Islam and Dissent in Postrevolutionary Iran: Abdolkarim Soroush, Religious Politics and Democratic Reform - Tapa dura

""This brilliant analysis of ideological ferment in contemporary Iran is an eye-opening revelation of the issues created by the political role of Islam. It also gives profound insights into situations around the world where religion has become a part of social dissent. This book shows that when religion enters the public sphere it becomes a contested field of interpretation-even by its ardent proponents. Far from a simple 'clash of civilizations, ' the politicization of religion creates crises internal to communities of faith and new challenges to understanding the relationship between culture and political power. This book should be essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the internal character of today's global rebellion against the secular state.""--Mark Juergensmeyer, Professor of Sociology and Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara ""This book will become recognized as one of the best reassessments of the Revolution and of the roles played by the likes of Soroush, Shariati and indeed Khomeini himself. ... [drawing on] numerous specific references to Irani sources that are not generally available to readers outside of Iran and who do not read Farsi. ... [The chapter on Soroush] presents the best intellectual history of the Revolution I have read.""--Richard Martin, Professor of Islamic Studies and History of Religion, Emory University ""Could become a standard reference in courses on Islam and modernity, as well as Iran""-- Omid Safi, Professor of Islamic Studies, UNC & Chair for Study of Islam Section, American Academy of Religion ""Suitable for courses on Islam, politics and modern society, and accessible for upper-level undergraduate as well as graduate students""--Valerie J Hoffman, (specialist in Islam), Associate Professor, Department of Religion, University of Illinois

The Iranian revolution of 1979 overhauled not only the foundations of Iranian society, religion and politics, but also our understanding of the role of religion in modern government. Here Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi takes us on an enlightening journey, showing that the revolution unintentionally opened up the public sphere to competing interpretations of Islam. Far from being the exclusive preserve of high-ranking seminarians as before, in contemporary Iran lay theologians, intellectuals, lawyers and social activists are active and influential interlocutors in debates on the meaning of Islam.A key figure is philosopher Abdolkarim Soroush, a leading force behind Iran's pro-democracy movement and vocal critic of the state. Through a close reading of Soroush's writings, and by tracing the links between Muslim intellectual critique and the realpolitik of postrevolutionary power struggles, Ghamari-Tabrizi offers nothing less than a pathbreaking reassessment of the Iranian revolution. With powerful insights, 'Islam and Dissent' is essential for an understanding of the Muslim world today, as of the new relationships between religion, politics and democracy visible across the globe.Islam and politics a very important topic, especially re. Iran. Soroush is a key figure in Iran, and in Middle East generally. This title is recommended by star academics in the field of Islam and politics.