Religious and theocratic ideologies and movements Books

Book SynopsisIt''s no coincidence that one of the most asked questions on any search engine is: Is God real?When life feels overwhelming, we want to know if there really is a deity who loves us, knows us, and cares about what happens to us. Join investigative journalist and former atheist Lee Strobel on a quest to determine whether we can know with confidence that God is real.Lee Strobel''s landmark book, The Case for Christ, is one of the most respected defenses of Christianity of all time. Now in Is God Real? Lee weaves together material from his previous books with the latest evidence from the most brilliant scientific and philosophical minds to answer the pressing questions on our hearts and minds.In this rational exploration of the proof of God''s existence, Lee investigates: If God is real, why is there so much suffering? How do we know which God is real? If God is real, why does he seem so hi

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Book SynopsisA devout iconographer must paint an exiled saint in this sumptuous gothic romantasy full of slow-burn tension and windswept moors, for fans of DIVINE RIVALS and A STUDY IN DROWNING''Nothing less than blasphemy brought you to me,'' Jude told her. Maeve trembled. He was an open flame. Any closer, and she'd burn.Jude is a saint with dangerous magic exiled by the Abbey to live out his days alone in a decaying estate on the moors until gifted iconographer Maeve is sent to paint his icon. Suspecting she's a spy for her beloved Abbey, Jude makes it his mission to get rid of Maeve as soon as possible. That is, until he discovers that Maeve holds the same tainted magic as he does, and she may be the key to destroying the Abbey's powerBut this institution has eyes everywhere, and the only thing the Abbey loves more than a saint is a martyr.

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Book SynopsisInspired by the success of the US Christian Right and the rise of the global far-right, ultraconservative Christians in Europe are joining forces and seek to reshape Europe. By assembling in anti-gender movements and sharing anti-Muslim narratives, they actively influence the political landscape and shape government policies. The contributors offer new perspectives on the protagonists and the entangled networks that work to abolish liberal democracy in Europe behind the scenes. This anthology is the first to bring together case studies on the Christian Right in over 20 European countries, providing a transnational perspective and an accessible insight for clergy, politicians, and academics alike.

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Book SynopsisBy exploring surprising medieval representations of Jesus in art and literature, Jesus through Medieval Eyes, by Grace Hamman, expands readers’ Christian imaginations. Meeting Jesus as a Knight, a Lover, a Judge, even a Mother allows us to see Christ’s face with eyes paradoxically both fresh and ancient, and reorient ourselves towards the Savior.Trade Review'In Jesus Through Medieval Eyes Grace Hamman combines the scholarly and the practical in a way that is, alas, all too uncommon. She deploys her broad and deep knowledge of the Middle Ages in the service of helping ordinary Christians become more knowledgeable and more faithful lovers of Christ. Beautifully and engagingly written, this book helps us understand ourselves better by introducing us to our fellow Christians who lived in a world that is at once strikingly strange and strangely familiar.' * Fritz Bauerschmidt, professor of theology, Loyola University Maryland; deacon of the Archdiocese of Baltimore *'In Jesus through Medieval Eyes, Grace Hamman offers an absorbing and accessible work of Christian retrieval, guiding readers back to the delightfully distinct treasures of medieval Christianity. With erudition and devotional care, Hamman guides us toward the radiant goodness of Christ--a goodness best beheld when we gaze upon him from a vantage point beyond our own. Whether 'medieval' as a modifier to 'Christianity' makes you sing with joy, hum with curiosity, or shriek with fear, humble readers will find this book an intellectual and spiritual feast.' * Claude Atcho, pastor of Church of the Resurrection, author of Reading Black Books *'Jesus Through Medieval Eyes offers vivid, earthy, and sometimes jarring insights into Jesus as seen through the lives and minds of those who walked this faith journey ahead of us. The Jesus they understood is, in some ways, as startling to us as our portrayals of him today would be to them. But we have much to learn from ages past, and Grace Hamman is the perfect one to guide us on this tour. Her writing is as sharp, witty, and sparkling as the medieval minds she studies and introduces us to. This book is rich and utterly delightful.' * Karen Swallow Prior, PhD, author of The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images & Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis *'Under Grace Hamman's tutelage, readers enter a 'school of love.' Jesus through Medieval Eyes challenges our assumptions about Jesus, expanding our vision of him with medieval images. After reading this book, we know Jesus as judge, lover, mother, and more. Contrary to books that offer contemporary solutions to contemporary problems, Jesus through Medieval Eyes illuminates an eternal and timeless Savior.' * Jessica Hooten Wilson, Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University, author of Reading for the Love of God *'With a scholar's eye and a pastor's hand, Grace Hamman gently accompanies us on a journey of challenging our under-examined beliefs and biases until we find ourselves beholding Christ in new, exciting ways. This book is a breath of fresh air.' * Shannon K. Evans, author of Rewilding Motherhood and Feminist Prayers for My Daughter *

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Book SynopsisRichard Foltz is Professor of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, Canada.Trade Review‘This engagingly written, excellent new history of the Tajik people is an outstanding achievement’. * Rustam Shukurov, Professor of History, Moscow State University, Russia *"an informative introduction to an important subject that has been ill-served both in history and in scholarship" * Daniel Beben, Central Asian Survey *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Preface to the second edition Acknowledgments Historical Timeline A Note on Transliteration Introduction: Who are the Tajiks? 1 The Prehistory of Central Asia 2 Sogdians and Bactrians 3 The Samanid Empire and the New Persian Renaissance 4 Tajiks and Turks 5 The Soviet Period 6 The Republic of Tajikistan 7 Tajiks in Uzbekistan Excursus: Afghanistan at a Stone’s Throw Conclusion: Differing Contexts, Manifold Challenges Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisBorn and raised in Essex, Maajid Nawaz was recruited into politicised Islam as a teenager. Abandoning his love of hip hop music, graffiti and girls, he was recruited into Hizb ut-Tahrir (the Liberation Party) where he played a leading and international role in the shaping and dissemination of an aggressive anti-West narrative. While studying for his Arabic and law degree, he travelled around the UK and to Denmark and Pakistan, setting up new cells.Arriving in Egypt the day before 9/11 his views soon led to his arrest, imprisonment and mental torture, before being thrown into solitary confinement in a Cairo jail reserved for political prisoners. There, while mixing with everyone from the assassins of Egypt''s president to Liberal reformists, he underwent an intellectual transformation and on his release after four years, he publically renounced the Islamist ideology that had defined his life. This move would cost him his marriage, his family and his friends as well as his own personal security.Six years after his release, Maajid now works all over the world to counter Islamism and to promote democratic ideals through his organisation, The Quilliam Foundation, which he co-founded with former Islamist and bestselling author Ed Husain.Following in the wake of the extraordinary democratic change in the Arab world, that few would have foretold, Radical is Maajid''s intensely personal account of life inside and out of Islamic extremism. It also highlights one man''s quest to inspire change and challenge extremism in all its forms.This is a hard-hitting memoir of one man''s journey into and out of Islamic extremism.Trade ReviewThis is a book for our times. It should be read by anyone who wants to understand how the extremism that stalks our world is created and how it can be overcome. It could only be written by someone who has lived this story. And Maajid has * Tony Blair *This book is more powerful than America's drone attacks because it helps kill the ideas that inspire terrorists. Ultimately, it is by defeating the extremists' worldview that we will make our world safer. Maajid's compelling story from hatred to hope shows us how this can be done * Ed Husain, author of The Islamist *Maajid Nawaz was thirty years my junior when I first encountered him in the Torah Prison. His story saddened but inspired me. His innocence and idealism sharply contrasted with the corruption and despotism of his captors. Through Maajid my faith was renewed that a spring of freedom was bound to happen eventually, and so it did * Dr Saad El-Dine Ibrahim, Egyptian liberal reform pioneer and former political prisoner *This book is the account of a redemptive journey – through innocence, bigotry, hardline radicalism and beyond – to a passionate advocacy of human rights and all that this can mean ... I was moved beyond measure * Kate Allen, Director, Amnesty International UK *Imagine Homeland crossed with Skins, and you will get some idea of what a gripping, revelatory book this is. Unputdownable * Tom Holland *

