Islamism | Political Islam
All topics-
Jordan Has Voted
King Abdullah Can Catch His Breath
King Abdullah II emerged as ostensible winner of the parliamentary elections held in Jordan on 23 January. An absolute majority of royalist members in the next lower house of Parliament and a lack of pressure for reform from outside have given the challenged monarch a chance to catch his breath. But the discontent spreading through many parts of Jordanian society could soon cause protests to resume. By André Bank and Anna Sunik
-
The Pakistani Religious Cleric Tahir ul-Qadri
Manic Street Preacher
His call for a "million man march" in favour of reforms and against corruption has propelled cleric Tahir ul-Qadri to the status of champion of Pakistan's middle classes. Although the protest in Islamabad apparently achieved little, it casts a spotlight on the population's growing displeasure and its dwindling faith in Pakistan's mainstream political parties. By Marcus Michaelsen
-
Portrait of the Egyptian TV Satirist Bassem Youssef
Fighting over the ''Pantie Revolution''
The Egyptian TV satirist Bassem Youssef has cult status in his country thanks to his wit and biting criticism. Nothing is sacred for him, and so his enemies are always trying to drag him before the courts. By Joseph Croitoru
-
Interview with Ennahda Leader Rachid Ghannouchi
''The Old Regime Is Still Not Dead''
In an interview with Moncef Slimi, Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamic Ennahda Party, appeals to the Tunisians to defend the achievements of the revolution against the return of representatives of the old regime in a new guise
-
Interview with Abdelwahab Meddeb
''The Islamists Are Not Ready for a Democratic Culture''
The Tunisian-French author Abdelwahab Meddeb is a critical observer of political developments in Tunisia and Egypt. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he explains why the Islamists are not creating a liberal culture of discussion and why he is sceptical about the concept of an Islamic democracy
-
Assad versus the Rebels
Syria to Experience 'Hell' before Transition
Whether Assad chooses "hell" or a democratic transition for his country, Syria's fate will likely be decided in 2013. Rebels smell victory. Yet opposition forces should be working now to avoid a second hell thereafter. By Conor Dillon
-
Egypt and Its New Constitution
A National Unity Government for Egypt!
President Morsi has failed. The divided nation now needs real dialogue. The majority of Egyptians is against a theological state, says diplomat and political analyst Ashraf Swelam
-
''Human Rights as an Alibi'' by Bahman Nirumand
The Colonial Era Is Long Gone
In his new book, the German-Iranian journalist Bahman Nirumand appeals to the West to adopt a new foreign policy approach. Western politics should not align itself with the principles of realpolitik, but place much more emphasis on individual values. He says this is the only way to contribute to a stabilisation of the Middle East region. By Laura Overmeyer
-
Referendum on the Constitution in Egypt
Resistance from the ''Cradle of the Revolution''
It was not only in Cairo that the majority voted against the draft constitution; in the industrial city of Mahalla El-Kubra, which used to be the stronghold of resistance to the Mubarak regime, most people voted "no". Markus Symank spoke to people in the city
-
Ansar Dine's religious leader Chérif Ousmane Haidara
''This is not Sharia, but banditry''
Ansar Dine is the name of a popular Sufi movement in Mali that has two million members. Charlotte Wiedemann spoke with its religious leader, Chérif Ousmane Haidara, about a stolen name, his anger with the Islamists and on a new alliance against Wahhabism
-
Egypt's Opposition Leader Hamdeen Sabahi
''The Spirit of the Revolution Will Be Trampled Underfoot''
In an interview with Markus Bickel, leftist opposition leader Hamdeen Sabahi criticised in unusually sharp words the referendum on a new Egyptian constitution: Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi should put a stop to the referendum, he said, because it would only do the nation harm
-
Egypt Expert Björn Bentlage
''The Draft Constitution Is a Success''
Angry demonstrators are protesting Egypt's draft constitution. But scholar Björn Bentlage thinks the constitution is in fact democratic, and criticizes the opposition for failing to bring more specific concerns. Interview by Kersten Knipp