Islamist movement

Islamist movement
The Cheesedealer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Islamist movement
Founded	Various
Leader	Various
Ideology	Political Islam, Islamic revivalism, Salafism, Sunni Islamism, Shia Islamism
Headquarters	Various
Country	Predominantly in Muslim-majority countries; global presence

Islamist movement The Islamist movement denotes a set of political currents that seek to reorder public life and institutions according to interpretations of Islam and Islamic law such as Sharia. Proponents range from reformist parties that contest elections to militant groups that pursue armed struggle, encompassing diverse currents tied to figures like Sayyid Qutb, Abul A'la Maududi, and Ruhollah Khomeini. Its impacts are evident in states such as Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan and in transnational networks including Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations, Al-Qaeda, and Hezbollah.

Definition and ideological foundations

Scholars define the Islamist movement through ideological sources including the writings of Abul A'la Maududi, the tract "Milestones" by Sayyid Qutb, and the speeches of Ruhollah Khomeini; these works reference concepts drawn from Qur'an, Hadith, and classical jurists like Al-Ghazali and Ibn Taymiyyah. Core themes include sovereignty of God (hakimiyya) articulated by Qutb, notions of community (umma) discussed by Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, and revivalist reform advocated by Muhammad Abduh. Variants include Sunni currents such as Salafism, Muslim Brotherhood, and Sufi-influenced political actors, as well as Shia strands associated with Wilayat al-Faqih promulgated in Iranian Revolution literature.

Historical development

Roots trace to 19th-century encounters with European colonialism and reformers like Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh reacting to Ottoman Empire decline and British Raj policies. In the 20th century, organizational growth involved founders such as Hassan al-Banna (Muslim Brotherhood) and theorists like Maududi in British India; the 1952 Egyptian Revolution and 1979 Iranian Revolution marked turning points. The Soviet–Afghan War catalyzed networks tied to Mujahideen and figures like Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, while the 2011 Arab Spring reshaped electoral fortunes for parties like Ennahda in Tunisia and AKP in Turkey.

Major organizations and movements

Major Sunni organizations include the Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and political parties like Ennahda and AKP (Justice and Development Party). Salafi-jihadist groups include Al-Qaeda, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and regional affiliates such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia and Boko Haram in Nigeria. Shia-aligned movements include Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's political influence in Iran. Other actors include social movements like Tawhid-oriented networks, charitable organizations such as Islamic Relief, and educational foundations linked to figures like Ibrahim al-Salafi.

Political strategies and participation

Strategies range from electoral participation by parties like Ennahda and AKP to social service provision by groups tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and charitable networks active in Yemen and Palestine. Insurgent tactics are associated with Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and localized insurgencies in Iraq and Syria, while revolutionary seizure of state power occurred in Iran under Khomeini. Some movements pursue legal reform through parliaments in Malaysia and Pakistan, while others engage in political Islamism through alliances with conservative elites in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Social policies and cultural influence

The movement has influenced family law reforms in countries like Morocco and Egypt, education policies in Turkey and Iran, and media cultures through outlets linked to Al-Jazeera and religious broadcasters. Cultural impacts include mosque networks, religious schooling systems such as madrasah reforms, artistic debates over censorship in Egyptian cinema, and shifts in public norms regarding dress codes influenced by policies in Saudi Arabia and Iran. Charitable and welfare activities by organizations like Islamic Relief and Waqf institutions shape local social services in urban centers such as Cairo, Riyadh, and Karachi.

Controversies, criticisms, and counter-movements

Critics range from secularists in Turkey and Tunisia to leftist parties in Egypt and human rights groups concerned with freedoms in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Controversies include debates over women's rights sparked by cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, accusations of authoritarianism following power seizures in Iran and Syria, and global security concerns tied to Al-Qaeda and ISIS attacks in New York, London, and Paris. Counter-movements include secular nationalist parties, liberal Islamist critics such as Abdullahi An-Na'im, deradicalization programs in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and international coalitions addressing violent extremism like initiatives by United Nations agencies.

Category:Political movements