Similarities and Differences between Islamist Parties in Tunisia

Abstract

Tunisia, similar to other countries in the region, is a country where Islamic movements are intensively involved. It is possible to divide the Islamic movements in the country into two as Sufi schools and other movements. Some of the Islamic movements that have emerged in Tunisia have remained loyal to the role they initially assigned to themselves and have not made any claims on the state and politics. Sufi schools constitute most of the movements along this line. However, after a while, the Islamic Orientation movement and similar movements emerged as an objection to Tunisia’s rigid secularism and turned into political parties. While some Islamist parties emerged with goals such as the Islamic State and the caliphate, others focused on the idea that religion should not be neglected in social life and concentrated more on concepts such as democracy, prosperity and freedom. Regardless of their ideas, it is understood that the Islamist parties in Tunisia operate within the constitutional order and are non-violent. In the light of these issues, this study analyzes the Islamist political parties established in Tunisia and identifies their similarities and differences. It is observed that the parties, which are generally understood to have a moderate line, have common features in many aspects, especially in their social programs.  Literature review method was used as a method in our study.