Social groups: religious groups and communities Books

Book SynopsisWestern admirers have long seen the Islamic garden as an earthly reflection of the paradise said to await the faithful. However, such simplification, Ruggles contends, denies the sophistication and diversity of the art form. Islamic Gardens and Landscapes immerses the reader in the world of the architects of the great gardens of the Islamic world, from medieval Morocco to contemporary India.Just as Islamic culture is historically dense, sophisticated, and complex, so too is the history of its built landscapes. Islamic gardens began from the practical need to organize the surrounding space of human civilization, tame nature, enhance the earth''s yield, and create a legible map on which to distribute natural resources. Ruggles follows the evolution of these early farming efforts to their aristocratic apex in famous formal gardens of the Alhambra in Spain and the Taj Mahal in Agra.Whether in a humble city home or a royal courtyard, the garden has several defining chaTable of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: The Islamic Landscape Place and Memory Chapter 2: Making the Desert Bloom Transforming an Inhospitable Earth Chapter 3: The Science of Gardening Agricultural and Botanical Manuals Chapter 4: Organizing the Earth Cross-axial Gardens and the Chahar Bagh Chapter 5: Trees and Plants Botanical Evidence from Texts and Archaeology Chapter 6: Representations of Gardens and Landscape Imagery in Manuscript Paintings, Textiles, and Other Media Chapter 7: Imaginary Gardens Gardens in Fantasy and Literature Chapter 8: The Garden as Paradise The Historical Beginnings of Paradisiac Iconography Chapter 9: The Here and Hereafter Mausolea and Tomb Gardens Chapter 10: A Garden in Landscape The Taj Mahal and Its Precursors Chapter 11: Religion and Culture The Adoption of Islamic Garden Culture by Non-Muslims List of Gardens and SitesSpain Sicily Morocco Algeria Tunisia Egypt Turkey Syria and Region Oman Iraq Iran Central Asia Pakistan India United States Glossary Notes Bibliography Index Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisNow in its 7th printing since republication in 1997, the Sefer Yetzirah has established itself as a primary source for all serious students of Kabbalah. Rabbi Kaplan''s translation of this oldest and most mysterious of all Kabbalistic texts provides a unique perspective on the meditative and magical aspects of Kabbalah. He expounds on the dynamics of the spiritual domain, the worlds of Sefirot, souls and angels. This translation is based on Gra version of the Sefer Yetzirah and includes the author''s extraordinary commentary on all its mystical aspects including kabbalistic astrology, Ezekiel''s vision and the 231 gates. Also included are three alternative versions to make this volume the most complete work on the Sefer Yetzirah available in English.

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Book SynopsisThe Koran has constituted a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. This Very Short Introduction explores the significance of the Koran both in the modern world and in traditional Muslim culture. Michael Cook provides a lucid and direct account of the Koran as codex, as scripture, as liturgy, and as the embodiment of truth, and examines its means of formation and dissemination. He also discusses issues of interpretation for certain key verses, demonstrating that fecundity of the text for readers throughout the world.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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Book SynopsisKhadija was the first believer, to whom the Prophet Muhammad often turned for advice. At a time when strongmen quickly seized power from any female Muslim ruler, Arwa of Yemen reigned alone for five decades. In nineteenth-century Russia, Mukhlisa Bubi championed the rights of women and girls, and became the first Muslim woman judge in modern history. After the Gestapo took down a Resistance network in Paris, British spy Noor Inayat Khan found herself the only undercover radio operator left in that city. In this unique history, Hossein Kamaly celebrates the lives and achievements of twenty-one extraordinary women in the story of Islam, from the formative days of the religion to the present.Trade Review‘Here in all their gutsy glory are women whose voices have not received the prominence that is their due within the story of Islam… A History of Islam in 21 Women is an act of reclamation on several fronts. For Muslim women, it provides an empowering and exhilarating genealogy of strong forebears whom they can connect to their contemporary journeys of empowerment. For Western readers, it exposes the untruths that have characterized Muslim women as deferential beings in need of rescue.’ * New York Times *‘Resurrecting a history that has been repeatedly bludgeoned, exploited and buried.’ * Middle East Eye *‘Kamaly skilfully and sensitively negotiates the matrix of history, gender and language through the lived realities of 21 remarkable Muslim women. The result is a rich, vibrant and meticulously researched exposition that instinctively unpacks the intersectional context Muslim women have occupied from the sixth century to the present day.’ * Critical Muslim *‘[A] solid starting reference for those interested in women and Islamic studies, accessible and well-suited for both high school and college-level readers.’ * Library Journal *‘In the same format as author Jenni Murray’s similarly titled books on women in British and world history, Islamic studies scholar Kamaly presents capsule biographies of his choices of 21 women significant in the world of Islam…a straightforward history-in-portraits.’ * Booklist *‘With grace and erudition, Kamaly vividly captures key moments in the long and varied history of the Muslim world, bringing to life some of the extraordinary women…who made that history and transformed our world.’ -- Lila Abu-Lughod, Joseph L. Buttenwieser Professor, Columbia University, and author of Do Muslim Women Need Saving?‘In a highly readable and engaging book, Hossein Kamaly invites us to rethink the history of Islam by narrating the lives and achievements of twenty-one remarkable women, from the birth of the religion to the present. This is a much-needed corrective to conventional masculinist Muslim history.’ -- Ziba Mir-Hosseini, Professorial Research Associate, SOAS, University of London‘This book takes readers on a thrilling journey into the lives of twenty-one women in Islamic history. In tightly written, lucid, and highly readable chapters, Kamaly offers an informative and rich survey of some of the key women who crafted and shaped the history of Islam from its very foundations to our modern age. This book is a rich source for any reader interested in the history of Islam, and it should be required reading in any introductory course on Muslims and their religion or culture.’ -- Khaled Abou El Fadl, Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Professor in Islamic Law, UCLA School of LawTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Khadija (ca. 560–619): The First Believer 2 Fatima (ca. 612–633): Prophet Muhammad’s Flesh and Blood 3 Aisha (ca. 615–678): “Get Half of Your Religion From Her” 4 Rabia al-Adawiyya (ca. 717–801): The Embarrassment of Riches, and its Discontents 5 Fatima of Nishapur (ca. 1000–1088): Keeper of the Faith 6 Arwa of Yemen (ca. 1050–1138): The Queen of Sheba Redux 7 Terken Khatun (ca. 1205–1281): Doing Well and Doing Good 8 Shajara’-al-Durr (d. 1257): Perils of Power, Between Caliphs and Mamluks 9 Sayyida al-Hurra of Tétouan (ca. 1492 –ca. 1560): The Free Queen 10 Pari Khanum (1548–1578): A Golden Link in the Safavid Chain of Command 11 Nur Jahan (1577–1645): Light of the World 12 Safiye Sultan (ca. 1550–ca. 1619): A Mother of Many Kings 13 Tajul-Alam Safiatuddin Syah (1612–1675): Diamonds Are Not Forever 14 Tahereh (ca. 1814–1852): Heroine or Heretic? 15 Nana Asmau (1793–1864): Jihad and Sisterhood 16 Mukhlisa Bubi (1869–1937): Educator and Jurist 17 Halidé Edip (ca. 1884–1964): Author of the New Turkey 18 Noor Inayat Khan (1914–1944): The Anxiety of Belonging 19 Umm Kulthum (ca. 1904–1975): Lodestar of Union 20 Zaha Hadid (1950–2016): Curves in Glass and Concrete 21 Maryam Mirzakhani (1977–2017): The Princess of Mathematics Afterword Notes Further Reading Bibliography Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisA passionate history of Judaism; a world unfolding across many continents and five centuries by one of our greatest and internationally bestselling historians.Belonging is a magnificent cultural history abundantly alive with energy, character and colour. From the Jews' expulsion from Spain in 1492 it tells the stories not just of rabbis and philosophers but of a poetess in the ghetto of Venice; a boxer in Georgian England; a general in Ming China; an opera composer in nineteenth-century Germany. The story unfolds in Kerala and Mantua, the starlit hills of Galilee, the rivers of Colombia, the kitchens of Istanbul, the taverns of Ukraine and the mining camps of California. It sails in caravels, rides the stage coaches and the railways; trudges the dawn streets of London, hobbles along with the remnant of Napoleon's ruined army. The Jewish story is a history that is about, and for, all of us. And in our own time of anxious arrivals and enforced departures, the Jews' search for a home is more startlingly resonant than ever. A magnificent achievement' Jonathan Freedland, Guardian An extraordinary cultural journey, filled with astonishingly colourful and outrageous characters Schama delivers a superb and thrilling ride, both inspirational and tragic' Simon Sebag Montefiore, Mail on SundayTrade ReviewA magnificent achievement… [a] parade of bustlingly vital characters from across the globe ... all painted in luminous colour… By offering such a throbbing cavalcade of characters, Schama is defying several key assumptions, even stereotypes, about Jewish history and Jews themselves… Above all, while much Jewish history can read like a sorrowful trudge through disaster, plague and pogrom, Schama’s book teems with life rather than death -- Jonathan Freedland * Guardian *Magisterial ... the product of a world-class historian at the peak of his creative powers … rich, ornate, intensely evocative and sensory. With astonishing range and extraordinary synthesising powers, Schama captures the drama of Jewish history. * Financial Times *A rich melody that soars above the ground bass of prejudice and persecution … Schama has made himself the leading virtuoso of our time. This second volume of this trilogy is an affirmation of faith in the grand narrative … Its familiar and familial tone proclaims the author’s unapologetic mission to play his part in the story of the Jews by bringing their history alive… [A] glittering gemstone of a book -- Daniel Johnson * The Times *So beautifully written it regularly takes your breath away, it is a book far greater than the sum of its parts. Daunted by its colossal size, I started reading with some trepidation; I finished filled with wonder and delight. -- Abigail Green * Times Literary Supplement *An extraordinary cultural journey, filled with astonishingly colourful and outrageous characters … Schama delivers a superb and thrilling ride, both inspirational and tragic. -- Simon Sebag Montefiore * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisAn accessible introduction to pre-modern Islam, showcasing the individuals caliphs, law-makers, theologians, poets, mystics and scholars who shaped the course of early Islamic history.Trade Review'A beautifully written set of brief, vividly drawn portraits' - Times Higher EducationTable of Contents1. Islam and Empire 600–850 • 2. The Islamic Commonwealth 850–1050 • 3. The Sunni Synthesis 1050–1250 • 4. Conflict & Change 1250–1550

