Sami Zemni

Topics of Interest:
Socio-Economic Contention, State/Society Relations, Political Economy, Social Geographies of Protest, Contentious Politics 

Countries/Regions of Interest:
Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, North Africa

List of Publications

Academic Articles (Peer-Reviewed):
Zemni, S. (2015), The Tunisian Revolution: Neo-Liberalism, Urban Contentious Politics and the Right to the City, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, accepted (forthcoming fall 2015).

Zemni, S. (2014), The Extraordinary Politics of the Tunisian Revolution: The Process of Constitution Making, Mediterranean Politics, online first: doi: 10.1080/13629395.2013.874108

Zemni, S., De Smet, B., & Bogaert, K. (2013). Luxemburg on Tahrir Square: reading the Arab Revolutions with Rosa Luxemburg's the mass strike. Antipode, 45(4), 888-907.

Casier, Marlies; Petra, Heyse ; Noel, Clycq ; Zemni, Sami et al. (2013), Breaking the in-group out-group : shifting boundaries in transnational partner choice processes of individuals of Moroccan, Tunisian, Algerian, Turkish, Punjabi Sikh, Pakistani and Albanian descent in Belgium. Sociological Review (2013), 61(3), 460-478

Zemni, S. (2011). The shaping of Islam and Islamophobia in Belgium. Race & Class, 53(1), 28-44.

Zemni, S., & Bogaert, K. (2011). Urban renewal and social development in Morocco in an age of neoliberal government. Review of African political economy, 38(129), 403-417.

Zemni, Sami & Vertommen, Sigrid (2010), Politiek-filosofische reflecties over de grensvervaging tussen leger en politie, Orde van de Dag, Afl. 50, juni, pp. 17-24.

Zemni, Sami & Bogaert, Koenraad (2009),  Trade, Security and Neoliberal Politics: Whither Arab Reform? Evidence from the Moroccan Case, Journal of North African Studies, Vol. 14, March, N° 1, pp. 91-107.

Zemni, Sami (2006), “The Modernity of Islamism and Jihad Militancy”. Studia Diplomatica, The Brussels Journal of International relations, Vol. LIX, n°1, pp. 199-212.

Zemni, S. (2006), “Islam between Jihadi-threats and Islamist insecurities? Evidence from Belgium and Morocco”. Mediterranean Politics, Vol. 11, No. 2, 231-253.

Zemni, Sami & Meryem Kanmaz (2005), “Religious discriminations and public policies: “Muslim burial areas” in Ghent”, Migration Letters, Vol. 2, n°3, pp. 265-279.

Zemni, Sami (2004), “Bouteflika: A Badly Elected President in Search for Peace?”, in: I. Hamdy (ed.) Elections in Egypt and the Middle East: What do they mean? Cairo Social Science Papers, Special Issue, Vol. 25, No. 1-2, pp.69-84 .

Zemni, S. (2004), “Post-Positivism and Constructivism: Any Promises for Middle East Studies? A short Essay”, Journal of Mediterranean Studies, Vol. 14, No. 1 & 2, pp. 289-310

Books:
Zemni, S., & Maréchal, B. (Eds.). (2013). The dynamics of Sunni-Shia relationships: doctrine, transnationalism, intellectuals and the media. London, UK: Hurst & CoZemni, S. (Ed.). (2013). Het Midden-Oosten: the times they are a-changing. Berchem: EPO

Adriaensens, D., De Cauter, L., Parker, C., Treunen, W., & Zemni, S. (Eds.). (2012). Beyond educide: sanctions: occupation and the struggle for higher education in Iraq. Gent: Academia Press.

Zemni, Sami (2009), Het islamdebat, Bercham: EPO (ISBN: 978 90 6445 548 3)

Zemni, Sami (2006), Politieke islam, 9/11 en jihad, Leuven: Acco (ISBN: 90-334-6274-5)

Book Chapters:
Zemni, S. (2014), The Roots of the Tunisian Revolution Elements of a Political Sociology, in: Sadiki, L., Handbook of the Arab Revolution, London: Routledge, pp. pp. 77-88

Maréchal, B., & Zemni, S. (2013). Conclusion: analysing contemporary sunnite-shiite relationships The dynamics of Sunni-Shia relationships : doctrine, transnationalism, intellectuals and the media (pp. 215-242). London, UK: Hurst & Co.

