The Theory and Practice of Islamic Terrorism: An Anthology

By Marvin Perry, Howard E. Negrin

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Pages: 268, Publication Date: 2008-10-15
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0230606628
pdf with cover & bookmarks in .zip 1.497 MB

Description:
Drawing from a variety of sources, this anthology encourages readers to explore the multiple dimensions of Islamic terrorism and seeks to promote a better understanding of one of the most complicated and urgent problems facing the world today.

Divided into six parts, the book deals with the theological and ideological background of the concept of jihad, the policies and organization of Al Qaeda, various policy recommendations for combating terrorism, the motivations of suicide bombers, the dilemma jihadists pose in Western countries, and the adoption of classical European and anti-Semitic myths for political and religious gain in segments of the Muslim world.

With excerpts ranging from works by Sayyid Qutb to Osama bin Laden to Nonie Darwish, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in or studying Islamic terrorism.

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Civil Islam | Robert W. Hefner

Publisher: Princeton University Press
Pages: 312, Publication Date: 2000-08-15
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0691050465
Size ~0.96 MB (in RAR archive)

Description: "Civil Islam" tells the story of Islam and democratization in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation. Challenging stereotypes of Islam as antagonistic to democracy, this study of courage and reformation in the face of state terror suggests possibilities for democracy in the Muslim world and beyond.

Democratic in the early 1950s and with rich precedents for tolerance and civility, Indonesia succumbed to violence. In 1965, Muslim parties were drawn into the slaughter of half a million communists. In the aftermath of this bloodshed, a "New Order" regime came to power, suppressing democratic forces and instituting dictatorial controls that held for decades.

Yet from this maelstrom of violence, repressed by the state and denounced by conservative Muslims, an Islamic democracy movement emerged, strengthened, and played a central role in the 1998 overthrow of the Soeharto regime. In 1999, Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President of a reformist, civilian government.

In explaining how this achievement was possible, Robert Hefner emphasizes the importance of civil institutions and public civility, but argues that neither democracy nor civil society is possible without a civilized state.

Against portrayals of Islam as inherently antipluralist and undemocratic, he shows that Indonesia's Islamic reform movement repudiated the goal of an Islamic state, mobilized religiously ecumenical support, promoted women's rights, and championed democratic ideals.

This broadly interdisciplinary and timely work heightens our awareness of democracy's necessary pluralism, and places Indonesia at the center of our efforts to understand what makes democracy work.

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Muslim Democrat, Indonesian President: (Abdurrahman Wahid), A View from the Inside

By Greg Barton

Publisher: UNSW Press
Pages: 414, Publication Date: 2002-01
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0868404055
Zip'd ~ 19 Mb

Description: In humiliating circumstances, Indonesia's fourth president, Abdurrahman Wahid was forced from office in August 2001 after less than two years in the job. Wahid, almost blind and physically weak after a number of strokes, was widely misunderstood in the West, even being seen as a somewhat comical figure.

But in Indonesia the Muslim scholar affectionately known as Gus Dur to millions of people had long been revered by many of his countrymen and highly respected by the country's elites. His life had been one of great public service to his fellow citizens, his religion and his belief in liberal democracy. In this authorised biography, much of it based on unique first-hand observation, Greg Barton introduces us to both the man and his world and attempts to make sense of his controversial public career and presidency.

Barton has known Wahid since 1989, when he started researching the influence of Islamic liberalism in Indonesia, and has subsequently spend many months with his subject, including seven months during Wahid's 21-month presidency, both in Indonesia and travelling with him abroad.

Anyone who is at all interested in the drama of modern Indonesia will find this view from the inside to be an essential read.

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