freepalestine
5th April 2012, 04:19
The Decline of Political Islam in the Arab World
By As'ad AbuKhalil - Wed, 2012-04-04 14:59- Angry Corner
After more than one year of political transformation in the Arab world, it is not premature to declare the beginning of decline of the Arab Islamists. They have come to power in two countries: Tunisia, where their victory was not as big as it was portrayed in the Western press (Islamists won 40 percent of the vote, when the splintering of the leftists and the under-handed defection of Moncef Marzouki gave a boost to the Islamists), and Egypt where they scored a big victory largely due to an under-the-table agreement with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and have shown signs of fatigue already.
This was inevitable. The Islamists struggled for years to reach political power and enjoyed several advantages: popular disillusionment with Arab nationalists and leftists, public sympathy for their suffering under repressive rule in more than one country, the attractiveness of religious slogans in a less secular age, and the organizational skills of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). Yet, as soon as the Islamists arrived to power in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya people have started to complain.
The Islamists don’t have star power. They don’t have one person who has succeeded in Tunisia, Libya, or Egypt in capturing the attention or imagination of the public.
Marzouki has captured much more media time than his (more powerful) prime minister. Also, Islamists have proven their critics right: they obsess over minor issues of policies instead of important vital issues that brought down the Mubarak regime.
In addition, the Islamists have a well-deserved reputation for duplicity and deception. This has been clearly observed in their attitude concerning relations with Israel. Leaders of the MB have been reassuring Americans and Israelis that they will strictly adhere to the terms of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty. This has harmed the credibility of the MB for two reasons. First, this private stance has been reported in the Western press, while the MB does not express such views in Arabic and sometimes deny Western reports. Second, this new stance by the party contrasts sharply with the historical position of the MB toward Israel.
Ghannouchi said one thing at the private event at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and then presented a different take in Arabic. Furthermore, the sudden announcement of a MB presidential candidate caused an uproar in the ranks of the organization because it reversed a highly touted previous position.
The Islamists have quickly developed a reputation for a thirst for power. They seem to focus less on their goals and more on the attainment of power. This has resulted in infighting within their ranks.
The Islamists have been accused of undemocratic practices. Several factions have split off from the MB in Egypt because the leadership makes decisions behind closed doors and without much consultation with the base.
The MB and Salafis suffer from political subservience to outside powers, be it Qatar or Saudi Arabia. At a time when Arab youth are stressing matters of national sovereignty, the Islamists are seen as tools of foreign powers.
Of course, it is too premature to write the obituary of the Islamists of the Arab world. But the countdown for their demise may have just started. Islamists of Libya alienated the population before they had a chance to even win an election. This could signal a regional trend that may herald the emergence of new political forces. Stay tuned.
http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/decline-political-islam-arab-world
By As'ad AbuKhalil - Wed, 2012-04-04 14:59- Angry Corner
After more than one year of political transformation in the Arab world, it is not premature to declare the beginning of decline of the Arab Islamists. They have come to power in two countries: Tunisia, where their victory was not as big as it was portrayed in the Western press (Islamists won 40 percent of the vote, when the splintering of the leftists and the under-handed defection of Moncef Marzouki gave a boost to the Islamists), and Egypt where they scored a big victory largely due to an under-the-table agreement with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and have shown signs of fatigue already.
This was inevitable. The Islamists struggled for years to reach political power and enjoyed several advantages: popular disillusionment with Arab nationalists and leftists, public sympathy for their suffering under repressive rule in more than one country, the attractiveness of religious slogans in a less secular age, and the organizational skills of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). Yet, as soon as the Islamists arrived to power in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya people have started to complain.
The Islamists don’t have star power. They don’t have one person who has succeeded in Tunisia, Libya, or Egypt in capturing the attention or imagination of the public.
Marzouki has captured much more media time than his (more powerful) prime minister. Also, Islamists have proven their critics right: they obsess over minor issues of policies instead of important vital issues that brought down the Mubarak regime.
In addition, the Islamists have a well-deserved reputation for duplicity and deception. This has been clearly observed in their attitude concerning relations with Israel. Leaders of the MB have been reassuring Americans and Israelis that they will strictly adhere to the terms of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty. This has harmed the credibility of the MB for two reasons. First, this private stance has been reported in the Western press, while the MB does not express such views in Arabic and sometimes deny Western reports. Second, this new stance by the party contrasts sharply with the historical position of the MB toward Israel.
Ghannouchi said one thing at the private event at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and then presented a different take in Arabic. Furthermore, the sudden announcement of a MB presidential candidate caused an uproar in the ranks of the organization because it reversed a highly touted previous position.
The Islamists have quickly developed a reputation for a thirst for power. They seem to focus less on their goals and more on the attainment of power. This has resulted in infighting within their ranks.
The Islamists have been accused of undemocratic practices. Several factions have split off from the MB in Egypt because the leadership makes decisions behind closed doors and without much consultation with the base.
The MB and Salafis suffer from political subservience to outside powers, be it Qatar or Saudi Arabia. At a time when Arab youth are stressing matters of national sovereignty, the Islamists are seen as tools of foreign powers.
Of course, it is too premature to write the obituary of the Islamists of the Arab world. But the countdown for their demise may have just started. Islamists of Libya alienated the population before they had a chance to even win an election. This could signal a regional trend that may herald the emergence of new political forces. Stay tuned.
http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/decline-political-islam-arab-world