Global Islamism Monitor No. 122

CAIRO'S KINDLER, GENTLER TEXTBOOKS
A new report from the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-SE), a research and policy group, has highlighted some pronounced, and decidedly positive, developments in Egyptian education. The study examined approximately 350 textbooks utilized throughout the Egyptian scholastic system during the 2023-2024 academic year. It found that more than 80% of elementary school-age Egyptians are now learning a revised curriculum that promotes peace and rejects both violence and extremism.

"Every year since 2018, Egypt has been implementing textbook reforms, showing a determination to reject violence, extremism, hate and intolerance, promote dialogue, recognize differences and encourage coexistence," the study notes, and the 2023-2024 curriculum continues the trend of "significant improvement in reformed textbooks." While instances of problematic messaging remain, including negative depictions of "infidels" and "polytheists" as worthy of "divine punishment," the study highlights improvements in discourse about Christians and Jews. Moreover, it notes, "[f]or the first time, the curriculum acknowledges historic Jewish presence in Egypt, and refrains from negative depictions." It also depicts Israeli-Egyptian peace in a positive light, "describing its benefits, including strengthening stability, attracting foreign investment, and promoting tourism," and portraying Israel as "legitimate peace partner."

The trendline is significant, and has the potential to make an outsized impact on Egyptian society in the years ahead. That is because, as the report highlights, "around 80% of Egyptian students are in elementary or preparatory education" and therefore are now "learning from revised textbooks." (Impact-SE, December 2024)

HEZBOLLAH LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
Earlier this Fall, Israel opened up a "northern front" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, with the strategic aim of diminishing the powerful Shi'a militia's offensive capabilities and organizational structure, and allowing residents of Israel's besieged north to return to their homes. The campaign proved to be remarkably successful, involving the elimination of an estimated 70% or more of Hezbollah's vast stockpiles of short- and medium-range rockets, the death or incapacitation of thousands of the group's mid-level cadres, and the killing of its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah. A subsequent ceasefire, brokered by the Biden administration, ended formal hostilities, and – despite sporadic clashes – has so far held.

Hezbollah, however, has not been decisively defeated. The group still possesses thousands of short-range rockets, and – though its new Secretary General, Naim Qassem, has kept his public narrative on the need to rebuild homes and infrastructure in south Lebanon – U.S. intelligence agencies assess that the militia plans to rearm in the near future. Moreover, there are concerns that the chaos in Syria of recent days – where the Assad regime has now crumbled in the face of opposition from assorted jihadist groups – will provide the group with a hub that can be exploited in order to reconstitute and regain strength. (Times of Israel, December 5, 2024)

ISKP TAKES A DIM VIEW OF HAMAS
Hamas continues to decline in popularity in the jihadist arena. The most recent group to break ranks with the Palestinian movement is the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Islamic State's Afghan franchise. ISKP-affiliated media has accused Hamas leaders of undermining the true meaning of jihad and failing to promote sharia law. In an article published in Voice of Khurasan, an ISKP-affiliated magazine, the group condemns Hamas and its leaders for focusing too intently on the struggle against Israel, and not enough on global jihad. "The path you have taken has led you away from the Kaaba and Turkestan [Xinjiang]," it notes. "Know that merely fighting the Jews does not signify the truthfulness of a cause. If that were the case, then there would be no greater mujahideen than Hitler and the German soldiers, as they targeted the Jews." The article cites a 2006 interview with Ismael Haniyeh, in which the late chairman of the Hamas political bureau laid out that Hamas does not force Palestinians to practice sharia, as well as the group's well-documented ties to Shi'a Iran, as proof that the Sunni militant path has strayed from the righteous path. (MEMRI, December 6, 2024)