Through an examination of the different types of relationships between religion and the state, this article argues that the two extremes of this relationship – namely, the case whereby the state exploits religion and the one where it tries to banish it – ultimately lead to the emergence of political Islam as a reaction. Political Islam can be seen as employing religion to gain political power, hence reinforcing the worldly aspects and self-interest of a certain group at the expense of intellectual, ethical and doctrinal considerations. Practically speaking, political Islam has pushed the idea of an Islamic state to suicidal theocratic ends. The main factor behind the ascent of Islamists to political power is the political vacuum resulting from the retreat of the left, added to absolute obstructionism in the political domain. In an attempt to redeem religion and the state in contemporary Arab society and end the struggle between Islamists and secularists, four suggestions are presented: (1) recognition of the right of any political movement to derive its basic ethos from religion, or religious heritage, on condition that this is considered a personal endeavour rather than a religious issue; (2) stressing the civil nature of all parties, whether secular or religious; (3) respecting the civil nature of the state; and (4) abiding by the democratic circulation of power. In sum, a revitalization of the modern state system is inevitable.
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October–December 2013
Research Article|
October 01 2013
Religion and the state in contemporary Arab society: theoretically, practically and prospectively†
Abdelilah Belkeziz
Abdelilah Belkeziz
*
Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
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†
This paper was originally presented in the Joint Symposium on ‘Religion and State in the Arab World’ convened by the Center for Arab Unity Studies and the Swedish Institute – Alexandria in Hamamat, Tunisia, 15–17 October 2012.
*
Email: abbelkeziz@menara.ma
Contemporary Arab Affairs (2013) 6 (4): 505–523.
Citation
Abdelilah Belkeziz; Religion and the state in contemporary Arab society: theoretically, practically and prospectively. Contemporary Arab Affairs 1 October 2013; 6 (4): 505–523. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17550912.2013.850773
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