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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious life & practice > General
In a global context of widespread fears over Islamic radicalisation
and militancy, poor Muslim youth, especially those socialised in
religious seminaries, have attracted overwhelmingly negative
attention. In northern Nigeria, male Qur'anic students have
garnered a reputation of resorting to violence in order to claim
their share of highly unequally distributed resources. Drawing on
material from long-term ethnographic and participatory fieldwork
among Qur'anic students and their communities, this book offers an
alternative perspective on youth, faith, and poverty. Mobilising
insights from scholarship on education, poverty research and
childhood and youth studies, Hannah Hoechner describes how
religious discourses can moderate feelings of inadequacy triggered
by experiences of exclusion, and how Qur'anic school enrolment
offers a way forward in constrained circumstances, even though it
likely reproduces poverty in the long run. A pioneering study of
religious school students conducted through participatory methods,
this book presents vital insights into the concerns of this
much-vilified group.
The Ibadi Muslims, a little-known minority community, have lived in
North Africa for over a thousand years. Combining an analysis of
Arabic manuscripts with digital tools used in network analysis,
Paul M. Love, Jr takes readers on a journey across the Maghrib and
beyond as he traces the paths of a group of manuscripts and the
Ibadi scholars who used them. Ibadi scholars of the Middle Period
(eleventh-sixteenth century) wrote a series of collective
biographies (prosopographies), which together constructed a
cumulative tradition that connected Ibadi Muslims from across time
and space, bringing them together into a 'written network'. From
the Mzab valley in Algeria to the island of Jerba in Tunisia, from
the Jebel Nafusa in Libya to the bustling metropolis of
early-modern Cairo, this book shows how people and books worked in
tandem to construct and maintain an Ibadi Muslim tradition in the
Maghrib.
An important manifesto on how we can change our world for the
better from the unique mind of the Dalai Lama, penned by the
internationally bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence 'It is
not enough merely to espouse a noble vision, the Dalai Lama tells
us - we need to move toward it. The Dalai Lama's vision beckons us
all. Every one of us can be a force for good' The Dalai Lama has
for decades travelled the world, meeting people from all
backgrounds and sharing with them his wisdom and compassion. In his
encounters with everyone, from heads to state to inhabitants of
shanty towns, he has come across similar problems: values that help
the wealthy to advance beyond the poor, an environmental disregard
that could lead to global catastrophe and governments in paralysis,
bereft of any positive, progressive policies. The Dalai Lama offers
here his unique vision for a global economic system, one that
applies principals of fairness and which values fulfilment,
focusing on what is truly urgent and why. It is a manifesto that
has the potential to reshape humanity as we know it and bring hope
to millions.
When Vanessa Ochs begins to suspect her various physical ailments
are due to her leading an "unsanctified life," she decides to
travel to Jerusalem with her family to explore the sacred books of
Judaism. Armed with a list of institutions and the names of women
who specialize in teaching these sacred texts, Ochs sets out on a
journey of discovery. She forges a personal relationship with her
mentors, women who are determined to disprove the claim of Rabbi
Eliezer ben Hyrcanus: "The words of the Torah should be burnt
rather than taught to women." As her year in Jerusalem draws to a
close, Ochs begins to find a way to reconcile her feminist views
with her quest to live a life according to laws shaped by the
"sexist" views of traditional Judaism.Part scholarly investigation,
part anecdotal memoir, "Words on Fire" is an accessible portrait of
a remote world and a fascinating, firsthand account of the clash
between feminism and Judaism.
Islam is the religion of the majority of Arab citizens in Israel
and since the late 1970s has become an important factor in their
political and socio-cultural identity. This leads to an increasing
number of Muslims in Israel who define their identity first and
foremost in relation to their religious affiliation. By examining
this evolving religious identity during the past four decades and
its impact on the religious and socio-cultural aspects of Muslim
life in Israel, Muhammad Al-Atawneh and Nohad Ali explore the local
nature of Islam. They find that Muslims in Israel seem to rely
heavily on the prominent Islamic authorities in the region, perhaps
more so than minority Muslims elsewhere. This stems, inter alia,
from the fact that Muslims in Israel are the only minority that
lives in a land they consider to be holy and see themselves as a
natural.
Joni Eareckson Tada fue victima de un accidente de natacion que la
dejo paralitica del cuello hasta los pies. En cuestion de segundo,
aquella joven activa y vigorosa se quedo totalmente incapacitada.
