Rachid Ghannouchi: A Democrat within Islamism (Religion and Global Politics)

Tamimi introduces the thought of Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, the renowned Islamist political activist who heads Tunisia's most important--albeit banned--Islamist political opposition to the current authoritarian regime of Zine Abidine Ben Ali. Ghannouchi is the leader of a school in modern Islamic political thought that advocates democracy and pluralism. While insisting on the compatibility of democracy with Islam, he believes that because of their secular foundations, contemporary forms of liberal democracy may not suit Muslim societies. Ghannouchi insists, however, that Islam is compatible with Western thought in matters concerning the system of government, human rights, and civil liberties. In This Volume, Azzam S. Tamimi Introduces The Thought Of Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, The Renowned Islamist Political Activist Who Heads Tunisia's Most Important - Albeit Banned - Islamist Political Opposition To The Current Authoritarian Regime Of Zine Abidine Ben Ali. Ghannouchi Is The Leader Of A School In Modern Islamic Political Thought That Advocates Democracy And Pluralism. He Believes That Democracy Is A Set Of Mechanisms Of Guaranteeing The Sovereignty Of The People And For Supplying Safety Valves Against Corruption And The Hegemonic Monopoly Of Power. While Insisting On The Compatibility Of Democracy With Islam, Ghannouchi Believes That Because Of Their Secular Foundations, Contemporary Forms Of Liberal Democracy May Not Suit Muslim Societies. In Fact, Ghannouchi Contends That Civil Society Is An Islamic Concept Whereas Secularism, Especially In The Model Imported To The Muslim World Under The Guise Of Modernization, Weakens It.--jacket. 1. From Qabis To Paris -- 2. The Journey To Democracy -- 3. The Question Of Democracy -- 4. Secularism -- 5. Civil Society -- 6. The Territorial State And The New World Order -- 7. Islamist Obstacles To Democracy -- 8. Ghannouchi's Detractors. Azzam S. Tamimi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 247-258) And Index. Azzam Tamimi introduces the thought of Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, the renowned Islamic political activist who heads Tunisia's most important, albeit banned, Islamist political opposition to the current authoritarian regime of Zine Abidine Ben Ali In a bunker in a small village close to Hamma in the province of Gabes in southeastern Tunisia, Rachid Ghannouchi was born on 22 June 1941.