This collection focuses on the controversial relationship
between religion and the state within the Arab Spring context and
the evolving debates on democratic transition. In this book,
democracy is not questionable; it is hailed by all those vocal on
the political scene. The array of opinions presented here varies
from a call for a secular state based on Islamic philosophy to a
call for setting democratic institutions before working on solving
this religion-state dichotomy. Meanwhile some prefer to have an
ambiguous stand on which side to back up, the liberals or the
Islamists, despite a detailed criticism of the ossified ways of
those calling for a religious state (Al-Majd). The book starts with
an analysis and a detailed account of how the sensitive issue of
the relationship between state and religion developed in Arab
though and society and it goes on to employ less the religious
discourse in presenting their positions thus focusing on actual
cases of this struggle for power in different Arab countries such
as Tunisia and Egypt. The collection also provides insights and
analysis of the ongoing debates and views on the role of religion
in Libya and provides an analysis of the case of Morocco. In
addition to this there is a special chapter that deals with how
Muslim communities living in the West adapt to secular state
politics. The collection ends with a thorough discussion by a
number of Arab intellectuals and activists, Muslims and Christians
alike, whereby core issues related to the debate on state and
religion are presented. This discussion, in addition to reflecting
the Islamist-secular dichotomy, demonstrates the richness of the
ongoing debates that extend well beyond the discourse on this
dichotomy.
This book is a compilation of articles published in Contemporary
Arab Affairs.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!