Desde ese tragico dia, Joni solo puede mover la cabeza y el cuello,
pero aun asi se convirtio en una destacada dibujante usando la boca
para manejar la pluma. Esta es una historia que todos deben leer.
Los principios espirituales que esta joven asimilo son de caracter
universal y de vigencia actual para todo lector. La historia de
Joni tendra un significado especial para quienes tienen
dificultades en aceptar las circunstancias dificiles de la vida."
'ONE NIGHT, NEW YORK transports the reader to the glitter and the
danger of old New York. A page-turner with style.' ERIN KELLY
'ENTHRALLING' THE TIMES, BEST NEW HISTORICAL FICTION A THRILLING
DEBUT NOVEL OF CORRUPTION AND MURDER, SET IN THE NIGHTCLUBS,
TENEMENTS AND SKYSCRAPERS OF 1930s NEW YORK - FROM THE WINNER OF
THE VIRAGO/THE POOL NEW CRIME WRITER AWARD. At the top of the
Empire State Building on a freezing December night, two women hold
their breath. Frances and Agnes are waiting for the man who has
wronged them. They plan to seek the ultimate revenge. Set over the
course of a single night, One Night, New York is a detective story,
a romance and a coming-of-age tale. It is also a story of old New
York, of bohemian Greenwich Village between the wars, of floozies
and artists and addicts, of a city that sucked in creatives and
immigrants alike, lighting up the world, while all around America
burned amid the heat of the Great Depression. 'An atmospheric
portrait of a city in the grip of the Great Depression as well as a
compelling crime story' GUARDIAN 'Thompson's impressive debut
delivers a beautifully detailed and multifaceted account of Jazz
Age New York' IRISH TIMES 'An assured debut so evocative you can
almost smell the bathtub gin wafting off the pages' RED MAGAZINE
Laugh aloud even as you look at life anew with these stories from
the bestselling author of "Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?"
In 108 brief stories with titles like "The Bad Elephant,"
"Girlfriend Power," and "The Happiness License," Ajahn Brahm offers
up more timeless wisdom that will speak to people from all walks of
life. Drawing from his own experiences, stories shared by his
students, and old chestnuts that he delivers with a fresh twist,
Ajahn Brahm shows he knows his way around the humorous parable,
delighting even as he surprises us with unexpected depth and
inspiration.
The most crucial attribute of a believer and of those seeking the
highest levels of spirituality, is that of having the best
etiquette's and manners which have the effect of being kind,
generous, compassionate, fair, truthful, honest, trustworthy,
reliable, caring, considerate of others and ultimately practically
benefiting, helping and serving humanity at large.The aim of model
Islamic etiquette and manners is to benefit other human beings; by
not subjecting them to any kind of stress, trouble, mischief or
harm. Good morals and etiquette automatically benefit others even
without positively striving to do so. This book is based upon
highlighting this true teaching of Islam that is often forgotten
and one which makes Islam a truly social welfare orientated,
compassionate and caring faith. Moreover it highlights the many
cases by which although a specific practice may not seem to be
benefiting or serving others, but in reality it benefits others
through many dimensions that may not be apparent, such as excelling
in virtuous deeds which on the surface may only benefit the
performer.The main focus of the book is upon consciously and
proactively serving those in need, be they of any colour, creed or
religion. In fact Islam admonishes those who fail to see and
address the needs of the poor, weak, elderly, oppressed, orphans,
widows, refugees, travelers and prisoners. Islam does not
differentiate between Muslims or non-Muslims in this regard but
treats it as it should be; a humanitarian issue which should be
dealt with humanely without any prejudices or hatred surfacing or
dictating the course of assistance, help or aid.All possible means
of serving humanity have been highlighted by citing the example of
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that of pious
members of the Muslim community; thereby directing the attention of
modern-day Muslims to this crucial and forgotten asset of Islam.
Equipping Christians to understand and befriend Muslims
Tens of millions of Muslims live in the West. As a group they
are ethnically diverse, culturally rich, and often wonderfully
passionate about life and faith.
Unfortunately, as Christians we often segregate our lives from
Muslims. We may be fearful, or--worse--inherently suspicious of
them. But what we have to share with Muslims is magnificent and
potentially life-changing, and we live in a day of unprecedented
opportunities to interact with Muslims from around the world. This
book will help you build open-hearted friendships with Muslims.
