Politics of the Middle East Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Politics of the Middle East - Essay Example Historically, governments throughout the Arab world has been structured according to Islamic tradition and law in one form or another. This dates back to the Constitution of Medina, which was established by the Prophet Muhammad himself. This constitution provides the framework for Islamic tradition. The Prophet Muhammad is a revered figure and, while this establishment of a constitution did not imply written government law, it served to form the foundation for Muslim culture world wide. This culture has existed for centuries, and remains to this day. As mankind advances intellectually and technologically, however, the Arab Spring is an example of an increasing frustration with long standing values and principles that have remained in place across generations. It must be noted that the Arab Spring is not a fight against Islam. On the contrary, it is a fight for more individual freedoms and rights and a gradual loosening of cultural restrictions that have been in place since the time o f the Prophet. This needs to be balanced with a desire to maintain a strong Islamic faith, which when coupled with cultural norms, can prove quite difficult to do. From the foundation of Islam, much of the Arab world was tribal based. There were multiple tribes and families represented, and Muhammad saw Islam as a way to bring them all together under a common religious banner. This Constitution, therefore, was the first formal agreement amongst all of the tribes represented in the region, and actually led the way to the formation of the first Islamic state in the region.