Global politisk islam? : Muslimska brödraskapet & Islamiska förbundet i Sverige
Author
Summary, in English
This thesis puts the question if the Islamic Association of Sweden (Islamiska förbundet I Sverige) can be considered to be a branch of the global, Islamist movement The Muslim Brotherhood. This question is highly controversial in Swedish political and academic conversation. To answer it, an investigation is carried through of the organization, ideology, and practical politics of the two movements. The primary sources used are Arabic as well as Swedish websites, messages in media, ideological platforms, works in Islamic theology or political theory, as well as administrative archives and records in Sweden. Especially, interviews are not used. Methodologically, traditional source critical historical method is used Eight indicators of affiliation are developed, like historical origin, organizational and personal contacts as well as ideological or strategic similarity. But also ideology analysis from Political Science when the political ideology of the two is analysed, using a distinction between fundamental and operative levels of political thought, and according to basic ideological themes like: view of (wo)man, worldview, fundamental values, view of the state, and view on political strategy. The result is that there are obvious similarities and connections between the two. The Islamic Association of Sweden is deeply involved in the global Muslim Brotherhood network, an can be regarded as its Swedish branch or “national organization”.
Regarding organization the two movements have a similar organizational structure, with an “inner circle” that holds leading positions in a wide organizational network. Regarding ideology there is a striking similarity of fundamental ideas between the two: Islam is interpreted politically – “the Brotherhood’s Islam” – as a comprehensive blue-print for the society ruled by sharia; not as a pietist system for private worship. Their basic values, their views on women, sexuality or the utopian Islamic society are the same. Their views of social change and political strategy are also the same. The basic political strategy is to spread a step-wise, permeating calling to “Islam”, starting from individual to individual, then to the families, companies and authorities, ultimately leading to the total islamization of society and state. The Brotherhood shall act from aside as a presssure group on the regime to support the islamization, not start its own party. In practical politics the Swedish IFiS strictly follows the “European strategy” developed by the main MB ideologist Yusuf al-Qaradawi from 1995 with the four main pillars: da’wah, enclavism, lobbyism and entryism.
Regarding organization the two movements have a similar organizational structure, with an “inner circle” that holds leading positions in a wide organizational network. Regarding ideology there is a striking similarity of fundamental ideas between the two: Islam is interpreted politically – “the Brotherhood’s Islam” – as a comprehensive blue-print for the society ruled by sharia; not as a pietist system for private worship. Their basic values, their views on women, sexuality or the utopian Islamic society are the same. Their views of social change and political strategy are also the same. The basic political strategy is to spread a step-wise, permeating calling to “Islam”, starting from individual to individual, then to the families, companies and authorities, ultimately leading to the total islamization of society and state. The Brotherhood shall act from aside as a presssure group on the regime to support the islamization, not start its own party. In practical politics the Swedish IFiS strictly follows the “European strategy” developed by the main MB ideologist Yusuf al-Qaradawi from 1995 with the four main pillars: da’wah, enclavism, lobbyism and entryism.
Department/s
Publishing year
2023-01-13
Language
Swedish
Full text
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Document type
Dissertation
Publisher
Lund University
Topic
- History of Religions
- Religious Studies
- Globalization Studies
Keywords
- Islamiska förbundet i Sverige
- Muslimska brödraskapet
- Politiscal islam
- Hassan al-Banna
- Yusuf al-Qaradawi
- The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE)
- Muslim brotherhood
Status
Published
Supervisor
- Mika Vähäkangas
- Mats Lindberg
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 978-91-8039-462-8
- ISBN: 978-91-8039-461-1
Defence date
10 February 2023
Defence time
14:00
Defence place
LUX C121
Opponent
- Khaled Salih (Principal emeritus)