CivilSociety Resource / Reference Library
Entrepreneurship, personal development, life coaching, return migration, research on inter-communal stress, and the Middle East
Listed by author, with links to Amazon.com for more information (when possible)
See also: The WWW Virtual Library on Migration and Ethnic Relations
Entrepreneurship, personal development, life coaching, return migration, research on inter-communal stress, and the Middle East
Listed by author, with links to Amazon.com for more information (when possible)
See also: The WWW Virtual Library on Migration and Ethnic Relations
4. Belief and Cultural Systems
Copeland, Lennie and Grigg, Lewis. "Going International: How to make friends and deal effectively in the global marketplace"
Outstanding book for people working or hoping to work internationally. A video series by the same name offers practical and visual portrayals of the adventures of international and cross-cultural employment.
Dickens, Mark. Syriac and Nestorian History
Donaldson, Dwight. Shi'Ite Islam: A History of Islam in Iran and Irak
El Sakkakini, Widad. First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra
Fuller, Graham E. and Francke, Rend Rahim The Arab Shi'a : The Forgotten Muslims
George, Timothy. Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?
Study this book to keep in mind the distinctive differences between western (Christian) and eastern (Muslim) ways of seeing God. The linguistic and cultural patterns in the two worldviews are different, true, but the real differences are in the definition of The God, The Creator God, The Almighty One Who Is One. For Christians, The One God chose to reveal His Self in three types of personhoods who can be known and experienced by humans; for Muslims, that One God is not allowed to be more than a solitary, unitary, unknowable Creator who only reveals commands.
GlobalSecurity.Org
Links on Islam
Huntington, Samuel. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order
Huntington provoked worldwide outrage by this book, both from conservative westerners who thought he was too "nice" about Muslim extremists, and from non-conservatives who believed him to be arrogant and ethnocentric. My opinion is that both are correct: there is a clash between those using religious identities to promote political agendas, and those attempting to keep religion at the personal level and politics at the macro level of society. This book infuriated many non-readers because of its apparent linking of Islam with political terrorism. Careful readers understood that this was merely reporting of what "experts" said, and not a personal attack by Huntington on faithful adherents to Islam. Below are a few of my favorite quotes:
—“This awakening is comprehensive—it is not just about individual piety; it is not just intellectual or cultural, nor is it just political. It is all of these, a comprehensive reconstruction of society from top to bottom.”
—One study of militant leaders of Egyptian Islamist groups found they had five major characteristics, which appear to be typical of Islamists in other countries. They were young, overwhelmingly in their twenties and thirties. Eighty percent were university students or university graduates. Over half came from elite colleges or from the intellectually most demanding fields of technical specialization such as medicine or engineering. Over 70 percent were from lower middle-class, “modest, but not poor backgrounds,” and were the first generation in their family to get higher education. They spent their childhoods in small towns or rural areas but had become residents of large cities. While students and intellectuals formed the militant cadres and shock troops of Islamist movements, urban middle-class people made up the bulk of the active membership. In some degree these came from what are often termed “traditional” middle class groups: merchants, traders, small business proprietors, bazaaris.
—Islamist activists “probably include a disproportionately large number of the best-educated and most intelligent young people in their respective populations,” including doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, teachers, civil servants.
Inglehart, R. Human Beliefs and Values: A Cross-Cultural Sourcebook, with CD of data
Compares worldviews and beliefs across geographic and cultural distances. I suggest also the website on "World Values Survey."
Inglehart, R. Islam, Gender, Culture, and Democracy: Findings from the World Values Survey and the European Values Survey
Compares worldviews of Islamic nations with those of other nations, and is a valuable source of data and theories seeking to explain differences between views of "normal" Muslim citizens compared with those of non-Islamic nations. There is data on Iran, but not (yet) on Iraq.
Jabar, Faleh A. The Shi'ite Movement in Iraq
Jabar, Faleh A. Ayatollahs, Sufis and Ideologues : State, Religion and Social Movements in Iraq
Maybury, Richard The Thousand Year War in the Mideast: How It Affects You Today
Best historical perspective on the insider/outsider and local/foreign tensions in the Middle East. The approach given by Maybury will clear up issues of imperialism and political domination. Please read it!
Musk, Bill A. Holy War: Why Do Some Mulsims Become Fundamentalist?
Bill Musk documents his sources like the academic he is, yet writes in a simple style to communicate clearly to practical needs. This is one of his latest books, after a series (see below) of very important books that portray the everyday worldview of Muslims. As a westerner with a lifetime interviewing Middle Easterners, he writes for westerners who find it difficult to reconcile the impressions we have that the Koran defines Muslim life, and the confusing (to us) mix of tradition and ancient script and modern fashion that is the real world of Islam. This book carefully explains why very few Muslims will ever become terrorists, and why generalizations are dangerous for them just as for us. For those living in fear of fundamentalists and criminals acting in the name of religion, any religion, this book is a great help.
Musk, Bill A. Passionate Believing: the "Fundamentalist" Face of Islam
This is another work defining lifestyles and belief systems that are not confined to Islam. For most of the world, fundamentalist is not a positive term, even though it means simply "someone who lives according to the core beliefs of a faith. It is a label applied to those who try to live what they say they believe. Some cross over into a hate religion. That is what this book shows. Some we should love for their simplicity of fervent faith. Others we may find more difficult to accomodate.
