A Journey from Political Islam to Muslim Democrats: An Appraisal of Tunisian Al-Nahda Movement and Global Perspective

Abstract

The Al-Nahda movement, of Tunisia founded in the 1960s, emerged as a response to the challenges of modernity and colonial legacies in the Muslim world. Initially rooted in traditional religious values and resistance to secular authoritarian regimes, the movement underwent significant transformations over time. These changes have led to both internal debates and external perceptions, shaping the movement's role in the field of political Islam and the broader socio-political context. The Al-Nahda movement, based in Tunisia, has been a prominent player in rest of the world, as a benchmark for advocating both social and political change. By adopting the Case Study method and examining the movement's historical trajectories, ideological shifts, and engagement with modernity, this study seeks to offer a forward-looking perspective on the potential directions the Al-Nahda movement. The analysis will take into account various factors, including the movement's adaptation to changing political landscapes through a strategy shift from political Islam to Muslim democrats, its approach to governance and interaction with global socio-political trends. Recent coup by President Kais Said and his imposed bans on the Movement and political arena of Tunisia emerged a new phenomenon which requires a cutting-edge investigation.

Keywords: Political Islam, Muslim Democrats, Al-Nahda Movement, Rashid Al-Ghannouchi, Presidential Coup.