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Last Updated: Monday, April 21, 2008
Articles
ELUSIVE PEACE: 60 YEARS OF PAIN AND
SUFFERING
The article reviews the history of the Israeli's occupation of
Palestine, underscores the dire conditions of Palestinians, and points to
some of the reasons that make the conflict inextricable.
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BLAMING ISLAM:
EXAMINING THE RELIGION BUILDING ENTERPRISE
This study examines the
misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims by neoconservative authors and think
tanks, and illustrate how the neoconservatives, in
their drive to control a world religion, are confusing the pubic and
misdirecting US foreign policy. Full Text>>>
READING,
SIGHTING, AND CALCULATING: FROM MOON SIGHTING TO ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATION
This article contends that the
debate on the determination of the beginning of the Islamic lunar month
is essentially about how to read Islamic sources, and how to relate Islamic
precepts to contemporary society. It argues at length that astronomical
calculations provide a much superior method, and are more in keeping with
the Islamic requirements, than moon sighting.
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APOSTASY AND
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
This paper examines
question of apostasy under Islamic law. It argues that
apostasy laws have no sanctions in the Qur'an, and, indeed, run contrary to
the spirit of Islam and the principle of freedom of belief rooted in the
Qur'an and the practice of the Prophet.
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VISIONARY
LEADERSHIP: VISION, COMMUNICATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND DISCIPLINE
This paper
identifies the essential qualities of
leadership, first by examining the Qur’anic account of the traits of the
most influential leaders in history, namely, the prophets who were entrusted
with the responsibility of reforming the deteriorated conditions of their
communities. It further explores the interrelation between leadership
qualities and the tasks performed by leaders. It concludes by discussing
briefly the moral dilemma faced by leaders that result from the occasional
clash between two sets of demands: those conforming to the directives of
superiors on the one hand and those taking initiative and providing
direction to subordinates on the other.
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DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM, AND IMPOSITION: HOW BEST CAN THE US EFFECT
DEMOCRATIZATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The efforts to advance freedom
and democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan compete with other less pronounced but
apparently more important objectives: extending US hegemony in the region,
and using US overwhelming power to preempt and contain rogue states. This
linkage between the war on terrorism and the advancement of democracy on the
one hand, and singling out less cooperative and friendly regimes for rough
treatment makes many observers of Middle East politics uncomfortable.
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THE
CREATIVE MISSION OF MUSLIM MINORITIES IN THE WEST: SYNTHESIZING THE ETHOS OF
ISLAM AND MODERNITY
Fiqh of minorities is a concept
borne out of the needs of Western Muslim who want to ensure that they can
apply the rules of shari’ah (Islamic law) in a predominately non-Muslim
society. The notion itself underscores the new realization by an increasing
number of Muslims that they cannot adhere to the same fiqh rules adopted by
their co-religionists in Muslim societies. As such the “fiqh of minorities”
reflects reformist views, aspiring to transcend traditional conceptions and
practices.
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OVERCOMING THE RELIGIOUS-SECULAR DIVIDE: ISLAM'S CONTRIBUTION TO
CIVILIZATION
The impact
of language on thinking and behavior is particularly noticeable when
communication and exchange takes place across cultures. Under such
circumstances the question of commensurability becomes relevant. The
question can be posed as thus: Can peoples with different historical
experiences have meaningful exchange of ideas, given the fact that
understanding the meaning of a term presupposes an experience of a sort of
the object to which the term refers? The relationship between knowledge and
experience gives rise to a series of questions with regard to understanding
the grand concepts of "religion," "secularism," and “liberalism,” and the
way each relates to the others.
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US FOREIGN POLICY AND
NATIONAL SECURITY
An examination of the US foreign
policy and its impact on national security. The paper argues that US foreign policy has
been gradually moving from the objective of "making the world safe for
democracy" to "making the world safe for America." This change in
emphasis
has ironically undermined the twin foundations of world peace, International Law and the
UN, and has hence made the world less safe for both America and democracy.
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UNDERSTANDING ISLAM:
CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY AND DIVERSITY
The paper argues that Islam is an essential partner in
any efforts to develop more democratic and peaceful world. Islam holds in high
esteem the most fundamental values that make a democratic and pluralist society possible,
namely equality, freedom, justice, and interracial and interreligious solidarity.