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Book SynopsisA radical history of Turkey, from the end of the Ottoman Empire to the present day, rejecting traditional narratives of a 'clash of civilisations'Trade Review'Wrests us out of the stale narratives of Islam vs. secularism, offering a new way of understanding one of the most important questions in Turkey today: why despite so much democratic promise, its fundamental political structure returns to authoritarianism again and again' -- Suzy Hansen, author of Notes on a Foreign Country (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017)'Informative and authoritative Karaveli's analysis of Turkish politics should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand Turkey's relentless retreat from democracy' -- Ronald Grigor Suny, William H. Sewell Jr. Distinguished University Professor of History, The University of Michigan, and author of 'They Can Live in the Desert But Nowhere Else': A History of the Armenian Genocide (Princeton, 2015)Table of ContentsSeries Preface Timeline List of Illustrations Introduction 1. A Pattern of Violence 2. Kemalism and the Left 3. Capitalist Foundation 4. How the Right Won the People 5. Social Democratic Hope 6. Vengeance of the Right 7. The Rise of the Islamists Epilogue: Class, Identity and Democracy Afterword: Attacking the Kurds - The 'Return' of Kemalism Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisEye-opening accounts of heroic resistance to religious extremism.Trade Review"Her [Karima Bennoune's] reporting is diligent, passionate and convincing." -- The Economist"Bennoune offers a compelling, meticulously researched account..." -- Guardian Weekly"Bennoune has written a very necessary book indeed, and it is to be hoped that it will find the widest audience possible." -- Times Higher Education"Should be required reading." -- The Washington Post

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Book SynopsisTracing the evolution of Islamist political parties and their rise to power in Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, Sebnem Gumuscu explains why some remained committed to democracy while others took an authoritarian turn. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in three countries, Gumuscu considers the impact of party affairs on incumbents' democratic commitments.

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Book SynopsisPart intellectual history and part nuanced argument for change,this book explores how and why the question of what defines Christianity has become so vexing over the past century, and how believers could think differently about it in the future.

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Book SynopsisThomas Hobbes argues that the fear of violent death is the most reliable passion on which to found political society. His role in shaping the contemporary view of religion and honor in the West is pivotal, yet his ideas are famously riddled with contradictions. In this breakthrough study, McClure finds evidence that Hobbes' apparent inconsistencies are intentional, part of a sophisticated rhetorical strategy meant to make man more afraid of death than he naturally is. Hobbes subtly undermined two of the most powerful manifestations of man's desire for immortality: the religious belief in an afterlife and the secular desire for eternal fame through honor. McClure argues that Hobbes purposefully stirred up controversy, provoking his adversaries into attacking him and unwittingly spreading his message. This study will appeal to scholars of Hobbes, political theorists, historians of early modern political thought and anyone interested in the genesis of modern Western attitudes toward mortaTable of Contents1. The desire for immortality as a political problem; 2. The effectual truth of Hobbes's rhetoric; 3. Leviathan as a scientific work of art; 4. The hollow religion of Leviathan; 5. Hell and anxiety in Hobbes's Leviathan; 6. War, madness and death: the paradox of honor in Hobbes's Leviathan; 7. Self-interest rightly understood in Behemoth: the case of General Monck; 8. The afterlife and immortality.

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Book SynopsisThis book draws upon theory and theology to consider how religious institutions engage with post-conflict statebuilding and why they would choose to lend their resources to the endeavour. Drawing from the theologies of Roman Catholicism and Sunni Islam, Dragovic explores their possible motivations to engage alongside the international community.Trade Review''As an international civil servant, Denis Dragovic has seen the importance of religion in political life while serving in conflict zones around the world. This fascinating study adds to that lived experience rigour and scholarship, resulting in an insightful comparative study of Catholicism and Islam. Building on the themes of salvation and justice, Dragovic provides new insights into how the deep purpose that underlies religious belief plays a crucial role in politics.'' - Professor Anthony F Lang, Chair in International Political Theory in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews and Director of the Centre for Global Constitutionalism ''This book is striking in its appreciation of how religious communities might play a constructive role in rebuilding the state following conflict. It examines Roman Catholic Christian and Sunni Islamic traditions and then focuses in particular on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dragovic is especially impressive in his commitment to understanding religious perspectives from the inside and also in his description of the role of religious institutions on the ground.'' - Professor George Rupp, Columbia University, formerly Dean of the Harvard School of Divinity and President of International Rescue CommitteeTable of ContentsSeries Editor Introduction; John Brewer Author Preface Introduction 1. Religion and Post-Conflict Statebuilding 2. Roman Catholic View of the State 3. Salvation as the Catholic Post-Conflict Statebuilding Imperative 4. Sunni Islam and the State 5. Justice as the Sunni Post-Conflict Statebuilding Imperative 6. Bosnia and Herzegovina Conclusion

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisA radical history of Turkey, from the end of the Ottoman Empire to the present day, rejecting traditional narratives of a 'clash of civilisations'Trade Review'Wrests us out of the stale narratives of Islam vs. secularism, offering a new way of understanding one of the most important questions in Turkey today: why despite so much democratic promise, its fundamental political structure returns to authoritarianism again and again' -- Suzy Hansen, author of Notes on a Foreign Country (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017)'Informative and authoritative Karaveli's analysis of Turkish politics should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand Turkey's relentless retreat from democracy' -- Ronald Grigor Suny, William H. Sewell Jr. Distinguished University Professor of History, The University of Michigan, and author of 'They Can Live in the Desert But Nowhere Else': A History of the Armenian Genocide (Princeton, 2015)Table of ContentsSeries Preface Timeline List of Illustrations Introduction 1. A Pattern of Violence 2. Kemalism and the Left 3. Capitalist Foundation 4. How the Right Won the People 5. Social Democratic Hope 6. Vengeance of the Right 7. The Rise of the Islamists Epilogue: Class, Identity and Democracy Afterword: Attacking the Kurds - The 'Return' of Kemalism Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisPacked full of information, this book offers a unique and indispensable insight into the origins and operations of IS. Atwan, a well-known Arab journalist and expert on extremist groups, had exclusive access to militants close to IS and his findings are based on interviews with jihadists who were in the same cell as Baghdadi.Trade Review'This is a brave and important book. It lifts the lid on how Islamic State combines an ideology of 1,000 years ago with the use of 21st century information technology to spread its messages. If you want to understand what motivates those prepared to behead hostages and post the results on the internet, then this book is a must-read.' Gavin Esler; 'Abdel Bari Atwan is one of the leading analysts in the world on the modern Middle East. In his new book on ISIS he delivers a uniquely informed, crisply argued and excellent account of the world's most powerful terrorist organization.' Peter Bergen, author of Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad; 'Thank heavens we have writers such as Atwan - who knew the real Bin Laden better than any other journalist' Robert Fisk, Independent; 'An extraordinarily gifted, experienced and knowledgeable analyst of Arab affairs' Ann Leslie, Daily Mail; 'In this comprehensive and well-researched book, Abdel Bari Atwan, perhaps one of the Arab world's most distinguished commentators, has thrown considerable light on the IS phenomenon, explaining its origins, leadership and organisation ... Atwan's unique contribution is the detail he provides relating to the use of digital technology ... This outstanding book tells us how it all started.' Business Standard; 'Middle East expert Abdel Bari Atwan explains exactly how IS propagandists and recruiters use the necromancy of the "dark web" to overcome our attempts to stop them.' Hugh Prysor-Jones, The TabletTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Masters of the Digital Universe; 2. The Origins - Part One: Iraq; 3. The Origins - Part Two: The Taliban, al-Qa'ida and IS; 4. The Origins - Part Three: Syria; 5. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: A Portrait of 'Caliph Ibrahim'; 6. Consolidation and Expansion; 7. Within Islamic State; 8. The Management of Savagery; 9. The Caliph's Foreign Fighters; 10. A Dangerous Game: The West's Attempts to Exploit Radical Islam; 11. Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism and Islamic State; Conclusion; Acknowledgements; Notes; Index

