Radical Islam: Medieval Theology and Modern Politics

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Yale University Press, Sep 26, 1990 - History - 238 pages
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In recent years radical fundamentalists have had a formidable intellectual and social impact on Sunni Islam countries such as Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon. This highly acclaimed book by an eminent Arabist focuses on the development of Sunni Muslim fundamentalism, discussing how it rejected Western values, broke with pan-Arabism, and took on an activist political position. This enlarged edition contains a new chapter, "In the Shadow of Khomeini," which considers the growth and influences of Shi'ite radicalism since the Iranian Revolution, reviews the principal areas of controversy between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, and assesses whether rapprochement between the two groups is likely.

Review of the earlier edition:

"Sivan . . . not only introduces Western readers to scores of important but little-known contemporary Islamic thinkers, . . . He also breaks new ground in his analysis of their work and activities."--Shaul Bakhash, Wilson Quarterly

"A gem of a small book. . . . Sivan writes clearly, dispassionately, and with enviable command of his subject. His book makes a large and almost entirely new body of information available."--Daniel Pipes, The New Leader

"Not just scholars but everyone seriously interested in the contemporary Middle East is in Sivan's debt."--G.H. Jansen, Los Angeles Times

"This study by Emmanuel Sivan is exceptional; it is professional, insightful, and persuasive. . . . A well-informed interpretation of recent events based directly on relevant Arabic writings."--Michael W. Dols, History

"Thorough, thought-provoking, and very instructive."--William M. Brinner, Middle East Review

Emmanuel Sivan is professor of history at Hebrew University and editor of the Jerusalem Quarterly

 

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Selected pages

Contents

Barbarity and Nationalism
16
In Quest of Authenticity
50
The Sunni Revolution
83
The Conservative Periphery
130
Assessment by the Left
153
In the Shadow of Khomeini
181
Copyright

Common terms and phrases

accepted al-Liwa al-Nadhir Allah Arab argument August authorities become Beirut believers Cairo caliphate century challenge chapter Christian civil concept conservatives countries criticism culture danger decades December developed early economic Egypt Egyptian especially establishment example fact Faith February hands Hawwa historical Ibn Taymiyya ideas important intellectual Iranian Islam issue jahiliyya jihad July June Khomeini Koran late later leader Lebanon Left less liberal major March Marxism masses means Middle military modernists moral movement Muhammad Muslim November organization Pan-Arabism past percent political popular present prison published question Qutb Qutb's radicals regime reject religion religious revolutionary role rule rulers secularism September Shari'a Sheikh Shi'ite social society Sunni Syrian theory thinkers thought tradition true ulama unity Western whole writings Yakan

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Bibliographic information

QR code for Radical Islam
TitleRadical Islam: Medieval Theology and Modern Politics
AuthorEmmanuel Sivan
Editionunabridged
PublisherYale University Press, 1990
ISBN0300049153, 9780300049152
Length238 pages
Subjects ›  › 

History / Middle East / General
  
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