Mauao Man

The Push for an Islamic State:

How the Dream of Sharia is Pursued Worldwide

From Political Parties to Online Activism — The Global Movement for an Islamic State

Introduction: A Global Dream with Many Faces

For many Muslims, the idea of a pure Islamic state — a society governed entirely by Sharia law — is not just a religious ideal. It is an active goal. Around the world, this dream is pursued in many ways — through political parties, social movements, militant groups, and even online campaigns.

But how is this push for an Islamic state actually being pursued today? Is it through peaceful political activism, violent militancy, or something in between? This post takes a detailed look at how the dream of an Islamic state is being pursued in different countries and across the internet.

1. The Political Path: Islamic Political Parties

1. Egypt: The Muslim Brotherhood

Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood is the oldest and most influential Islamist movement in the world.
It seeks to establish an Islamic state through democratic means, advocating for a constitution based on Sharia law.
In 2012, the Brotherhood’s candidate Mohamed Morsi became Egypt’s first democratically elected president.
But after just one year in power, Morsi was overthrown by the military, and the Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organization.
Despite this, the Brotherhood remains active, both underground in Egypt and through its affiliated organizations worldwide.

2. Tunisia: Ennahda (Renaissance Party)

Founded in 1981 by Rachid Ghannouchi, Ennahda is a moderate Islamist party that promotes a blend of Islamic principles and democratic governance.
After the 2011 Arab Spring, Ennahda won the largest share of seats in Tunisia’s new parliament.
Unlike more radical groups, Ennahda has committed to working within Tunisia’s democratic system rather than imposing strict Sharia law.
However, its critics accuse it of having a hidden agenda to eventually impose Sharia.

3. Turkey: The AK Party (Justice and Development Party)

Founded in 2001 by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the AK Party began as a moderate Islamist party but has become increasingly authoritarian over time.
Erdoğan has promoted Islamic values in public life, including lifting bans on headscarves in universities and promoting Islamic education.
Although Turkey is officially a secular state, the AK Party’s policies have shifted the country closer to an Islamic identity.

4. Malaysia: PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party)

PAS advocates for the implementation of Sharia law in Malaysia, particularly in the Muslim-majority state of Kelantan.
It has established Sharia courts and promoted Hudud punishments (stoning, amputation) within its regions of influence.
PAS is a major political force in Malaysia, but its vision for an Islamic state is opposed by more secular parties.

2. The Violent Path: Militant Groups and Extremism

1. ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)

Declared a “Caliphate” in 2014 under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, claiming to be a pure Islamic state governed by Sharia.
ISIS imposed brutal Hudud punishments, including stoning, amputation, and execution.
The group controlled large territories in Iraq and Syria, but has since lost most of its territory due to military defeat.
Despite this, ISIS continues to inspire extremist cells and lone-wolf attackers worldwide.

2. The Taliban (Afghanistan)

An Islamist militant group that first rose to power in 1996, establishing an Islamic Emirate based on strict Sharia.
After being overthrown by the US-led invasion in 2001, the Taliban launched a two-decade insurgency.
In 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, re-establishing their Islamic Emirate.
The Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia includes strict gender segregation, compulsory hijab for women, and Hudud punishments.

3. Boko Haram (Nigeria)

An Islamist militant group based in northern Nigeria, founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf.
Its full name means “Western education is forbidden.”
Boko Haram seeks to establish a strict Islamic state in Nigeria, using violent jihad to achieve its goals.
The group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, and massacres in its campaign for Sharia.

4. Al-Shabaab (Somalia)

An al-Qaeda-affiliated group that controls large parts of southern Somalia.
It enforces a strict version of Sharia law, including public executions, amputations, and stoning for adultery.
Al-Shabaab has also carried out terrorist attacks in neighboring Kenya, including the 2013 Westgate Mall attack.

3. The Social Path: Non-Violent Islamist Movements

1. Hizb ut-Tahrir: A Global Movement for a Caliphate

Founded in 1953 in Jerusalem, Hizb ut-Tahrir is a non-violent Islamist group that calls for the re-establishment of the Caliphate.
It rejects democracy and secularism, arguing that only Sharia can provide true justice.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is active in over 40 countries, using online campaigns, public lectures, and rallies to promote its message.
It is banned in many countries, including Germany, Russia, and most Muslim-majority states, but operates openly in some Western countries.

2. Tablighi Jamaat: Preaching and Personal Reform

Founded in 1926 in India, Tablighi Jamaat is an apolitical movement focused on personal religious devotion and reform.
It does not directly call for an Islamic state but promotes a deeply conservative, Sharia-based understanding of Islam.
Members engage in “dawah” (preaching) around the world, encouraging Muslims to adopt a stricter Islamic lifestyle.

3. Muslim Brotherhood Networks in Europe and North America

Although the Muslim Brotherhood is banned in many Middle Eastern countries, it has active chapters in Europe and North America.
These chapters often present themselves as civil rights organizations, advocating for Muslim rights and promoting Islamic values.
Critics accuse them of having a hidden agenda to gradually introduce Sharia law.

4. The Digital Path: Online Activism for an Islamic State

1. Social Media Campaigns

Islamic groups, from moderate to extremist, use social media to spread their vision of an Islamic state.
ISIS and al-Qaeda have used encrypted messaging apps to recruit fighters and promote violent jihad.
Moderate groups use YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to promote Islamic teachings, call for Sharia, and criticize secularism.

2. Online Fatwas and Religious Education

Islamic scholars use websites like IslamQA, YouTube, and social media to issue fatwas (religious rulings) and promote Sharia.
Popular online preachers like Zakir Naik, Mufti Menk, and Omar Suleiman promote the idea that Sharia is the ideal system for society.

3. Virtual Islamic Communities

Websites, forums, and social media groups provide a space for Muslims to discuss how to live according to Sharia.
Some of these communities advocate for peaceful personal reform, while others promote political or militant action.

Conclusion: One Dream, Many Paths

The push for an Islamic state is not a single, unified movement. It takes many forms — from the peaceful preaching of the Tablighi Jamaat, to the political strategies of the Muslim Brotherhood, to the brutal militancy of ISIS. Even online, the call for Sharia can be found on YouTube channels, social media groups, and encrypted messaging apps.

For some, the dream of an Islamic state is a call for justice and morality. For others, it is a threat to freedom and human rights. But whatever your view, one thing is clear: the dream of an Islamic state is alive and active in the 21st century.

Is It an Obligation for Muslims to Establish an Islamic State?
Inside a Pure Islamic State: What Sharia Law Looks Like in Practice
Between the Ideal and the Real: Why Modern Muslim States Don’t Reflect Pure Sharia
The Ideal Islamic State vs. Secular States: Like Oil and Water — They Don’t Mix

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.