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Book SynopsisBased on author's extensive fieldwork in the Gaza Strip and West Bank during the critical period of the Oslo peace process, this title shows how the social service activities sponsored by the Islamist group emphasized not political violence but rather community development and civic restoration.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2012 Academic Palestine Book Award, Middle East Monitor Winner of the 2012 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Book Prize in Middle Eastern Studies One of Choice's Top 25 Titles for 2012 "Ms. Roy strives not to speak for Palestinians, but to let their voices reverberate... [Hamas and Civil Society is] rigorous and precise... [T]his is an important book, which challenges lazy views about the Palestinians and highlights how they go about securing basic services."--Economist "Resolutely unbiased, Roy sets the tone of the book from the very beginning. She has always made it a priority to live among Palestinians and even 'walk in their shoes.' This empathy, present throughout the book, helps the author go beyond the usual stereotypes and falsities so often portrayed in the foreign press... Hamas and Civil Society in Gaza shows the Palestinian Islamist movement in a new light. The author analyzes a complex subject with a sound judgment and a remarkable, unbiased approach. By recognizing Hamas' potential for moderation, adaptation and change, Roy uncovers the wall of lies and deceit built around the Islamist movement as well as the need for just, non-discriminatory and fair-minded policies."--Arab News "This is an outstanding study of social institutions mainly in Gaza but sometimes in the West Bank, particularly those connected to Hamas... Anyone looking for an in-depth study of the history, ideology, and activities of Hamas will find Roy's book indispensable, as will those concerned with broader topics such as civil society in relation to Islam and Islamist movements."--Choice "Roy combines scholarly rigor and moral clarity to examine and challenge 'the conventional frame that defines Hamas only as a terrorist organization'... Defining Zionism as a racist settler-colonial ideology, and the Israeli state as a supremacist ethnic Jewish state, is not about sloganeering, and for that purpose the book is an essential contribution."--Nubar Hovsepian, Journal of Palestine Studies "Sara Roy's detailed study is ingrained within history, culture and the ubiquitous illegality of the Israeli occupation... By not resorting to the prejudice of external observers involved in promoting an imperialist agenda, Roy empowers Palestinians in their role of protagonists in her treatise, participants in a framework which continues to strengthen a constantly evolving identity."--Ramona Wadi, Middle East Monitor "A focused study of how the Islamist organization turned itself into the most powerful political entity in the southern Palestinian territory, Roy's portrait of Hamas is every bit the multifaceted portrait it ought to be. Emphasizing the organization's civic activities, Hamas comes off sounding far more secular than it is generally portrayed in the media, characterized, as it often is, as an Iranian-style agent of religious coercion. If you want to understand why its base of support became so broad, Roy has the answer."--Joel Schalit, Forward "Sara Roy has chosen to write about Hamas from the wholly original perspective of the organization's relations with civil society in Gaza. What she has found is a profound challenge to the very basis of US and European policy towards political Islam in Palestine and will be warmly welcomed by the many officials and scholars who have tried in vain to deflect the juggernaut of western policy, which has driven the region into the militarised cul de sac that is Israel today... This is an academic's book, not a journalist's, and reflects the weight of the twenty-five years Roy has devoted to research on the Occupied Palestine Territories."--Victoria Brittain, Race & Class "Roy's work provides an interesting and emphatic description of the sociopolitical life in Gaza, while offering much-needed insight into the development and functioning of the Islamist social sector in the strip... [T]his well-written book is worth reading."--Benedetta Berti, Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs "Meticulously researched, Hamas and Civil Society in Gaza is a significant study of Hamas and Gaza's social institutions."--Ramona Wadi, Middle East Monitor "Sara Roy's studies of Gaza have come to be recognized internationally as unequalled resources that, in the context of the United States, are essential antidotes to indifference as well as ignorance. They have contributed to our understanding of the history and political evolution of a region that continues to be marginalized in the abortive discussion of the broader Arab-Israeli conflict of which it is an integral part."--Irene Gendzier, Middle East Policy "Hamas and Civil Society in Gaza remains an indispensable guide to understanding how Islamic social institutions actually operated in Palestinian society at a particular point in time. Sara Roy has persuasively demonstrated how we might engage the Islamist social sector and in so doing reverse the policies that have so disastrously undermined any serious attempt to achieve a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis."--Loren D. Lybarger, European LegacyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments xi A Note on Language and Transliteration xiii Prologue xv Chapter 1 Introduction: Structure, Arguments, and Conceptual Framework 1 Chapter 2 A Brief History of Hamas and the Islamic Movement in Palestine 19 Chapter 3 Islamist Conceptions of Civil Society 51 Chapter 4 The Evolution of Islamist Social Institutions in the Gaza Strip: Before and during Oslo (a Sociopolitical History) 70 Chapter 5 Islamist Social Institutions: Creating a Descriptive Context 97 Chapter 6 Islamist Social Institutions: Key Analytical Findings 161 Chapter 7 A Changing Islamist Order? From Civic Empowerment to Civic Regression--the Second Intifada and Beyond 191 Postscript The Devastation of Gaza--Some Additional Reflections on Where We Are Now 226 Appendix Islamist (and Non-Islamist) Social Institutions 237 Afterword to the Paperback Edition 239 Epilogue 261 Notes 271 Selected Bibliography 331 Index 351

