The Islamist Challenge in West Asia: Doctrinal and Political Competitions After the Arab Spring

About the Book

Following the Arab Spring, the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) region is witnessing interactions between the various strands of Islamism-Wahhabiya in Saudi Arabia; the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its affiliates in other Arab countries, and the radical strand represented by Al Qaeda and its associated organisations – in an environment of robust competition and even conflict. After a long period in opposition, some Islamists are facing the challenge of democratic governance, with the principal protagonists attempting to define their vision, agenda and institutions in terms that would reconcile the aspirations of their citizens for a modern political and economic order that would also respect their religious traditions. In this endeavour, the Islamists are in competition not only amongst themselves but also with non-religious groups representing liberal-secular elements and the armed forces representing the anciens regimes and seeking to affirm the political status quo.

This work examines these issues in some details. It provides an overview of the political aspects of Islamic law – the Sharia, as it evolved from early Islam and, over the last two hundred years, experienced the impact of Western colonialism. After looking at the development of political Islam in a historical context, it examines contemporary political competitions across WANA, particularly in Egypt and Syria, and offers prognoses pertaining to domestic and regional scenarios. Finally, it discusses some of the larger challenges the Arab Spring poses for Islamist discourse, particularly with regard to accommodating the Sharia and a democratic order in a reformed Arab polity.

This book draws on a rich variety of source material which has been embellished by the author’s extensive diplomatic experience in the Arab world over three decades.

About the Author

Talmiz Ahmad joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974. Early in his career, he was posted in a number of West Asian countries such as Kuwait, Iraq and Yemen, and later, between 1987-90, he was Consul General in Jeddah. He also held positions in the Indian missions in New York, London and Pretoria.

He served as Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (2000-03; 2010-11); Oman (2003-04), and the UAE (2007-10). He was Additional Secretary for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2004-06. In July 2011, the Saudi Government conferred on him the King Abdul Aziz Medal First Class for his contribution to the promotion of Indo – Saudi relations. After retirement from Foreign Service, he is working with an energy company and is based in Dubai.

He has published two books earlier: Reform in the Arab World: External Influences and Regional Debates (2005) and Children of Abraham at War: The Clash of Messianic Militarisms (2010). He writes and lectures frequently on Political Islam, the politics of West Asia and energy security issues.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements

1. Islamism: A Textual and Historical Overview
   The Sharia
   The Ottoman Period
   Response to Colonialism
2. Wahhabiya in Saudi Arabia
   Anti–Shia discourse in Wahhabiyya
3. Muslim Brotherhood
   Political Theory and Practice
   Philosophical Moorings
   Brotherhood Ideology
   The Islamic State
   Political Practice
   Towards Political Participation
4. Wahhabiya—Brotherhood Engagement and Estrangement
   The Sahwa Movement
   Sahwi Critique of the Saudi Order
   The Sahwa-Liberal Combine after 9/11
   The Wahhabi–Brotherhood Estrangement
5. The Arab Spring and its Aftermath
   Turkey as a “model” for the Arab Spring Countries
   Tunisia
   Egypt
   Libya
   Syria
   Jordan
   Lebanon
   Sinai
   Kuwait
   Saudi Arabia
   UAE
   Yemen
6. Proliferation of Radical Islam
   Al-Qaeda Ideology
   After the Arab Spring
   Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
   Iraq
   Al Shabaab in Somalia
   Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghrib (AQIM)
7. Islamist Politics: Competition, Conflict and Prognosis
   The Domestic Situation
   Islamist Parties
   Radical Islam
   Arab Monarchies
   Sectarianism
8. Regional Islamist Confrontations
   The Saudi-Iran Competition
   The Saudi/UAE—Brotherhood Estrangement
   Egypt-Iran Ties
   Prognosis
9. Military Takeover in Egypt
   Implications: Domestic
   Implications: Regional
   The Future of Islamist politics
10. Institutionalising Sharia and Democracy

Glossary
Bibliography
Index

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