Political Islam

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Analysis

How Israel’s far right is courting European populist, nationalist parties

Nationalist Israeli politicians have been reaching out to conservative and populist parties in Europe since Oct. 7.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Regional View

What canceling of 'Crimson Buds' TV series says about Turkey's religious split

Turkey’s television series and films, once heralded as Turkey’s top exports and a symbol of its soft power abroad, have become a political battlefield at home throughout 2023.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Quick Take

Istanbul mayor announces reelection bid in Turkey’s upcoming local polls

Ending a heated public debate, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said he would not seek Turkey’s main opposition leadership, but he implicitly linked the success of his reelection bid as mayor in the local polls to main opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s resignation.

Iranian women walk in the street on a rainy day in the capital Tehran, on December 4, 2022. - Iran has scrapped its morality police after more than two months of protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest for allegedly violating the country's strict female dress code, local media said Sunday.women (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Regional View

11 Baluchi men executed in Iran as morality police returns to streets

The executions are seen as a way to intimidate the public, while the morality police resumed its work to enforce Iran’s strict Islamic dress code.

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Quick Take

Quran burning in Denmark as Egypt, Bahrain summon Sweden diplomats

A Shiite Muslim man raises a Koran as he takes part in a mourning ritual in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province eraly on July 22, 2023, during the Muslim month of Muharram in the lead-up to Ashura. Ashura is a 10-day mourning period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein. (Photo by Asaad NIAZI / AFP) (Photo by ASAAD NIAZI/AFP via Getty Images)

Jordan’s LGBTQ community faces increased attacks, including from Islamists

Jordanian parliament members are separated during an altercation in the parliament in the capital Amman on December 28, 2021. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Regional View

Iran's Raisi blames 'enemies' for hijab violations, urges action against women defying

Women take part in a rally in support of Iranian women in Pristina on Oct. 12, 2022.

Regional View

Turkey Islamist group calls for art expo's closure for 'blasphemy,' LGBTQ 'propaganda'

An undated image of the exhibition at Feshane.

Regional View

UAE, Qatar reopen embassies after years of political rift

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

United Arab Emirates

Syrian national army

Why are Turkish-allied formations collapsing in Syria?

Factions pulling out of the recently formed Syrian Liberation Front raise questions about the future of Turkish-backed rebel groups.

FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images

Activists call Tunisia's first female prime minister mere distraction

Tunisia's president has appointed a female prime minister, a first in the Arab world, but he has been both cheered and accused of using her to deflect attention from his policies.

Supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied chant slogans.

Tunisia's Ennahda party shaken by resignations, political crisis

The Islamic Ennahda movement is facing a wave of resignations that are depriving it of its historical leadership and popular base after being the country’s ruling party since 2011.

Iraqis attend the funeral of Ayatollah Mohammad Said al-Hakim, one of Iraq's top four Shiite clerics, at the Imam Ali shrine in Iraq's central holy shrine city of Najaf on Sept. 5, 2021.

Grand Ayatollah Hakim's passing affects Iraqi Shiite politics

Following the death of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, one of Iraq’s most senior and influential Muslim Shiite clerics, the family lost one of its sources of religious, social and political power.

An Egyptian woman walks past cartons with foodstuffs outside a center of nongovernmental organization Egyptian Food Bank on April 05, 2020, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Egypt seeks help from NGOs to advance social protection programs

The Egyptian government is working with NGOs to advance social protection programs despite criticism that the state is seeking to control these associations and eliminate political Islam.

Relatives of members of the Muslim Brotherhood under trial attend a court session for them and former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi who was ousted in 2013, at a make-shift courthouse in southern Cairo on Dec. 2, 2018.

Is Brotherhood’s appeal for reconciliation with Cairo genuine?

It seems the Egyptian state will not respond to the recent Muslim Brotherhood calls for reconciliation, despite pressure by the US administration to fix its human rights record.

Head's of Turkeys Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas holds a press conference in Ankara, Turkey on March 15, 2019.

Turkey’s powerful top cleric called to tone down or resign

Ever since he delivered the first sermon at the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque in July 2020 with a sword in hand, Ali Erbas has been on a meteoric rise of visibility.

Algerian prime minister

Africa emerges as next scene of confrontation between Israel, Iran

The decision by Algeria to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco could actually signal future confrontation between Israel and Iran over influence in Africa.

Palestinians watch the group Watar Band perform during a concert in Gaza City on Feb. 25, 2016.

Gaza creates tourism police force

The Interior Ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip is establishing a police force to protect tourist and hotel facilities after threats and attacks against some of those facilities by militants against the backdrop of holding mixed-gender concerts.

Tunisia barricades

The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic

Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town.

Members of the Ennahda Islamist bloc attend a parliamentary session.

Leading Tunisian Islamist party under investigation for alleged foreign funding

Tunisia's largest party, Ennahda, is accused of accepting funding from abroad for its political campaigns, as political turmoil continues in the North African country.

Egyptian actresses Hala Shiha (L) and Mana Shalabi pose during the premiere screening of their new film "Uridu Kholaa" at a film theater, Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 2, 2005.

Actress' decision to quit stage draws fierce backlash from liberals

An Egyptian actress' decision to quit acting and don the hijab has stirred controversy in Egypt, highlighting the widening rift between ultraconservatives and liberals in society.