The causes of resurgence of Islamism

Résumé du document

Ever since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 in New York, Islam has been perceived as the major international threat of our times. The subject is broadly under research and investigation, in universities as well as in the media. These investigation centers often provide a biased vision of the religion and its phenomenon. Islamism can be defined by the use of the sacred texts of Islam for political purposes, and the will to "change the very basics of the social fabric". In other words, the aim was to Islamize the society as a whole. Different organizations contain a spectrum of means which is wide. This spectrum ranges from social activism to terrorist violence. However, all Islamist groups share that particular viewpoint. Going back to the religion, it has always been regarded as a cure in times of a terrible crisis. Even if major texts of Islamic radicalism have been written in the early 40s and the early 60s, its significance was brought to the forefront by a lot of people only in the early 70s. The early 70s was a phase when the economic crisis occurred in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. The basis for popularizing Islam was the end of the post colonial dream and the growing disillusion coupled with anger. It has been reinforced by external factors and the perception of the Neo-imperial acquisition that the West proves to be a threat.

Extraits

[...] In that sense, the occupation of Iraq by the American-led coalition is a great chance for all Islamic radicals. As we saw, the population actually suffers from poverty and inequalities, and it is true that those countries have little credibility on the international stage, except the oil owners. The incomprehension of the West in front of this tends to emphasize this phenomenon of victimisation, and therefore enhance the appeal of radical Islamism. Islamism appears as a solution to this problem, as people notice that both their regimes and international community fear radical Islamists. [...]

[...] Or, what do the Islamists say? Based on the concept of Takfir created by Sayyid Qotb, the more radical Islamists assume that only truly Muslims are able to rule the Islamic State. Or, none of the current leaders are truly Muslims, even if they pretend to be; they are illegitimate rulers, and unfaithful people. For that, they should be removed, and it is actually the duty of every real Muslim to try to do so. Even the moderate Islamic radicals consider the current regimes as illegitimate, which they are. [...]

[...] The Mosque becomes a second house. This is important as well, because, in authoritarian regimes, the Mosque is the only place where free speeches are allowed. Even if the State has “officials” religious preachers, nobody could prevent little Mosques in poor suburbs to listen to a radical preacher. In Alger for instance, the FIS (Islamic salvation front) takes care of women who were driven from there houses after their husband repudiated them, according to the former family code. In exchange, those women accepted to wear the veil, and to vote for the FIS at the elections. [...]

[...] This generational factor also explains the significant female support to Islamism. Young girls are more and more educated, and face even stronger inequalities than young men. Or, some Islamists movements want to improve gender equality, as long as women keep veiling. In front of this lack of social and political justice, Islamists claim for a responsible government, under God's sovereignty, social justice and an equitable distribution of income, and an empowerment of the people instead of ruling elite. External factors also play a role in the support for Islamic groups. [...]

[...] The fear of neo- colonialism encourages the return to Muslim's own values. Islamism is also, in that particular aspect, a quest for identity. Facing a total change of social structure in one generation as these countries did, leads to wonder if it is possible to go through this major change without losing his soul. This is particularly true among young and lost men, who are also the more radical in their actions. Moreover, the legacy left by colonial powers meant a dependant economy, based on unfair commercial relationships with Western powers. [...]