How do many Middle Eastern Muslims see Islamic revivalism?

Answer 1

As this is a question asking for multiple opinions, hopefully there will be several.

Answer 1

From those that I know, they would take issue with the term "revivalism". It's as if Islam were dead and then suddenly brought back to life. While it is true that the various dictators were secularists, the general population has always been relatively conservative. (Even Tunisia, which is the most liberal Arab country, is more conservative than the United States.) The current changes in government reflect a rapprochement between the government which was far more secular than it needed to be and the people, many of whom are still very traditional.

Some terms worth knowing:

Secularist: A politician or political party that believes in using Western Enlightenment Values to inform their politics.

Islamist: A politician or political party that believes in basing their politics or ideals on an implementation of Islamic customs of Islamic Laws.

Salafist: A strict observance of Islamic Laws and Customs. (It comes from the Arabic "Salafi" which means "Ancestral" referring to the idea that this was how their ancestors practiced the religion.)

Now, most of my friends do not support Salafists as they find them too extreme, probably the way that some American Conservatives do not support the Tea Party because it is too conservative. However, parties like An-Nahda in Tunisia, and Candidates like Egyptian Presidential Hopeful Aboul-Fotouh, are Moderate Islamists and much appreciated. Many Middle Eastern Muslims are excited about the variety and interplay between Moderate Islamists, Secularists, and Salafists. With all of those perspectives, people can have a government accountable to them and their interests.

A lot of Americans see the Rise of Islamism in Arab Politics as a rejection of the principles of Secularism and the ideas of a Separation between Church & State. Most Arabs do not see it that way. Firstly, they don't want the Mosque and the State to be entirely divorced. They want the two organizations to have strong interplay where Islam should inform Middle East Politics, but not be a direct part of the political process (as it is currently in Iran). Secondly, Pure Secularism is also associated in the Arab World with the brutal dictatorships that they just ousted and most Arabs would see it as a wasted effort if they elect to office the exact same people they just threw out. The Islamists consistently opposed the Secular Dictators and consistently offered a different trajectory. Many Arabs are willing to give that different trajectory a chance.