Abstract

The transition to politics of a Sufi Order-The Kasnazâniyya in Iraqi Kurdistan (1979-2014).

In this research we study the transition of a Sufi order to the political field, taking as example the Kasnazâniyya in Iraqi Kurdistan (1979-2014).

We first try to capture and analyse, in the Iraqi context, the elements that led first to the politicisation of the order to reach a stage of “predisposition”, then to its direct transition to the political field.

In a historical perspective, this research looks at understanding the roots of the phenomenon of the shaykhs’ involvement in politics in Kurdistan from as soon as the 19th century. Such an approach is indeed necessary if we are to decipher the original characteristics of the phenomenon and then look into them through the case of the Kasnazâniyya.

Concerning the politicisation of the order, we first study during its recent history its social and political imprint while looking at its doctrine, its branches, the handling of the succession of its shaykh to power, and the impact of the latter onto the orientation of the order.

Then in a second stage we look at the phenomenon of “rationalisation” of the order, starting from the question of its organisation and bureaucratisation.

Concerning the articulation between the Kasnazâniyya and the political field, we first study the phenomenon of “political clientelism” then analyse the political party created by the order through its history, its ideas, its organisation and social, political and electoral strategies to attain power.