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The Islamist Challenge in West Asia: Doctrinal and Political Competitions After the Arab Spring [Hardcover] [Apr 01, 2014] Talmiz Ahmad
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162 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2014
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January 7, 2025
In “The Islamist Challenge in West Asia”, the author tries to provide a thorough analysis of the Islamist forces in the Middle East that have captured the spotlight in the wake of the Arab Spring. Ahmad contextualizes Islamism in the context of regional historical events, such as the fall of the Ottoman Empire and European colonial outreach and the reactions it elicited. He goes on to explain the rise of Wahhabism and the Muslim Brotherhood, which many consider being the two most significant ideological currents in modern Islam. The book delves into the idea that The Arab Spring is a Middle Eastern movement that seeks to bring an end to the corrupt and autocratic government while also promoting democracy and economic opportunity. People rose in protest against dictatorship, corruption, and poverty, sparking a series of uprisings across the Arab world.
The First Chapter “Islamism: A Textual and Historical Overview” focused on how Sharia has evolved over several centuries. It also focuses on how Shia and Sunni Islam led to the creation of four schools (Hanafi, Shafei, Maliki, and Hanbali) in the 11th century. And how during the ottoman empire a post of “grand mufti” was created which performed several functions, including advising the sultan on religious matters. and how over the last two hundred years experienced the painful impact of the Western Colonial System.
The Second and Third chapters i.e. “Wahhabiya in Saudi Arabia and Muslim Brotherhood” that many consider the two most significant ideological currents in modern Islam. The "engagements and estrangements" between the two ideologies are also covered in the book, as well as the widespread repercussions.
The Fourth Chapter “Wahhabiya—Brotherhood Engagement and Estrangement” focused on investigating their relationship over the past 50 years and how it changed as they became estranged, setting the foundation for the Arab Spring.
The Chapter on “The Arab Spring and its Aftermath” that forms the core of the book focuses on how During his "Arab Spring" visit to Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt in September 2011, Prime Minister Erdogan promoted Turkey as a role model for the region that was undergoing transition. On the other hand, the comparatively unaffected nations—such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, UAE, and Kuwait—have been extensively addressed. It makes the case that most of these countries are still in a state of flux and that the Islamist forces are attempting to respond to formidable obstacles coming from numerous directions.
The next chapter discusses “Radical Islam; the rise of al-Qaeda”, where Ahmad cites the Kuwait conflict as the catalyst for the emergence of al-Qaeda in the region, along with the Saudi response and the US intervention.
The chapter, “Regional Islamist Confrontations” discusses the aftermath of the Arab Spring. It also talks about the greater geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which has religious, ideological, political, and military elements as well as regional and international consequences, has exacerbated the current unrest in most Arab countries. It also notes that Saudi Arabia and the UAE's domestic stability is threatened by their great mistrust of the Muslim Brotherhood. (p.105)
The chapter, “Military Takeover in Egypt” talks about how Egypt had intense polarization throughout President Morsi's one-year administration, which ended with the military overthrowing his government on July 3, 2013, suspending the constitution, and detaining the Brotherhood's key figures. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, and other countries praised the military takeover, while the Turkish government condemned it. The commercial operations of the Brotherhood and its senior members were under investigation, and Islamic television stations were shut down. These dramatic events culminated in massive public demonstrations across the nation, with millions of people taking to the streets to support the demands for Morsi's departure and gathering signatures in the millions. (p.119)
The Last chapter on “Institutionalizing Sharia and Democracy” talks about the ongoing conflict between the ruler's attempts to win ulema approval for his political endeavors and the ulema's sporadic attempts to encourage uprisings against rulers who did not uphold God's law. Since Islamists were eager to reclaim their "revered institutions" through the democratic process, which could provide the reformed order with justice, probity, and accountability based on the principle of consultation, Sadiki had then argued that Islamization and democracy were a "mutually reinforcing process”. (p. 131)
The Arab Spring was a liberal movement; it was about people's right to live their own lives as they saw fit. But what if the Arab populace uses this freedom to elect anti-democratic or Islamic parties, as it appears to be the case? The Arab people will need to figure out how to combine liberal democracy with Islamic ideals in the perplexing postrevolutionary political structure.
