Islamists and the Religious Field: (Non-)Transformations of the Religious Institutions in Post-Revolutionary Tunisia

Abstract This article questions the impact of an Islamist party’s ascent to power on the state-run religious institutions through a case study of Tunisia. Literature highlights that pre-existing institutional entanglements between religion and modern states in the mena region provide the Islamists with a chance to launch a state-led project of religious revival. However, Tunisia after the 2011 Revolution presents a “negative case” where Ennahda Movement was unable to capitalize on their position in government to control, empower, or transform religious institutions due to both the democratic power balance in the country and the movement’s strategic choices. Only one major institution, Zitouna University, experienced restructuring and expansion, allying itself with Ennahda thanks to increased institutional autonomy and Bourdieusian field dynamics. These findings suggest that government by Islamists doesn’t necessarily lead to top-down restrengthening of religious authorities, but certain institutions can still form strategic alliances with the Islamists at the bottom.