understanding contemporary Islamic crises in the middle east the issues beneath the surface pdf download

Understanding contemporary Islamic crises in the middle east

The issues beneath the surface – Graham E. Fuller

UNDERSTANDING CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC CRISES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Book Foreword

Ever since the 2011 ‘Arab Spring’ erupted, many places in the Middle East and North Africa have been in crisis. Often, these crises are explained with references to Islam, for example to the Sunni-Shia divide, or Islamic extremism sponsored from Saudi Arabia or Iran.

Such explanations are often one-sided and superficial, and in the public debate well-informed balanced views of what goes on beneath the surface are rare.

Graham Fuller is an exception. His vast experience in the Middle East and subsequent writing projects have made him a highly respected scholar and speaker on political Islam and the Middle East in a wide sense.

In Spring 2016 he came to Leiden at our invitation to give a series of lectures that formed the basis of this book.

The lectures attracted many students, academics, government officials and NGO activists and led to lively discussions and new insights for those present. We are confident that this book will also find its way to a wide readership.