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Book SynopsisShlomo Sand was born in 1946, in a displaced person's camp in Austria, to Jewish parents; the family later migrated to Palestine. As a young man, Sand came to question his Jewish identity, even that of a "secular Jew." With this meditative and thoughtful mixture of essay and personal recollection, he articulates the problems at the center of modern Jewish identity. How I Stopped Being a Jew discusses the negative effects of the Israeli exploitation of the "chosen people" myth and its "holocaust industry." Sand criticizes the fact that, in the current context, what "Jewish" means is, above all, not being Arab and reflects on the possibility of a secular, non-exclusive Israeli identity, beyond the legends of Zionism.Trade ReviewPerhaps books combining passion and erudition don't change political situations, but if they did, this one would count as a landmark. (In praise of The Invention of the Jewish People) -- Eric Hobsbawm * Observer *Sand's quiet earthquake of a book is shaking historical faith in the link between Judaism and Israel. (In praise of The Invention of the Jewish People) -- Rafael Behr * Observer *No discussion of the region any longer seems complete without acknowledgement of this book. (In praise of The Invention of the Jewish People) * Independent on Sunday *A radical dismantling of a national myth. (In praise of The Invention of the Jewish People) * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThis book is a tour de force of the history and present reality of antisemitism.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewParting Ways succeeds in its main task: to intervene in the political discourse and voice a Jewish concern about the State of Israel and its relation to the other. Studies in Religion It is a profoundly difficult vision that Butler articulates, and one unlikely to find ready adherence among those already at war; but it is a great one. Its genuine promise deserves a hearing - and more than that, to gather those whom expulsion has scattered in a renewed hope for an end to war. Theory & EventTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction: Self-Departure 1: Impossible 2. Unable to Kill: Levinas Contra Levinas 3. Walter Benjamin and the Critique of Violence 4. Flashing Up: Benjamin's Messianic Politics 5. Is Judaism Zionism? Or 6. Quandaries of the Plural: Cohabitation and Sovereignty in Arendt 7. Primo Levi for the Present 8. "What Shall We Do Without Exile?": Said and Darwish Address the Future Notes Index

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Book SynopsisA sumptuously illustrated volume detailing the history of the Jewish peoples and their religious beliefs and practices.

