Islamic Fundamentalism Pakistan And The Muslim World

Featuring a brand new examination of Islamic fundamentalism in the wake of the Arab Spring, this fully revised and updated second edition of Islamic Fundamentalism since 1945 analyzes the roots and emergence of Islamic movements in the modern world and the main thinkers that inspired them. Providing a much-needed historical overview of a fast-changing socio-political landscape, the main facets of Islamic fundamentalism are put in a global context, with a thematic debate of issues such as: - the effects of colonialism on Islam - secularism and the Islamic reaction - Islam and violence in the 9/11 era - globalization and transnational Islamist movements - Islam in the wake of the Arab Awakening Islamic Fundamentalism since 1945 provides an authoritative account of the causes and diversity of Islamic fundamentalism, a modern phenomenon which has grabbed the headlines as a grave threat to the West and a potentially revolutionary trend in the Middle East. It is a valuable resource for students and those interested in the history, effects and consequences of these Islamic movements

This report is the capstone to a series of reports analyzing Islamic fundamentalism, or "Islamism," in the Northern Tier countries--Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It identifies common patterns and characteristics that all those states have experienced with fundamentalism. The author reviews the obstacles to an Islamic takeover, outlines factors contributing to the growth of Islamism, describes Islamist influence in the Northern Tier states, and considers the Islamists in power. Finally, he discusses U.S. policy options in dealing with the Northern Tier countries. The studies in this series conclude that radical Islamic fundamentalists are unlikely to come to power in Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Islam is a burning topic in modern scholarship and contemporary world affairs. It is a subject poorly understood by Western observers, and in this book Professor Montgomery Watt takes a significant step towards its demystification. Montgomery Watt examines the crucial questions of traditional world-view and self-image which dominate the thinking of Muslims today. This traditional self-image causes them to perceive world events in a different perspective from Westerners – a fact not always appreciated by the foreign ministries of Western powers. Professor Watt presents a brilliant and critical analysis of the traditional Islamic self-image, showing how it distorts Western modernism and restricts Muslims to a peripheral role in world affairs. In a scholarly and incisive way, he traces this harmful image to its origins in the medieval period and then to the traumatic exposure of Muslims to the West in modern times. He argues that Muslim culture is suffering from a dangerous introspection, and in his closing chapters presents a constructive criticism of contemporary Islam, aimed at contributing to a truer, more realistic Islamic self-image for today. First published in 1988.

Beginning with an examination of medieval Islamic fundamentalist movements such as Kharjism, Ibadism, Hanbalism, and Wahhabism, Sayed Khatab looks at the similarities and differences between them and present organizations such as al-Qa'ida. It may be surprising that many of the radical narratives embraced by modern groups have not emerged recently. Identifying these roots can lead to a better understanding of al-Qa'ida's theological and intellectual narratives, and how they effectively indoctrinate youths and attract many of them to violent acts of terrorism. The book then focuses on al-Qa'ida's theology, ideology, and tactics; the geographic contours and implications of al-Qa'ida's political strategy in relation to the western and eastern countries which are considered enemy states; the impending clash of cultures; and the ideological war within al-Qa'ida. Innovative in its concept, examining political Islamic thought from a historical to a contemporary perspective, Islamic Fundamentalism generates new understanding of the many complexities of political Islam, and the role of violence and terrorism.

"Jihad's New Heartlands: How The West Has Failed To Contain Islamic Fundamentalism" is a ground breaking book offering an insightful and thorough analysis of the most important territories where Islamic fundamentalism has taken a foothold. The author, Gabriel G Tabarani thanks to his combination of thorough research, wide-ranging travel and extensive experience in the field provides a thorough historical, political and social analysis of the key variables, historical events and most importantly their potential consequences. This extensive study, across many of the world's foremost and pertinent Islamic fundamentalist breeding grounds such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, The Levant, and The Maghreb, offers the reader an in depth look at the context of Islamic Fundamentalism's rise in prominence, profile and destabilising potential. This analysis is extended to Muslim populations living in Europe and America helping to explain the causes for the Wests failure to contain Islamic extremism both at home and abroad. "Jihad's New Heartlands", in addition to being written by one of the regions foremost experts, is a must read for any person wanting to understand the causes of Islamic Fundamentalisms rise and the consequences of its ascent in an increasingly globalised yet unstable world.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath have focused the world's attention on Islamic fundamentalism. This accessible volume aims to rebutt the misconceptions about Islam articulated by many European intellectuals down the centuries. For non-Muslims these still obstruct a clear understanding of both the nature of Islam and the history of Christian/Muslim interactions.