The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Ahmed Benchemsi on secularists in the Arab world

Ahmed Benchemsi on secularists in the Arab world 

An interesting argument from Moroccan journalist Ahmed Benchemsi regarding the plight of Arab secularists and their need to stand for their values rather than compromise. It's a fascinating question, and (as an ultra-secularist like Benchemsi) I have a lot of sympathy for what he says, but I have disagreements about the way he frames it. It's something we've briefly discussed in the past and even thought of having a podcast about.