Question: The importance of the
instrumentalization of Islam by states relative to
what we would otherwise see as autonomous
transnational Islam operating outside of state
policy and power
First Point: Saudi and the
Wahhabism Thesis: Radial
center of Global Islam
Reality: SA under internal and
external threat. Largest threat
to SA legitimacy is Iranian
revolution = spread of W
internationally
Internal
contradictions of
Wahhabism - not w/
political activism but
Saudi hosts MB,
supports hamas?
How should we understand the role of SA in the
MW over the past 30 years? What has been the
impact of Saudi largesse on the broad currents of
Islamic education, associational and political
activity in EAfrica? What does the case of
Indonesia reveal about the broader pattern of
"Wahhabi' and Salafi' influence in the
contemporary Muslim World?
Second Point: Indonesia
Hassan: Salafi madras in
indonesia evolved as
consequence of SA
ambitious global campaign
for W of Muslim umma as
part of FP:demonstrate
importance of TN networks
- spreading of SA style W
among Indonesia Ms @
grassroots level
National demonization by nations OF islamist groups
US expansion of power -
increased military force &
presence - Obama covert war in
Yemen = creation of special
forces in various areas of Sahel
or W. Africa - using Djibouti for
operations in somalia and HOA
in heme in pakistan in S.
phillipins = creation of Africom,
PSI, TS
Opportunity seeking govts ally w/ US in exchange
for assistance, resources, etc. = welcomed by
authoritarian regimes as an exude to repress
political opposition (uzbwkistan, Yemen, Algeria,
Mauritania)