1. “Who Are the Radical Islamists?” Charles Kurzman

2. Radical Islamists Radical Islamists versus Islamic Liberalism(84) There are several Islamists movements in the Middle East. They include Radical Islamists versus Islamic Liberalism. Similarities: Radical Islamists versus Islamic Liberalism They both seek to modernize society and politics, and believe that modernity is not limited to western world. They want to “recast tradition in modern molds…”

3. Radical Islamists Radical Islamists versus Islamic Liberalism (84) The key difference between is strategic: Radical Islamist seek terrorism and violence as the more reliable means of facilitating an Islamic state, Liberals see elections as the route to power. (Strategic Dilemma: Islamists are unpopular.) Radical Islamists versus Traditionalists Unlike Radical Islamists, Traditionalists: 1) Draw on the less educated 2) Believe in mystical, personal authority 3) Skeptical of modern organizational forms 4) Leadership Not Educated

4. Radical Islamists Radical Islamists versus Traditionalists By contrast, Radical Islamists 1) Draw on the highly educated, middle-class 2) Incorporate many modern ideas, themes 3) Are bureaucratically organized, have a budget 4) Leadership is Educated Example: Al Qaeda It operates in many ways like a modern (criminal) organization 1) Has a bureaucracy 2) Uses modern Technology (media, weapons)

5. Radical Islamists Traditionalist Example: Taliban (85) The Taliban was largely created by the Pakistani Intelligence Service (ISI) as way for Pakistan to influence Afghan politics. Taliban leaders: Mullah Muhammad Omar Suspicious of modern technology: refused to be photographed.

6. Radical Islamists Radical Islamists: Rooted in Secular Education (84) Most Radical Islamists leaders have a modern education. They have university degrees, and were not educated in religious schools or seminars. Example: Bin Laden: Trained as a Civil Engineer The same is true for much of the rank and file. 9/11 Hijackers: Educated and Middle-Class

7. Radical Islamists Radical Islamists: Rooted in Secular Education (85) Rise of Islamists movements corresponds with the development of non- seminary based, national education system in the Middle East. Such a system developed along side the existing religious educational system. Religion Among the Educated: “DIY” Approach Lacking the formal religious education, through educated in the state schools and universities actively reinterpreted classic religious texts. The outcome was often a more liberal reading. Examples: Feminist interpretations of the Koran Scientific interpretations of the Koran

8. Radical Islamists Modern Goals, Modern Methods (86) Just as the social roots of radical Islam are modern, so are many of its goals. Islamist Political Reforms: Modern Goals: 1) Abolish Monarchies 2) Egalitarian Meritocracy 3) Opposed to social Hierarchies 4) Oppose Slavery 5) Invoke a language of rights Goal: Islamicize Modernity: Create an alternative Modernity

9. Radical Islamists Modern Goals, Modern Methods (86) Compare Iran (Islamic State) to Afghanistan under the Taliban Iran: Afghanistan: Written constitutionWeak state apparatus Full adult suffrage More personal leadership Parliamentary elections Less educated Modern state apparatus Barred women from educ. Highly Educated Women’s Rights Taliban reintroduced tradition, Iran reinvented it.

10. Radical Islamists Radical Minority As the strategic debates about how best to promote radical Islam highlight: a major problem for such groups is that they are unpopular. Public Opinion: 1986: West Bank: 27% supported Shari’a law. 1994: 23 % support Hamas 1999: 21% of those polled in Turkey supported Shari’a law. 2001: 15% in nine Muslim countries supported 9/11 attack Consequently, radical Islamists rarely do well in elections. But is this changing? Hamas in 2006?

11. Radical Islamists Role of the West The west has tended to supported traditional political structures in the Middle East. Examples: Shah in Iran (against Democratically elected government): 2) Absolute Monarchy in Saudi Arabia 3) Monarchy in Kuwait 4) Mujahideen in Afghanistan.