Islamism: Encyclopedia II - Islamism - Definition

Islamism - Definition

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Islamist movements, along with other political movements inspired by Islam, gained increased attention in the Western media. Although the groups and individuals representing these are not mutually exclusive, within academia, each term does have a distinct definition. Some Islamist groups have been implicated in terrorism and have become targets in the War on Terrorism. However, it is important to keep in mind that this distinction or boundary between "Islam" and "Islamism" is not as sharp, clear or distinct for many followers of Islam as it has in recent years become for many English-speaking non-Muslims or western academics. For example, most followers of Islam would consider themselves "Fundamentalists", insofar as believing in Islam means believing in its Fundamentals. Similarly, traditional Islam also promotes a vision of society influenced by the tenets of the religion, in much the same way that Christianity, Buddhism and other religions advocate not just personal but also social changes.

Most Islamist literature deals not with other religions, but with political ideologies, since Islamists were reacting against competing movements such as communism. Widespread poverty and consequent class tensions led to widespread socialist movements all over the Muslim world during the 20th century. But the collapse of the Soviet Union ultimately reduced the influence of leftist ideologies. Islamism has emerged as the remaining revolutionary ideology in Muslim societies, gaining much support through rising anti-Western sentiment due to control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Israel.

Governments based on secular Arab nationalism have found themselves facing economic stagnation and disorder. Some Muslims place the blame for these flaws in Muslim societies on the influx of "foreign" ideas; a return to the principles of Islam is seen as the natural cure. A persistent Islamist theme is that Muslims are persecuted by the West and other foreigners. In this context, Islamist ideas developed in several different settings.

Some, including Robert Spencer and Andrew Bostom, specialists on Islam, reject the notion of "Islamist" as separate from Islam, arguing that the elements that are identified as "Islamist" are actually central to Islam.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Definition", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki