Re-emerging Islamism in Tunisia : repositioning religion in politics and society

Abstract

In this article a widening divergence is observed between Islamist activism aimed at societal change and Islamist activism aimed at political influence in post- revolutionary Tunisia. Both forms of activism remain closely linked through an enduring common Islamist ideology that renders convergence in daily practice inescapable; a convergence that is most clearly observable, it is argued, through shared attempts at Islamizing specific public organizations and state administrations. These attempts are often highly contested between actors both internal and external to the Islamist project. These struggles will be central to defining the future position of public Islam versus state and politics in the country.