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Book SynopsisBjorn Brenner serves as Military Advisor to the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria. Prior to joining the UN, he was Lecturer at the Swedish Defence University in Stockholm and Research Fellow at Institut francais du Proche-Orient in Amman, Jordan. He is the author of numerous articles on Palestinian and Israeli politics and is a frequently appearing commentator in the media on Middle Eastern affairs.Trade ReviewAgainst heaps of reductionist literature and media portrayals that render Hamas as an extremist terrorist group, Bjorn Brenner provides in this book an authoritative and empirical study that debunks such Western, and mainly official, depictions of the movements. Disintersted in either vilifying or glorifying Hamas, this finely structured book is based on four years of direct field research, firsthand observations, and data collection. * Journal of Palestine Studies *What makes Brenner’s account especially valuable is its focus on how Hamas has managed to create a functioning government in Gaza – a subject that is little known – as opposed to Hamas’s behavior towards Israel, which the author explains is not discussed in this book as it has been extensively studied by others [...] This book is recommended for providing other insights into the nature of its [Hamas's] rule which, due to the author’s access to Hamas leaders and operatives, will not be found in other studies. * Perspectives on Terrorism *A useful contribution to the study of Hamas’s exercise of state power. * The Times Literary Supplement *For academic researchers, policy makers, NGOs and broader civil society members interested in Islamist experiences and practices of governance this is a must read. The book not only helps address many misconceived notions about the challenges which Hamas has faced since it was elected in 2006 but it also assists readers in nuancing the particular context in which such a case of Islamist governance actually operates. * Michelle Pace, Professor of Politics and International Studies, Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University; Honorary Professor, University of Birmingham *This is one of the rare books about Hamas that manages to be both balanced and insightful. Based on a broad range of primary sources, this in-depth study of Gaza under Hamas rule provides as full and comprehensive a picture as possible. A must-read for scholars, students, and diplomats alike! * Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies at the War Studies Department, King’s College London; Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation *Björn Brenner has contributed invaluable research through his book “Gaza under Hamas: from Islamist democracy to Islamist governance” (2017). Apart from establishing the centrality of Hamas rule to a political solution for Palestine, the book also expounds upon the spectrum of misconceptions, strengths and flaws associated with the movement. This approach provides a detailed assessment of Hamas in relation to Gaza and its unique circumstances, while dispelling mainstream manipulation, to which, as Brenner points out, academia has also contributed. * Israel Book Review *Constitutes a significant contribution to the Hamas-related literature. It departs from the conventional discussion about the group's role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and treats Hamas as an instance of Islamic governance. Moreover, the book is written in a way that renders it useful to both the specialized and the general readership. It contains information that helps one reconstruct the conditions leading to the status quo in the Gaza Strip and also provides the full picture, including the background and aftermath, of incidents that made headlines but soon fell into oblivion. * Middle East Policy *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword by Shaul Mishal Preface to the second edition Glossary of terms Introduction by Magnus Ranstorp 1. Islamists in power by democratic means 2. Gaining power and relating to the opposition 3. Radicalisation and the emergence of splinter groups 4. The de-radicalisation of Islamists by Islamists 5. Social order in the midst of political chaos 6. The new political order and the judicial system 7. Islamist governance Hamas-style 8. Hamas beyond elections and governance Epilogue by Benedetta Berti Notes Select bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author of the Shatter Me series and the National Book Award-nominated A Very Large Expanse of Sea, Tahereh Mafi, comes a stunning novel about love and loneliness, navigating dual-identity as a Muslim teenager in America, and reclaiming your right to joy.It's 2003. It's been several months since the US officially declared war on Iraq, and the political world has evolved. Shadi, who wears hijab (a visible allegiance to Islam) keeps her head down. Hate crimes are spiking. Undercover FBI agents are infiltrating mosques and interrogating members of the congregation, and the local Muslim community is beginning to fracture. Shadi hears the fights after services, the arguments between families about what it means to be Muslim, about what they should be doing and saying as a community but she does not engage.She's too busy drowning in her own troubles to find the time to deal with bigots.Shadi is named for joy, but she's haunted by sorrow. Her brother is dead, her father is dyiTrade ReviewPraise for An Emotion of Great Delight: ‘Lyrical [and] contemporary. This is an aching, emotional story that touches on various internal struggles of being a child of immigrants.’ – Buzzfeed "Gorgeous and poetic, Mafi is unflinching in her rendering of pain and brutal truths, but also succeeds in weaving a tale that is brimming with heart and honest hope. This is a book I wish I'd had when I was fourteen. I'm so glad young readers will have it now. A truly special story." – Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home "Tahereh Mafi has written a timely, compelling novel about love and family and the remarkably complex nature of religion and faith. An Emotion of Great Delight is as profound as it is beautiful." – Matt de la Peña, New York Times and Newbery Medal winning author of The Last Stop on Market Street "Mafi follows her National Book Award–longlisted A Very Large Expanse of Sea (2018) with another contemporary young adult novel of striking emotional intensity. Complex and introspective Shadi details her experiences with the specific challenges of Islamaphobia and with more general issues. With masterfully compelling prose, this surprises and ensnares, leading readers to an inevitable but gripping climax. Though there's a feverous feeling throughout the book, there's also formidable nuance in Shadi’s paradoxical and contradictory thought patterns. Emotional implications of great magnitude and stakes that could not feel higher. A bluntly powerful read that shouldn't be missed." – Booklist (starred review) "Mafi confronts issues of mental health, suicidality, racism, and self-love in ways that will leave readers reacting viscerally and powerfully. Reading this novel is like being dropped straight into the everyday lives of a Muslim family in post–9/11 America. A simply real story, devoid of clichés, that will leave an indelible mark." – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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Book SynopsisThe inaugural title in a collaboration between the Wiener Library and Granta Books. These two pamphlets, 'Prelude to Pogroms? Facts for the Thoughtful' and 'German Judaism in Political, Economic and Cultural Terms' mark the first time that Alfred Wiener, the founder of the Wiener Holocaust Library, has been published in English. Together they offer a vital insight into the antisemitic onslaught Germany's Jews were subjected to as the Nazi Party rose to power, and introduce a sharp and sympathetic thinker and speaker to a contemporary audience. Tackling issues such as the planned rise of antisemitism and the scapegoating of minorities, these pamphlets speak as urgently to the contemporary moment as they provide a window on to the past.

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Book SynopsisEd Husain''s The Islamist is the shocking inside story of British Islamic fundamentalism, told by a former radical. ''When I was sixteen I became an Islamic fundamentalist. Five years later, after much emotional turmoil, I rejected fundamentalist teachings and returned to normal life and my family. As I recovered my faith and mind, I tried to put my experiences behind me, but as the events of 7/7 unfolded it became clear to me that Islamist groups pose a threat to this country that we - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - do not yet understand.'' ''Why are young British Muslims becoming extremists? What are the risks of another home-grown terrorist attack on British soil? By describing my experiences inside these groups and the reasons I joined them, I hope to explain the appeal of extremist thought, how fanatics penetrate Muslim communities and the truth behind their agenda of subverting the West and moderate Islam. Writing candidly about life after extremism, I illustrate the depth of the problem that now grips Muslim hearts and minds and lay bare what politicians and Muslim ''community leaders'' do not want you to know.'' ''A complete eye-opener''  The Times ''Captivating, and terrifyingly honest''  Observer ''Persuasive and stimulating''  Martin Amis ''Read this articulate and impassioned book''  Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times Ed Husain was an Islamist radical for five years in his late teens and early twenties. Having rejected extremism he travelled widely in the Middle East and worked for the British Council in Syria and Saudi Arabia. Husain received wide and various acclaim for The Islamist, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for political writing and the PEN/Ackerley Prize for literary autobiography, amongst others.

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Book SynopsisIn this Very Short Introduction, Steven Beller explores the historical and political intricacies of Antisemitism, an issue which has been a worryingly persistent presence in the last millennium, and one that continues to provoke debate and discussion.Table of Contents1. What is antisemitism? ; 2. The burden of the past ; 3. The Chosen People ; 4. The culture of irrationalism ; 5. The perils of modernity ; 6. Concatenations ; 7. Consequences ; 8. After Auschwitz ; References ; Further Reading

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Book SynopsisThis volume analyzes changing relationships between religion and national identity in the course of European integration. Examining elite discourse, media debates and public opinions across Europe over a decade, it explores how accelerated European integration and Eastern enlargement have affected religious markers of collective identity. Trade Review“This is a book that traces, conceptually, theoretically and empirically, the impact of EU institutions on identity – and more specifically, religious identity. Much of the strength of the book derives from a research design that combines rich analysis of individual case studies with the identification of broad patterns and common themes. … editors have contributed to our understanding of the ways in which EU integration has shaped the development of national – and mainly religious – identity in different member states.” (Daphne Halikiopoulou, Religion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe, Vol. 9 (1), 2017)“This book sets out to redress the neglect of religion as an element of collective identities in the study of European integration from 1990–2010. … it makes a valuable contribution to the study of the entanglement of religion with national identities as they are effected by the processes of European integration. Hopefully this will provide a solid foundation for further research in this area, incorporating other cases, engaging with greater varieties of religion and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and debate.” (Liam Sutherland, Nations and Nationalism, Vol. 22 (4), October, 2016)Table of Contents1. Religion, Nationalism and European Integration Introduction; Matthias Koenig and Wolfgang Knöbl 2. The (Fragile) Normalization of German Identity within Europe; Willfried Spohn 3. Changing Frameworks of National Identity in Post-communist Poland; Miko?aj Lewicki and S?awomir Mandes 4. Greek Identity and Europe Entanglements and Tensions; Effie Fokas and Evangelos Karagiannis 5. Turkey in Europe, Europe in Turkey History, Elites, and the Media; Levent Soysal, Saime Özçürümez and Ça?la Diner 6. Religious Dimensions of National and European Identities: Evidence from Cross-national Survey Research; Sabine Trittler, Slawomir Mandes and Matthias Koenig 7. Varieties of Religious Nationalism; Matthias Koenig and Wolfgang Knöbl

