Synopses & Reviews
This is the first book to examine the Arab Shi'a, a community whose identity and problematic relationship with the rest of the Middle East cuts to the heart of the crisis of Arab politics and society. The Shi'a represent a majority of the population along the Arab coast of the Persian Gulf and are the largest religious group in Lebanon. This book, based on extensive field interviews, examines the nature of Shi'ite belief and community life, contemporary political and social problems, key grievances, and the nature of their relationship with the dominant Sunni state today as they seek a major voice in a new political order.
Review
"As a monograph dealing with policy issues related to the Arab Shi'I, this book is very successful and is of special interest to scholars, activists, and policy-makers dealing with issues related to the Arab Shi'i."--International Journal of Middle East Studies
“This book is especially valuable for policy considerations....” —The New York Times Book Review
“In this lucid, highly readable, and timely book, Fuller and Francke provide an interesting and informative analysis of the travail of the Shi'a politics in the Arab world and explain various patterns of discrimination against the Arab Shi'a.” —Library Journal
Review
“This book is especially valuable for policy considerations....” —
New York Times Book Review“In this lucid, highly readable, and timely book, Fuller and Francke provide an interesting and informative analysis of the travail of the Shi'a politics in the Arab world and explain various patterns of discrimination against the Arab Shi'a.” —Library Journal
“...a sympathetic account of Shi'ah political problems in the select numbe of Arab countries and presents a long-range view of politics in the region...” —Islamic Studies
Synopsis
This is the first book on the Arab Shia community, a group whose identity and relations to the rest of the Middle East cut to the heart of politics and society in the Arab and Muslim world.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [279]-281) and index.
About the Author
Graham E. Fuller is Senior Political Analyst at RAND Corporation.
Rend Rahim Francke is Executive Director of the Iraq Foundation.
Table of Contents
Introduction * The Shia Identity * The Shia in a Sunni State * Shiite Demands and Political Strategies * The Iranian Connection * The Shia of Iraq * The Shia of Bahrain * The Shia of Kuwait * The Shia of Saudi Arabia * The Shia of Lebanon * The Shia and the West * Conclusions