Salafism, which originated in Egypt in the 1920s, has become a dominant social force in religious terms over the past few decades. According to Stéphane Lacroix, an associate professor at Sciences Po, salafism has been a blind spot in the history of Egypt for the past century. Lacroix, who initially studied Islamism in Saudi Arabia, conducted extensive research in Egypt between 2010 and 2013, followed by interviews from 2014 to 2017. His work in “Le Crépuscule des saints. Histoire et politique du salafisme en Egypte” sheds light on the complex trajectory of this religious movement that has had a profound impact on Egypt and the wider Muslim world.
While originally focused on Islamist movements in Saudi Arabia, Lacroix shifted his attention to salafism in Egypt to understand how this religious movement, stemming from Saudi Arabia, has evolved and adapted in a different cultural context. Egypt, with its rich history of a diverse Islamic tradition, provided a crucial case study for exploring the dynamics of the salafist movement. The pervasive presence of salafism in Egyptian public life, contrasted with the historically tolerant and syncretic Islam of Al-Azhar University, made Egypt an intriguing and essential location for Lacroix’s research.
Salafism, as Lacroix describes it, is both an ideal and a grammar centered around the pursuit of purity in religious practice. Inspired by Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab, the founder of the Wahhabi movement, salafism seeks to restore Islam to its original purity. This movement can be traced back to Ibn Taymiyya, a theologian from the Hanbali school known for his strict adherence to Islamic principles. The emphasis on purity and authenticity has led to a transformation of religious norms and practices within the Sunni Muslim world, reshaping the religious landscape in significant ways.
The case of Egypt is particularly fascinating as it exemplifies a broader trend seen throughout the Muslim world in the 20th century. The salafization of Sunni Islam has led to a fundamental transformation of religious norms, practices, and beliefs across the region. The prevalence of salafism in various Muslim societies reflects a larger process of religious change and adaptation, with implications for the future of Islam as a global religious tradition.
Lacroix’s research sheds light on the complexities of the salafist movement in Egypt and its wider implications for the Muslim world. By examining the historical trajectory of salafism, its ideological underpinnings, and its impact on religious practices, Lacroix offers valuable insights into a religious phenomenon that has shaped the religious landscape of the Middle East and beyond. His work provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of religious movements and their social, political, and cultural implications in contemporary societies.