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Book SynopsisA history of modern Jewish literature that explores our enduring attachment to the book as an objectTrade ReviewFinalist for the 2023 Jordan Schnitzer Book Award, sponsored by AJS“A bold, often surprising, and luminous study that enhances our perception.”—Ranen Omer-Sherman, University of Louisville“Original and finely instructive, this work leads us to see something new and illuminating about the very modality of literature.”—Robert Alter, author of The Art of Biblical Narrative“Whether reading the poignant details of memory books and graphic novels or analyzing small magazines and visual images in modern Jewish literature, Barbara Mann offers insight into the ways publications work as cultural objects in this vivid contribution to the material history of literature.”—Johanna Drucker, author of Iliazd: A Meta-Biography of a Modernist“At once erudite, evocative, and intellectually exciting, this extraordinary book incites us to think in new ways about materiality and literature. This beautifully written and infinitely rewarding book resists a quick reading, demanding careful attentiveness from the first word to the last.”—Leora Auslander, University of Chicago

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2022 WINGATE LITERARY PRIZEA BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES, ESQUIRE, O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE, TIME MAGAZINE, LITHUB AND BUSTLE Superb' New York TimesMasterful Supremely intelligent' GuardianDazzling A marvel' Mail on SundayDeftly weaving from one end of life to another from ageing parents to newborn babies, from a young girl's coming-of-age to an old woman's unexpected delivery of a strange new second youth, from mystery and wonder at a life at its close or at a future waiting to unfold, Nicole Krauss's stories illuminate the moments in the lives of women in which the forces of sex, power and violence collide. Beautiful, taut and dark, spinning across the world, from Switzerland, Japan and New York to Tel Aviv, Los Angeles and South America, To Be a Man fearlessly delves into questions of masculinity and violence, regret and regeneration, control and desire. How much do we really know ourselves and each other? These questions linger long after the final paTrade ReviewAn astounding read … A timeless one, too * i *Krauss still somehow seems to have invented a new form for each novel, each story – their characters so fully realized that Krauss’s deft authorial hand is rarely evident * New York Times *A supremely intelligent collection … The question of who we are at different times and places, and with different people, comes masterfully to the fore -- Aminatta Forna * Guardian *Through her beautifully detailed and immersive portrayals, novelist Nicole Krauss explores gender, power and ageing ... Together, the ten stories reflect on what does - or doesn't - make men and women different * Time, Books of the Year *Dazzling … Themes of power, desire and familial crisis are probed unflinchingly and, at times, with eerie prescience * Financial Times, Books of the Year *The acclaimed novelist’s first short story collection is a marvel * Mail on Sunday *Recent first collections of short stories from established novelists such as Zadie Smith (Grand Union, 2019), Joseph O'Neill (Good Trouble, 2018) and Jeffrey Eugenides (Fresh Complaint, 2017) have provided a concentration of high-quality writing, their tales cherry picked from decades of successful publication. Nicole Krauss's debut collection, To Be a Man, joins those ranks * Times Literary Supplement *From a contemporary master comes an astounding collection of ten globetrotting stories, each one a powerful dissection of the thorny connections between men and women ... Each story is masterfully crafted and deeply contemplative, barrelling toward a shimmering, inevitable conclusion, proving once again that Krauss is one of our most formidable talents in fiction * Esquire *An intoxicating blend that plumbs the depths of the human condition … As a calling card for the novels, this collection delivers a strong indication of how electrifying her writing can be. It also holds its own, however, as a powerful literary body in its own right - a nuanced, provocative exploration on what it means to be human * Irish Times *These ten stories – which focus on the relationships between daughters and their fathers, teenage girls and their older lovers, dancers and choreographers – show us that authority and control are subtle, slippery things, not permanently possessed by one gender * Stylist *A sustained shot of brilliance. By turns tight and exuberant, disciplined and expansive, the collection shimmers with insight and moments of perfectly realized beauty. It provokes unabashed laughter, it inspires profound thinking, it delights and disturbs in equal measure * Boston Globe *The acclaimed novelist’s first short story collection is a marvel * Herald *A collection of wonders ... To Be a Man offers the pleasure of being in the company of Krauss’ surprising, challenging mind, tugged along by an imagination that’s ever curious about the limits and possibilities of fiction, of time, and of love * San Francisco Chronicle *Nicole Krauss, one of the great novelists working today, has never shied away from asking the big questions. But as her new collection of short stories shows, her power lies not simply in her own ability to interrogate life - but in the way she calls on her readers to do the same ... One of Krauss’s gifts is her ability to instantly conjure up the intimacies of a world while probing it … Throughout To Be a Man, Krauss’s writing is as lyrical as ever; beautiful phrases just keep on coming’ * Financial Times *Stunning. Intellectually and emotionally intelligent and immaculately written -- LOUISE KENNEDYKrauss’s short stories feel like they could each be unspooled into novels of their own ... To Be a Man's tenseness and uncertainties are strangely suited to the current moment * Wall Street Journal, Best Books of the Autumn *Praise for Nicole Krauss: 'This is one of those novels that makes you miss your train stop, and I say that from experience. It's a beautiful story about two very different but intertwined lives, and it's told with depth, heart, and humour -- Kiley ReidDazzling … Finds Krauss at the top of her game. Blazingly intelligent, elegantly written and a remarkable achievement -- Emily St John Mandel * Guardian *A richly layered masterpiece; creative, profound, insightful, deeply serious, effortlessly elegant, both human and humane. Krauss is a poet and a philosopher, and this latest work does what only the very best fiction can do – startles, challenges and enlightens the reader, while showing the familiar world anew … A pleasure and a privilege to read -- Francesca Segal * Financial Times *A complex and rewarding novel that will linger long after you’ve reached the final page * Stylist *Lucid and exhilarating … A great gift * New York Review of Books *A brilliant novel. I am full of admiration -- Philip RothAs original and impressive a work of fiction as I have encountered in years; a welcome reminder of how a novel can be defiantly and brilliantly novel * New Statesman *A meditation on loss and transformation and an investigation of the mysteries of art and literature and family -- Erica Wagner * Observer *Flawless ... Forest Dark is accomplished, generous and unabashedly serious -- Cressida Connolly * Literary Review *She gives us a deft and mesmerising portrait of female midlife crisis and the desire to ground one’s self in the world … impossible to put down -- Sarah Hughes * Independent *A remarkable accomplishment * Times Literary Supplement *The sort of intelligent, serious novel seldom written nowadays. Those shards of gleaming insight are well worth gathering up * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA trillion dollar financial industry is revolutionising the global economy. Governments and corporations across the Islamic world are increasingly turning to finance that complies with Sharia law in order to fund economic growth. Even in the West, Islamic finance is rapidly becoming an important alternative source of funding at a time when the conventional finance industry is reeling from the effects of the financial crisis.From its origins in the seventh century, Islamic finance has sought to develop core ethical principles that are based in the foundations of Islam and Shari'a. By engaging critically with the complexities of international finance, it has evolved and adapted into a world emerging from the economic and moral aftermath of a global financial crisis. But with an increasing Western interest, is it able to remain true to the principles of its faith? Can it maintain its ideals of social justice? Or is Islamic finance guilty of the very dangers it seeks to avoid?Trade ReviewIrfan uses his own professional and personal experiences to weave together an accessible and interesting story -- Monica Siddiqui, The Daily TelegraphIn the aptly-titled Heaven's Bankers, Harris Irfan weaves together personal anecdotes with explanations of some of the crucial aspects of the subject - and its controversies * Financial Times *Heaven's Bankers [is] more than just a good read and will become a major primary source for historians and financiers in researching and understanding this fascinating area * The Huffington Post *[Irfan opens] a window into this fascinating world * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisNo other religion is subject to as much debate and controversy as Islam. But who was Muhammad, and what did he teach? Does the Qur'an really preach holy war? What is the role of women within Islam? And what does the rise of Isil and militant Islam mean for Muslims and for the world? Explaining Islam's history, core beliefs and rituals, as well as current issues of political and social importance, this book covers everything you need to understand the world's fastest-growing religion. Written by renowned scholar and Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, Mona Siddiqui, it addresses such varied concepts as the five pillars of Islam; the divisions between Sunni and Shi'a; the importance of Shari`a law; the significance of Mecca and the Ka'ba; the role of Ramadan, the veil, the mosque and the madrasa; and much more - all in 50 concise and expert essays.

