Sufism and Politics

This chapter analyses the correlation between Muslim majority states ranked higher on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2017 and the activism of Sufi citizens. The higher ranked states have a substantial or significant Sufi presence while those ranked lowest discourage or officially restrict Sufism. This chapter resists arguing for an automatic correlation between Sufism and democracy. Sufis have supported and cooperated with authoritarian regimes including colonial rulers against whom they have also rebelled to protect their own interests. Nor is there a rigid boundary between Salafism and Sufism. The chapter tentatively suggests that Sufi political activism can help to nurture democracy given the presence of other factors such as an historical tolerance of minorities and relative lack of regional or ethnic rivalries. Given a global retreat from democracy, any resource that can be used to nurture, promote and protect democratic pluralism is worth serious consideration and scrutiny.