Zemni, S., & De Smet, B. (2013). A post scriptum: the Arab spring and the sectarian issue. In M. Brigitte & S. Zemni (Eds.), The dynamics of Sunni-Shia relationships : doctrine, transnationalism, intellectuals and the media (pp. 243-251). London, UK: Hurst & Company.

Zemni, S. (2013). Moroccon post-islamism: emerging trend or Chimera? In A. Bayat (Ed.), Post-Islamism : the Chnaging faces of political Islam (pp. 134-156). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Zemni, S., De Smet, B., & Bogaert, K. (2013). De Arabische revolutie twee jaar later. In S. Zemni (Ed.), Het Midden-Oosten : the times they are a-changin' (pp. 305-316). Berchem: EPO.

Zemni, S. (2013), “From socio-economic protest to national revolt: the labor origins of the Tunisian Revolution”, in: Gana, Nouri (ed.), The Making of the Tunisian Revolution. Contexts, Architects, Prospects, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, pp. 127-146.

Zemni, S. (2011). Moroccan Islamism: between local participation and international Islamist networks of influence. In M. A. Abdalla (Ed.), Interregional Challenges of Islamic Extremist Movements in North Africa (Vol. 180, pp. 77-98). Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies.

Zemni, S., & Bogaert, K. (2010). Trade, security and neoliberal politics: wither Arab reform? Evidence from the Moroccan case. In F. Cavatorta & V. Durac (Eds.), The foreign policies of the European Union and the United States in North Africa : diverging or converging dynamics (pp. 88-104). London, UK: Routledge.

Zemni, S. (2009). Het land van aankomst… een land van kansen en… een land van ongelijkheden. Enkele beschouwing bij Paul Scheffer’s “Land van aankomst” en de zoektocht naar een open samenleving. In M.-C. Foblets & J.-Y. Carlier (Eds.), Islam & Europe. Crises are Challenges. Leuven: Leuven University Press.

Zemni, S., & Bogaert, K. (2009). Egypt Muslim Brotherhood and competitive politics: current debates and developments. In M. Salih (Ed.), Interpreting Islamic Political Parties (pp. 149-166). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Kanmaz, M., & Zemni, S. (2008). Moslims als inzet in religieuze, maatschappelijke en veiligheidsdiscours: de erkenning en institutionalisering van de islamitische eredienst in België. In E. Vanderwaeren & C. Timmerman (Eds.), Diversiteit in islam. Over verschillende belevingen van het moslim zijn. (Vol. 7, pp. 109-156). Leuven ; BELGIUM: Acco.

Zemni, S. (2008). Crisis van de integratie en jihad: de perikelen van de hedendaagse islam. Essay tegen het idee van een botsing der beschavingen. In D. Praet (Ed.), Us and them : essays over filosofie, politiek, religie en cultuur van de klassieke oudheid tot islam in Europa ter ere van Hermand De Ley (pp. 437-466). Gent ; BELGIUM: Academia Press.

Zemni, S., & Parker, C. (2008). De neoliberale revolutie in de Arabische wereld: een stille aardverschuiving die niemand zag. In R. Doom (Ed.), Conflict en ontwikkeling : overleven in de grensgebieden van de globalisering (pp. 19-44). Gent: Academia Press.

Casier, M., & Zemni, S. (2007). De moderniteit van de jihad tussen islamitische staat en identiteit Fundamentalisme face à face. (pp. 45-73): Klement ; Pelckmans.

Zemni, S. (2007). Islamism, Radicalism and Jihad. At Odds with Modernity ? Faith-based Radicalism. Christianity, Islam and Judaism between Constructive Activism and Destructive Fanaticism (pp. 275-291): Peter Lang..

