Political Islam Flashcards
Definition
political islam often uses religion as the main basis of its political identity. It can be used widely e.g radical or left or right. Can often be used to justify regimes in power or as an oppositional force.
Aims of Islamic movements
1-Territorial – national liberation movements (ISIS and al-Qaeda)
2-Social (welfare, religious revival)
3-Statist – aims to capture the states electoral systems/used to crates an Islamic state either democratically or militarily.
4-Sectarian – new phenomenon where Islamic movements targeting other forms of Islam. Shi’a or Sunni
Features of modern political Islam
recognition that Islam needed to modernise and grapple with situation such as democracy and economic development and wasn’t a vision which looked at recovering the past. Part of the movement was to preserve the Islamic identity in the face of western colonialism.
Hassan al-Banna (1906-1949): Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood which initially united the Muslim community in Egypt against class struggle. But in Nasser’s eyes the Brotherhood was a threat, so it was banned.
Examples of the rise in movements
Throughout the Arab world Islamists were supressed due to the anthesis of secular nationalism.
Sayyid Qutb – Godfather of Jihad, believed that Egypt was in a state of ignorance which required radical changes. – was executed in 1966
1982 - In Syria the Ba’th and Brotherhood are in tension – Hama massacre.
- 1979 – Successful Islamic revolution
- Mujahedeen in Afghanistan is backed by US
- Algeria: Islamist victory coup
- Lebanon: Hizbullah 1982
- Palestine: Islamic Jihad and Hamas 1987
Violent Jihadism
Emerged after Islamists wanted to create policies within regions and infuse together religious nationalism.
1981 – Sadat is assassinated by the Brotherhood.
To an extent the rise of extremists throughout 1990s to 2000s comes from an expansion to the far enemy and to target American power within the Middle East.
Over the last 5 years the Islamic state has greatly expanded over the Syrian and Iraqi border but is in its last day. It is part of a global Jihad, with an increasing number of terror related attacks around the world.
What lead to islamic revolution in Iran? (Shah)
Islamic state is a new concept and the Caliphate is the structure which was first was institutionalised in the 7th century.
A long period of protest in 78 against Raza Shah who had been in power since 1941 and had re-secured power with the help of the CIA in 1952. In 1970 his power is challenged, and he deals with the uproar through violent means.
Between 1977 and 78 the Pahlavi state is disintegrated, and the Shah is out of touch. The re-installation of the Shah repressed Iran’s Islamists and fostered anger among the general population. Khomeini sided with the communists and secularists to overthrow the Shah.
What happens during the year of 1979
Jan - Shah exiles to Egypt
Feb – Khomeini returns to Iran
March - Referendum held where 99% vote for Islamic state, despite unreliable figures it is still a very clear sense of a large majority.
Establishment of the revolutionary guards – a militia force for the revolution.
In December the Islamic constitution is accepted after ratification. This provides the legal foundations of the Islamic state, despite some unresolved issues over who should guide the country there are three main leaders.
What did Khomeini change?
dramatically transformed making Shi’a Islam inseparable from the country’s political structure. In his manifesto he urged that government should be ruled in accordance to Sharia law. As a result, an Islamic Jurist must oversee the country’s political structure.
Despite there being a vast structure, the power only lies in the hands of a few.
features of Islamic State of Iran
1980 all legal judgements were based on Islamic Law.
1982 all women must wear hijab and non-tight clothing
The president has limited powers. The assembly of experts are also religious experts and are elected by the people and the assembly then elects the supreme leader. Supreme leader has the power to appoint the guardian council who are the supreme court.
The structure does involve some democratic features but is top heavy with the extent of religion as assembly is made up with 88 Islamic scholars.
Although the people do have a say in choosing the parliament and president, nothing can be forwarded unless approved by the supreme leader.
1989 – Khomeini died and was succeeded by junior clerk Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s relationship with the West
There have been regular conflicts on how to regulate the west, the economy and how to deal with and allow political opposition. US oil sanctions place burden on Iran’s economy.
Deterioration or progress within the Islamic state?
Those who continue to advocate for separation of the church and state face increasing hostility and there is rise in the numbers of anti-clericalism as a result of failure within the Iranian Republic with high inflation, unemployment and stagnant wages.
The death of Khomeini could now mean a critical reflection upon the regimes very structure. This is because even himself questioned whether only one cleric could replace him after his death and pushed for the need to have at least 3-5 clerics to rule.
