The next “Great Decisions” meeting will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais.
Mary Sanders will lead the discussion of the topic “Islamic Awakening.”
“As the ‘Arab Spring’ began in 2010, many were inspired by the spontaneous, populist protests and revolts that began in Tunisia and Egypt,” Sanders said. “It appeared that repressive, autocratic governments would be replaced by freedom and democracy. Today, we see the rise of Islamism throughout the region. Islam expresses social identity and serves as an instrument for political activism. In all five nations of the Maghreb, the transition to democracy has been chaotic, confusing and at times, violent.”
Sanders explained that these nations have not become secular and liberal. The middle classes have apparently rejected western capitalism and socialism in favor of Islamism.
Sanders’ presentation will be followed by an open discussion of the issues related to the Arab Spring, the conflict for political power in the Maghreb as well as the Middle East U.S. policies in North Africa.
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