Reform in the Arab World: External Influences and Regional Debates

Reform in the Arab World: External Influences and Regional Debates
ISBN-10
8187943785
ISBN-13
9788187943785
Category
History / Asia / South / General
Pages
173
Language
English
Published
2005
Publisher
India Research Press
Author
Talmiz Ahmad

Description

September 11 provided a vision and a strategy to a US Presidency that until then had been groping for fresh ideas and a relevant foreign policy. The 'global war on terror' now became an article of faith for the United States. The US Government, media and think-tanks turned their attention to Islam, the Arab world and Saudi Arabia, and held them responsible for the catastrophe unleashed upon the Americans. Reform of religion, of politics and economics, of education, and of cultural and religious life thus became the new buzz-word. This new focus on 'reform', whatever the motivation of its protagonists, had the effect of igniting a reform - related debate across the Arab world. Academics, journalists, businessmen and political figures, and, frequently, government leaders, all of them participated in this resounding cacophony for reform, discussing issues of political, economic, social, religious and cultural change with unprecedented freedom. The discussion about reform is still in full flow, yielding in its wake some satisfaction that debates are underway that will decide the destiny of the Arab person. This monograph provides an account of this extraordinary intellectual ferment in the Arab world and the attempts of governments, Arab and foreign, to cope politically and intellectually with these new challenges. -- Back jacket.

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