Abstract
It seems generally accepted within academic circles that religion (Islam) is a driving force in public life and political systems in the Arab world. However, the research reported in this article points to a different conclusion. The author's analysis of the reporting of human rights issues in daily newspapers in three Muslim countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) shows, first, that there are few direct references to Islam in the popular press; and second, that Islam, far from being a variable independent of politics, is itself instrumentalized by social actors such as newspapers. The author concludes that the presupposition of supremacy of religion over politics in these countries is misconceived.