International Conference: Post Political Islam

The use of the term “post-Islamism” goes back to previous decades, especially the end of the 1990’s, and it has once again returned to the spotlight, stronger than ever, as numerous Islamist movements today strive for greater penetration by accepting democracy, political pluralism, power-sharing, and public and individual freedoms. In the Arab-Islamic world today, many Islamist movements are also announcing a separation between the Islamic mission (Da’wah) and politics as they begin to consider this principle.

During the annual Regional Conference “Post Political Islam: Conditions, Contexts and Prospects” which was held by The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the University of Jordan’s Center for Strategic Studies the concept of “post-Islamism” and the extent of its legitimacy and credibility were explored as a fundamental shift in the discourse and behavior of Islamists, as well as the reasons driving it, the conditions, obstacles, and realistic models of this concept or those approaching it, both in the Arab and the broader Muslim world, and both among Sunni or Shia.

To understand political and post-political Islam, different trends in research where explained and the evolution of such movements was shown at the example of different regions, such as Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, and Jordan. Speakers elaborated on the legitimacy of the concept of post-Islam in the attempt to clarify this ambiguous term. Further researchers referred to the contexts and paths of these movements and showed the various formations, ideas and multiple personalities of the post-Islamist framework. The conference concluded with an outlook into the future from the perspective of researchers as well as former and present members of Islamist Parties. For more information see here