The Islamist Challenge is recommended for those looking for a quick read on the Arab Spring. Whatever its form and direction, the Arab Spring itself is still the most spectacular and interesting development in WANA over the past century, and it will require more research and analysis.
The First Chapter “Islamism: A Textual and Historical Overview” focused on how Sharia has evolved over several centuries. It also focuses on how Shia and Sunni Islam led to the creation of four schools (Hanafi, Shafei, Maliki, and Hanbali) in the 11th century. And how during the ottoman empire a post of “grand mufti” was created which performed several functions, including advising the sultan on religious matters. and how over the last two hundred years experienced the painful impact of the Western Colonial System.
The Second and Third chapters i.e. “Wahhabiya in Saudi Arabia and Muslim Brotherhood” that many consider the two most significant ideological currents in modern Islam. The "engagements and estrangements" between the two ideologies are also covered in the book, as well as the widespread repercussions.
The Fourth Chapter “Wahhabiya—Brotherhood Engagement and Estrangement” focused on investigating their relationship over the past 50 years and how it changed as they became estranged, setting the foundation for the Arab Spring.
The Chapter on “The Arab Spring and its Aftermath” that forms the core of the book focuses on how During his "Arab Spring" visit to Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt in September 2011, Prime Minister Erdogan promoted Turkey as a role model for the region that was undergoing transition. On the other hand, the comparatively unaffected nations—such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, UAE, and Kuwait—have been extensively addressed. It makes the case that most of these countries are still in a state of flux and that the Islamist forces are attempting to respond to formidable obstacles coming from numerous directions.
The next chapter discusses “Radical Islam; the rise of al-Qaeda”, where Ahmad cites the Kuwait conflict as the catalyst for the emergence of al-Qaeda in the region, along with the Saudi response and the US intervention.
The chapter, “Regional Islamist Confrontations” discusses the aftermath of the Arab Spring. It also talks about the greater geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which has religious, ideological, political, and military elements as well as regional and international consequences, has exacerbated the current unrest in most Arab countries. It also notes that Saudi Arabia and the UAE's domestic stability is threatened by their great mistrust of the Muslim Brotherhood. (p.105)
The chapter, “Military Takeover in Egypt” talks about how Egypt had intense polarization throughout President Morsi's one-year administration, which ended with the military overthrowing his government on July 3, 2013, suspending the constitution, and detaining the Brotherhood's key figures. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, and other countries praised the military takeover, while the Turkish government condemned it. The commercial operations of the Brotherhood and its senior members were under investigation, and Islamic television stations were shut down. These dramatic events culminated in massive public demonstrations across the nation, with millions of people taking to the streets to support the demands for Morsi's departure and gathering signatures in the millions. (p.119)
The Last chapter on “Institutionalizing Sharia and Democracy” talks about the ongoing conflict between the ruler's attempts to win ulema approval for his political endeavors and the ulema's sporadic attempts to encourage uprisings against rulers who did not uphold God's law. Since Islamists were eager to reclaim their "revered institutions" through the democratic process, which could provide the reformed order with justice, probity, and accountability based on the principle of consultation, Sadiki had then argued that Islamization and democracy were a "mutually reinforcing process”. (p. 131)
The Arab Spring was a liberal movement; it was about people's right to live their own lives as they saw fit. But what if the Arab populace uses this freedom to elect anti-democratic or Islamic parties, as it appears to be the case? The Arab people will need to figure out how to combine liberal democracy with Islamic ideals in the perplexing postrevolutionary political structure.
The Islamist Challenge is recommended for those looking for a quick read on the Arab Spring. Whatever its form and direction, the Arab Spring itself is still the most spectacular and interesting development in WANA over the past century, and it will require more research and analysis.
Displaying 1 of 1 review