Sponsoring Sufism argues that governments are sponsoring Sufism not only because they see it as an 'apolitical' movement that won't challenge their existing authority, but also that ties to Sufi orders gives them religious credibility, something they seek as they face the rise of Islamist parties.

1. Introduction and Theory of Authoritarian Leaders' Hold on Power 2. What is Sufism? History, Characteristics, and Politics 3. Algeria: Abdel Aziz Bouteflika, Sufism, and Authoritarianism 4. Morocco: King Mohammed VI, Sufism, and the Islamist Challengers 5. Appealing to Sufi Orders and Shrines: The Case of Government Sufi Advocacy in Pakistan 6. Cases of Promoting Sufism in Russia, Chechnya, and Uzbekistan 7. The Promotion of Sufism in the West: Britain and the United States 8. Conclusion

Fait Muedini is Assistant Professor of International Studies at Butler University, USA and a Fellow at the Desmond Tutu Center for Peace, Global Justice, and Reconciliation Studies at the Christian Theological Seminary, USA and Butler University, USA. He also founded and runs the website www.internationalrelations.org.