Abstract
This paper critically evaluates Muhammad Asad's 1954 book, "Road to Mecca." The book review outlines the central themes and features of the text, particularly Asad's belief that western chauvinism explains the west's contempt and/or fear of Islam. The review notes Asad's willingness to overlook some of the more controversial aspects of Islam.

From the Paper
"This paper critically evaluates Muhammad Asad's 1954 book, "Road to Mecca." The book review outlines the central themes and features of the text: Asad's belief that western chauvinism explains the west's contempt and/or fear of Islam; his willingness to overlook some of the more controversial aspects of Islam - notably the treatment of women; the remarkable way in which he sloughs off with ease his Judeo-Christian heritage and the presumptive reason why he became a Muslim in the first place; and why the west is wrong in its understanding of Islamic Jihad. All told, the text is often fascinating and always well-written, but it is an odd book insofar..."

Tags:review, mecca, muhammad

Abstract
This paper assesses the political, military and psychological means by which Hafiz al-Asad retained power in Syria for thirty years until his death in 2000. With particular emphasis on the use of coercion, the paper gives an in-depth view of the internal politics of Syria, Asad's mechanisms of state control and coercion and the role of international relations on domestic Syrian affairs.

From the Paper
"Syria was a country that had undergone tremendous political turbulence in the years preceding Asad's ascent to power in November 1970. The last three decades of the twentieth century saw constant upheaval throughout the Middle East and President Asad faced repeated challenges both internally and externally. Asad's success in simply remaining in power is, therefore, worthy of analysis and, as with his counterpart in Iraq, Saddam Hussein, much has been made of the regime's use of coercion in order to maintain its position. Coercion, that is government by force, undoubtedly played a crucial role in shoring up Asad's powerful position within Syria and he was not afraid to use all military means at his disposal to swiftly quash any opponents of the regime. It would be a gross over-simplification, however, to assume that this was the sole means by which Asad's remarkably long-lived presidency ensured its own survival. It is, perhaps, more helpful to view the use of coercion by the regime as the last line of defense of a shrewd leader who, although ultimately reliant on the military to ensure the control of his nation, nonetheless employed a varied and effective strategy to maintain both Syria's position internationally and his position within Syria."

Tags:coercion, east, middle

From the Paper
"Muhammad Asad, in The Road to Makkah, writes his autobiography in an honest, fascinating and accessible way which draws the reader along from chapter to chapter. What most draws the reader into the story of Asad's life is his humility, his refusal to try to make himself more important in history than he believes he really is. He sees his life as primarily a spiritual journey, having to do more with the work of God---Allah---in his life than with any great accomplishment on his own part:

The story I am going to tell . . . is not the autobiography of a man conspicuous for his role in public affairs; . . . it is not even the story of a deliberate search for faith---for that faith came upon me . . . without any endeavor on my part. . . . My story is simply the story of a European's discovery of ..."

Abstract
This paper is in the form of a speech by Osmane Arslanian, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations Organization. It provides a general overview of Syrian history, the current state of Syrian affairs, as well as a biography and summary of current Syrian leadership.

From the Paper
"Syria first referred to the land of Aram East of the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and Arabia to the south and Cilicia to the north, crossing inland, including Mesopotamia (Wikipedia 2004) and from west to east Commagene, Sophene and Adiabene, or what was known as Assyria. This was the larger Syria, which consisted of smaller regions, such as Palestine in the southwest, Phoenicia along the coast, Coele-Syria north of the Eleutheris River, and Mesopotamia. Palestine, later known as Israel, is now composed of the states of Israel and Jordan."

Tags:middle, east, baath, asad