Salafism After the Arab Awakening Contending with People's Power [Hardcover]

One of the most interesting consequences of the Arab awakening has been the central role of Salafists in a number of countries. In particular, there seems to have been a move away from traditional quietism towards an increasing degree of politicisation. The arrival on the political scene of Salafist parties in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen, as well as the seemingly growing desire of Salafists in other Arab countries to enter institutional politics through the creation of political parties, highlights quite clearly the debates around how to react to the awakening within Salafist circles.

This book examines in detail how Salafism, both theologically and politically, is contending with the Arab uprisings across a number of countries. The focus is primarily on what kind of politicisation, if any, has taken place and what forms it has adopted. As some of the contributions make clear, politicisation does not necessarily diminish the role of jihad or the influence of quietism, revealing tensions and struggles within the complex world of Salafism.

The book's chapters are collectively a significant contribution to the existing scholarly literature on Salafism, contemporary Islam, political Islam, and Islamic social movements. -- Christopher Anzalone, Belfer Center, Harvard University,The Muslim World Book Review

This book, a first-rate appraisal of Salafism during and after the Arab Awakening, challenges stereotypical ideas, and, in so doing, stimulates much-needed debate in the study of Islam and politics . . . essential reading for policy-makers and academics. --The Church Times

Edited volumes rarely become must-reads, but this is an exception. Packed with original research by top scholars in the field, it is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of political Islam after the 2011 revolutions. -- Thomas Hegghammer, Director of terrorism research at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment in Oslo anlã,