Rachid Ghannouchi: A Democrat within Islamism

by Azzam S. Tamimi

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.

Genres: Politics, Northern Africa, Nonfiction, Religion, Islam, Tunisia

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jamizal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever i read on Democracy and Islam. My perspective changed and my believe in contextual democracy strengthened. Good book to end my 2025 book journey.

[Aiman Nazmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read book for those who believe in the idea of Muslim Democrat stemming from the Islamic corpus itself. Not the one born from the US hegemonic lab

[Maşuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Ghannouchi's political and religious views are presented in accordance with his personal story. The book is good and detailed in this respect.

However, if you are looking for a book which undertakes the job of critically engaging with Ghannouchi's theoretical position, this might not be sufficient for you.

Personally for me, it is interesting that a worldview which can take non-muslims as at best practically secondary citizens of the state is dubbed "democratic" or "pluralistic". I am disappointed in that respect.

[Sergio Altuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it is a must read if interested in Rachid Ghannouchi and al-Akhwan al-Muslimin in Tunisia, it could portray the carachter´s thoughs and reflections in a deeper way.