Musk, Bill A. Touching the Soul of Islam
This was Mr. Musks's work to clarify in simple writing the merging of Koranic principles and the real world of superstition and tradition that is the daily worldview that most Muslims try to live within. From 1995.
Musk, Bill A. Unseen Face of Islam
I consider this as Mr. Musk's greatest work, where he opens up clearly the full world of seen and unseen spirits, past and future dreams, and the conflicts between peace and war in the community of Islamic faith. From 1989.
Nealson, Jay. Baghdad Believer
Fascinating story of a Sunni storeowner in Baghdad who is caught between his own search for peace and truth and the demands and fears of his family, friends, and the religious militias. There are many other resource reviews and free articles on the website.
Pressfield, Steven. The Afghan Campaign: A Novel
Middle Eastern tribes vs. western imperialism. Both fight for honor, or to avoid shame, but the rhetoric appeals to different senses of duty and obligation, one at the group level and one at the individual level. This excellent presentation of West vs. East is wrapped in the story of Alexander of Macedonia vs. Afghanistan.
Said, Edward W. Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How we see the rest of the world
Copeland, Lennie and Grigg, Lewis. "Going International: How to make friends and deal effectively in the global marketplace"
Outstanding book for people working or hoping to work internationally. A video series by the same name offers practical and visual portrayals of the adventures of international and cross-cultural employment.
Dickens, Mark. Syriac and Nestorian History
Donaldson, Dwight. Shi'Ite Islam: A History of Islam in Iran and Irak
El Sakkakini, Widad. First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra
Fuller, Graham E. and Francke, Rend Rahim The Arab Shi'a : The Forgotten Muslims
George, Timothy. Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?
Study this book to keep in mind the distinctive differences between western (Christian) and eastern (Muslim) ways of seeing God. The linguistic and cultural patterns in the two worldviews are different, true, but the real differences are in the definition of The God, The Creator God, The Almighty One Who Is One. For Christians, The One God chose to reveal His Self in three types of personhoods who can be known and experienced by humans; for Muslims, that One God is not allowed to be more than a solitary, unitary, unknowable Creator who only reveals commands.
GlobalSecurity.Org
Links on Islam
Huntington, Samuel. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order
Huntington provoked worldwide outrage by this book, both from conservative westerners who thought he was too "nice" about Muslim extremists, and from non-conservatives who believed him to be arrogant and ethnocentric. My opinion is that both are correct: there is a clash between those using religious identities to promote political agendas, and those attempting to keep religion at the personal level and politics at the macro level of society. This book infuriated many non-readers because of its apparent linking of Islam with political terrorism. Careful readers understood that this was merely reporting of what "experts" said, and not a personal attack by Huntington on faithful adherents to Islam. Below are a few of my favorite quotes:
—“This awakening is comprehensive—it is not just about individual piety; it is not just intellectual or cultural, nor is it just political. It is all of these, a comprehensive reconstruction of society from top to bottom.”
—One study of militant leaders of Egyptian Islamist groups found they had five major characteristics, which appear to be typical of Islamists in other countries. They were young, overwhelmingly in their twenties and thirties. Eighty percent were university students or university graduates. Over half came from elite colleges or from the intellectually most demanding fields of technical specialization such as medicine or engineering. Over 70 percent were from lower middle-class, “modest, but not poor backgrounds,” and were the first generation in their family to get higher education. They spent their childhoods in small towns or rural areas but had become residents of large cities. While students and intellectuals formed the militant cadres and shock troops of Islamist movements, urban middle-class people made up the bulk of the active membership. In some degree these came from what are often termed “traditional” middle class groups: merchants, traders, small business proprietors, bazaaris.
—Islamist activists “probably include a disproportionately large number of the best-educated and most intelligent young people in their respective populations,” including doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, teachers, civil servants.
Inglehart, R. Human Beliefs and Values: A Cross-Cultural Sourcebook, with CD of data
Compares worldviews and beliefs across geographic and cultural distances. I suggest also the website on "World Values Survey."
Inglehart, R. Islam, Gender, Culture, and Democracy: Findings from the World Values Survey and the European Values Survey
Compares worldviews of Islamic nations with those of other nations, and is a valuable source of data and theories seeking to explain differences between views of "normal" Muslim citizens compared with those of non-Islamic nations. There is data on Iran, but not (yet) on Iraq.
Jabar, Faleh A. The Shi'ite Movement in Iraq
Jabar, Faleh A. Ayatollahs, Sufis and Ideologues : State, Religion and Social Movements in Iraq
Maybury, Richard The Thousand Year War in the Mideast: How It Affects You Today
Best historical perspective on the insider/outsider and local/foreign tensions in the Middle East. The approach given by Maybury will clear up issues of imperialism and political domination. Please read it!
Musk, Bill A. Holy War: Why Do Some Mulsims Become Fundamentalist?
