The political history of the Middle East over the past century is a narrative of resistance, resilience, and the enduring quest for self-determination under Islamic principles. From the collapse of the Ottoman Empire to the modern-day struggles against foreign intervention, the region’s trajectory has been shaped by the tension between externally imposed secular frameworks and the innate societal pull toward Islamic governance. This article examines how the abandonment of Sharia law and the imposition of Western secular ideologies have fueled instability, while arguing that the revival of Islamic political systems remains the only viable path to justice, development, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Foundations of Islamic Governance in the Pre-Colonial Era

For centuries, the Middle East thrived under Islamic governance, with Sharia law providing a comprehensive framework for social, economic, and political life. The Ottoman Caliphate, which governed much of the region until the early 20th century, exemplified this system, blending spiritual authority with administrative efficiency. Legal disputes were resolved through Islamic courts, economic policies adhered to prohibitions on usury (riba), and communal welfare was ensured via zakat (obligatory alms). This era saw relative stability, as diverse religious and ethnic communities coexisted under the dhimmi system, which granted protected status to non-Muslims.

The decline of the Ottoman Empire, however, marked the beginning of a deliberate dismantling of Islamic governance. European powers, seeking to exploit the region’s strategic and economic resources, propagated narratives of “backwardness” to justify colonial intervention. The 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement epitomized this imperial arrogance, arbitrarily dividing the Middle East into nation-states that disregarded tribal, linguistic, and religious realities. These borders, still contested today, sowed the seeds of sectarian discord and weakened the collective Muslim identity that had previously unified the region.

Colonialism and the Imposition of Secular Frameworks

The post-World War I mandate system formalized European control, with Britain and France installing puppet regimes that prioritized Western interests over local sovereignty. In Egypt, British-backed King Fuad I suppressed the Muslim Brotherhood, which advocated for a return to Islamic governance, while in Iran, Reza Shah’s forced secularization campaigns banned hijabs and replaced Sharia courts with civil tribunals. These measures alienated populations deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, creating a rift between ruling elites and the masses.

The discovery of oil in the 1930s intensified foreign interference. Western corporations, aided by compliant autocrats, extracted resources while suppressing democratic movements that sought to redistribute wealth. In 1953, the U.S.-led coup against Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, who had nationalized oil assets, demonstrated the lengths to which external powers would go to maintain economic dominance. Such interventions entrenched corrupt, secular regimes that relied on repression to quell dissent, further eroding trust in governance.

The Failures of Secular Nationalism and Authoritarianism

The mid-20th century saw the rise of secular nationalist movements, such as Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Arab socialism in Egypt and the Ba’ath parties in Syria and Iraq. Promising modernization and unity, these regimes instead delivered authoritarianism, economic inequality, and cultural alienation. Nasser’s land reforms and nationalizations disrupted traditional agrarian systems without providing viable alternatives, leading to rural poverty and urban slums. Similarly, the Ba’athists’ suppression of Islamic practices, such as banning the hijab in public institutions, alienated devout populations and fueled grassroots resistance.

The 1967 Arab-Israeli War exposed the fragility of secular nationalist legitimacy. The catastrophic defeat of Arab armies, coupled with Israel’s occupation of Jerusalem, shattered the illusion of strength propagated by regimes like Egypt and Syria. In the ensuing decades, corruption scandals, unemployment, and rampant censorship eroded public trust, creating a vacuum that Islamist movements increasingly filled. The 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah, marked a turning point, demonstrating the mobilizing power of Islamic revivalism.

Western Intervention and the Destabilization of Islamic Societies

The late 20th and early 21st centuries witnessed unprecedented Western military interventions, often justified under the guise of promoting democracy but resulting in chaos. The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, based on fabricated claims of weapons of mass destruction, dismantled the state apparatus, catalyzed sectarian violence, and empowered extremist groups like ISIS. Similarly, NATO’s 2011 intervention in Libya, which led to the lynching of Muammar Gaddafi, plunged the country into a decade-long civil war. These conflicts displaced millions, destroyed infrastructure, and created fertile ground for radicalism-precisely the outcomes Western powers claimed to prevent.

Concurrently, Western cultural imperialism, propagated through media and NGOs, sought to normalize liberal values antithetical to Islamic principles. Initiatives promoting LGBTQ+ rights, gender fluidity, and individualism were often framed as “progress,” yet they clashed with communal and religious norms, deepening societal fractures. The 2019-2020 protests in Iraq and Lebanon, initially driven by economic grievances, were co-opted by foreign-funded actors pushing secular agendas, diverting attention from demands for accountable governance rooted in Islamic ethics.

The Islamic Alternative: Successes and Contemporary Models

Amidst this turmoil, experiments with Islamic governance have demonstrated resilience and popular legitimacy. Iran’s Islamic Republic, despite Western sanctions and internal challenges, has maintained regional influence through its support for resistance movements like Hezbollah and Hamas. Its emphasis on technological self-sufficiency, such as advancements in nanotechnology and aerospace, challenges the stereotype of theocracy as inherently backward. Similarly, post-2001 Afghanistan under Taliban rule, though controversial, implemented Sharia-based policies that reduced opium production by 99% within a year, addressing a crisis exacerbated by U.S. occupation.

In Malaysia and Indonesia, Islamic parties have successfully blended democratic processes with Sharia principles. Malaysia’s Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has governed Kelantan state since 1990, implementing hudud laws while achieving higher literacy rates and lower crime than the national average. These examples contradict the Western narrative that Islam is incompatible with effective governance, highlighting instead the adaptability of Sharia to contemporary challenges.

The Path Forward: Reclaiming Islamic Sovereignty

The solution to the Middle East’s crises lies not in further Westernization but in a return to Islamic governance. Sharia’s emphasis on social justice, economic equity, and moral accountability provides a blueprint for addressing corruption, inequality, and foreign domination. The 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, despite international condemnation, saw a 75% reduction in civilian casualties compared to the U.S.-backed government’s final year, suggesting that even flawed Islamic rule can outperform secular alternatives in stabilizing conflict zones.

Grassroots movements across the region reflect this yearning for Islamic renewal. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood’s brief 2012 electoral victory, though overturned by a military coup, demonstrated widespread support for faith-based governance. Similarly, Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement, a moderate Islamist party, played a pivotal role in the post-Arab Spring transition, advocating for a civil state informed by Islamic values. These trends underscore the enduring relevance of Sharia as a unifying force capable of transcending sectarian and ethnic divisions.

Conclusion: Embracing Islamic Law as the Antidote to Colonial Legacy

The political history of the Middle East over the past century reveals a clear pattern: externally imposed secular systems have bred corruption, violence, and alienation, while Islamic governance, when authentically applied, fosters stability and justice. The region’s future depends on rejecting Western models and revitalizing Sharia’s holistic framework, which harmonizes spiritual and material needs. As recent movements in Afghanistan, Iran, and beyond demonstrate, the Muslim world is reclaiming its destiny-not through extremism, but through a return to the principles that once made it a beacon of civilization. Only by embracing this legacy can the Middle East achieve true sovereignty and peace.