Abstract The paper analyzes Sara Ahmed's book "Declarations of Whiteness: The Non-Performativity Anti-Racism" and discusses the re-settlement experiences of Iraqi Kurdish women migrants in the U.K. It discusses how Ahmed assists the reader in gaining an understanding that there are many points of consideration in attempting to understand and to ultimately correct the problem of racism.
From the Paper "The work of Richard Dyer is noted by Ahmed in the statement of Dyer as follows: "Whites must be seen to be white, yet whiteness consists in invisible properties and whiteness as power is maintained by being unseen." (1997, 45) Ahmed argues that if the definition given to whiteness "unseen". Ahmed states that: "...the argument that we must see whiteness because whiteness is unseen can convert into a declaration of not being subject to whiteness or even a white subject (If I see whiteness then I am not white, as whites don't see their whiteness) Perhaps this fantasy of transcendence is the privilege afforded by whiteness, as a privilege which disappears from sight when it has itself in view."
This paper reviews two books about women and Islam: ?Islam, Gender and Social Change,? edited by Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad and John L. Esposito, and Leila Ahmed's "Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate".
2,390 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 0 sources, $ 73.95
Abstract This paper explains that "Islam, Gender and Social Change" is a collection of essays about eleven case studies of Muslim women in various countries and includes the issues facing women outside the Middle East in Muslim areas such as Pakistan and the Philippines. The author relates that, in contrast to historians who argue that fundamentalist reinterpretations of the Koran are to blame for the repressive nature of Islam in many countries, Ahmed, author of "Women and Gender in Islam" argues that the repression of women dates back to the expansion of Mesopotamian law and that Muslim women have always used informal channels to obtain education and property. The paper relates that, instead of urging Islamic governments to change voluntarily, particularly in countries where religious and political authorities are one and the same, women and other activists should open communication and dialogue within the already-existing religious frameworks.
From the Paper "In addition to the individual country studies, the first three overview essays in this volume set the tone for the book. In the opening essay, Haddad chronicles the impact of the changing Arab world on the modern-day Muslim women. The second essay by Barbara Stowasser continues the contemporary approach by examining relevant passages from the Koran. Nadia Hijab's article, the final one in the first half of the book, is a comprehensive discussion of how international women's organizations work within and against the strictures of Islamic law. Through the overview essays and the individual case studies, "Islam, Gender, and Social Change" provides good analysis and glimpses into how women are striving to both live under and challenge the prevailing interpretations of Islam."
Tags: organizations, essays, fundamentalist, mesopotamian, communication
This paper describes in detail the 1885 siege at Khartoum, Egyptian Sudan, of the troops of British Major-General Charles Gordon by the insurgent Sudanese rebels lead by Mohammed Ahmed, the Mahdi.
Abstract This paper explains that British Major-General Charles Gordon arrived in Khartoum in 1884 with instructions to evacuate the garrison and to attempt to organize an independent government to take over. The author points out that, before he could proceed to implement his plans, the city was besieged by Mohammed Ahmed, the Mahdi; a relief column was fatally delayed by the British government and Gordon was killed. The paper concludes that, when Gordon's journals were published, he became a hero, eventually bringing down the Gladstone government.
From the Paper "Gordon continued to underestimate the Mahdi's strength, and when an old friend of Gordon's, now a captive, sent word that the Mahdi had some 40,000 riflemen ready to attack, Gordon wouldn't believe it. One of Gordon's steamers had foundered on the river and the British officers on board killed. The Mahdi delighted in sending to Gordon one of his captured letters. He taunted Gordon for expecting a relief column. He now knew that there was no relief column. And, later, when a steamer did arrive in Khartoum, there were neither troops nor supplies on board. As the siege wore on, and horses had to be slaughtered for food, Gordon tried to keep up a brave front, telling the townspeople that a relief column was on the way, and would soon arrive. Out of ammunition and food, Omdurman fell to the Mahdi's troops. The Mahdi sent one last offer to Gordon, telling him that the Brisih offered to ransom him alone for 20,000 pounds Sterling. He told Gordon he would return him to the British without asking for a single farthing."
Abstract This essay discusses the history of women in the Middle East. The author examines this from the rise and fall of pre-Islamic matriarchal society, and concentrates on the status and role of women through the birth of Islam to the Umayyad and Abbasid Empires.
From the paper:
"Women were considered of equal, if not higher status than men in many pre-Islamic societies, they were matriarchal. Catal Huyuk, a Neolithic settlement from around 6000 B.C.E. is one example of a culture where there is strong evidence showing that women were of such status. Leila Ahmed also claims that studies of the region have showed that "Supremacy of a goddess figure and elevated status of women were the rule rather than the exception"? According to Ahmed, ruins were found to have women in the larger burial platforms, and paintings and decorations mostly consisted of female figures."
Tags: abbasid, ite, kharijite, qarmation, shi, umayyad, culture, figure, islam
Abstract The status of women in early Islam is a concept that is covered by authors Barbara Fryer Stowasser in her article "The Status of Women in Early Islam" and Leila Ahmed in "Women and the Rise of Islam". These two articles differ significantly in terms of the role that women played within society during the development of Islam, despite the fact that both Stowasser and Ahmed address similar time periods and geographic regions. The views of these two authors are explored within this paper in order to better define the image of the woman in early Arabia.