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Book SynopsisA meticulously researched book that collects twelve playscripts written by European Jews imprisoned in the Terezín ghetto during the Holocaust. The concentration camp and Jewish ghetto at Terezín, or Theresienstadt, in what is now the Czech Republic, was a site of enormous suffering, fear, and death. But amid this horrific period, there was also a thriving and desperately vibrant cultural life. While the children’s drawings and musical pieces created in the ghetto have become justly famous, the prisoners’ theatrical works, though a lesser-known aspect of their artistic endeavors, deserves serious attention as well. Performing Captivity, Performing Escape collects twelve theatrical texts—cabaret songs and sketches, historical and verse dramas, puppet plays, and a Purim play—written by Czech and Austrian Jews. Together these works reveal the wide range of ways in which the prisoners engaged with and escaped from life in the ghetto through performance. The anthology opens with an insightful prologue by novelist Ivan Klíma, who was interned in the ghetto as a child and contains a detailed introduction by editor Lisa Peschel about the pre-war theatrical influences and wartime conditions that inspired the theater of the ghetto. The array of theatrical forms collected in this anthology speaks of the prisoners’ persistence of hope in a harrowing time and will be a moving read for students and scholars of the Holocaust. Trade Review“Performing Captivity, Performing Escape is a fascinating, heartbreaking, frequently witty collection that has been translated with love and care, and that brings to light art that has heretofore been hidden. When you add the essays, thorough biographical notes, and beautiful, evocative artwork, you end up with a powerful portrait of a tragic era in Central European history and of the power of art to ameliorate suffering.”—Austrian Studies Newsmagazine “Performing Captivity, Performing Escape is a fascinating, heartbreaking, frequently witty collection that has been translated with love and care, and that brings to light art that has heretofore been hidden. When you add the essays, thorough biographical notes, and beautiful, evocative artwork, you end up with a powerful portrait of a tragic era in Central European history and of the power of art to ameliorate suffering.” * Austrian Studies Newsmagazine *Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsPronunciation GuideEdition Notes and ConventionsIntroductionPrologue:?Terezín Theater by Ivan KlimaPart 1:?Czech-Language Texts1.Radio Show2.Looking for a Specter3.Songs from the Revue Prince Bettliegend4.The Smoke of Home 5.Laugh with Us6.The Second Czech CabaretPart 2:?German-Language Texts1.From the Strauss Cabarets2.The Treasure3.A Puppet Play in Ten Acts4.Purimspiel5.The Death of Orpheus6.The Insult—But Unintended; 7.or, The Man with the Defective Memory 8.A Theresienstadt Courtroom Scene9.From the Hofer Cabarets10.Epilogue: New Year’s Eve in the Oederan Slave-Labor CampGlossaryBibliography

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Book SynopsisA historical tour de force, The Invention of the Jewish People offers a groundbreaking account of Jewish and Israeli history. Exploding the myth that there was a forced Jewish exile in the first century at the hands of the Romans, Israeli historian Shlomo Sand argues that most modern Jews descend from converts, whose native lands were scattered across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.In this iconoclastic work, which spent nineteen weeks on the Israeli bestseller list and won the coveted Aujourd'hui Award in France, Sand provides the intellectual foundations for a new vision of Israel's future.Trade ReviewExtravagantly denounced and praised. * New York Times *Perhaps books combining passion and erudition don't change political situations, but if they did, this one would count as a landmark. -- Eric Hobsbawm * Observer *[Sand's] quiet earthquake of a book is shaking historical faith in the link between Judaism and Israel. -- Rafael Behr * Observer *Anyone interested in understanding the contemporary Middle East should read this book. -- Tony JudtNo discussion of the region any longer seems complete without acknowledgement of this book. * Independent on Sunday *A radical dismantling of a national myth. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe Pity of It All is a passionate and poignant history of German Jews, tracing the journey of a people and their culture from the mid eighteenth century to the eve of the Third Reich.As it is usually told, the story of the Jews in Germany starts at the end, overshadowed by their tragic demise in Hitler''s Reich. Now, in this important work of historical restoration, the acclaimed historian and social critic Amos Elon takes us back to the beginning, chronicling a 150-year period of achievement and integration that at its peak produced a golden age second only to the Renaissance.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents the first comprehensive survey of the multiple versions of Islam propagated across geographical, political, and cultural boundaries during the era of modern globalization. Showing how Islam was transformed through these globalizing transfers, it traces the origins, expansion and increasing diversification of Global Islam - from individual activists to organizations and then states - over the past 150 years. Historian Nile Green surveys not only the familiar venues of Islam in the Middle East and the West, but also Asia and Africa, explaining the doctrines of a wide variety of political and non-political versions of Islam across the spectrum from Salafism to Sufism. This Very Short Introduction will help readers to recognize and compare the various organizations competing to claim the authenticity and authority of representing the one true Islam.Trade ReviewThis is a mustread for those interested in the processes of globalization and the resulting Islams. * MONICA M. RINGER, Amherst College, Technology and Culture, Volume 63, Number 1 *The book is impeccably written and edited. * Philipp Reisner, Reading Religion *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: What Is 'Global Islam'? Chapter 1: Islam in the Age of Empire, Steam and Print Chapter 2: Muslim Transnationalism between Socialism and Nationalism Chapter 3: From Islamic Revolutions to the Internet Conclusions Glossary Further reading

