Axis 3 lecture: Thomas Pierret, «Un parcours de recherche entre islam et politique: les oulémas syriens du règne de la famille Assad à celui d'Ahmad al-Charaa» (A research path between Islam and politics: Syrian ulemas from the reign of the Assad family to that of Ahmad al-Charaa).»

Wednesday 4 March 2026 | 18h15 - 20h | Amphithéâtre Cassin, Sciences Po Aix

Axis 3 «Religion and politics in the contemporary world» receives Thomas Pierret, a CNRS research fellow (IREMAM), will give a presentation on his research in Syria entitled :  «A path of research between Islam and politics: the Syrian ulama from the reign of the Assad family to that of Ahmad al-Sharaa».».

This session explores the political role of the ulama in Syria and the redefinition of the relationship between religion and politics in the shadow of the conflict.
launched in 2011 and the new regime (2024).

Summary of speech:

This review of twenty years of research into the relationship between Islam and politics in Syria illustrates one way in which a political scientist can «take the religious seriously». More precisely, it means taking the religious seriously, i.e. the ulama, whose political role I have studied through the upheavals that Syria has undergone since the turn of the century: a deceptive liberalisation at the beginning of Bashar al-Assad's reign, followed by a popular uprising and a devastating conflict, and then, after December 2024, the building of a new regime dominated by Islamists and in all likelihood preparing a new authoritarian formula. Taking these actors seriously does not mean setting up their religious beliefs as an explanatory factor for their political behaviour, but rather considering that the latter is determined by a specific vocation and logic of action, rooted in the religious rather than the political field. However, the relationship between these two fields has been profoundly redefined by the conflict that began in 2011, which has led to a fragmentation of political power and, consequently, opened up the field of possibilities open to men of religion.

Moderated by Alix Philippon, HDR lecturer in political science at Sciences Po Aix (MESOPOLHIS).

Registration is free but compulsory: more information to come.