Turabi

Turabi is a surname of Sudanese origin. It is most commonly associated with the Islamist opposition leader Hassan al-Turabi, who played a significant role in Sudan's political history. Born on February 4, 1932, in Kordofan Province, Turabi's early life was marked by involvement in Islamist and nationalist movements.

After completing his education in Egypt, the UK, and Turkey, Turabi returned to Sudan and joined the Islamist movement in the 1960s. He co-founded the National Islamic Front Party in 1965, also known as the Islamic National Front, with the aim of promoting Islamist ideology in Sudanese politics. Turabi was instrumental in the creation of the National Congress Party in 1998, which became a dominant force in Sudanese politics.

As a politician, Turabi's actions were marked by attempts to link Islamist ideologies with modern democracy and economic development. His policy objectives included promoting Islamic governance, pan-African unity, and a foreign policy focused on Africa. Turabi's period in government in the 1980s and 1990s saw significant economic, social, and educational changes, including the establishment of an Islamic court system and complementary education policies.

During the Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) and the Darfur conflict (2003-2005), Turabi's influence within Sudan's government was a subject of dispute between him and his counterpart, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the President of Sudan. Turabi's exploration of democracy and pragmatism were often criticized as a threat to Sudan's national sovereignty.

Turabi has provided advocacy for Sudanese Islamist perspectives in public discourse since the 1970s. While Turabi's approach was often marked as a revival of tribal tensions, his enemies as well as supporters often portray his endeavors as having played a role in Sudan's promotion on the global stage.