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Book SynopsisMarriage has not always meant just one man and one woman. For much of human history, over much of the globe, the most common alternative was polygamy: marriage involving more than one spouse. Polygamy, or plural marriage, has long been an accepted form of union in human societies, involving people living on every continent. However, polygamy has come to symbolize a problematic, even barbaric, form of marriage that is often labeled as backwards, less modern and progressive, embodying the oppression of women by men.In Polygamy: A Very Short Introduction, Sarah M. S. Pearsall explores what plural marriages reveal about the inner workings of marriage and describes the controversies surrounding it. The book emphasizes the diversity of historical polygamist societies, from the Shi''ite Muslims and Wendat men who practiced short-term marriages to the Mixteca, Maori, Inca, Algonquin, and Marta indigenous people of North America and the Pacific Islands, as well as medieval Irish kings, rulers of the Kingdom of Buganda in east Africa, and residents of the Ottoman Empire. Pearsall also explains the Old Testament origins of polygamy in the book of Genesis, making note of vocal Protestant defenders of the practice such as Martin Luther and John Milton, and the divides within Christianity that led to Joseph Smith''s establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) and the Mormons'' fight throughout the 19th-century under his successor Brigham Young''s leadership to freely practice plural marriage.Polygamy: A Very Short Introduction looks at how polygamous domestic and sexual relationships have influenced larger dynamics of power, gender, rank, race, and religion in societies all over the world, while also attempting to untangle the paradox of female constraint and liberty for women who advocated for polygamy, arguing that plural marriage offered security and stability rather than restraint for women. In balancing an explanation of the many complexities and misunderstandings of plural marriage, the book reveals how polygamy continues to have an influence on society today.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Origins and overview 2. Monotheism 3. Early modern encounters 4. Protestantism 5. Mormonism 6. Modern encounters 7. Contemporary debates References Index Further reading

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Book SynopsisRejecting the conventional Western interpretation of Middle Eastern history as an offshoot of global power politics, the author contends that the region's experience is the culmination of long-existing indigenous trends, passions and patterns of behaviour, and that foremost among these is Islam's millenarian imperial tradition.Trade Review"In Islamic Imperialism Efraim Karsh argues for the existence of an Islamic imperial drive and traces it from Muhammad's time to current Islamist aggressions. One can hardly imagine a thesis with larger implications for prosecuting the war on terror."—Daniel Pipes -- Daniel Pipes“Only a shrewd and talented revisionist, a professor with curiosity and nerve, could take on the clichés of Middle East scholarship and insist that they be reconsidered. That describes Efraim Karsh, a much-published and much-admired professor at the University of London. His new book, Islamic Imperialism deserves serious consideration by anyone who cares about this debate. He challenges not only our favourite ideas about the Middle East but even our notions of imperialism. . . . Karsh’s view of rising Islamic imperialism chills the blood. Multiculturalism looks different through the lens of his scholarship, and so does the future for global politics.”—Robert Fulford, Canada National Post -- Robert Fulford * Canada National Post *"Karsh's lively, clearly written and well-researched account should have an appeal beyond an academic audience. The crisp manner with which he disposes of accepted wisdom will delight the reader. And in laying to rest the victim theory, he restores a measure of dignity to the Middle East."—Ralph Amelan, Jerusalem Post -- Ralph Amelan * Jerusalem Post *

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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 SynopsisEPDF and EPUB available Open Access under CC-BY-NC-ND licence. Examining countries where religious pluralism is in decline, including Iraq, India, Pakistan and Nigeria, this book brings together reflections, knowledge and learning about the daily experiences of religiously marginalized groups, generated using participatory research methods. It also showcases the participatory methodologies implemented by its international team of contributors and highlights the importance of using non-extractive methods for engaging with participants. Including a careful consideration of the ethics and limitations of participatory research with marginalized groups, the book reflects on the implications for people’s agency when research creates space for them to reflect on their realities in a group setting and uses methods which put their own experience and analysis at the centre of the process.Table of Contents1. Religious Inequalities: The Blind Spot in Participatory Methodologies and Understandings of Freedom of Religion or Belief ~ Jo Howard and Mariz Tadros Part 1: India 2. Participatory Methods and the Freedom of Religion or Belief ~ Rebecca Shah and Timothy Shah 3. The Personal, the Relational and the Community: Researching With Dalit Christian Women in India During COVID-19 ~ Rebecca Shah With Lata John 4. Faith and Researcher Positionality: Researching With Dalit Muslim Women in India During COVID-19 ~ Rebecca Shah With Laila Khan Part 2: Nigeria 5. Using Participatory Methodologies in the Context of Fragility ~ Plangsat Bitrus Dayil 6. Applying Participatory Methodologies in Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Religious Communities in Nigeria ~ Henry Gyang Mang 7. Working With Survivors of Trauma: Using Participatory Ranking To Explore the Experiences of Izala Women in Northern Nigeria ~ Fatima Suleiman Part 3: Iraq 8. Facilitating Peer Research for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Iraq ~ Sofya Shahab 9. Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) and Reflective Practices: Training Teachers To Become Effective Promoters of Freedom of Religion or Belief Principles in Education ~ Yusra Mahdi 10. Embracing Emotion and Building Confidence: Using Participatory Methods With Yazidi Women in Iraq ~ Zeri Khairi Gadi Part 4: Pakistan 11. Lessons Learned Using Participatory Methodologies in Exploring Intersectional Marginalization of Religious and Sectarian Minorities in Pakistan ~ Asad Shoaib and Jaffer Abbas Mirza 12. Using Participatory Research Methodology to Understand Daily Experiences of Religiously Marginalized Communities: A Case Study of Christians in Joseph Colony (Lahore) and Rimsha Colony (Islamabad) and Shi’as in Balti Basti (Karachi) ~ Maryam Kanwer and Jaffer Abbas Mirza 13. Using Participatory Methods With Ahmadis in Exile ~ M.K. 14. Addressing the Intersection of Religious and Other Inequalities Through Participatory Methodologies ~ Mariz Tadros and Jo Howard

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Book SynopsisAntisemitism is supposed to have disappeared long ago, but despite our abhorrence of racism and oppression in all its forms, this ancient prejudice continues to thrive. Anti-Jewish hate crime is rising, Jewish blood is spilt in Europe once more and arguments over antisemitism, whether in politics or music, theatre or sport, are increasingly hard to avoid. At a time of economic, political and social turmoil, fuelled by conspiracy theories on your smartphone or conflict in the Middle East, antisemitism is back, and we need to know why. It would be tempting to put this down to a handful of extremists, but antisemitism endures at an everyday level in the stereotypes and assumptions about Jews that are woven into the fabric of our world. It is these almost-unnoticed prejudices that perpetuate violent hatred, and until we all understand where they came from, how they are sustained and how they can be challenged, they will continue to do so. Blending personal anecdotes, contemporary examples and historical insights, Everyday Hate takes you on a journey through this contentious and often confusing subject. Spanning Shakespeare to South Park, Israel to Covid-19 and ancient stereotypes to internet memes, it reveals surprising truths about how antisemitism continues to thrive in the interactions, assumptions and views of decent people around the world - and how we can change this for the better.

