take major cities is a result of its innovative tactics. It sows terror in advance of its attacks by using targeted assassinations to kill key city leaders, and its decentralised regional command structure facilitates an unusual degree of coordination between small assault units. Meanwhile, it is making a serious effort to engage in state-building and population control.Trade Review'Pulling together speeches, other documents, and first-hand journalistic accounts, Hashim describes in detail the genesis of the group in Iraq ... assembl[ing] interesting statistics on how they governed.' -- The New York Review of Books'This a powerful account of the unique circumstances that bred and nurtured ISIS. Using primary sources and deep personal experience, Ahmed S. Hashim has brilliantly explained the ideology, organisation, war-fighting, and state-building enterprises of ISIS. I believe his book will become the definitive source on the ISIS group’s creation, evolution, and the Iraqi experience and personalities that differentiate it from other jihadist groups.' -- Michael W. S. Ryan, Senior Fellow at The Jamestown Foundation, and author of 'Decoding Al-Qaeda’s Strategy: The Deep Battle against America''Ahmed Hashim continues to produce timely and profound insights on the landscapes of global terror. The Caliphate at War is essential reading on the genesis, structure and operations of ISIS, the most violent and destructive of all the contemporary jihadist movements.' -- Ali Allawi, author, 'The Occupation of Iraq' and Minister of Trade, Defence and Finance, Iraq, 2003-2006'Ahmed Hashim has written a detailed and coherent account of the origins of the Islamic State and the reasons for its rise and fall. This is an excellent book for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the divisions in Iraqi society and why they will continue to foster such movements, even following the demise of the Caliphate.' -- Richard Barrett CMG OBE, former Director of Global Counter Terrorism Operations for the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)'Pulling together speeches, other documents, and firsthand journalistic accounts, Hashim describes in detail the genesis of IS in Iraq, including the rift between the upstart caliphate and al-Qaeda, the first global jihadist movement.' -- New York Review of Books

Read more less

Book SynopsisSayyid Qutb (1906–1966) was an influential Egyptian ideologue credited with establishing the theoretical basis for radical Islamism in the postcolonial Sunni Muslim world. Lacking a pure understanding of the leader’s life and work, the popular media has conflated Qutb’s moral purpose with the aims of bin Laden and al-Qaeda. He is often portrayed as a terrorist, Islamo-Fascist, and advocate of murder. This book rescues Qutb from misrepresentation, tracing the evolution of his thought within the context of his time. An expert on social protest and political resistance in the modern Middle East, as well as Egyptian nationalism, John Calvert recounts Qutb’s life from the small village in which he was raised to his execution at the behest of Abd al-Nasser’s regime. His study remains sensitive to the cultural, political, social, and economic circumstances that shaped Qutb’s thought—major developments that composed one of the most eventful periods in Egyptian history. These years witnessed the full flush of Britain’s tutelary regime, the advent of Egyptian nationalism, and the political hegemony of the Free Officers. Qutb rubbed shoulders with Taha Husayn, Naguib Mahfouz, and Abd al-Nasser himself, though his Islamism originally had little to do with religion. Only in response to his harrowing experience in prison did Qutb come to regard Islam and kufr (infidelity) as oppositional, antithetical, and therefore mutually exclusive. Calvert shows how Qutb repackaged and reformulated the Islamic heritage to pose a challenge to authority, including those who claimed (falsely, he believed) to be Muslim.Trade Review'This rich and carefully researched biography sets Qutb for the first time in his Egyptian context, rescuing him from caricature without whitewashing his radicalism. It is no small achievement.'—The Economist; 'In one of the first serious English-language biographices of Qutb, Calvert puts this often misunderstood figure into his historical context, situating Qutb within the turbulent intellectual and political flow of Egyptian and Arab history. . . . The Qutb which emerges from Calvert's even-handed history is far more complex and interesting than the caricature of him which dominates popular understanding. Anyone interested in the evolution of Islamism in the 20th century should read it.' —Atlantic Monthly; 'Given that Qutb is taught in a large (and increasing) number of campuses, and given that he has already been introduced to the general public in bestselling books such as Lawrence Wright's the Looming Tower, the very publication of a Qutb biography is likely to attract considerable interest. … The book not only constitutes what is likely to remain the definitive biography of Sayyid Qutb, it also offers crucial new insights on the post-1954 history of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, another gaping hole in the literature. We are dealing here with a rare book that is likely to become a classic in the field of political Islam. … An outstanding volume.' –– Thomas Hegghammer, Harvard University; 'John Calvert's biography of the man now regarded as the father of radical Islam reveals an ideology forged in the fires of post-colonial Egypt.'—The National (Abu Dhabi)

