Opportunistic Steps

Millions of Arabs who came out on the streets of so many countries were fired with a collective belief in liberation and democracy, based on their Islamic faith. Analysts suggest that Islamic values of equity and justice gave motivation and energy to the uprising, and that participants were confident that religion and democracy would go together. Religion was, therefore, a cause, among others, of the Arab Spring. It was also an effect.

Nine years later, changes in the religious as well as the political and social landscape of the Arab world are obvious. According to a 2020 survey in 13 Arab countries, more Arabs now believe in democracy and people participation in political processes. There is also a reported move away from religious practices, especially among young people. At a personal level, many consider piety and moral values to be of prime importance but they also identify themselves as being less inclined towards religion. It is debatable, however, if religiosity is defined as following Islamic rituals, Islamic morality or belief in Islam as a political system. Almost half of respondents believe that religion should be separate from the state. Belief in so called Islamist parties has dwindled as has faith in their respective governments. Much of this change is attributed to an exponential increase in the use of internet and social media and consequent exposure of Arab citizens to new and different views from around the globe. Other reasons include the general failure, both self and externally inflicted, of parties claiming to follow Islamic ideals to live up to their promises.
Social and religious change has, however, not reached the extent of viewing women’s position in society differently. The majority of men as well as women continue to believe that women’s place is at home and men should be the breadwinners and decision makers. These cultural traditions are too deep rooted to be easily swayed.

Whether these changes among people have caused corresponding shifts within governments and their policies is a moot question. Many Arab countries continue to suppress freedom of expression and clamp down on human rights. Tunisia has focused on a reformist interpretation of Islam, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE have generally adopted a selective approach that suits their political and economic objectives.

The suggestion that Arabs are giving up religion is too simplistic. Analysts have relied upon tenuous and flimsy arguments in making such a claim. After decades of doctrines deemed to be religious but conforming to authoritarian and highly patriarchal interpretations of morality, as well as repressive regimes, Arabs have certainly revolted, but mostly against excessive and intrusive expressions of religiosity. Opinion polls tend to seek yes and no answers and have not been clear on what it means to be religious. Perhaps it may be more accurate to say that Arabs are breaking the boundaries set by their state apparatus and stagnant religious mores and are re-interpreting their own beliefs. However, when one looks at it, it is clear that Arabs have been deeply religious and are likely to remain so for a long time.

Arabs as citizens and Arabs as governments need to be differentiated from one another. Some governments are opening up to Western cultures and allowing practices that were considered immoral earlier. They may, in fact, be looking to divert attention of the international community (and of their less discerning public) away from their dismal rights record. At the same time, they seek to woo their new found friends in Israel, India and the US, choosing to look the other way from atrocities against Palestinians, blacks and Muslims in general. The actions they have taken to demonstrate their “liberal” policies may be interpreted by some as irreligious. But perhaps they are merely opportunistic steps taken by authorities expert in wielding religion as a tool as and when they believe it to be necessary.