The Prophet and the Proletariat: A revolutionary perspective on the role of political Islam

Political Islam has significantly shaped the geopolitical and cultural landscape in recent decades. However, the response from many leftists has often mirrored bourgeois and right-wing critiques, labelling various forms of political Islam as "Islamofascism" or "backward." A closer examination reveals these movements are not homogeneous; they express diverse interests at different times through combining religion and politics. In this discussion, our comrade Hossam el-Hamalawy will share his experiences organising in Egypt and offers a nuanced classification of political Islam, challenging simplistic interpretations and exploring its complex role.Hossam el-Hamalawy is an Egyptian journalist and photographer, currently based in Germany. He's been involved in organizing the 2011 uprising, and a longtime member with the Egyptian Revolutionary Socialists, our Egyptian sister-organisation.