Islamist parties should be banned

Islamist movements have for long been a key force on the Arab political scene; and in recent years, especially with the rise of Islamist political parties to power in several Arab countries, the divide has widened between these movements’ supporters on the one hand and their opponents on the other.

There are voices among Islamists’ opponents who call for banning Islamist parties on the grounds that they are allegedly undemocratic, they do not endorse inclusive constitutions that guarantee the rights of society’s different factions and they tend to employ their own interpretation of Sharia law as the main frame of reference for legislation.

On the other hand, supporters argue that banning Islamist parties is a violation of freedom of expression and would not lead to the elimination of the ideology behind these parties anyway. Instead, such a repressive action would sow the seeds of anger and divisions and ultimately result in the radicalization of once-moderate political actors, or so it is argued.

Join us and share your opinion on the motion: "Islamist parties should be banned" by uploading a video on our website, citing your perspective on the issue.

Videos must last no longer than 99 seconds to qualify for the live Munathara show, which will be held in Tunis on September 30, 2016. Video submissions are open until August 28 at 23:00 GMT. Voting ends on September 2 at 23:00 GMT.