Hizb ut-Tahrir: A Threat Behind a Legal Facade?
Abstract
Hizb ut-Tahrir is a transnational Islamic fundamentalist group that operates in more than 40 countries and has its main interests in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The group claims to be a political party that proceeds with nonviolent means and whose ideology is Islam. Its objectives are strictly political, and its main goal is to topple an existing regime to resurrect the caliphate with structures and conditions similar to the ones of early 7th century Islam. The proposed Islamic state will be responsible for transforming society in a united Ummah, and for spreading the word of Islam throughout the world. Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects modern, secular state structures and democracy as things that are "man-made, humanly derived, and un-Islamic," and, therefore, it does not participate in any secular electoral processes. However, Hizb ut-Tahrir does not reject modern technology and its advantages. This research will focus on Hizb ut-Tahrir, its objectives, and its preferences as the group adjusts its strategies according to the political environment in which it is embedded. The thesis will investigate how Hizb ut-Tahrir often uses a legal framework to spread its Islamist ideology and how this multifaceted phenomenon is context-specific. The conclusion will address policy recommendations that reflect area- and context-related specifics, with a special focus on the group's major threat -- its ideology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA457669
Entities
People
- Frank Schneider
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School