In Syria‘s horrific civil war, Islamists, ranging from the Muslim Brotherhood to radical Salafi groups, are leading the fight against Bashar al-Assad. Once the war is over, Sunni Islamic political groups are bound to become the most important political force in the country. But Islamic politics is on the rise throughout the region, not just in Syria. In Egypt, the Brotherhood’s candidate, Mohammed Morsi, was elected the country’s fifth-ever president in June of 2012. In Tunisia, the Islamic Ennahda (“Renaissance”) movement won 41 percent of all votes and 89 seats in the 217-seat legislature in the 2011 elections. In Morocco, the  has become the ruling party following the November 2011 elections. What is driving the ascent of Islamic politics in Arab countries? Islam certainly plays an important role in the life of Arabs, and religion is also present in their political life. However, contrary to what common sense might be telling us, that is not the whole story.

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