The Salafi call :a social movement -

Abstract

This thesis aims to explain the reasons for the emergence and development of the Salafi Call to become one of Egypt’s most influential Islamic social movements. The Salafi Call is primarily an ultra-conservative proselytization organization, aiming to create a more Islamic society from the ground up. After the Arab Spring, the Salafi Call is best known for its entrance into politics through its political arm the Nour Party. The emergence of the Salafis to play a large political and social role has taken many experts by surprise. Therefore, a number of studies have been published on the politicization of the Egyptian Salafi movement. This thesis, however, argues that we must look at the historical trajectory and the internal workings of the Salafi Call as a full-fledged social movement organization to understand its success after the fall of Husni Mubarak in 2011 and even more so after the ousting of Muhammad Mursi in 2013. The thesis argues that the Salafi Call emerged and developed because it has been able to pragmatically deal with Egypt’s changing political environment, from its founding in the 1970s until today, by exhibiting an organizational adaptability. Throughout the history of the Salafi Call, it developed in a political environment greatly influenced by the state and the Muslim Brotherhood, both of which provided opportunities and constraints for the movement. The Salafi Call traditionally has developed a policy of obedience towards the state. When the state is tolerant of Islamic activism, the Salafi Call scales up its organizational structures to more effectively administer its organization. Yet, during times of state repression, it disbands organizational structures and survives solely by preaching at mosques. It is this organizational adaptability that allowed the Salafi Call to quickly and effectively grasp the opportunities provided by the Arab Spring. Furthermore, the thesis argues that the Salafi Call benefits from this organizational adaptability due to its unique leadership str