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Book SynopsisSayyid Qutb (1906-1966) was an influential Egyptian ideologue credited with establishing the theoretical basis for radical Islamism in the post colonial Sunni Muslim world. Lacking a pure understanding of the leader's life and work, the popular media has conflated Qutb's moral purpose with the aims of bin Laden and al-Qaeda. He is often portrayed as a terrorist, Islamo-Fascist, and advocate of murder. This book rescues Qutb from misrepresentation, tracing the evolution of his thought within the context of his time. An expert on social protest and political resistance in the modern Middle East, as well as Egyptian nationalism, John Calvert recounts Qutb's life from the small village in which he was raised to his execution at the behest of Abd al-Nasser's regime. His study remains sensitive to the cultural, political, social, and economic circumstances that shaped Qutb's thought-major developments that composed one of the most eventful periods in Egyptian history. These years witnessed the full flush of Britain's tutelary regime, the advent of Egyptian nationalism, and the political hegemony of the Free Officers. Qutb rubbed shoulders with Taha Husayn, Naguib Mahfouz, and Abd al-Nasser himself, though his Islamism originally had little to do with religion. Only in response to his harrowing experience in prison did Qutb come to regard Islam and kufr (infidelity) as oppositional, antithetical, and therefore mutually exclusive. Calvert shows how Qutb repackaged and reformulated the Islamic heritage to pose a challenge to authority, including those who claimed (falsely, he believed) to be Muslim.Trade Review'This rich and carefully researched biography sets Qutb for the first time in his Egyptian context, rescuing him from caricature without whitewashing his radicalism. It is no small achievement.' * The Economist *'Hefty and impressively researched … insightful.' * New York Review of Books *'The best biographies balance the person, the person's achievements, and the environment in which that person worked. This one of Sayyid Qutb (1906-66), considered by both friends and foes to be a founding father of radical Sunni Islamic thought, does just that. Calvert presents a portrait of Qutb worthy of a psychobiography, without the excesses of the genre.' * Foreign Affairs *'In one of the first serious English-language biographices of Qutb, Calvert puts this often misunderstood figure into his historical context, situating Qutb within the turbulent intellectual and political flow of Egyptian and Arab history. He expertly shows the development of Qutb's thinking, from literary critic to Islamist, and powerfully details the impact of the repression and torture carried out by the regime of Gamal Abdel Nasser on his turn towards the stark, radical doctrines which have shaped generations of Islamist radicals. Fascinating details emerge in this book. . . . The Qutb which emerges from Calvert's even-handed history is far more complex and interesting than the caricature of him which dominates popular understanding. Anyone interested in the evolution of Islamism in the 20th century should read it.' * Atlantic Monthly *'Given that Qutb is taught in a large (and increasing) number of campuses, and given that he has already been introduced to the general public in bestselling books such as Lawrence Wright's The Looming Tower, the very publication of a Qutb biography is likely to attract considerable interest. The book not only constitutes what is likely to remain the definitive biography of Sayyid Qutb, it also offers crucial new insights on the post-1954 history of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, another gaping hole in the literature. We are dealing here with a rare book that is likely to become a classic in the field of political Islam.' * An outstanding volume.' Thomas Hegghammer, Harvard University *'Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Islamic Radicalsm will become the standard intellectual biography of the most influential Muslim thinker of the twentieth century. Demonstrating a deep engagement with contemporary history, religious thought, and social theory, Calvert eschews the sensationalism that too often posits Qutb as the ideological 'godfather' of global jihad. An erudite and engaging writer, Calvert situates Qutb in time and place, tracing his political evolution, and exploring the power of his words, personality, and, ultimately, his divergent legacies. Neither hagiography, nor expose, Qutb finally gets his due'. * Joel Gordon, author of Nasser: Hero of the Arab Nation *'Calvert … has produced a biography that is lively, sensitive, and methodical, and represents a landmark study of serious value to students, academics, and general readers alike. … Calvert's study is as much a political history of modern Egypt through the prism of Sayyid Qutb as it is a biography of the man and a study of his thought.' * Middle East Quarterly *'Calvert's book is a substantial contribution to the scholarship on radical Islamism and contemporary Muslim thought. It is a must read for academics, students, and those in the general public who want a more in-depth understanding of one of the most influential, controversial, and enigmatic Muslim personalities in modern Arab and Islamic history.' * The Muslim World Book Review *'An exquisite intellectual biography of Sayyid Qutb … This is the deepest exploration of Qutb I have seen in the English language and a recommended read for those in counter-terrorism, and understanding what aspects of radical ideologues al-Qaida chooses to ignore.' * Youssef Aboul-Enein, Small Wars Journal *'An extremely thoroughly researched, sober, and careful book that seeks to cover all of Qutb's life, activities, and writings and situate them in their Egyptian context. In many ways, Calvert's book shows what scholarship can do at its best. For those who already know something about the subject, there is an account rich in context, new details, and deeper interpretations. For a broader audience, there is an accessible and fair treatment of Qutb and his ideas that should replace some recent rather puzzling accounts that view Qutb through a particular and narrow lens.' * Review of Middle East Studies *

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Book SynopsisAlthough Hizb ut-Tahrir, an international pan-Islamic political party, regularly holds conferences from Jakarta to Ramallah attended by tens of thousands of people, little is known about the organisation, which was founded in 1953, beyond generalities and conjecture. Its members are repeatedly arrested in Russia, Central Asia, Turkey and across the Middle East, and since the Arab uprisings it has emerged as an influential political actor in Tunisia, has a growing profile in Egypt, and is making a visible impact in the Syrian revolution. It is also paradoxically often dismissed as inconsequential despite its call for the implementation of Islam and the establishment of a universal caliphate across the Muslim world. 'Hizb ut-Tahrir: The Untold History of the Liberation Party' uncovers the history of the global Islamic political party, based upon a diverse array of archival research, internal documents, multiple interviews and other sources to build an authoritative account of the party as told from inside and out. From coup attempts in Jordan, sending delegations to meet Sadat, al-Gaddafi and Khomeini, and the execution of hundreds of its members in Libya and Iraq, Pankhurst's book blends political, intellectual and personal history, moving from global, regional and local perspectives.Trade ReviewNowhere have I read a more lucid, accessible and well-researched history of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Reza Pankhurst’s book is not only timely but is also informed by excellent scholarship and meticulous attention to detail. Pankhurst successfully blurs the boundaries between the insider and the academic to narrate how a group of Muslims imagined the caliphate, struggled to establish it and faced many challenges. This is a complex but accessible study of one of the most controversial projects of the Muslim movement in the twentieth century. The book truly demystifies the caliphate and its many advocates. Whether you are a sympathizer or a critic, this book will challenge your stereotypes about Islamic activism. -- Madawi Al-Rasheed, Visiting Professor at the Middle East Centre, LSE, and author of 'Muted Modernists: The Struggle over Divine Politics in Saudi Arabia'In this elegantly written and meticulously researched new book, Reza Pankhurst tells the previously untold story of Hizb-ut-Tahrir's founding and early development in the West Bank, Jordan, and elsewhere in the Middle East. The book is unprecedented and unparalleled in the new light it sheds on the early years of the party's emergence and evolution, and on a period in the history of 'Islamist' mobilization which is otherwise largely passed over in silence. Pankhurst raises important new questions about the trajectory of Islam as a force in world politics in the latter half of the twentieth century and the first decades of the twenty-first. -- John Sidel, Sir Patrick Gillam Professor of International and Comparative Politics, LSECombining scholarly rigour with engaged Muslim intellectualism, this book offers a comprehensive historical survey of an Islamic movement that continues to confound observers of politics in the Muslim world. As an academic and former member of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Reza Pankhurst is uniquely positioned to write the history of this intriguing Islamist organisation. Written in the same vein as his earlier exploration of the place of the Caliphate in the Muslim world today, this Untold History of the Liberation Party offers a provocative rereading of an important strand of political Islam. -- Carool Kersten, Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and the Muslim World at King’s College London, editor of 'Demystifying the Caliphate' and 'The Caliphate and Islamic Statehood', and author of 'Islam in Indonesia'Reza Pankhurst has written a judicious and engaging account of a much maligned political party. His contribution goes beyond sensationalist headlines and presents us with a serious history of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, helping us to understand how the party has developed and grown in response to the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah. -- S. Sayyid, author of 'Recalling the Caliphate' and 'A Fundamental Fear'This well-documented, detailed, and readable study fills a gap in knowledge about an important organization. . . . As the author shows, the Liberation Party has recently experienced remarkable growth that has transformed it into a worldwide movement, repressed by authoritarian regimes in most Muslim countries but generally tolerated in the West. Pankhurst had access to important documents and conducted extensive interviews with leaders of the group, notably during brief intervals of relative freedom initiated by the Arab Spring of 2011. Clearly favorable to the organization (of which he was a member) but also demonstrating objective scholarship, he convincingly refutes accusations that it is tied to groups such as Al Qaeda. This will prove valuable to those in various disciplines who deal with Islamist movements and global civil society generally. -- G. E. Perry, Professor Emeritus at Indiana State University