For readers with zero knowledge about Islam and no existing
relationships with Muslims, don't worry; this book is for you. This
fascinating introduction to Islam covers demography, theology,
culture, politics, justice, and other aspects of Islamic identity,
and includes stories and examples. Reaching Muslims is something we
can all do, and it begins with friendship.
The basis of Chinese religious culture, and with that many aspects
of daily life, was the threat and fear of demonic attacks. These
were inherently violent and could only be counteracted by violence
as well - even if this reactive violence was masked by euphemisms
such as execution, expulsion, exorcisms and so on. At the same
time, violence was a crucial dimension of the maintenance of norms
and values, for instance in sworn agreements or in beliefs about
underworld punishment. Violence was also an essential aspect of
expressing respect through sacrificial gifts of meat (and in an
earlier stage of Chinese culture also human flesh) and through a
culture of auto-mutilation and ritual suicide. At the same time,
conventional indigenous terms for violence such as bao were not
used for most of these practices since they were not experienced as
such, but rather justified as positive uses of physical force.
What was the relationship between government and religion in Middle
Eastern history? In a world of caliphs, sultans, and judges, who
exercised political and religious authority? In this book, Ali
Humayun Akhtar investigates debates about leadership that involved
ruling circles and scholars of jurisprudence and theology. At the
heart of this story is a medieval rivalry between three caliphates:
the Umayyads of Cordoba, the Fatimids of Cairo, and the Abbasids of
Baghdad. In a fascinating revival of Late Antique Hellenism,
Aristotelian and Platonic notions of wisdom became a key component
of how these caliphs debated their authority as political leaders.
By tracing how these political debates impacted the theological and
jurisprudential scholars and their own conception of communal
guidance, Akhtar offers a new picture of premodern political
authority and the connections between Western and Islamic
civilizations. It will be of use to students and specialists of the
premodern and modern Middle East.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame
contains one of the largest collections of late nineteenth-century
French stained glass outside of France. The French Gothic-inspired
church has forty-four large stained glass windows containing two
hundred and twenty scenes. Today, more than 100,000 visitors tour
the basilica each year to admire its architecture. This informative
guidebook tells the unique story of the windows: the improbable
creation of a glassworks by cloistered Carmelite nuns in LeMans,
France, and their stained glass that so perfectly illuminated the
late-nineteenth-century French Catholic spirituality of the
Congregation of Holy Cross. Stories in Light describes the windows
according to their location in the building, from the narthex at
the entrance to the Lady Chapel behind the altar. Full-color
photographs, accompanied by commentary on the historical and
theological importance of the glass and the iconography of the
saints, provide a detailed view of the scenes found in each window.
Stories in Light is an easy-to-read book written for all who visit
the basilica and for readers everywhere who want to know more about
the rich history and heritage of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart's
stained glass.
It has been shown time and again that even though all citizens may
be accorded equal standing in the constitution of a liberal
democracy, such a legal provision hardly guarantees state
protections against discrimination and political exclusion. More
specifically, why do we find pervasive gender-based discrimination,
exclusion, and violence in India when the Indian Constitution
supports an inclusive democracy committed to gender and caste
equality? In Gendered Citizenship, Natasha Behl offers an
examination of Indian citizenship that weaves together an analysis
of sexual violence law with an in-depth ethnography of the Sikh
community to explore the contradictory nature of Indian
democracy-which gravely affects its institutions and puts its
citizens at risk. Through a situated analysis of citizenship, Behl
upends longstanding academic assumptions about democracy,
citizenship, religion, and gender. This analysis reveals that
religious spaces and practices can be sites for renegotiating
democratic participation, but also uncovers how some women engage
in religious community in unexpected ways to link gender equality
and religious freedom as shared goals. Gendered Citizenship is a
groundbreaking inquiry that explains why the promise of democratic
equality remains unrealized, and identifies potential spaces and
practices that can create more egalitarian relations.
If justice is an intrinsic value in Islam, why have women been
treated as second-class citizens in Islamic legal tradition? Today,
the idea of gender equality, inherent to contemporary conceptions
of justice, presents a challenge to established, patriarchal
interpretations of Shari'a. In thought-provoking discussions with
six influential Muslim intellectuals - Abdullahi An-Na'im, Amina
Wadud, Asma Lamrabet, Khaled Abou El Fadl, Mohsen Kadivar and
Sedigheh Vasmaghi - Ziba Mir-Hosseini explores how egalitarian
gender laws might be constructed from within the Islamic legal
framework.
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