Zemni, S. (2007). Voorwoord. In I. Maly (Ed.), Cultu[u]renpolitiek : over media, globalisering en culturele identiteiten (pp. 7-16). Antwerpen-Apeldoorn: Garant.

Zemni, Sami en Meryem Kanmaz (2005), « Discriminations religieuses et politiques publiques : les ‘carrés musulmans’ à Gand, in : MANCO, Altay & AMORANITIS, Spyros, Reconnaissance de l’islam dans les communes d’Europe. Actions contre les discriminations religieuses, Paris, L’harmattan, pp. 71-82.

Zemni, Sami (2004), “L’islamophobie comme clé de lecture de l’exclusion sociale et politique des musulmans d’occident”, in: MANCO, Ural (ed.), L’islam entre discrimination et reconnaissance. La présence des musulmans en Europe occidentale et en Amérique du Nord, Paris: L’Harmattan; pp.307- 329.

Zemni, Sami (2004), “L’islam et les changements sociaux. Quelques réflexions en marge de la ‘faillite de l’intégration’”, in: VAN DEN BROECK, Bob & FOBLETS, Marie-Claire, La faillite de l’intégration ? Le débat multiculturel en Flandre, Louvain-La-Neuve, Academia Bruylandt, pp. 115-121.

Zemni, Sami & Nadia Fadil (2004), “Religieuze zingeving in een seculiere maatschappij”, in : Timmerman, C., Lodewijckx, I., e.a., Wanneer wordt vreemd vreemd? De vreemde in beeldvorming, registratie en beleid, Leuven: Acco, pp. 203-221.

Zemni, Sami (2003), “Islam en terrorisme : over enkele simpele amalgamen”, in: BOUSETTA, Hassan (red.), Breek de stilte. Een burgerlijk standpunt van Belgische intellectuelen van Belgische intellectuelen van Maghrebijnse afkomst over de gebeurtenissen sinds 11 september, Brussel: VUB Press, pp. 27-30.

Zemni, Sami (2002) “Islam, European Identity and the Limits of Multiculturalism”, in: SHADID, Wasif & VAN KONINGSVELD, Pieter W. Sjoerd, Religious Freedom and the Neutrality of the State: The Position of Islam in the European Union, Leuven: Peeters, pp.158-173.

Zemni, Sami & Parker, Christopher (2002), “European Union, Islam & the Challenges of Multiculturalism. Rethinking the Question”, in: HUNTER, Shireen T. (ed.), Islam in Europe: The New Social, Cultural, and Political Landscape, Westport: Praeger Publishers, pp.231-244.

Zemni, Sami (2002), “L’islam et le terrorisme: sur un amalgame simplificateur”, in: BOUSETTA, Hassan, Rompre le silence. Une prise de position citoyenne d’intellectuels belges d’origine maghrébine sur les événements qui ont marqué l’année, Bruxelles : Ed. labor, pp. 27-32.

Zemni, Sami & Geert Vandenbossche (2002), “Allochtonen aller landen … Burger U in”. Wat het debat over inburgeringsplicht ons kan vertellen over identiteit(en), in: VAN DEN BRANDE, A. (ed.), Identiteiten. Functies en disfuncties, Gent: Academia Press, pp.107-143.

Zemni, Sami (2002), “Islam en maatschappelijke verandering. Kanttekening bij het ‘falen van de integratie’, in: VAN DEN BROECK, Bob & FOBLETS, Marie-Claire (red.), Het failliet van de integratie. Het multiculturalismedebat in Vlaanderen, Leuven: Acco, pp. 139-145.

Zemni, Sami (2001), Expansie, evolutie en transitie van het islamisme. Een politieke historische sociologische studie” in: DOOM, Ruddy (ed.), Structuur van de waanzin (Structure of Insanity), Gent: Academia Press, pp. 218-240.

Zemni, Sami (2001), “Islamisme, kapitalisme en criminaliteit”, in: AARTS, Paul & KEULEN, Jan (ed.), Islam, woede en het Westen, Amsterdam: Bulaaq, pp.98-113.