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Book SynopsisThis groundbreaking book, which is the first comprehensive assessment of al-Maqdisi, his life, ideology and influence, is based on his extensive writings as well as interviews that the author conducted with former jihadis. More broadly, the book offers an alternative, insider perspective on the rise of radical Islam.Trade Review“ A Quietist Jihadi is a truly impressive work of scholarship that delves deep into a field that was, until recently, largely terra incognita, and emerges with a compelling portrait of a key figure in both contemporary salafism and the world of radical militancy. This is a major accomplishment, and Wagemakers’ A Quietist Jihadi is surely destined to be remembered as a milestone in these emerging fields of study.” -Daniel Lav, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Islam and Christian–Muslim RelationsTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Al-Maqdisi's Life and his Place in the Jihadi Ideological Spectrum, 1859–2009: 1. Wavering between quietism and jihadism; 2. Al-Maqdisi's quietist jihadi-salafi 'Aqīda; 3. Al-Maqdisi's quietist jihadi-salafi Manha; Part II. Al-Maqdisi's Influence on the Saudi Islamic Opposition, 1989–2005: 4. Saudi Arabia's post-Gulf War opposition; 5. Al-Qa 'ida on the Arabian peninsula; Part III. Al-Maqdisi's Influence on the Development of al-Walā wa-l-Barā, 1984–2009: 6. The revival of al-Isti āna bi-l-Kuffār; 7. 'Salafising' jihad; Part IV. Al-Maqdisi's Influence on the Jordanian Jihadi-Salafi Community, 1992–2009: 8. Guidance to the seekers; 9. The leader of the Jordanian jihadi-salafi community?; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisDeadly Clerics explains why some Muslim clerics adopt the ideology of militant jihadism while most do not. The book explores multiple pathways of cleric radicalization and shows that the interplay of academic, religious, and political institutions has influenced the rise of modern jihadism through a mechanism of blocked ambition. As long as clerics'' academic ambitions remain attainable, they are unlikely to espouse violent jihad. Clerics who are forced out of academia are more likely to turn to jihad for two reasons: jihadist ideas are attractive to those who see the system as turning against them, and preaching a jihad ideology can help these outsider clerics attract supporters and funds. The book draws on evidence from various sources, including large-scale statistical analysis of texts and network data obtained from the Internet, case studies of clerics'' lives, and ethnographic participant observations at sites in Cairo, Egypt.Trade Review'Working at the intersection of religion, politics, and violence, Nielsen illuminates the role of Islamist clerics in fomenting extremism along their personal path to radicalization. Undergirding his provocative ideas is a dazzling array of methodological tools, from ethnographic work in Egypt's mosques to statistical analysis of jihadist websites, informed by a nuanced understanding of contemporary Islam. Read this book! It is bold, clear, and compelling.' Ron E. Hassner, author of Religion on the Battlefield'This is a major contribution to a topic that is notoriously difficult to study: violent extremist Islamist groups. By highlighting the academic identities of jihadist clerics, Nielsen not only adopts an innovative approach that is especially engaging for an academic audience, but also illuminates the incentives and behaviors of at least some jihadist clerics. In so doing, the author points to a pathway to jihadism that has been overlooked in academic and policy circles - 'blocked ambition' - or the ways in which exclusion from state-sanctioned or mainstream Islamic circles compels some clerics toward radical ideologies. Nielsen employs cutting edge methods and data to support his claims, including statistical analyses of extensive text and network data from the Internet as well as more in-depth case studies of particular clerics' lives. Nielsen covers enormous quantities of original material and overcomes a common problem in scholarship on jihadism, which tends to focus only on radicalized clerics rather than comparisons with those who operate in the mainstream.' Melani Cammett, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University, Massachusetts'Richard A. Nielsen's innovative study significantly enriches the literature on jihadism by moving the focus from fighters to preachers. Examining the case of 'digital' Islamic clerics through sophisticated statistical analysis of novel data sets, he tests a theory of 'blocked ambitions' to explain radicalization. This is a methodological breakthrough that opens new avenues for the study of the ideology of militant jihadism. A must-read for social scientists and policymakers alike.' Malika Zeghal, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Professor in Contemporary Islamic Thought and Life, Harvard University, Massachusetts'In this fascinating and rigorous study, Nielsen argues that one of the key factors explaining jihadi radicalization is the lack of economic and academic opportunities. Taking on arguments that focus on Islam and ideology, Nielsen employs sophisticated and cutting-edge text analyses tools to examine the writings and biographies of jihadi clerics. This in-depth study is an excellent contribution to the study of jihadism and radicalism.' Amaney Jamal, Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics, Princeton University, New Jersey'Why do some Muslim clerics radicalize, abandoning the Islamic mainstream in favor of jihadism? To answer this pressing question, Nielsen compiles a stunning array of new data and deploys the most advanced tools in political methodology. His answer is original and compelling: clerics who experience blocked career ambitions are incentivized to radicalize, with deadly implications for the propagation of Islamic terrorism.' Lisa Blaydes, Stanford University, CaliforniaTable of Contents1. Why clerics turn deadly; 2. Muslim clerics; 3. Paths to preaching jihad; 4. Meet the clerics; 5. Recognizing jihadists from their writings; 6. Networks, careers, and jihadist ideology; 7. Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisWhy has secularism faced such challenges in the Middle East and in Lebanon in particular? In light of dominating headlines about the spread of sectarianism and the so-called death of Arab secularism, Mark Farha addresses the need for a thorough examination of the history of secular thought and practice in the region. By offering a comprehensive, systematic account of the underlying ideological, socio-economic, and political factors involved, Farha provides a new understanding of the historical roots of secularism as well as the potential causes for the continued resistance a fully deconfessionalized state faces both in Lebanon and in the region at large. Drawing on a vast corpus of primary and secondary sources to examine the varying political parties and ideologies involved, this book provides a fresh approach to the study of religion and politics in the Arab world and beyond.Trade Review'The book combines a unique analysis of secularism and sectarianism as political phenomena and breaks new ground in the study of Lebanese history and politics.' P. Rowe, ChoiceTable of ContentsForeword: why Lebanon? Why secularism?; Introduction and conceptual framework; 1. Definitions and genealogies of secularism; 2. Prototypes of secularism in Lebanon; 3. Waystations of the Lebanese Republic; 4. Socio-economic globalization and secularism 1990–2005; Conclusion: secularism and Lebanon in the eye of the sectarian storm.

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Book SynopsisThe Tarikh al-fattash is one of the most important and celebrated sources for the history of pre-colonial West Africa, yet it has confounded scholars for decades with its inconsistences and questions surrounding its authorship. In this study, Mauro Nobili examines and challenges existing theories on the chronicle, arguing that much of what we have presumed about the work is deeply flawed. Making extensive use of previously unpublished Arabic sources, Nobili demonstrates that the Tarikh al-fattash was in fact written in the nineteenth century by a Fulani scholar, Nu? b. al-?ahir, who modified pre-existing historiographical material as a political project in legitimation of the West African Islamic state known as the Caliphate of ?amdallahi and its founding leader A?mad Lobbo. Contextualizing its production within the broader development of the religious and political landscape of West Africa, this study represents a significant moment in the study of West African history and of the evolTrade Review'A 'whodunit' par excellence! Nobili's engagement with the Tarikh al-Fattash and the Caliphate of Hamdullahi unravels their complicated, intertwined historiography. He reshapes our understanding of the whole Middle Niger region in the early-to-mid- 19th century and convincingly argues for a re-articulated meaning of authority and power as contested at the time. This book is seminal to the field.' E. Ann McDougall, University of Alberta, Canada'A compelling work of historical and literary detective work, Nobili's study of the Tarikh al-Fattash is an important exploration of the role of Islamic literature and the unseen, in the legitimation of political authority in 19-century Africa. Focusing on the Sultanate of Ahmad Lobbo, Nobili demonstrates not only that the famed Tarikh was a work of relatively recent vintage based on earlier works, but that it was composed at least in part to substantiate Lobbo's claims to authority based on earlier esoteric prophecy. This timely work constitutes a substantial addition to the literature on the intersection between political authority and the Islamic 'unseen'. It will be important reading for anyone interested in Islamic political authority, historiography or the esoteric.' Scott S. Reese, Northern Arizona UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. A Nineteenth Century Chronicle in Support of the Caliphate of Hamdallāhi: Nūḥ B. Al-Ṭāhir's Tārīkh al-fattāsh: 1. A century of scholarship; 2. The Tārīkh al-fattāsh: a nineteenth-century chronicle; Part II. A Contested Space of Compating Claims: the Middle Niger, 1810s–1840s; 3. The emergence of clerical rule in the Middle Niger; 4. Aḥmad Lobbo, Timbuktu, and the Kunta; 5. Fluctuating diplomacy: Ḥamdallāhi and Sokoto; Part III. The Circulation and Reception of the Tārīkh al-fattāsh, 1840s–2010s: 6. The Tārīkh al-fattāsh at work; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on in-depth interviews with more than fifty participants, Baykan relates the intimate story of Turkey's socio-cultural divides and the JDP's intraparty organisational dynamics. Shifting the focus away from structural factors, he also highlights the importance of the JDP's agency and provides a fresh perspective on Turkish politics.Trade Review'This ground-breaking book, based on new research and drawing on comparative scholarship, provides a fascinating insight into the very heart of the Justice and Development Party and so into the heart of contemporary Turkish politics.' Paul Taggart, University of Sussex'Baykan brings together a sophisticated theoretical focus, exhaustive research and lucid analysis to study the transformation of the Justice and Development Party from a religious-conservative democratic party into a 'personalistic mass party.' Not only students of Turkish but also those of comparative political parties and leadership will find it fascinating reading that will enhance their own analyses.' İlter Turan, İstanbul Bilgi University'How and why did an Islamist (and later post-Islamist) party embraced populism? How did a populist party defy expectations that populist are destined to fail in government? In explaining the Justice and Development Party's electoral success and political resilience by the robust organisational leverage of a party firmly controlled by the leadership and by Erdogan's ability to reach economically and culturally underprivileged segments of society through 'low populist' appeals, Barkyan presents a compelling analysis of the political success of the JDP in Turkey and makes and important contribution to contemporary debates on competitive authoritarianism and on populism.' Francisco Panizza, London School of Economic and Political Science'Baykan's Justice and Development Party in Turkey is fascinating and shrewd. It provides an incisive, comprehensive, and convincing analysis of the rise of the party and, more importantly, its leader Erdogan to the extremely powerful executive position in Turkish politics. His work is original, unfailingly eloquent, instructive, timely and inspiring. In a time when we have been observing the rise of competitive authoritarianism and democratic backsliding on a global scale, Baykan's work will exert great influence for the academic and policy-oriented studies and discussions, not only in the Turkish context but also in the fields of Political Science, Comparative Politics and Political Theory. It is a must-read.' Fuat Keyman, Sabancı UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; 1. Introduction: agency matters; 2. The transformation of the Turkish party system: selective pluralism and the rise of the JDP; 3. The high-low divide in Turkish politics and the populist appeal of the JDP; 4. The JDP and Erdoğan: non-charismatic personalism; 5. The JDP strategies: moving beyond the basics of Turkish party politics; 6. The JDP organization: a personalistic mass party; 7. Elite recruitment in the JDP: 'you do not want these kinds of people in the parliament'; 8. 'The new regime': the role of agency in the rise of competitive authoritarianism in Turkey; 9. Conclusions: findings, implications, future research; Appendix 1. Brief information on the political parties in Turkey; Appendix 2. The high-low (or anti-populism/populism) and left-right divides in Turkey.

