De-mystifying political Islam

Being in opposition, this slogan is an easy way to capture the frustration of the millions of pious sympathizers that support the brotherhood. One can even argue that in Egypt, “Islam is the only solution” because the repressive regime does not allow for secular, liberal, moderate alternatives to emerge. The regime has vested interest in maintaining the status quo between itself and what is perceived by Westerners as radical Islam. This makes perfect sense because the regime depends on Western financial and political support. And the West would not support the regime of Hosni Mubarak if there was an alternative other than the Islamists. This is why the only political outlet against the ruling bloc is the mosque.

Under such circumstances, political Islam becomes the only alternative and the solution to end the tyranny of the regime. The slogan “Islam is the solution” embodies a mystical aura and the mobilization for a powerful opposition movement against injustice. But since political Islam is never allowed to win elections there is also considerable victimization and frustration taking place. Such victimization fuels political Islam and only adds validity to the rising belief that Islam is the only solution to all the problems. As dissent becomes more and more Islamic, there is another process taking place simultaneously: Islam becomes more and more political. In other words, the Islamization of dissent and the politicization of Islam are mutually reinforcing. In short, the slogan “Islam is the solution” is a product of all these complex dynamics in the Arab world.

It is also clear that such a slogan can only work as long as Islam is in opposition. It is quite easy to proclaim all problems will be solved as long as Islam does not have the responsibility to rule and the mandate to solve complex social, economic, political, diplomatic and military problems. But once in power, that luxury is gone. Once in power, political Islam needs to govern and assume responsibilities. It has to deliver. And unless there are miraculous, wonderful religious solutions to all the governance challenges facing a complex developing society, people realize that “Islam is not the solution.” This is the beginning of the demystification process for Islam.

But if you insist that Islam is still the solution to all problems, as the clerics have in Iran for the last 30 years, then you face another major problem: “Islam becomes the problem.” And when Islam becomes the problem, not only is the mystique of Islam gone but people turn against religion or become increasingly secular. In fact, one can argue it was exactly these dynamics that brought to power the moderate and liberal Mohammed Khatami in 1997. The Islamic revolution was already at a turning point 12 years ago. Khatami had realized that Islam was not the solution to all problems. He wanted to change Iran. Under his leadership, Tehran was inviting the world to a dialogue of civilizations. There was no rhetoric denying the Holocaust or calling for wiping Israel off the map. And as late as in 2003, Khatami wanted to have relations with the United States. He was asking for a grand bargain. All these opportunities were lost.

Why didn't he succeed? The short answer is because he was not allowed to. The repressive system was too entrenched and the American administration too arrogant. The Iranian youth who strongly supported Khatami despaired and turned indifferent to politics. This is how Mahmoud Ahmadinejad managed to win in 2005. There was no euphoria comparable to 1997 when he was elected. And today, in 2009, he got re-elected only with fraud and injustice.