Political Islam – From North Africa to Southeast Asia

After two years of socio-political ferment and the growing empowerment of previously suppressed Islamist groups, it is time to broach a critical question – How is Political Islam affecting, if not outright defining, the social, political and economic paths being taken in different regions of the world – i.e., the Greater Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia?

To help answer this overarching question, the above sponsors hosted a roundtable discussion that featured the following speakers and topics.

Dr. Lorenzo Vidino (CSS): The role of political Islam in the Middle East and North Africa, with focus on the developments of post-Arab Spring.

Dr. Prem Mahadevan (CSS): South Asia and the Upcoming elections in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Suratno (Paramadina University, Jakarta, Indonesia): Islamization Yes, Islamic Party No? Political Islam and Islamic Parties in Contemporary Indonesia

The roundtable was moderated by ISN’s Peter Faber.

• Political Islam – From North Africa to Southeast Asia (Article)

Suratno .

Suratno is a lecturer and former Head of Dept at Dept Religion & Philosophy, and Co-Founder at PSIK (Center for Islam & State Studies) Paramadina University, Jakarta Indonesia. He is a PhD Candidate in Political Anthropology & Religion, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He is Head of Tanfidziyah (Executive), NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) Branch of Germany.

Dr. Lorenzo Vidino

Lorenzo Vidino is a senior researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) and a lecturer at the University of Zurich. A native of Milan, Italy, he holds a law degree from the University of Milan Law School and a Doctorate in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Boston.

Dr. Prem Mahadevan

Prem Mahadevan is a senior researcher with the Global Security Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS). He completed an undergraduate degree in War Studies from King's College London, followed by postgraduate and doctoral degrees in Intelligence Studies. He has also worked on political and security risk assessment for private sector consultancies. He specializes in the study of intelligence agencies, sub-state conflict and organized crime. His regional expertise is in Indo-Pacific security.

• Center for Security Studies (CSS)
• Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)