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Book SynopsisReligion and nationalism are two of the most potent and enduring forces that have shaped the modern world. Yet, there has been little systematic study of how these two forces have interacted to provide powerful impetus for mobilization in Southeast Asia, a region where religious identities are as strong as nationalist impulses. At the heart of many religious conflicts in Southeast Asia lies competing conceptions of nation and nationhood, identity and belonging, and loyalty and legitimacy. In this accessible and timely study, Joseph Liow examines the ways in which religious identity nourishes collective consciousness of a people who see themselves as a nation, perhaps even as a constituent part of a nation, but anchored in shared faith. Drawing on case studies from across the region, Liow argues that this serves both as a vital element of identity and a means through which issues of rights and legitimacy are understood.Trade Review'Joseph Liow is an influential observer of religion and nationalism across Muslim Southeast Asia. His new book presents a rich and insightful analysis that will guide a new generation of scholars and students.' Edward Aspinall, Australian National University, Canberra'Joseph Liow has brought together a wealth of information on the extent to which religion has come to infuse contested conceptions of nationhood and conflicts over political supremacy. This is an incisive exploration of the ways in which faith has been put into the service of projects of domination.' Donald L. Horowitz, Duke University, North CarolinaTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Glossary; Introduction; 1. Faith and flag; 2. Southern Philippines: reframing (Bangsa) Moro to Bangsamoro; 3. Thailand's southern border provinces: constructing narratives and imagining Patani Darussalam; 4. Malaysia: religion, ethno-nationalism, and turf-guarding; 5. Contesting principles of nationhood in post-independence Indonesia: narratives and counter-narratives; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisSecularism, Race, and the Politics of Islamophobia shows the ways secularism produces and enables racism and normalizes the racial categorization of Muslim.

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Book SynopsisDeals with the scenario in Pakistan, its conversion to a state ruled by Islamist extremists, has been critically acclaimed by the media in Pakistan.Trade Review"The book states that while the Pakistani establishment under President Pervez Musharraf has been making overt noises about clamping down on the terrorists outfits, they had implemented only half hearted measures against them. The book dwells upon the decision makers in the white house."

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe legitimacy of the Zionist project--establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine--has been questioned since its inception. In recent years, the voices challenging the legitimacy of the State of Israel have become even louder. Chaim Gans examines these doubts and presents an in-depth, evenhanded philosophical analysis of the justice of Zionism.Today, alongside a violent Middle East where many refuse to accept Israel''s existence, there are two academically respectable arguments for the injustice of Zionism. One claim is that the very return of the Jews to Palestine was unjust. The second argument is that Zionism is an exclusivist ethnocultural nationalism out of step with current visions of multicultural nationhood. While many therefore claim that Zionism is in principle an unjust political philosophy, Gans seeks out a more nuanced ground to explain why Zionism, despite its manifest flaws, could in principle be just. Its flaws stem from the current situation, where exigencies have disTrade ReviewThere are an awful lot of books dealing with the politics of Israel/Palestine, written mostly in defense of one side or the other. A Just Zionism, however, presents the first systematic philosophical analysis of the Zionist enterprise as a whole, in each of its historical moments and in all its moral/political aspects. The arguments are meticulously developed, and the book is very carefully constructed. Any reader who is caught up, as I am, in the Israel/Palestine debates will find it intellectually engaging. * Michael Walzer, Professor Emeritus, School of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study, and author of Just and Unjust Wars *Chaim Gans deals with a very tough topic: the moral justification of Zionism. He presents all positions in the best of light. He is passionate when possible and dispassionate when necessary. A discussion on the moral justification of Zionism would look very different and far better if those involved in the debate would take heed of this engaging book. * Avishai Margalit, Professor, School of Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study *Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments ; Introduction ; Chapter 1: Zionism as an Ethno-cultural Nationalism ; Chapter 2: The Jewish Return to the Historical Homeland ; Chapter 3: A Jewish State - Self-Determination and Hegemony ; Chapter 4: Dividing up the Historical Homeland ; Chapter 5: Jewish Hegemony in Immigration and Other Domains ; Conclusion ; Notes ; Index

