Muslims in Global Politics: Identities, Interests, and Human Rights (Pennsylvania Studies in Human Rights)

"In Egypt Islamists clash with secularists over religious and national identity, while in Turkey secularist ruling elites have chosen to accommodate Islamists in the name of democracy and reconciliation. As Islam spreads throughout the world, Muslims living in their traditional homelands and in the Western world are grappling with shifting identities. In all cases, understanding the dynamics of identity-based politics is critical to the future of Muslims and their neighbors across the globe. In Muslims in Global Politics, Mahmood Monshipouri examines the role identity plays in political conflicts in six Muslim nations--Egypt, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, and Indonesia--as well as in Muslim diaspora communities in Europe and North America. In each instance, he describes how conservatives, neofundamentalists, reformists, and secularists construct identity in different ways and how these identities play out in the political arena. With globalization, the demand for human rights continues to grow in the Muslim world, and struggles over modernity, authenticity, legitimacy, and rationality become increasingly important. Muslims in Global Politics deepens our understanding of how modern ideas and norms interact with the traditions of the Islamic world and, in turn, shows how human rights advocates can provide an alternative to militant Islamist movements." -- Provided by publisher

In Egypt Islamists clash with secularists over religious and national identity, while in Turkey secularist ruling elites have chosen to accommodate Islamists in the name of democracy and reconciliation. As Islam spreads throughout the world, Muslims living in their traditional homelands and in the Western world are grappling with shifting identities. In all cases, understanding the dynamics of identity-based politics is critical to the future of Muslims and their neighbors across the globe.

In Muslims in Global Politics, Mahmood Monshipouri examines the role identity plays in political conflicts in six Muslim nations—Egypt, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, and Indonesia—as well as in Muslim diaspora communities in Europe and North America. In each instance, he describes how conservatives, neofundamentalists, reformists, and secularists construct identity in different ways and how these identities play out in the political arena. With globalization, the demand for human rights continues to grow in the Muslim world, and struggles over modernity, authenticity, legitimacy, and rationality become increasingly important.

Muslims in Global Politics deepens our understanding of how modern ideas and norms interact with the traditions of the Islamic world and, in turn, shows how human rights advocates can provide an alternative to militant Islamist movements.

Muslims' struggles for identities, interests, and human rights -- Muslims' quest for identities, interests, and human rights -- International human rights norms and Muslim experiences -- Gender, identity, and negotiating rights -- Searching for a modern Islamic identity in Egypt -- Occupation, sectarianism, and identity politics in Iraq -- The melding of the old and new in the United Arab Emirates -- Secularism, Turkish Islam, and identity -- The reemergence of populism in Iranian politics : constructing new identities -- Negotiating modernity and tradition in Indonesia -- Construction of Muslims in Europe : the politics of immigration -- Conclusion : identities, interests, and human rights In Muslims in Global Politics, Mahmood Monshipouri examines the role identity plays in the political dynamics of six different Muslim nations--Egypt, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, and Indonesia--as well as in Muslim diaspora communities in Europe and North America