Bill Musk documents his sources like the academic he is, yet writes in a simple style to communicate clearly to practical needs. This is one of his latest books, after a series (see below) of very important books that portray the everyday worldview of Muslims. As a westerner with a lifetime interviewing Middle Easterners, he writes for westerners who find it difficult to reconcile the impressions we have that the Koran defines Muslim life, and the confusing (to us) mix of tradition and ancient script and modern fashion that is the real world of Islam. This book carefully explains why very few Muslims will ever become terrorists, and why generalizations are dangerous for them just as for us. For those living in fear of fundamentalists and criminals acting in the name of religion, any religion, this book is a great help.
Musk, Bill A. Passionate Believing: the "Fundamentalist" Face of Islam
This is another work defining lifestyles and belief systems that are not confined to Islam. For most of the world, fundamentalist is not a positive term, even though it means simply "someone who lives according to the core beliefs of a faith. It is a label applied to those who try to live what they say they believe. Some cross over into a hate religion. That is what this book shows. Some we should love for their simplicity of fervent faith. Others we may find more difficult to accomodate.
Musk, Bill A. Touching the Soul of Islam
This was Mr. Musks's work to clarify in simple writing the merging of Koranic principles and the real world of superstition and tradition that is the daily worldview that most Muslims try to live within. From 1995.
Musk, Bill A. Unseen Face of Islam
I consider this as Mr. Musk's greatest work, where he opens up clearly the full world of seen and unseen spirits, past and future dreams, and the conflicts between peace and war in the community of Islamic faith. From 1989.
Nealson, Jay. Baghdad Believer
Fascinating story of a Sunni storeowner in Baghdad who is caught between his own search for peace and truth and the demands and fears of his family, friends, and the religious militias. There are many other resource reviews and free articles on the website.
Pressfield, Steven. The Afghan Campaign: A Novel
Middle Eastern tribes vs. western imperialism. Both fight for honor, or to avoid shame, but the rhetoric appeals to different senses of duty and obligation, one at the group level and one at the individual level. This excellent presentation of West vs. East is wrapped in the story of Alexander of Macedonia vs. Afghanistan.
Said, Edward W. Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How we see the rest of the world
Sardar, Ziauddin Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim
A sort of travelogue of the varied types of truths of Islamic mainstream and fringe elements who each consider their own version of realty the best. Mr. Sardar writes well, and appropriately for a western audience. This excellent overview of how diverse the community of Islamic faith can be, and helped me to expand even further my appreciation for the ability of anyone to write objectively and critically of large belief systems.
Shah, Idries. Thinkers of the East.
There have always been wise men in every culture and time period. In this book, we catch a glimpse into the wisdom of life from a time where family was the only security a person had, and where the simplicity of everyday life allowed cultural and personal insights stripped of a global context. Profound explanations of human nature are found here, and they apply to us today. A few of my favorite quotes:
—Hilmi—They asked Hilmi: ‘Why do you take so much interest in matters which are not connected with the progress of man?’
He said : ‘When you want to know how hard the coppersmith had been working, you look at the shavings on his floor.’
—Do not rely upon your own opinion when you think you need books and not exercises. Rely less on your belief when you think you need exercises and not books.
Tabataba'i, 'Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn. (translated. Nasr, Seyyed Hossein). Shi'ite Islam
(Albany: State University of New York Press, 1977).
This a very useful work on Shi'a Islam from the inside looking outwards. Shiism is not just a religious path, it is a culture and way of life.
Zwemer, S.A. Arabia-Cradle of Islam
Zwemer was the pioneer of modern western missions in the Middle East and contributed significantly to the first establishment of schools, hospitals, and city infrastructures that enabled the great cities of the Gulf region to grow into significant world trading centers.
A sort of travelogue of the varied types of truths of Islamic mainstream and fringe elements who each consider their own version of realty the best. Mr. Sardar writes well, and appropriately for a western audience. This excellent overview of how diverse the community of Islamic faith can be, and helped me to expand even further my appreciation for the ability of anyone to write objectively and critically of large belief systems.
Shah, Idries. Thinkers of the East.
There have always been wise men in every culture and time period. In this book, we catch a glimpse into the wisdom of life from a time where family was the only security a person had, and where the simplicity of everyday life allowed cultural and personal insights stripped of a global context. Profound explanations of human nature are found here, and they apply to us today. A few of my favorite quotes:
—Hilmi—They asked Hilmi: ‘Why do you take so much interest in matters which are not connected with the progress of man?’
He said : ‘When you want to know how hard the coppersmith had been working, you look at the shavings on his floor.’
—Do not rely upon your own opinion when you think you need books and not exercises. Rely less on your belief when you think you need exercises and not books.
Tabataba'i, 'Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn. (translated. Nasr, Seyyed Hossein). Shi'ite Islam
(Albany: State University of New York Press, 1977).
This a very useful work on Shi'a Islam from the inside looking outwards. Shiism is not just a religious path, it is a culture and way of life.
Zwemer, S.A. Arabia-Cradle of Islam
Zwemer was the pioneer of modern western missions in the Middle East and contributed significantly to the first establishment of schools, hospitals, and city infrastructures that enabled the great cities of the Gulf region to grow into significant world trading centers.
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