Full
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PEACE AND THE LIMITS OF WAR:
TRANSCENDING CLASSICAL CONCEPTION OF JIHAD
This monograph critically
examines the classical doctrine of Jihad and the conception of war and peace in Islamic
tradition. It, further, introduces a more comprehensive conception of the the limits of
war and the basis of peace by relating basic Islamic principles to modern conditions.
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ISLAM, WORLD PEACE, AND TERRORISM
DISCOURSE
The article focuses on September 11 terrorist
attacks on America, and its aftermath. It examines the US response to
terrorism, and explores the links between US foreign policy, the absence of democratic
regimes in the Middle East, and the riser of global terrorism.
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IMPOSING THE WAY OF PEACE!
This article highlights the
irony of the Jewish state by uncovering the dichotomy between the Zionist claims and the
reality of modern Israel. The article also contrast the Mosaic mission with the
aspirations of the pseudo prophets of modern Israel.
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ISLAM AND THE SECULAR STATE
This paper examines the interrelations
between the political and religious in both the history of Islam and the West. It argues
that neither western secularism intended to completely separate the two, nor Islam aspired
to confound one with the other.
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UN SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ
The article explores the devastating impact of the United Nation
Economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. It argues that current policy has, in contradiction
with its goal, weakened the Iraq civil society while consolidating the power of Saddam's
regimes.
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POLITICAL SUCCESSION AND THE PROSPECTS FOR
POLITICAL REFORMS IN SYRIA
An analysis of the political maneuvering
in Syria after the death of Hafiz Assad and the rise of his son to political authority.
The article also examine possibility of political reform under Bashar Assad.
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HUMAN RIGHTS, GLOBAL EQUITY, AND MORAL
CHOICES
The article examines the confusing stance
taken by Human Rights Watch with regard to Gay rights and the push toward marginalizing
and undermining the position taken by many religious community which consider homosexual
practices to be immoral.
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RELIGION AND POLITICS IN MALAYSIA
In addressing the issue of
Religion and Politics in Malaysia, the article explores briefly, and in general terms, the
meaning and interplay of the two. It then examines the consequences of superimposing
modern structures on a traditional consciousness within the context of Malaysian. It
finally analyzes both the significance and limitations of leadership in social reform.
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GLOBALIZATION TRENDS AND
POSSIBILITIES
The
paper explores the socio-political consequences of the commercialization of modern
culture, and the need and possibility of reclaiming the moral and spiritual core of social
experience that eroded with the advance of modernization. For this to happen a new breed
of intellectuals, the ummatic intellectuals, who can incorporate spirituality into
their discourse and action without claiming divine sanction or authority, is needed.
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TOWARDS A HUMAN-CENTERED
DEVELOPMENT
Globalization signifies an advanced stage in
human history, and one marked by rapid and profound change and transformation. While most
observers seem to agree that the world is experiencing a far-reaching transformation on
the political, economic, and socio-cultural planes, it is not all clear where
globalization is heading, and what is its ultimate aim.
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ISLAM AND POLITICS IN MALAYSIA
An interview
conducted by the editor of the Journal of Middle East Affairs, published in January 2000
issue. It addresses issues concerning the impact of Islamic organization on Malaysian
society and polity.
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This paper argues that democracy and shura share the ideal of egalitarian politics and popular political participation, but differ significantly in relating participatory government to the overall purposes of social organization and political action. Full Text>>>
THE TRANSFORMING
EXPERIENCE OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS: ISLAMIC EDUCATION AND POLITICAL MATURATION
The growth of the American
Muslim community in the last three decades has been quite remarkable, and holds a promise
of bright future for Islam in America. America has in many ways transformed the Muslims,
and in turn stands to undergo profound transformation by their presence.
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HUMAN RIGHTS AND CULTURAL REFORM IN
CONTEMPORARY MUSLIM SOCIETY: FROM HEGEMONIC DISCOURSE TO CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUE
The purpose of this paper is
to point out inconsistencies in the work of some leading human rights scholars, involved
in assessing human rights trends in the Middle East, who advocate a cross-cultural
approach to understanding human rights in non-Western cultures.
