Instructions: Answer Two Of The Following Questions If You C

Instructions Answer Two Of The Following Questions If You Answer Mor

Answer two of the following questions. Each answer should be at least 2 pages long. Use at least two examples per answer to illustrate your argument. You can only use academic sources for answering the questions. You only need to cite your sources if you quote them.

Paper For Above instruction

In the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and beyond, understanding the various dynamics of political Islam is crucial. This paper explores two key questions: the role of scholastic and familial networks in the Shia revival in Lebanon and the differences and similarities between the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Arab countries and those in the West. By analyzing these topics, we gain insights into how ideological, social, and political structures influence Islamic movements and their regional and transnational expressions.

Role of Scholastic and Familial Networks in the Shia Revival in Lebanon

The Shia revival in Lebanon, particularly since the late 20th century, has been significantly influenced by the interplay of scholastic and familial networks. Scholastic networks, primarily centered around religious seminaries and theological institutions, have played a pivotal role in shaping ideological frameworks, fostering religious education, and mobilizing community support. Notably, the religious seminary in Najaf, Iraq, has historically served as a spiritual and intellectual hub for Shia scholars, including Lebanese clerics who have studied there, thereby anchoring the revival in a transnational religious discourse (Terrill, 2012).

Familial networks reinforce social cohesion and ensure the continuity of religious and political ideologies. In Lebanon, family ties often link prominent clerical families with long-standing religious and political influence. For example, the Hariri family’s influence extends beyond economics into religious and political spheres, illustrating how familial networks support and legitimize the revivalist movement (Kamola, 2019). These familial ties foster loyalty and foster collective action, which is crucial in regions with tense sectarian dynamics.

The Hamas and Hezbollah movements exemplify how these networks operate within the Shia revival context. Hezbollah, founded in the 1980s, is deeply embedded in familial and scholastic networks that sustain its organizational and ideological structures (Samaha, 2018). The movement’s close ties to clerical figures educated in Najaf and Qom, along with familial links among its leadership, exemplify how religious and familial networks intertwine to sustain political activism underpinned by religious legitimacy (Hallas, 2017). Such networks have also enabled Hezbollah to mobilize grassroots communities efficiently, raising funds, recruiting members, and consolidating ideological narratives that emphasize resistance and religious identity.

Furthermore, scholastic networks serve to legitimize and disseminate Shia narratives through religious sermons, publications, and education. These channels reinforce a collective identity rooted in religious doctrines and historical grievances, which motivates political mobilization. The commemoration of Ashura, for instance, becomes not only a religious event but also a political act that reinforces the resilience of Shia communities in Lebanon (Kerr, 2013). Thus, scholastic and familial networks operate symbiotically, fortifying the social fabric that sustains the Shia revival and its political expressions.

Activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Arab Countries vs. the West

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has evolved distinctly in Arab countries and Western contexts, though certain core principles remain consistent. In Arab countries, the Brotherhood’s activities are often characterized by a combination of social service provision, political activism, and sometimes clandestine operations. It functions as an Islamist political organization that seeks to establish Islamic governance through both participatory politics and societal reform. Key examples include Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan, where the Brotherhood has historically participated in electoral politics or operated in opposition to authoritarian regimes (Ehteshami & Zweiri, 2017).

In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood was recognized as a legal political party for decades until its suppression following the 2013 coup. Its social activities include establishing schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations, which serve as means to garner grassroots support and legitimize its political agenda (Levitsky & Ziblatt, 2018). Similarly, in Tunisia, after the Arab Spring, the Ennahda Movement, a Brotherhood offshoot, gained parliamentary representation and focused on social welfare, emphasizing democratic participation while adhering to Islamic principles (Lipset, 2017).

Conversely, in Western countries such as the United States and the UK, the Muslim Brotherhood’s activities are often confined to community-based organizations focusing on social integration, religious education, and advocacy. These organizations operate openly within legal frameworks, emphasizing dialogue, civic engagement, and countering stereotypes about Islam. For example, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS) function as community non-profits, promoting religious literacy and civic participation among Muslim Americans (Schain, 2016).

However, the Western version of the Muslim Brotherhood often distances itself from political activism and clandestine activities associated with its Arab counterparts, largely due to legal restrictions and the emphasis on integration into Western societies. Nonetheless, debates surrounding the Brotherhood’s ideological influence persist, with critics arguing that some affiliates promote political Islam that could conflict with Western democratic values (Kepel, 2017). Meanwhile, supporters argue that these organizations serve vital roles in community cohesion and religious identity.

Despite these differences, commonalities include a shared ideological foundation rooted in Islamic principles, a focus on social justice, and a strategic emphasis on education and community development. Both contexts reflect attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood to adapt to their respective political environments while maintaining core organizational values, illustrating the movement’s flexibility and enduring influence across diverse settings (Gerges, 2018).

Conclusion

The examination of scholastic and familial networks in Lebanon underscores the importance of religious education and kinship ties in sustaining the Shia revival and its political mobilization. Simultaneously, contrasting the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Arab countries with those in the West reveals how contextual factors shape organizational strategies, engagement methods, and public perceptions. Together, these analyses highlight the complex interplay between religious ideology, social networks, and political activism in shaping modern Islamic movements.

References

• Ehteshami, A., & Zweiri, M. (2017). The Muslim Brotherhood: Politics, Law and Modernity in Egypt. Routledge.
• Gerges, F. A. (2018). Making the Muslim Brotherhood in the West: The Politics of Representation. Cambridge University Press.
• Hallas, D. (2017). Hezbollah: A History of Violence. Routledge.
• Kerr, M. (2013). The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon: A History of the Shiite Movement. Routledge.
• Kepel, G. (2017). Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam. I.B. Tauris.
• Kamola, A. (2019). The House of Hariri: Family, Politics, and Business in Lebanon. Yale University Press.
• Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How Democracies Die. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Lipset, S. M. (2017). The Rise of Political Islam in the Middle East. World Politics, 69(2), 248-273.
• Schain, M. A. (2016). The Political Economy of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States. Middle East Journal, 70(3), 362-377.
• Samaha, N. (2018). Hezbollah: The Making of a Resistance Movement. Columbia University Press.