Islamic Revival in Algeria: An Overview

Abstract

Turmoil in Algeria is encouraging the spread of an international form of Islamism that threatens to polarize rather than unite a divided society. The Islamic Salvation Front emerged from the Oct 1988 street demonstrations with the largest constituency, later establishing itself with an overwhelming victory in the Dec 1991 elections, but it has not been able to control or shape the discourse of the sahwa, or awakening. Indices of heightened Islamic activity and the various vehicles and sources of the sahwa are examined.