Fears of political Islam have increased to unprecedented levels both inside and outside Egypt, but are such worries justified?
Whereas Western governments have long been frightened of the rise of political Islam, local fears of Islamists representing political Islam in Egypt have also now peaked, with many liberal, secular and Coptic commentators worrying that the formerly outlawed Muslim Brotherhood will take over the country’s parliament in the upcoming elections and establish an Islamic state.
The 25 January Revolution that put an end to three decades of the autocratic regime of former president Hosni Mubarak while not spearheaded by the Islamists has nevertheless provided an unprecedented space of freedom for the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis to operate. That space has led to major concerns for liberal, secular and Coptic observers inside Egypt and anxiety for Western governments, especially the US and Israel.
Categories: Egypt, Islamophobia, Middle East