Hizb Ut-Tahrir Details:

Hizb ut-Tahrir (Arabic: حزب التحرير‎, meaning “Party of Liberation”) is a transnational Islamic political organization founded in 1953 in Jerusalem by Taqiuddin al-Nabhani, a Palestinian Islamic scholar. It seeks to re-establish the Caliphate, a form of Islamic governance that unites Muslim countries under a single leader, the Caliph. The group advocates for the establishment of this Caliphate through non-violent means, aiming to implement Islamic law (Sharia) and remove any form of Western political or military influence from Muslim countries.

Key Objectives:

Re-establish the Caliphate: Hizb ut-Tahrir believes that the Muslim world should be united under a single Caliph who will implement Islamic law and ensure the wellbeing of the global Muslim community (Ummah).
Implement Islamic Law (Sharia): The group advocates for the governance of all societal aspects by Sharia, ranging from economics to personal conduct, to be enforced once the Caliphate is re-established.
Non-violent Strategy: Although often seen as radical due to its ideological stance, Hizb ut-Tahrir officially rejects violent means to achieve its aims. Instead, it engages in political advocacy, education, and social outreach to spread its ideas.

Structure and Operation:

International Reach: While originally established in the Middle East, Hizb ut-Tahrir operates globally, with active branches in Central Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. It remains banned in many Muslim-majority countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Membership: The organization operates as a cadre-based movement, where highly committed members actively spread its message, often targeting Muslim intellectuals, students, and professionals.
Centralized Leadership: Hizb ut-Tahrir is led by a central leadership body known as the Wilayah, with a global leader called the Amir.

Ideology:

Anti-Colonialism: The group sees Western political, military, and cultural influence in Muslim-majority countries as a form of modern colonialism. It rejects all Western-led institutions, including the United Nations and international law.
Political Islam: Hizb ut-Tahrir advocates for an Islamic political order that encompasses all areas of life, including politics, economics, and social norms. The group believes secularism is incompatible with Islam.
Opposition to Nationalism: It strongly opposes the concept of nation-states, arguing that national borders are artificial divisions imposed by Western powers after the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate.

Criticism and Controversy:

Bans and Restrictions: Hizb ut-Tahrir is banned in several countries, including Russia, Germany, Egypt, and many Central Asian republics. In some nations, it is seen as a threat due to its potential to radicalize populations, although it maintains its non-violent stance.
Perceived Radicalization: Some critics accuse the group of promoting extremist views, which may contribute to radicalization, even if the group itself does not engage in or directly promote violence.
Misunderstanding of Democracy: The group has often been criticized for misunderstanding or rejecting democratic institutions and principles, which they argue are incompatible with Islam.

Global Presence:

Middle East: Active, but banned in most countries due to its opposition to local regimes and their ties to Western governments.
Europe: Hizb ut-Tahrir is more open in its operations, especially in the UK and Denmark, where it has held conferences and distributed literature.
Central Asia: Particularly active, though often operating underground due to bans. In places like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, members have faced harsh government crackdowns.

Recent Developments:

Hizb ut-Tahrir continues to spread its message globally, primarily using digital platforms and social media, even though it faces significant restrictions in several countries. It remains a unique entity within political Islam because of its focus on re-establishing the Caliphate and its refusal to embrace the use of violence, unlike other militant groups that share similar objectives.