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Book SynopsisIslam''s relationship to liberal-democratic politics has emerged as one of the most pressing and contentious issues in international affairs. In Islam, Secularism, and Liberal Democracy, Nader Hashemi challenges the widely held belief among social scientists that religious politics and liberal-democratic development are structurally incompatible. This book argues for a rethinking of democratic theory so that it incorporates the variable of religion in the development of liberal democracy. In the process, it proves that an indigenous theory of Muslim secularism is not only possible, but is a necessary requirement for the advancement of liberal democracy in Muslim societies.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Chapter 1. Toward a Democratic Theory for Muslim Societies: The Historical Background ; Chapter 2. Dueling Scriptures: The Political Theology of John Locke and the Democratization of Muslim Societies ; Chapter 3. A Concise Anatomy of Secularism: Examining Its Linkages to Liberal Democracy ; Chapter 4. Secularism and Its Discontents in Muslim Societies: Indigenizing the Separation between Religion and State ; Conclusion ; Notes ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe Muslim Brotherhood is the oldest and most important international Islamist group. Aside from strong organizations in Egypt, Jordan, Syria—where it provides the main opposition—and its Palestinian offshoot Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip, the Brotherhood has become active in Europe and North America.Trade Review"This is a wide-ranging, pithy, and painstakingly thorough collection, at once gripping and informative. It fills a critical lacuna in Middle East Studies and in the study of Islamist groups in particular, which, although already impressive in the breadth of their literature, remain mostly on the order of hagiographies and eloquent apologetics, more often than not justifying Islamism rather than mining its history and subjecting it to the honest critic s scalpel. Barry Rubin s collection has distinguished itself from the rest quite brilliantly here, supplementing the field with a refreshing dispassionate treatment of the Brotherhoods, and providing specialists, students and the general public with an alternative reading to common platitudes currently dominating the field. What s more, Rubin and the other contributors to this volume did that with alacrity, penetrating attention to detail, scrupulous plumbing of sources, and a pellucid jargon-free style making this collection at once instructive and strikingly accessible." - Franck Salameh, Boston CollegeTable of ContentsComparing Muslim Brotherhoods; B.Rubin The Middle East Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Portrait of the Muslim Brotherhood's Ideological Guide; A.Belén Soage The Muslim Brothers in Egypt; A.Belén Soage & J.Fuentelsaz Franganillo The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan; H.Escobar The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood; R.Rabil Hamas: The Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood; H.Frisch Europe and the West The Muslim Brotherhood in Europe; L.Vidino The Very Model of a British Muslim Brotherhood; D.Rich The Muslim Brotherhood in France; F.Khosrokhavar The Muslim Brotherhood in Germany; G.Steinberg The Muslim Brotherhood in North America; A.Lapin

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Book SynopsisUpdated analysis of how the increasing polarization of American politics has been accompanied and accelerated by greater income inequality.The idea of America as politically polarized—that there is an unbridgeable divide between right and left, red and blue states—has become a cliché. What commentators miss, however, is that increasing polarization has been closely accompanied by fundamental social and economic changes—most notably, a parallel rise in income inequality. In this second edition of Polarized America, Nolan McCarty, Keith Poole, and Howard Rosenthal use the latest data to examine the relationships of polarization, wealth disparity, immigration, and other forces. They find that inequality feeds directly into political polarization, and polarization in turn creates policies that further increase inequality. Paul Krugman called the first edition of Polarized America “Important.... Essential reading for anyone who wan

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Book SynopsisIn the midst of intense religious conflict in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century, theological and political concepts converged in remarkable ways. Incited by the slaughter of French Protestants in the Saint Bartholomew''s Day Massacre, Reformed theologians and lawyers began to marshal arguments for political resistance. These theological arguments were grounded in uniquely religious conceptions of the covenant, community, and popular sovereignty. While other works of historical scholarship have focused on the political and legal sources of this strain of early modern resistance literature, The Immortal Commonwealth examines the frequently overlooked theological sources of these writings. It reveals how Reformed thinkers such as Heinrich Bullinger, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and Johannes Althusius used traditional theological conceptions of covenant and community for surprisingly radical political ends.Trade Review'In The Immortal Commonwealth, David P. Henreckson navigates the oft-inordinately voluminous literature on Calvinist covenant theologies with the requisite dexterity, interpretive savvy and skills, not to mention much-needed patience to plow through these mostly forgotten and putatively esoteric treatises from an era, again, allegedly known for arid and atrophying Protestant scholastic discourses. Henreckson shows how the central theo-political idea of God as the covenanter has contributed to and ushered in the transformations of political theologies that pertain to Self, Society, and Savior in a refreshing way. It is truly worthy of the Augustinian dictum tolle lege!' Paul C. H. Lim, Vanderbilt University, author of Mystery Unveiled: The Crisis of the Trinity in Early Modern England'The Immortal Commonwealth is a sophisticated and powerful history of the impact of reformed Protestant theology on the politics of early modern Europe … The bibliography is a treasure trove of early modern theological and legal thought. This volume is required reading for understanding early modern European theology or politics.' J. J. Butt, Choice'The Immortal Commonwealth is an impressive debut from a fine scholar. It skilfully combines theology, political thought, and social ethics in one volume. Henreckson creates a compelling historical narrative, before concluding with a chapter on contemporary ethical ramifications in relation to political resistance to tyranny. The application of historical ideas is sometimes a fraught exercise. However, the historical work in the volume is of a high standard and the author does not overstep the line in attempting to retrieve the ideas for today. This is an erudite contribution that deserves commendation.' Simon P. Kennedy, Journal of Religious History'Henreckson's work is especially valuable in three ways. First, on a prima facie reading, he has done solid historical and theological spadework in bringing together these largely forgotten figures to establish their significance as a theological tradition existing across Europe offering a coherent theology of covenant and community … Secondly, in his innovative reading of these sources, in which he interrogates them in both theological and political terms, Henreckson demonstrates the intellectual benefits which can be obtained by going beyond the more common disciplionarly narrow readings of medieval and early modern sources … Finally, his work is valuable, not only as an example of historical retrieval and interdisciplionary analysis, but also as constructive theology.' Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, Political Theology'The Immortal Commonwealth is highly recommended, especially for those interested in Reformed political theology and ethics.' Timothy Baylor, Studies in Christian EthicsTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. The covenanting God; 2. The law of the covenant; 3. Breaking covenant; 4. The unaccountable sovereign; 5. Consociational politics; 6. Resisting the devil.

