It is time to accept the reality regarding political Islam. It is not going to disappear from the forefront, as it has deep roots in most Muslim societies. Political Islam is a large social movement that has various expressions. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt perceives developments differently than the Justice and Development Party in Turkey and differently than Hezbollah in Lebanon. Therefore, it is imperative that we better understand the complex nature of this phenomenon. This acknowledgment is particularly relevant for Greece, which borders solid Muslim populations.
Everywhere, political Islam is gaining supporters and shaping political developments. The publication of the Greek translation of this book is made with the hope of offering a new interdisciplinary approach that will enrich the domestic literature.
"Manos Karagiannis avoids the intellectual trap of addressing the issue through the misleading lens of 'clash of civilizations' theories. Instead, he proceeds with a thorough comparative and conceptual analysis of the rise of Islamism in traditional Muslim societies and the West, focusing on the third generation of Islamists, both within and beyond national borders. His research is sober and penetrating. He examines the 'glocalization' of political Islam, analyzing it in the context of human rights and moral legitimacy. I recommend the book not only to academic scholars or diplomats but also to anyone interested in being accurately informed about one of the greatest challenges facing our societies." Georgios Katrougalos, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor of Public Law at Democritus University of Thrace.
"Islam is not monolithic, as we often assume in the West. It tracks social developments, has references to human rights and social justice, and is not afraid of the electoral process, as evidenced by the examples of Turkey and Tunisia. Professor Karagiannis's book is an ideal introduction to the world of political Islam. A must-read for political scientists and diplomats, as well as for those who want to know what is happening next to us." Angelos M. Syrigos, Deputy Minister of Education & Religious Affairs, Associate Professor of International Law & Foreign Policy at Panteion University.
