Rise and Alleged Fall of Islamism: The Case of Ennahda Movement Party

Mohammad Affan | 23 August 2017 | TR

Mohammad Affan 23 August 2017

Analysis / / Political Islam Movements

Abstract: At its tenth national congress, Ennahda Movement Party declared that it will separate politics from preaching and transform itself into a national democratic party. This decision was perceived as an indication of the downfall of Islamism. However, tracing the ideological and organizational evolution of the Tunisian Islamist movement shows that it is highly dynamic and adaptable. Therefore, the latest developments should be perceived as a new metamorphosis of Islamism and an organizational remodeling of its movement in response to the opportunities and challenges it has faced since the Arab Spring.

Key words: Islamism, Ennahda Movement Party, Political Islam, Muslim Brotherhood.

About the Author:

Mohammad Affan

Mohammad Affan is the acting director of Al Sharq Strategic Research, the coordinator of Al Sharq Program on Political Islam, and the managing director of Al Sharq Academia. A medical doctor by training, he holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter. Also, he obtained his MA degree in Comparative Politics at the American University of Cairo. His thesis was published in Arabic as a book titled: ‘Wahhabism and the Brotherhood: The Conflict on the Concept of the State and the Legitimacy of Power.’ In addition, he holds a post-graduate diploma in Civil Society and Human Rights from Cairo University, a diploma in Political Research and Studies from the Institute of Arab Research and Studies, and a diploma in Islamic Studies from The Higher Institute for Islamic Studies, Cairo. His research interests include Islamism and democratization in MENA region.