San Antonio College Library

The world's largest religion, Islam is also one of the fastest growing and most politically potent, yet its nature remains obscure to many westerners despite its common theological and historical roots with Judaism and Christianity. Combining the finest Western scholarship with an insider's understanding of the Muslim world, this book provides a brief, yet comprehensive introduction to the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from the seventh century...

One of Lebanon's best-known journalists and political commentators offers a criticism of what he refers to as "the Arab malaise," the Arab world's political paralysis, intellectual decay, and identity crisis.

When gunmen shot dead 12 people in the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine, the hashtag "Je Suis Charlie" seemed to unify France. But for many young Muslims it was a symbol of their growing alienation from mainstream French society, where the right-wing Front Nationale is now the leading party for the under-35s. British journalist and comedian Shaista Aziz travels to France to find out why the country has become so divided. As the country reels from...

"Since 1971, Pakistan has evolved into a praetorian state plagued by army interventions and corrupt civilian governments. Nevertheless, the tunnel-vision of General Musharraf triggered a political implosion in 2007, and widespread dismay over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has led Pakistanis to vote overwhelmingly for unfettered civilian rule and the diminishment of religious parties. In contrast, the Bangladesh Army seems intent on returning...

In the wake of 11 September 2001, there has been much talk about the inevitable clash between "East" and "West." This book presents an alternative approach to understanding the genealogy of contemporary events. By taking students and the general reader on a guided tour of the past five hundred years of Middle Eastern history, this book examines how the very forces associated with global "modernity" have shaped social, economic, cultural, and political...

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, battle lines are drawn between conservative clerics claiming a God-given right to rule and reformers challenging their authority. This provocative program seeks to understand what happens when a modern state is re-created based on fundamentalist Islamic principles, and whether its society should be open and democratic or oppressed and authoritarian. From Iran's chaotic capital Tehran to its holy city of Qom, Iranians...

Describes the internal power struggle between conservative and reform Islamic elements in Iran and the resulting destablization of the country.

"Hezbollah provides a new, grounded analysis of the controversial and misunderstood Lebanese party. Where previous books have focused on aspects of the party's identity, the military question or its religious discourse, here Joseph Daher presents an alternative perspective, built upon political economy. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Lebanon and dozens of interviews, as well as new archival and other primary sources, Daher's analysis confidently...

"The First Muslims reconstructs the first century of Islam to offer a fascinating exploration of the origins and development of the religion. Using a wealth of classical Arabic sources, it chronicles the lives of the Prophet Muhammad, his Companions, and the subsequent two generations of Muslims, together known as the "Pious Forbears"." "Focusing on both the people and their beliefs, Afsaruddin presents a critical examination of the continuing influence...