Read more less

Book SynopsisHanif Qadir is recognised as one of the world's leading specialists in positively transforming violent extremists. He has worked with hundreds of high-risk terrorist and violent extremist cases and has challenged many known figureheads who lead violently extreme groups both at home and abroad. In this essential book for all those who work with young people, Hanif outlines the push and pull factors and the early indicators of radicalisation, and offers decisive and unambiguous advice on how and when to intervene. The book includes anonymous case studies of a wide variety of people Hanif has personally worked with and lays down simple lessons on what success and failure looks like when tackling extremism.Trade Review"No one I know has done more on the ground with practical experience countering violent extremism than Hanif Qadir. His experience and expertise is something we can all learn from. For anyone interested in counter-extremism, his book is an absolute must read." Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies and Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization, King's College LondonTable of ContentsPersonal Testimony and Experiences within the Al Qaeda network Underlying Issues Current Challenges The Reality of the Threat Early indicators including the general 22 Point Vulnerability Assessment Framework Interventions - When & Who is best suited Recruitment Strategies early and current Attitudes and Behaviour Push & Pull Factors Case studies: Learning Outcomes Referral Pathways What does success and Failure look like The correct Islamic Perspective on Extremism and Terrorism Concluding Remarks

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this open-access monograph, Paul Weller explores how the movement known as Hizmet (meaning “service”) is undergoing a period of transitions in Europe. Inspired by the teaching and practice of the Turkish Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gülen, Hizmet has been active in Europe (and other continents) for several decades. It has always been subject to some degree of contestation, which has intensified following the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, for which the current Turkish government holds Fethullah Gülen and Hizmet as responsible – a claim they strongly deny. In Turkey, thousands of people associated with Hizmet have been imprisoned. In Europe, pressures have been brought to bear on the movement and its activities. In charting a way forward, Hizmet finds itself in a significant transitional period, the nature and possible future trajectories of which are explored in this volume. The book is informed by a comprehensive literature review and a recent research project which includes primary research interviews with key Hizmet figures in Europe and beyond. It contends that to properly understand Hizmet in Europe, one has to situate it in its interactive engagement both with its diverse European national contexts and with Fethullah Gülen’s teaching and practice. Table of Contents1 Introduction 1.1 The Focus of the Book 1.2 A Religious Studies Approach and the “Politics of Naming” 1.3 Situating in the Author’s Previous Research and the WiderLiterature 1.4 Evidence, Aims and Methods References Part I Hizmet in Turkish Origins and European Development2 Turkish Origins and Development 2.1 Hizmet: The Emergence of a Phenomenon2.2 Turkey’s Need for More Schools, Not More Mosques 2.3 Turkey’s Deep Fissures, Need for Dialogue and HizmetResponses 2.4 Relief of Poverty 2.5 Business Links 2.6 The Media 2.7 Spread to “Turkic” Republics of the Former USSR and tothe Western Balkans References Contentsxviii Contents3 Hizmet in European Hijrah 3.1 Hizmet at European Level and Across Europe3.2 Hizmet in the Netherlands 3.3 Hizmet in Germany 3.4 Hizmet in Belgium 3.5 Hizmet in the United Kingdom (UK) 3.6 Hizmet in Switzerland 3.7 Hizmet in France 3.8 Hizmet in Spain 3.9 Hizmet in Italy 3.10 Hizmet in Denmark 3.11 Hizmet in Some Other European Countries References Part II Hizmet in Turkish De-centring and EuropeanTransitions 4 Pivotal Issues in Pivotal Times 4.1 The AKP and Hizmet: Walking in Tandem? 4.2 Mutual “Infiltration”? 4.3 The MV Mavi Marmara Incident: A Sign of Thingsto Come 4.4 From Gezi Park to 15 July 2016 4.5 Hizmet Trauma in Turkey and Europe 4.6 Three-Layered Hizmet: Challenges and Opportunities References 5 New Foci for Old Questions 5.1 Changing Contexts 5.2 Seen as Terrorists and Challenging Terrorism 5.3 Turkishness and Beyond 5.4 Charisma, Structures and Transparency 5.5 Relating to Civil Society, Politics and the State 5.6 Relating to Other Muslims 5.7 Gender in Transition References Contents xix6 Continuing Values, Different Expressions and FutureTrajectories 6.1 Contextual Transitions 6.2 Education to Tackle Ignorance 6.3 Dialogue to Tackle Conflict and Promote InclusiveIntegration 6.4 Helping to Relieve Poverty Developing into SupportingHuman Rights 6.5 Meeting Needs and Keeping the Balance6.6 Hizmet in Europe With and/or Without Fethullah Gülen 6.7 Confident Engagement, Islamic Self-Criticism andHuman Focus 6.8 From Copy-Paste into Contextual ReinventionReferences