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Trade ReviewThis work provides a nuanced view on a complex subject, showing empathy for the organization, its objectives, and its members. * Booklist *ISIS: An Introduction and Guide to the Islamic State delivers precisely what the title suggests—a well-organized primer that escorts readers through the complex task of understanding a 'state' very different from their own. . . . Brian Steed masterfully distills this information into a 'so what' reference guide for anyone wanting to make sense of the conflict or understand the salafi-jihadist narrative. . . . [T]he author's unique contribution to the field is his ability to synthesize key ideas and make them accessible to ordinary readers. ISIS: An Introduction and Guide to the Islamic State is a 'one-stop' reference guide suitable for both commanders and those wanting to make sense of the nightly news. It would be an excellent addition to any battalion or squadron library. * Military Review *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: The Significance of ISIS What's in a Name?: IS, ISIS, ISIL, Da'ash What Is ISIS? Leaders of ISIS Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Abu Ayyub al-Masri Abu Abdullah al-Rashid al-Baghdadi Abu Bakr al-Quraishi al-Baghdadi The History and Operations of ISIS: Iraq to Syria to Iraq Again Phase One: Operating in al-Qaeda's Shadow Phase Two: A State Is Declared Phase Three: Arab Spring Phase Four: Building the State Phase Five: Declaring the State Phase Six: Defending the State Ideas behind ISIS Management of Savagery: Violence as a Tool Salafist Ideology Religious End-of-Days Interpretations Caliphate Slavery Idolatry Enemies of ISIS U.S.-Led Coalition (Part of Operation Inherent Resolve) Syrian Regime Syrian Opposition Iraqi Regime Popular Mobilization Forces Tribes Kurdish Resistance Iran The Attraction of ISIS Recruiting Women in ISIS Financing ISIS Allegiance to ISIS: The Loyal Following Conservative Sunni Muslims Former Ba'athists and Former Iraqi Regime Members Sunni Nationalists Salafi-Jihadis Foreign Fighters Foreign Supporters Allies and Franchises ISIS and the Media Twitter Web Sites Video Magazine—Dabiq Taking Credit Violence for Media's Sake Life in the Islamic State Is ISIS a State? Reference Entries Abbasid Caliphate al-Amiri, Hadi al-Assad, Bashar Hafez al-Baghdadi, Abu Abdullah al-Rashid al-Baghdadi, Abu Bakr al-Maqdisi, Abu Muhammad al-Masri, Abu Ayyub al-Qaeda al-Sham (Levant) al-Zarqawi, Abu Musab al-Zawahiri, Ayman Alawi (Alawite[s]) Amir al-Mu'minin (Prince of the Faithful) Arab Arab Spring Baghdad, Iraq Bay'ah (Oath of Allegiance) Bayji, Battle of bin Laden, Osama Boko Haram Caliph Caliph, Rashidun Caliphate CENTCOM Crusades Dabiq, Battle of Dabiq Magazine Dajjal Deir al-Zour, Battle of Fallujah, Iraq Hadith Hijrah Hezbollah Islam Islam, Five Pillars Islamic Conquests (Seventh Century) Israel Jabhat al-Nusra Jihad Kharajites or Khawarij Kobane, Battle of Mahdi Mosul, Iraq Nasheed Omar, Mohammed Operation Desert Storm Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Iraqi Freedom Ottoman Empire Palmyra, Syria Quran Quraysh Ramadi, Battle of Raqqa, Syria Safavid Empire Sahwa (Sunni Uprising) Salafist Sharia Shia Soleimani, Qasem Sunni or ahl al-sunna The Surge Sykes-Picot Agreement Tikrit, Battle of Umayyad Caliphate Ummah Wahhabi Wilayah Yazidi Appendix: Obama Administration Strategy Report, March 24, 2016 Chronology Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisHow safe is Turkey's liberal democracy? The rise to power in 2002 of the right-leaning Islamic Justice and Development Party ignited fears in the West that Turkey could no longer be relied upon to provide a buffer against the growth of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East. Once hailed by the West as a model of secularism and moderation in the Muslim world, Turkey is now seen to be under the influence of the 'creeping Islamisation' of the JDP (or AKP as it is known in Turkey). Yet to what extent has this affected the lives of Turkish citizens? Evangelia Axiarlis here explores the contribution of the JDP to civil liberties and basic freedoms, long suppressed by secular and statist Kemalist ideology, and how this has remained unexamined despite more than a decade in government. In this - the first detailed study of the policies and ideology of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's government - the author examines the extent to which the JDP has worked to improve civil life in Turkey and critically addresses whether a government built on Islamic principles can champion political reform. Exploring how Islam and democracy are neither monoliths nor mutually exclusive, this is a timely contribution to the wider understanding of political Islam.Trade Review"A detailed and thoughtful study of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) in Turkey and the repercussions for Turkish 'secularism' over the decade that it has been in power. Drawing on an impressive variety of sources, this study fills in a gap in the literature by focusing on debates over the meaning of Kemalism and the challenges that the current government poses. Providing a wealth of information on the specific policies of the JDP, such as with regard to constitutional reform, elections, veiling, the Kurdish problem, and relations with Europe, this book illuminates the evolutionary potential of a political movement and the multi-dimensional nature of self-identity." Prof James Piscatori, University of Durham, UK "This book provides a thoughtful and insightful perspective of the tension between the Islamic movement represented by JDP and the secular state in Turkey. It is a timely examination of political Islam and its compatibility with democracy which reflects on sensitive and significant issues in Turkey's policies towards controlling religious institutions and the problematic issues such as the role of military, the Kurdish question, human rights and the ban on using 'scarf' by women in official space. Presenting findings on how both secularism and political Islam can work in favour of progress and development in the Muslim World and offering a unique opportunity for understanding the internal dynamics of Turkish politics, this is an invaluable contribution to the study of political Islam in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey." - Dr Muhammad Kamal, The University of Melbourne, AustraliaTable of ContentsPreface CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2: A CRITIQUE OF TURKISH SECULARISM CHAPTER 3: THE JDP’s CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRACY CHAPTER 4: THE JDP’s EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP BID CHAPTER 5: THE JDP AND THE TURKISH MILITARY CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a nuanced and muti-layered approach towards comprehending the possibilities of democratization or likelihood of authoritarian resilience in the Muslim world. The volume highlights the complex diversity within Islamist movements and parties— characterised by internal tensions, struggles and contestations. The very existence of this diversity within and among Islamist movements, and their general willingness to partake in mainstream politics, signals an important transformation in the Muslim world over recent decades. It demonstrates that the Muslim world has gravitated from the simplistic focus on the compatibility or incompatibility of Islam and democracy. Islamist movements and parties embody the multiple manifestations and trajectories within political Islam. The granular case-studies and theological analyses in this volume draw attention to the policy refinements, socio-political reforms and ideological transformations engendered by Muslim intellectuals and Islamist movements and ideologues. The diverse political landscape in the Muslim world is inextricably linked to the socio-political and theological shifts within Islamism—in particular, the yearning for greater social, economic and political justice, a yearning that lies at the core of an inclusive wasatiyyah Islam.Table of Contents1. Introduction: Theological Contestations and Political Coalition-BuildingJohn L. Esposito, Lily Zubaidah Rahim and Naser Ghobadzadeh2. Islam and Democracy: Perspectives from Reformist and Traditional Islam Mohsen Kadivar3. Democratization of Islamic Political TheologyNaser Ghobadzadeh4. Tunisia’s Ennahda: Islamists Turning the Learning Curve of Democracy and Civic HabituationLarbi Sadiki5.From Moderation to De-Moderation: Democratic Backsliding of the AKP in TurkeyMenderes Çınar6. Negotiating Popular Mandate and the Sovereignty of God in IranShahram Akbarzadeh and James Barry7. Careful What You Wish For: Salafi Islamisation and Authoritarian Governance in MalaysiaLily Zubaidah Rahim8. The Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, Democratisation and the Dilemmas of Internal Organisational Reform: Seeking Unity, Finding Division?Paul M. Esber9. The Dilemmas of Dual Resistance: Hamas and Political Learning in GazaMartin Kear10. ConclusionJohn L. Esposito, Lily Zubaidah Rahim and Naser Ghobadzadeh

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Book SynopsisLong-standing, award-winning Muslim human rights campaigner Sara Khan courageously takes on the extremists within her faith whose ideology has made it easier for terrorists to recruit young Britons. This important and timely book will be a major news story this autumn.Trade Review'Sara Khan is a fearless and principled voice in the struggle for the soul of Islam. Everyone who cares about combatting prejudice should read her, befriend her and fight alongside her.' Nick Cohen; 'An important book from a tireless campaigner' Mishal Husain; 'This is an important book full of compelling, disturbing and inspirational material, required reading to understand what is happening in our midst and what we can do about it.' Sunday Times; 'Deserves a wide audience.' Mail on Sunday; 'A fascinating book [by] one of the UK's most influential counter-extremism voices.' Dermot Murnaghan, Sky News; 'An impresive book. [This book] deftly examines the roots and growth of Muslim extremism in the UK and would have been invaluable for that alone. But it stands for something more. It is a powerful cri de coeur. British society, Khan urges, must stand with reforming Muslims otherwise "extremists are the ones who will be left to define British Islam".' TLSTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 9; A Note on Terms 11;Introduction 15; 1. Race to your Caliphate: The Rise of Islamist Extremism 25; 2. British Salafists and Islamists: The Growing Convergence 51; 3. The Islamist-Led Assault on Prevent 87; 4. Identity Politics: Islamism and the Ultra Left, the Far Right and Feminists 119; 5. Voices from the Frontline 151; Conclusion: Winning the Battle against Extremism 175; About the Authors 197; Notes 199; Bibliography 235; Index 243

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Book SynopsisThis book engages critically with the different models and approaches for managing religion adopted in Europe, Asia and Oceania. A truly intercontinental volume, this collection brings together high level scholarship from renowned scholars and rising stars in the fields of political theory, Islamic studies, sociology and law.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on a series of case studies, this collective work sheds light on six national trajectories of Islamism. Contributors look at what has been produced by the representatives of political Islam in each case, and the way these representatives have put their words and their ideological aspirations into action within their foreign policies.

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces the history of the rise and spread of Salafism during the 20th century as a global Islamic reform movement. It also explains Salafi tools of methodological reasoning: traditionally used to justify highly conservative positions, they now appear equally effective in defending more liberal life choices.

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Book SynopsisIncorporates the lessons learned from the 2011 Arab revolutions into democratic transition theory.

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Book SynopsisBringing together rigorous, original scholarship from over 60 contributors around the globe, this reference volume examines Turkey's evolution from the early days of the Republic to the present time, offering a critical portrait of a vibrant country at crossroads.

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