Zemni, Sami (1994), “Woord Vooraf”, in: DOOM, Ruddy (ed.), De Maghreblanden. Dicht bij Allah, ver van Europa?, Leuven: Davidsfonds, pp.9-20.

Non-Refereed:
Zemni, Sami (2011), Arabisch sociaal protest van revoltes naar evoluties, Samenleving en Politiek, Jaargang 18, nr. 3, pp. 80-87

Zemni, Sami (2011), De Arabische omwenteling. Over revoluties, contra-revoluties, het neoliberalisme, de jeugd en de islam, MANAzine, jrg . 1, n°2, pp.30-39.

Zemni, Sami (2008), “The unintended consequences of the War on Terror: The transformation of a local Islamist insurgency into an al-Qaida franchise in the Maghreb”, ISIM-Review, n° 21, pp. 16-17.

Zemni, Sami (2008), “Fitna en de teloorgang van de politiek”, in: Res Publica, Vol. 50, n°3, pp. 303-318. 

Zemni, Sami & Meryem Kanmaz (2007), “Belgium and the domestication of its Islamic Diaspora”, TLC – The Low Countries, n°15, pp.197-207.

Zemni, Sami (2008), “Als het land van aankomst niet het beloofde land blijkt te zijn” (2008), Boekbespreking van Paul Scheffer’s “Het Land van aankomst” (2007), in: Stadsgeschiedenis, jrg. 3, 2008, pp. 173-180. 

Zemni, Sami (2007), The West, Islam, Islamism and jihad: Undigested modernity and the promise of politics, The Inclusive World Forum, http://www.strategicforesight.com/iwforum/sami_zemini.htm April 2007.

Zemni, Sami (2006), “Terroristen van Europese bodem”, boekbespreking van Bakker, Edwin (2006), Jihadi Terrorists in Europe, Clingendael Security Paper No. 2, Clingendael & De Wijk, Rob & Carla Relk (2006), Doelwit Europa. Complotten en aanslagen van moslimextremisten, Amsterdam: Mets & Schilt, in: Internationale Spectator, Jrg. 61, juli-augustus 2007, pp. 394-395

Zemni, Sami (2003), “Breek de stilte”, internet site: www.kifkif.be (upload datum: 01.05.2003)

Zemni, Sami (2003), “Al-Jazeera en de nieuwe Arabische media”, Vrede, juni 2003, pp.58-63.

Zemni, Sami (2002), “Kritische noten bij het debat rond de islam”, in: Vlaams Marxistisch Tijdschrift, jrg.36, nr. 3, pp. 43-45.

Zemni, Sami (2002), “Is er een plaats voor Islam in Europa?”; in: Liberales Nieuwbrief, 6 dec. 2002

Zemni, Sami, (2002), “Pattyn, Bart & Wouters, Jan (eds.), Schokgolven. Terrorisme en Fundamentalisme, Davidsfonds, Leuven, 2002, in: Ethiek & Maatschappij, jrg.5, nr. 4, pp. 140-142

Zemni, Sami (2002), “COOLSAET, Rik, De wereld na 11 september, Academia Press/Democritos Gent, 2002, 79p.” in: Ethiek en Maatschappij, jrg. 6, nr. 1, pp. 73-74.

Zemni, Sami (1997), “Boekbespreking van DOOM, Ruddy & NONNEMAN, Gerd (red.), Het Midden-Oosten Hertekend, VUBPress, Brussel, 1996” in: Internationale Spectator, februari 1997, p.111-112.

Zemni, Sami (2001), “Islam en maatschappelijke verandering. Kanttekening bij het ‘falen van integratie’”, Samenleving en Politiek, jrg.8, maart 2001, n°3, pp.13-18.

Zemni, Sami (2000), “Algeria between Jihad and Business. The Dynamics of Civil War and the Recreation of Neo-Patrimonialism. 1990-2000”, Sharqiyyat, nr.12, pp. 21-46.