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Book SynopsisJalaloddin Rumi’s Masnavi-ye Ma'navi, or ‘Spiritual Couplets’, composed in the 13th Century, is a monumental work of poetry in the Sufi tradition of Islamic mysticism. For centuries before his love poetry became a literary phenomenon in the West, Rumi’s Masnavi had been revered in the Islamic world as its greatest mystical text. Drawing upon a vast array of characters, stories and fables, and deeply versed in spiritual teaching, it takes us on a profound and playful journey of discovery along the path of divine love, toward its ultimate goal of union with the source of all Truth. In Book 1 of the Masnavi, the first of six volumes, Rumi opens the spiritual path towards higher spiritual understanding. Alan Williams's authoritative new translation is rendered in highly readable blank verse and includes the original Persian text for reference, and with explanatory notes along the way. True to the spirit of Rumi’s poem, this new translation establishes the Masnavi as one of the world’s great literary achievements for a global readership. Translated with an introduction, notes and analysis by Alan Williams and including the Persian text edited by Mohammad Este'lami.Trade Review‘This new verse translation of the Masnavi, the mystical masterpiece of the greatest and best-loved of Persian poets, Jalaloddin Rumi, is a literary event of the first importance. Alan Williams has made it his principal life’s work to present the profound spirituality of this towering poet of peerless spiritual and psychological insight – a poet for the ages and for all people – in a form that is accessible to readers of today.’ * Carole Hillenbrand, Emeritus Professor, University of Edinburgh, UK *In mid-thirteenth century, as the Mongol hordes were destroying the fabled city of Baghdad, in the small city of Konya to the northwest Rumi was erecting a world of mystical vision in words whose amazing architectonics and blinding beauty would prove hard to imagine and harder to grasp with any sense of immediacy. In Alan Williams' English translation of the Spiritual Couplets, we finally stand a chance not only to access that vision in all its inner glory and eternal grandeur, but ultimately to gain an immediate sense of its graceful relevance not just to our time but to all of humanity through the millennia. * Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, author of Recasting Persian Poetry *Alan Williams brings us an English version of that epic spiritual masterpiece which is both reliable and fluently readable. The Introduction provides an indispensable key to the Masnavi’s sudden, bewildering shifts between multiple dramatic voices and perspectives, the distinctive feature which makes this poem, for every reader, “the mirror of our innermost state.” * Professor James W. Morris, Boston College, USA *While maintaining the Persian flavour of Rumi’s epic and lyric virtuosities, this superior translation by Alan Williams brings Rumi fully to life in English. Professor Williams combines his erudition and sophistication as a scholar with his poetic flair, to do justice to Rumi’s sublime poetry for a modern readership. * Ali-Asghar Seyed-Ghorab, Associate Professor of Persian, Leiden University, The Netherlands *The Masnavi’s new English translation is the publishing event of the year. At the hands of Alan Williams, Rumi’s “cumulative polyphony” resembles a Shakespeare play where the poet speaks ‘in one character after another . . .’ This monumental poem’s opening couplet, among the most captivating ever written, fills my heart with sadness every time I read it: “Listen to this reed as it is grieving, / it tells the story of our separations”. Who could stop listening to this music after hearing these first notes? * Kaya Genc, author of The Lion and the Nightingale *Table of ContentsPreface Chronology Introduction Further Reading Note on the Translation English translation of the Masnavi Book 1 Notes to Rumi’s Preface Notes to the Masnavi Book 1 Appendix: Analytical Index of the Stories and Discourses of Masnavi Book One Index Persian Text of the Masnavi Book 1, Edited by Mohammad Este?lami

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Book SynopsisIn our age of globalisation, how should we react to the new Islamophobic movements now spreading in the West? Everywhere the far right is on the march, with nationalist and populist parties thriving on the back of popular anxieties about Islam and the Muslim presence. Hijab and minaret bans, mosque shootings, hostility to migrants and increasingly scornful media stereotypes seem to endanger the prospects for friendly coexistence and the calm uplifting of Muslim populations. In this series of essays Abdal Hakim Murad dissects the rise of Islamophobia on the basis of Muslim theological tradition. Although the proper response to the current impasse is clearly indicated in Qur'an and Hadith, some have lost the principle of trust in divine wisdom and are responding with hatred, fearfulness or despair. Murad shows that a compassion-based approach, rooted in an authentic theology of divine power, could transform the current quagmire into a bright landscape of great promise for Muslims and their neighbours.Trade Review'Probably the most important book ever published by a European Muslim scholar. Traditionally enlightened, mercifully uncompromising with the truth, intellectually and spiritually challenging, these eleven essays show the way forward in a dark and dangerous age.' (Professor Yahya Michot, Hartford Seminary); 'Travelling Home is an essential and exhilarating read.' (Michael Sugich, author of Hearts Turn); 'A must-read for all the Europeans who struggle to make sense of the reality and legitimacy of Muslims in their midst'. (Professor Jocelyne Cesari, University of Birmingham).

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Book SynopsisReveals the endemic nature of Islamophobia in the West across various sections of society, both left and rightTrade Review'A masterful volume, intellectually provocative ... it challenges the basic assumptions of the Islamophobia scholarship field ... A must read for any person concerned with the current period and the rising tide of bigotry and racism' -- Hatem Bazian, founder of the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project, University of California at Berkeley'A remarkably courageous and painstakingly evidence-based book… This unique and much needed framework for understanding Islamophobia is a must read for social scientists, policy makers and human rights activists alike!' -- Salma Yaqoob, Political Activist and Head of the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition'The best study I have ever seen of this scourge that now plagues the world' -- Joel Kovel, author of Overcoming Zionism (2007) and The Lost Traveller's Dream (2017)'This important, thoughtful and disturbing book could not be more timely. The authors compel us to examine our institutions, face unwelcome facts, and revise some of our culturally entrenched positions and assumptions' -- Karen Armstrong, author of A History of GodTable of ContentsList of Tables List of Figures List of Acronyms Acknowledgements Part I: Introduction: What is Islamophobia? 1. Islamophobia, Social Movements and the State: For a Movement-centred Approach - Narzanin Massoumi, David Miller and Tom Mills Part II: Islamophobia, Counter-terrorism and the State 2. Islamophobia as Ideology of U.S. Empire - Arun Kundnani 3. Islamophobia and Empire: An Intermestic Approach to the Study of Anti-Muslim Racism - Deepa Kumar 4. The U.K. Counter-terrorism Matrix: Structural Racism and the Case of Mahdi Hashi - Asim Qureshi 5. The ‘War on Terror’ and the Attack on Muslim Civil Society - Shenaz Bunglawala Part III: Social Movements From Above 6. Mainstreaming Anti-Muslim Prejudice: The Rise of the Islamophobia Industry in American Electoral Politics - Nathan C. Lean 7. Terror Incognito: Black Flags, Plastic Swords and Other Weapons of Mass Disruption in Australia - Scott Poynting and Linda Briskman 8. Islamophobia, Counter-extremism and the Counterjihad Movement - Hilary Aked 9. The Transatlantic Network: Funding Islamophobia and Israeli Settlements - Sarah Marusek 10. The Neoconservative Movement: Think Tanks as Elite Elements of Social Movements from Above - Tom Griffin, David Miller and Tom Mills 11. Liberal and Left Movements and the Rise of Islamophobia - Narzanin Massoumi, Tom Mills and David Miller Part IV: Fighting Back 12. Fighting Back: Challenging the State and Social Movements from Above - Narzanin Massoumi, Tom Mills and David Miller Notes on Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisThe Jewish Journey is unique in three respects. First, it is a short, accessible, affordable and illustrated history of the Jewish people. Most books of this kind are heavy, unwieldy, expensive coffee-table books. Secondly, the book is absolutely unique in highlighting Jewish objects from the standing collection of a world-renowned public museum. Jewish history is more normally confined to dedicated Jewish museums. This book breaks new ground by showing Jewish history in its wider historical, social and cultural context, and presents objects that reflect on daily life over the centuries, e.g. family, marriage, trade and travel, rather than the much more common depictions of artefacts for sacred and religious use. Thirdly, the Jewish significance of these particular 22 objects has until now been overlooked. This book draws them together for the first time to tell their specifically Jewish story, highlighting both the distinctive features of Jewish experience and the long history of close interaction with other cultures and religions. The 22 objects include pottery, coins, jewellery, household artefacts, sacred items, musical instruments and paintings.Together they bring to life the experiences of the real men and women who owned, made and used them, from kings, courtiers and scholars to guerrilla fighters, musicians and market stall holders. Individually and collectively, the objects vividly document dark periods of persecution and forced migration, whilst highlighting the astonishing resilience and diversity of Jewish life, revealing centuries of two-way interaction with many other cultures and religions. Through the histories of each of the objects, the reader is guided on a double journey. One path leads through the galleries of the Ashmolean; the other accompanies the Jewish people across the centuries. The Jewish Journey brings to light for the first time the amazing Jewish treasures in the Ashmolean Museum, explaining their specifically Jewish significance in a direct, accessible style for the general reader.

