islamisti

Islamists are individuals and movements that seek to organize political life and public policy around Islamic principles and law. The term broadly refers to a spectrum of actors, from reformist voters and social organizations to militant groups. Islamism denotes a political ideology rather than a claim about a person’s faith, and it encompasses diverse currents, including Sunni and Shia currents, with varying methods and goals.

Origins trace to 20th-century responses to colonial rule, secular nationalism, and Western modernization. Early influential thinkers include Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and Abul A'la Maududi of Jamaat-e-Islami, who argued that Islam provides a comprehensive framework for politics. Since then, Islamists have organized into political parties, social movements, and, in some cases, armed groups.

Motivations and approaches range from seeking gradual reform within constitutional systems to outright rejection of secular governance. Many Islamists participate in elections, seek to influence legislation, or establish social welfare networks as a path to power. Others advocate more confrontational or anti-regime tactics, and several groups have engaged in violence; such groups are widely denounced by governments and international bodies as terrorist organizations, though not all Islamists support violence.

Scholars and policymakers emphasize that Islamism is not a monolith. Differences endure across doctrine, strategy, and attitudes toward democracy, human rights, and minority protections. In contemporary politics, Islamist parties have varied fortunes, with some in government and others operating from opposition, while secular and liberal currents challenge their role in public life.