Beschreibung
The current political events surrounding the Iranian nuclear crisis, the
precarious situation in Lebanon, as well as the still unsettled fate of
Iraq have resulted in a renewed interest in the Shi`ite dimension of Islam
among political observers. This volume covers the phenomenon of political
assertiveness among contemporary Shi`ite Muslims in the Middle East, as
well as among converts in Southeast Asia. It argues that Shi`ite
identities are often based on local cultural heritage and history and
are – contrary to what is usually assumed by the wider public – not to be
considered monolithic.
Christoph Marcinkowski, award-winning Professor of Islamic Studies and
Interreligious Relations at Germany’s Catholic University of
Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and the author of “Religion and Politics in Iraq”, is
currently working for Germany’s Federal Interior Ministry and CIBEDO (the
Christian-Muslim dialogue forum of the German Catholic Bishops’
Conference) on a survey of Shi`ite organisations in Germany.