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Book SynopsisThe tenets of Islam cannot be grasped without a proper understanding of the Qur'an. In this important new introduction, Muhammad Haleem examines its recurrent themes - life and eternity, marriage and divorce, peace and war, water and nourishment - and for the first time sets these in the context of the Qur'an's linguistic style. Professor Haleem examines the background to the development of the surahs (chapters) and the ayahs (verses) and the construction of the Qur'an itself. He shows that popular conceptions of Islamic attitudes to women, marriage and divorce, war and society, differ radically from the true teachings of the Qur'an.Trade Review'Has a breadth of reading and attention to style that readers will welcome ... Articulately presents ways in which contemporary Muslims understand their scriptures.' - Choice; 'Understanding the Qur'an is a priceless book, and I use it enthusiastically for my classes. For many of my students, Muhammad Abdel Haleem's introduction is their first contact with Qur'an interpretation, so it is really important to be able to assign them such an excellent piece of scholarship that is so easily readable and accessible.' - Natana J. DeLong-Bas, Lecturer in Theology, Boston College, and Visiting Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Brandeis UniversityTable of ContentsPreface The Qur’an Al-Fatiha: the Opening of the Qur’an Water in the Qur’an Marriage and Divorce War and Peace in the Qur’an Tolerance in Islam Life and Beyond Paradise in the Qur’an The Face, Divine and Human, in the Qur’an Adam and Eve in the Qur’an and the Bible The Story of Joseph in the Qur’an and the Bible The Qur’an Explains Itself: Surat al-Rahman Dynamic Style: Iltifat and Some Other Features Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisNot – as often imagined – of a culture apart, but of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, from the Arabs to the Christians.Which makes the story of the Jews everyone’s story, too.Trade ReviewSchama at his best, a labour of love, as full of memorable incident as a Bellow novel and wittier than a Woody Allen movie * The Times *Schama has written a proud and personal story of his people, one that will make a good starting point for those interested in one of history’s most fascinating and tragic tales -- Josh Glancy * Sunday Times *Inspiring… Schama tells it with panache, weaving facts and anecdotes into a vivid history * Observer *Unforgettable…a delicious cacophony of conversations and clamorous arguments echoing across history * Daily Telegraph *A spirited, immensely enjoyable and wide-ranging account… [expresses] both the triumphs and the tragedies with irrepressible enthusiasm and his customary eloquence * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"It is chock-full of exciting and provocative ideas, but it is also just plain fun — something akin to Freedman leading the reader by the hand on a tour of a cultural landscape that he knows like the back of his hand." * Los Angeles Review of Books *"This is a profoundly important book in Jewish Studies, as well as among the cultural and literary criticism of its artistic subject." * Religion and the Arts *"Erudite, gossipy, nuanced, funny, and moving. . . Freedman serves as collector culling materials from a wide array of sources, arranging them into an often dizzying but unfailingly interesting and almost always entirely persuasive account that supports his thesis, each time from a different direction." * Victorian Studies *"Overall, The Jewish Decadence is a richly rewarding read, blending deep knowledge, provocative insight and unsparing honesty to the role Jews have played in fin-de-siècle culture of Europe and the USA. Barely a page goes by with an insight into cultural production and consumption and unexpected links between creators, places and ideas. This book will be of value to anyone wishing to under early Modernism and Jewish contribution to vanguard art." -- alexanderadamsart: Reviews of art, culture and literature"Freedman’s argument, that Jewish novelists, poets, actors, and philosophers reworked the discourse of decadence, which often linked Jewishness to decline, to their own ends in order to generate a Jewish response to the conditions of modernity, is compelling. More importantly, it offers a model of how work on afterlives and transnational circulation can avoid the trap of thinking in terms of unidirectional influence and attend to the agency and creativity of those influenced." * Journal of British Studies *Bringing his capacious cultural expertise and scholarly rigor to a wide-ranging exploration of the association between Jews and decline and degeneracy, Jonathan Freedman performs an erudite, original, and wonderfully chutzpadik act of reclamation. -- Alisa Solomon, Columbia University“This book takes us on an extraordinary journey through what the author calls ‘something like modernity,’ as it is to be found in dance, literature, song, painting, theatre, film, and history. Decadence turns out to mean what it seems to mean, and an almost unimaginable range of other things as well. Its richness, as well as its constant entanglement in ideas of Jewishness, would have caused any other writer either to simplify or get lost, but Freedman wittily and resolutely does neither. His book is ‘example-drunk,’ as he says, but it doesn’t stumble. It celebrates complication and reflection and masquerade, and we find ourselves wishing the show—the one he is evoking and the one to be seen in the fabulous evocation itself—would never end.” -- Michael Wood, Princeton University“Freedman reconceives of Jews as architects rather than victims of modernity. Although Jews were often demonized as sexual and artistic deviants, they also entered into dialogue with their detractors by contesting or reshaping the prejudices of the day. Most important, Jews played a central role in European culture as artists, critics, sponsors, networkers, and entrepreneurs; throughout the book, Freedman spots Jews where none have been discerned before, testifying to their ubiquity among the avant-garde.” -- Maud Ellman, University of Chicago"A book that transforms our experiences of familiar works and encourages us to carry on the work of Jewish cultural studies, following the example of one of its most gifted practitioners." * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsPreface, by Daniel Hack and Amy Hungerford Introduction: “Our Two-Step Is the Modern Decadence!” 1 Qu’est-ce que c’est la décadence? And What Does It Have to Do with Jews? 2 Oscar Wilde among the Jews 3 Salomania and the Remaking of the Jewish Female Body from Sarah Bernhardt to Betty Boop 4 Coming Out of the Jewish Closet with Marcel Proust 5 Pessimism, Jewish Style: Jews Reading Schopenhauer from Freud to Bellow 6 Walter Benjamin’s Paris, Capital of Jewish Aesthetic Modernity 7 Dybbuks, Vampires, and Other Fin-de-Siècle Jewish Phantasms Conclusion: The Deca-danse; or, The Afterlife of the Jewish DecadentNotes Index

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