How Do You Spell SAHWA?

Pronunciation: [sˈɑːwə] (IPA)

The word "sahwa" is an Arabic term that is often transliterated into English with a few different spellings. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the word is spelled /ˈsæhwɑː/. The "s" sound at the beginning is followed by an "a" sound, represented by the "æ" symbol in IPA. The "h" represents a letter that is pronounced with a slight emphasis on the breath, followed by a long "w" sound represented with the "w" symbol. Finally, the "a" at the end is pronounced with a long, drawn-out "ah" sound.

SAHWA Meaning and Definition

1. Sahwa is an Arabic term that can be translated into English as "awakening" or "revival." In the context of Middle Eastern politics, Sahwa refers to the Islamic awakening movement, which gained prominence during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The Sahwa movement emerged as a response to perceived Western influence and secularism, particularly in countries with large Muslim populations such as Saudi Arabia.

   The Sahwa movement aimed to revive Islamic principles and values, emphasizing a return to a more conservative and religious interpretation of Islam. Its followers sought to challenge what they saw as the erosion of traditional Islamic practices and cultural values, advocating for a stricter adherence to religious principles in both personal and public life. Influenced by various scholars and religious figures, the Sahwa movement played a significant role in shaping the social and political landscape of the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

   While the Sahwa movement encompassed a wide range of individuals and groups with varying ideologies, it generally advocated for the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. It also called for combating perceived moral corruption in society and resisting external influences that were deemed detrimental to Islamic values. The Sahwa movement has had significant political and social implications throughout the Middle East, contributing to the rise of conservative Islamic politics and serving as a force for mobilization and activism among segments of the population.

Etymology of SAHWA

The word "sahwa" (also spelled as "sahwah") comes from the Arabic language, specifically from the root verb "sahā" (سَهَا), which means "to wake up" or "to awaken". In the context of its use in modern history, "sahwa" refers to the Islamic Awakening or Islamic revivalist movements that emerged in the Middle East in the late 20th century and early 21st century. These movements sought to revive and reassert a more conservative or fundamentalist interpretation of Islam in response to perceived Western cultural influence and secularization. The term gained prominence during the Iraqi insurgency and the Awakening Councils (Sahwa al-Iraq) that formed in 2006 to fight against Al-Qaeda in Iraq.