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HUMAN RIGHTS AND ISLAMIC LEGAL
REFORM
Is Islam compatible with human
rights? This question has been in recent years the focus of attention of numerous human
rights scholars, who have produced varying answers and advanced conflicting views.
This paper contends that for a modern human rights tradition to take hold in
modern Muslim society, it should be rooted in the moral/religious
commitments of Muslims. Full Text
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ISLAM AND GLOBAL
CHALLENGE: DEALING WITH THE DISTORTION OF THE IMAGE OF ISLAM IN GLOBAL MEDIA
This paper examines the
nature of current media campaign aiming at the distortion of the image of
Islam, identifies several tactics used by the detractors of Islam and its
symbols, and proposes an appropriate response for dealing with the challenge
posed by the global media. It is a contention that the media campaign
against Islam is politically motivated, is led by powerful quarters in the
Western society, who see in Islam a potential global power and civilizational alternative capable of challenging Western hegemony.
Examining several examples from the global media, we have argued that the
campaign to distort the Image of Islam endeavors to equate Islam with
imposition and aggression, while justifying imposition and aggression
against Muslims. In conclusion, a few measures have been proposed for
dealing with the challenge of global media.
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FROM REFORM TO
REVOLUTION: A CRITICAL READING OF THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND ACTIONS OF THE
ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN EGYPT
In over a century of discourse and action, the Islamic movement has
grown and expanded markedly. The once elitist movement today commands the
support of an increasing segment of society, yet important questions
regarding the nature of the Islamic society and the correct strategy for
achieving it are still unsettled. The dispute between reformists and
traditionalists regarding the characteristics of the ideal Islamic society
continues to be a source of sharp division between the two groups. The
following discussion explores the major trends in the Islamic movement, and
examines the main ideas and strategies advanced by its leaders.
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ISLAM IN A GLOBAL
ORDER: EMERGING PATTERNS IN WORLD POLITICS
The purpose of this paper is
twofold. First, it examines the nature of the global order that emerged
after the demise of the Soviet Union, and explores the extent to which the
claim of an order based on law and justice is in force. I contend that the
principles of right and justice are checked by, and subordinated to, the
paramount concern of Western policymakers: national interests. Second, the
paper proposes a number of measures that Muslim communities can employ to
counteract the negative effects of the new global regime, and to utilize the
opportunities it has opened up.
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DEVELOPMENTAL TRENDS
IN CONTEMPORARY MUSLIM EXPERIENCE
This paper examines the two
contending models of development in Muslim society: the secular and the
Islamic. The examination is done with the aim of discovering the historical
patterns that govern the process of social change in general. Towards this
end, the paper begins by outlining the Qur’anic model of historical
progress, and then uses the outlined model to explain historical changes
experienced by Muslim societies.
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NATIONALISM AND THE
MULTINATIONAL STATE
The purpose of this paper is to
delineate the basic elements involved in the concept of the Islamic state
and to clarify the basis and scope of political power. More specifically,
discussions will focus on the purpose of the Islamic state, the source of
political legitimacy, and the scope of state power. I will contend that a
clear distinction should be made between the role and purpose of the state
and those of the ummah, for only through the separation of the
responsibilities and objectives of the two can the injunctions of the
Shari‘ah and the principles of revelation be properly observed.
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THE ISLAMIC STATE: A
CONCEPTIONAL FRAMEWORK
The purpose of this paper is to
delineate the basic elements involved in the concept of the Islamic state
and to clarify the basis and scope of political power. More specifically,
discussions will focus on the purpose of the Islamic state, the source of
political legitimacy, and the scope of state power. I will contend that a
clear distinction should be made between the role and purpose of the state
and those of the ummah, for only through the separation of the
responsibilities and objectives of the two can the injunctions of the
Shari‘ah and the principles of revelation be properly observed.
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ISLAMIC LAW AND
SOCIETY
This paper attempts to trace
the development of the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, and to assess
the impact of Shari‘ah on society. It argues that the law ceased to grow by
the sixth century of Islam as a result of The development of classical legal
theory; more specifically, law was put on hold, as it were, after the
doctrine of the infallibility of ijma’ (juristic consensus) was
articulated. The rigid principles of classical theory, it is contended, have
been primarily induced by the faulty epistemology employed .by sixth-century
jurists.
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