ISLAMISTS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A POLITICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS – DR WANDA KRAUSE
In a second piece on Islamism in the UAE (following the interview with Mohammad Al-Mansoori in the December 2006 issue), this research article outlines and explains the major trends of Islamism in the Emirates. Often regarded as a stable bastion of Western influence in a volatile region, the untold story about the UAE is the slow but steady growth in the power and influence of Islamist groups. Based on interviews with 50 Islamic “activists”, this major research article argues that despite the fact that Islamists in the Emirates concentrate their efforts on civil society and charitable projects, their widespread activities will inevitably influence the politics of the country. Moreover, despite the fact that they generally do not make an issue of the Emirates’ close relationship with the United States, it is an open secret that many Islamists aspire to decrease their country’s dependence on America.
THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND THE ARAB MEDIA: AN INTERVIEW WITH KHALED EL-SHAMI
In an interview with Islamism Digest, the political editor of Al-Quds Al-Arabi answers questions on the reporting of the Arab media on the Egyptian government’s crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood. He also explains how the Mubarak regime is diminishing scope and role of the independent print media in Egypt.
A SOLUTION FOR KASHMIR? DR GHULAM NABI FAI EXPLAINS
In a wide-ranging interview with Islamism Digest, the director of the Washington-based Kashmiri American Council outlines and explains the factors that continue to frustrate efforts in finding a solution to the Kashmir dispute. Fai argues that any proposed solution which ignores the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is doomed to fail.
THE HIGHER PURPOSES OF ISLAMIC LAW: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR GASSER AUDA
Dr. Gasser Auda, the director of the Al-Maqasid Research Centre in the Philosophy of Islamic Law (Markaz Dirasaat Maqasid al-Shari’ah al-Islamiya), explains the higher purposes of Islamic Law and how these can be employed to fight terrorism.
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