Abstract The 'Red Brigades' was a terrorist group formed in 1969 in Italy as the result of student movements. They were an extreme left terrorist group with the goal of separating Italy from the Western alliance. The group advocated violence and targeted unionists, politicians and businessman who they claimed represented the ?establishment.? The paper shows that although the Red Brigade succeeded in acts of terror while operational, ultimately during the 1980s the organization declined due, in part, to internal schisms, operational failures and the arrests of many of the members. As a terrorist entity, one might consider the group a failure. The paper shows, in contrast, that the Palestinian Liberation Organization has successfully contributed to the cause of terror over time and factions of the organization still exist. The PLO of Palestine existed as a terrorism powerhouse and achieved some of their goals and continues to be a successful terrorist movement in Palestine. The paper examines what differentiates the two groups, whether one might consider the PLO successful and the Red Brigades a failure and whether one could consider a group described as "terrorist" successful. The paper traces both groups' histories and looks at their similarities.
From the Paper "One of the appealing aspects to prospective members of the organization was money. Adult males who joined the PLO not only received their pension, but their wives also received an allowance for the family. The Palestinian organization was successful for many reasons, not the least of which was relating to the common person. Many Palestinians and Arabs have for many years sought a unified existence. The PLO-Palestine offered just that. It united the common person for a common cause. The violent activities promoted by the organization were not seen as fruitless acts of maliciousness and horror; rather they were seen as activities dictated by higher powers for a good and unified purpose."
Abstract This paper contends that Peter Marsden successfully brings several muddled issues into focus in his book, "The Taliban: War, Religion and the New World Order in Afghanistan". The paper claims that the author neither demonizes nor glorifies the Taliban in his constructive and scholarly overview of the movement. The paper discusses the book and considers it a useful starting point for a fruitful investigation of the Taliban, in particular, and radical Islam in general. The theme and tone of Marsden's book are diplomatic, and thus the book also allows students of international relations to grasp the objective and unbiased perspectives necessary to approach complex global issues. The Taliban, in fact, provide a prime example of the difficulties in forging dialogue between divergent cultures.
From the Paper "One of the main strengths of Marsden's book is his dedication to framing the Taliban within a broader historical, cultural, and religious framework. In addition to offering the background historical information in the early chapters of the book, describing how the Taliban eventually were able to take power in Kabul, the author also includes an outline of early and convergent Islamic movements in Chapter Six. Marsden compares and contrasts these movements, taking care to respect the specific ethnic and cultural traditions that support them. While Marsden does not treat Islam as a homogenous religious force, he does note the inevitable similarities between Islamic movements, especially as they draw upon religious scripture as the source for political policy. Indeed, one of the main difficulties in forming dialogue with radical Islamic movements is that those movements are informed directly by religion, whereas in European and North American secular societies, religion and politics inhabit separate spheres. Great difficulties arise when the religiously-grounded politics of the Taliban conflict with the secular morals and ethics of other cultures around the world."
Abstract This paper discusses Muslim Empires and the interpretation of Islam. It looks at the power of the Ottoman Empire and its demise, the Mughal Empire and emperors and the views of Edward Said regarding historical knowledge of another culture.
From the Paper "According to Akbar S Ahmed the main Muslim empires were the Ottomans the Safavids and the Mughals. At its height the empire of the Ottomans extended from Budapest to Yemen and from Baghdad to Algeria. In spite of the size of the empire and the power of the ..."
Tags: Said, Ahmed, Islam, Muslim empires, Ottoman, Mughal
Abstract This paper explores the contradictions of Hamas, including its classification as a terrorist organization on the one hand, and its humanitarian works on behalf of Palestinians on the other. A brief history of the organization is presented as well as a biography of its founder, Sheik Ahmed Yassin. The author concludes that despite its charitable work, Hamas remains committed to the tenets of its Covenant, which expressly condemns the state of Israel and which advocates violence.
Outline:
Background/History
Recent Events and Increasing Popularity
Potential Futures
From the Paper "Hamas' mainstream political victory has also brought to light the conflicts between Hamas and Fatah. The president of the Palestinian Authority since Arafat's death is Mahmoud Abbas. Since the January 2006 parliamentary victory for Hamas, however, Fatah and the PLO have made a point to distance itself from the more radical ideology espoused by Hamas. Because of its electoral victory, Hamas has been able to stock the Palestinian parliament with its own ministers, whose views often differ sharply from those held by Fatah members especially in regard to the recognition of Israel as a state and to the participation in international peace talks. Furthermore, Fatah supported Saddam Hussein during the first Gulf War, whereas Hamas, under the leadership of Hamas, worked more closely with Hussein-opposed Gulf nations."
Abstract The paper highlights the insurgence of terrorism and the resultant fears expressed by peoples throughout the world. The paper discusses the characteristics of the leading terrorist organizations and the background of its leaders in an attempt to explain the thinking behind the terrorist psychology.
Outline:
Hamas
Hizballah
Al Quaida
LTTE
Hizb ul-Mujahideen
Terrorists Profile
Usama Bin Laden
Velupillai Prabhakaran
Shoko Asahara
Mullah Mohammed Omar
Ahmed Ramzi Yousef
From the Paper "Terrorism has expanded into every nook and corner of the world today. A terrorist today, does not appear with a distinctive personality but rather blends with the society leaving security experts with little clue. While organized crimes are mostly economically motivated, terrorism is on an entirely different footing. Religious and cultural fanatism are the main motivational factors for terrorist outfits. [Frank Bovenkerk] Terror networks are in operation with the groups globalized and operating from diverse bases. Because of this, it is not possible for law enforcement officers to operate with existing tools for local crimes. Terrorism management wings need international cooperation and a transparent relationship with their counterparts from other nations."
