Mobilizing Islam: Religion, Activism and Political Change in Egypt

Mobilizing Islam examines the complex questions posed by the rise of religious activism in Egypt. Combining thorough empirical investigation with theoretical insights from social movement theory, the book provides a balanced overview of the roots of Islamic mobilization and its interaction with other institutions, particularly the authoritarian state. It traces the development of Islamic activism since the Presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser, focusing on the emergence of a "parallel sector" of independent religious associations and the characteristics of Islamic ideology in Egypt. It concludes with a brief analysis of developments under Mubarak, focusing on the five years leading up to 2001.