Political Islam/Islamist

Movements

Monday November 1st, 2010

1

Political Islam (Islamism)

• What is Political Islam?
• Belief that Islam should play a role in

spiritual as well as societal and political
affairs.

• Assumptions to address about Political

Islam.

– uniform
– “inherently violent” or “non-violent”; moderate?
– “religion and politics is unique to Islam”

2

Political Islam

• Origin of Islam out of history: pristine state.
• Islam is “specific”: movements differ.
• “Muslim” differs in different situations.
• Began in 1800s, 1900s. Colonialism
• Rose with authoritarian leaders’ failures.

• Use of language of Islam for political purposes.
• Also focus on morality; civil society.

3

Political Islamism

• Islamist politics not supported by most

Muslims.

– Being Islamist is not just to be a Muslim

(1137).

• Compare their societies to Western

culture.

• Woltering, Langohr: Support less for

ideology; more for social services.

4

Islamist Movements

• Islamist groups of violence

– Al Qaeda (Wahhabi Islam) (Blanchard)

– Afghanistan

– Sayyid Qutb (Islamic State).

• Alliance between Saud family and

Wahhabism

– Wahhabism: Control of religious affairs
– Saudi Gov’t: Control of political,

economic issues.

5

Hamas

• Hamas: Branch of Muslim

Brotherhood

• Action through violence and

elections.

• Use of terrorism
• Arose against Israel in occupied

territories

– Failure of other Palestinian leadership.

6

Islamist Organizations

• Non-violent Islamist organizations

– Within the structure of government.

• Muslim Brotherhood
• Turkey: Justice and Development

(AKP) (shifted policy to not call out
seculars).

7

Norton: Hezbollah

• Formed in 1982 during Israeli

Invasion in Lebanon

• Former Amal fighters moved to

Hezbollah.

• Hezbollah: contrasted Amal,

supported PLO.

8

Norton: Hezbollah

• Social Services were set up extensively.
• Hezbollah grew due to Israeli presence.
• Israeli withdrew in 2000
• Shebaa farms: Hezbollah claim from

Syria

– Role of Iran
– Fighting with Israel

9

Lebanon: Hezbollah

• Electoral System:
• Taif Agreement
• 128 Parliamentary seats: split based on

“confessional lines.” Voters in district
vote for all open seats.

• 1992 elections: debate on participation.

• 10% of seats: Represented much of Shia

region

• Message on social issues, not Islam.

Lebanon: Hezbollah

• Syrian “ceiling” on Hezbollah

candidates.

• Re-drawing electoral districts for its favor.
• Would extend Presidential term limits

• Due to protests by Hariri, UN Sec.

Council Resolution 1559 called groups
(Hezbollah) to rid of weapons, and for
Syria to leave.

• 2005: Hariri assassinated

– “Cedar Revolution”
– Syria left Lebanon

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Lebanon: Hezbollah

• 2006 War: Hezbollah crossed into Israel;

captured soldiers.

• March 14, March 8 Political groups.
• 2006: Called for unity government; veto

(BBC).

• 2008 takeover of West Beirut; Given veto

power (CFR).

• 2009 June Elections

– March 14 Coalition: 71 seats
– March 8 Coalition: 57 seats

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