Political Strategic Studies

Developments in the Middle East

Aligning Religion with Foreign Policy: The Case of the UAE

Abozar Rafiee Ghohsareh

Volume 12, Issue 45 , August 2023, , Pages 209-240

https://doi.org/10.22054/qpss.2023.64112.2941

Abstract

Introduction U Islam has always played a significant role in politics and governance in Islamic societies, ... Read More Introduction U Islam has always played a significant role in politics and governance in Islamic societies, owing to its political and social nature. This role and significance have led authoritarian regimes in these countries to use Islam for legitimizing their actions in both domestic and foreign policy. The UAE government is a prime example in this respect, as it has manipulated religion and brought it in line with politics. To harmonize religion with its domestic and foreign policy, the UAE government has established its own religious institutions and attracted prominent religious figures, particularly after the so-called Arab Spring. These institutions appear to be independent, but they are fully supported by the UAE government in practice. In addition, prominent Sunni religious figures that support Sufi and non-political Islam are appointed as their leaders.Research Question(s)What were the goals of the UAE government in harmonizing religion with its foreign policy and what measures did it take to achieve these goals?ConclusionThe UAE government has taken extensive measures to deal with Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, in order to prevent the spread of the Arab Spring and its potential dangers. One of the measures in this line is creating religious and intellectual foundations to counter Islamism. In response to the Arab Spring, the UAE government established institutions like Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, the Fatwa Council, Tabah Foundation, and other religious centers. It also attracted renowned scholars with mystical and non-political leanings, such as Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, Habib Ali Zain al-Abidin al-Jifri, and Ali Nayed. These religious centers have significant financial support from the UAE government and are in competition with religious institutions supported by Qatar’s government. They promote an apolitical or neo-traditionalist Islam that opposes revolution, advocates maintaining the status quo, and supports unquestioning obedience to ruling political systems—a tendency which is also called theology of obedience.The UAE government has tried to use religious institutions to legitimize its actions in the field of politics, especially in the field of foreign policy. In this article, three examples of the efforts made by the political system ruling the UAE to "harmonize religion with foreign policy" have been examined: the Arab Spring, cutting off relations with Qatar, and establishing relations with Israel. In all three of these cases, the mentioned religious institutions fully supported the positions and actions of the UAE government and tried to create religious legitimacy for these actions and positions. In fact, the political system ruling the UAE has been very interested in using religious institutions and figures to legitimize its controversial policies inside and outside the country.

The Causes of Emergence and Development of Takfiri Groups in the Islamic World; from Confrontation of Tribal and Civilized life to Confrontation of Tradition and Modernity

Hamid Nassaj

Volume 6, Issue 23 , March 2018, , Pages 132-160

https://doi.org/10.22054/qpss.2018.15806.1460

Abstract

Today, the Islamic world is faced with the emergence and growth of takfiri ideas; Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia, the SSP in Pakistan, Al-Qaeda in many parts of the Islamic world and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria recently split from al-Qaeda in Syria and Iraq have emerged. The findings of this research ... Read More

The US Behavioral Pattern towards the Islamic Awakening

Abuzar Gohari Moqaddam

Volume 2, Issue 6 , September 2014, , Pages 117-141

Abstract

The Islamic awaking developments in the Middle East since 2011 havechanged the regional order in many different ways and influencedregional and trans- regional actors. In this situation, the United Stateswhich has defined many interest in the region, has been influenced morethan the other actors. This ... Read More

Rebellion & insurrection against goverments: Islamic and Christianity’s views

Saleh hassanzadeh

Volume 1, Issue 3 , December 2013, , Pages 75-108

Abstract

there are two views about the relationship and interaction with the political system in west .1) Theory of Democracy. 2) Christian doctrine of divine right. As in Islam between Sunni and Imami faced two perspectives. Proponents of democracy do not have right to rebel against the government. Or Such right ... Read More

Comparative Analysis of the Westernzation in Iran and Turkey under Reza Shah and Ataturk

Hamid Nassaj

Volume 2, Issue 5 , June 2013, , Pages 101-130

Abstract

.In the early decades of the twentieth century, semi-modern states emerged in Iranand Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who managed to establish Turkey on theremains of the Ottoman Empire, tried hard to modernize turkey with Anti-religiousapproach. In Reza Khan successfully toppled the rotten Qajar Dynasty ... Read More

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Keywords = Islam

Aligning Religion with Foreign Policy: The Case of the UAE

Abstract

The Causes of Emergence and Development of Takfiri Groups in the Islamic World; from Confrontation of Tribal and Civilized life to Confrontation of Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

The US Behavioral Pattern towards the Islamic Awakening

Abstract

Rebellion & insurrection against goverments: Islamic and Christianity’s views

Abstract

Comparative Analysis of the Westernzation in Iran and Turkey under Reza Shah and Ataturk

Abstract