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDeals with the scenario in Pakistan, its conversion to a state ruled by Islamist extremists, has been critically acclaimed by the media in Pakistan.Trade Review"The book states that while the Pakistani establishment under President Pervez Musharraf has been making overt noises about clamping down on the terrorists outfits, they had implemented only half hearted measures against them. The book dwells upon the decision makers in the white house."

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeginning with an examination of medieval Islamic fundamentalist movements such as Kharjism, Ibadism, Hanbalism, and Wahhabism, Sayed Khatab looks at the similarities and differences between them and present organizations such as al-Qa'ida. It may be surprising that many of the radical narratives embraced by modern groups have not emerged recently. Identifying these roots can lead to a better understanding of al-Qa'ida's theological and intellectual narratives, and how they effectively indoctrinate youths and attract many of them to violent acts of terrorism. The book then focuses on al-Qa'ida's theology, ideology, and tactics; the geographic contours and implications of al-Qa'ida's political strategy in relation to the western and eastern countries which are considered enemy states; the impending clash of cultures; and the ideological war within al-Qa'ida. Innovative in its concept, examining political Islamic thought from a historical to a contemporary perspective, Islamic Fundamentalism generates new understanding of the many complexities of political Islam, and the role of violence and terrorism.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDuring the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022 and the state elections in 2023, the clash between Anwar Ibrahim and PAS reached new heights. This can be viewed as a battle between political Islam and post-Islamism.Political Islam as embodied by PAS pursues the establishment of an Islamic state, while post-Islamism as represented by Anwar Ibrahim is a way of balancing the ambitions of Islam with secular approaches. While PAS has been consistent in espousing political Islam since its establishment, Anwar Ibrahim's approach to the role of Islam in politics has changed since his early days in UMNO. Evolving from an Islamist involved in state-led Islamization to a post-Islamist, he now espouses democratic values and multiculturalism.GE15 and the 2023 state elections witnessed fierce competition between PAS and Anwar Ibrahim. Both sides either escalated or downplayed crucial topics such as the implementation of hudud law and RUU355, the myth of Islam and Malays being under threat, the claim that states under PAS are discriminated against, and the takfiri denouncements of non-Muslims as election candidates or potential leaders of the country.The results of GE15 and the 2023 state elections between PAS and Anwar Ibrahim, who is now prime minister, show that there will certainly be sequels to come. The elections illustrate that political Islam is growing in strength. This is most evident in the fact that PAS currently has a whopping forty-three seats in the Malaysian parliament, and controls four states. The only way Anwar Ibrahim can remain in power is through assistance from PAS' old nemesis, UMNO, a party heavily tainted by corruption.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less