Zemni,S. (2002) “De wereld na 11 september”, Ethiek & Maatschappij.6(1).p.73-74

Zemni, Sami & Parker, Christopher (1999), “From Securatization toward Consociation? The Civic Dynamic of Palestinian Authority/Islamist Rivalry”, Arab Studies Journal, pp.34-56.

Zemni, S. (1999), “Is there a place for Islam in Europe?”, CIE-Newsletter.1(1).p.34-39

Zemni, Sami (1999), “Het Algerijnse drama. Over mythes en real-politiek”, Samenleving & Politiek, jrg.6, nr. 4, pp. 36-45.

Zemni, Sami (1999), “Islamisme in transitie: over jihad en business”, Vlaams Marxistisch tijdschrift, dec. 1999, 70-77.

Zemni, Sami (1999), “Islamisme in Marokko”, Soera, jrg. 7, nr. 3 &4, december 1999, pp. 17-19.

Zemni, Sami (1996), “Identiteitsvorming bij de Tunesische jeugd”, Safier, nr.3, pp.18-37

Zemni, Sami & Van Ruysseveldt, Peter (1995), “Deus ex Machina of een duiveltje uit een doosje? Islamisatie van de modernisering of modernisering van de islam. Casus Tunesië?”, Noord-Zuid Cahier, pp.31-46.

Zemni, Sami (1995), “Note de lecture: L’individu au Maghreb”, Annuaire de l’Afrique du Nord, jaargang 1993, pp.959-960.

I obtained my masters degree in Political and Social Sciences from Ghent University (Belgium). After obtaining a Diplôme d’etudes approfondies de science politique comparative (University Aix-Marseille III, France); I received my PhD from Ghent University in Political Sciences. Taken up first a position of lecturer teaching Middle East politics, political ideologies and questions pertaining to political Islam at Ghent University, I continued to become, in 2014, full professor.

My research interests lie, firstly, in the area of politics of change in the Middle East within a political economy framework. My earlier research focused on political Islam in relation to modernity. In particular, my work examined the emergence of Islamism throughout history and a political economy approach. My research questioned (and questions) the hegemonic paradigms studying Arab political life, i.e. the democratization-transitology literature as well as the authoritarian resilience studies. The rapidly changing political landscapes of the Middle East and North Africa in the aftermath of the Arab Uprisings has brought me to newer field of inquiry. I have been looking at the Tunisian Revolution to raise questions on the changing patterns of state/society relations, class issues and union movements that are embedded in the politics of change. Combining regular field work with theoretically driven reflection, has brought me to engage with new forms of (class) resistance, protest and other forms of contentious politics.

In 2008 I created the Middle East and North Africa Research Group, the first research center studying modern Middle East politics in Belgium. MENARG is dedicated to the production of new and critical knowledge about the politics, society and economy of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. The research group is also concerned with issues and phenomena that link Islam to politics and society in other parts of the world, including Europe, and with wider issues that link the region and its peoples to broader developments in world affairs.

MENARG distinguishes itself by virtue of its interdisciplinary and critical approach. Its researchers deploy, and engage explicitly with, insights from (inter alia) political geography, critical global anthropology and critical political theory. We organize seminars to read and discuss innovative contemporary scholarship and classic works of political and social theory. This practice has greatly enriched our empirical work by calling attention to new problems and questions, and by situating it against the wider backdrops of capitalism, globalization, colonialism and the constitution of academic disciplines. It has also ensured that our work—while remaining grounded through fieldwork in the MENA—resonates with debates taking place beyond the narrow fields of political science and Middle East Studies. The recent popular uprisings that marked the beginning of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ have emphasized the need for a more theoretically autonomous and historically embedded understanding of the political, economic and cultural (including the role of religion) forces that define the MENA region today. While no one can claim to have predicted the recent revolutionary upheaval, our attention to the changes that were going on beneath the veneer of regime persistence has left us well positioned to explain and critically engage with its manifestations and consequences.