A panoramic, provocative account of the clash between British imperialism and Arab jihadism in Africa between 1870 and 1920 "An epic account of the British Empire's activities in Africa and the Middle East. . . . An important, indeed tremendous, contribution."-John Newsinger, author of The Blood Never Dried: A People's History of the British Empire The Ottoman Sultan called for a "Great Jihad" against the Entente powers at the start of the First World War. He was building on half a century of conflict between British colonialism and the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Resistance to Western violence increasingly took the form of radical Islamic insurgency. Ranging from the forests of Central Africa to the deserts of Egypt, Sudan, and Somaliland, Neil Faulkner explores a fatal collision between two forms of oppression, one rooted in the ancient slave trade, the other in modern "coolie" capitalism. He reveals the complex interactions between anti-slavery humanitarianism, British hostility to embryonic Arab nationalism, "war on terror" moral panics, and Islamist revolt. Far from being an enduring remnant of the medieval past, or an essential expression of Muslim identity, Faulkner argues that "Holy War" was a reactionary response to the violence of modern imperialism. 74 b-w illus. + 18 maps

Highlights A history of the rich and diverse civilizations over fifteen centuries of Islam seen through its greatest cities. About the Author: Justin Marozzi is a former Financial Times and Economist foreign correspondent. 512 Pages History, Description About the Book Islamic civilization was once the envy of the world. From a succession of glittering, cosmopolitan capitals, Islamic empires lorded it over the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and swathes of the Indian subcontinent, while Europe cowered feebly at the margins. For centuries the caliphate was both ascendant on the battlefield and triumphant in the battle of ideas, its cities unrivalled powerhouses of artistic grandeur, commercial power, spiritual sanctity and forward-looking thinking, in which nothing was off limits. Book Synopsis A history of the rich and diverse civilizations over fifteen centuries of Islam seen through its greatest cities. Islamic civilization was once the envy of the world. From a succession of glittering, cosmopolitan capitals, Islamic empires lorded it over the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and swathes of the Indian subcontinent, while Europe cowered feebly at the margins. For centuries the caliphate was both ascendant on the battlefield and triumphant in the battle of ideas, its cities unrivaled powerhouses of artistic grandeur, commercial power, spiritual sanctity, and forward-looking thinking, in which nothing was off limits. Islamic Empires is a history of this rich and diverse civilization told through its greatest cities over the fifteen centuries of Islam, from its earliest beginnings in Mecca in the seventh century to the astonishing rise of Doha in the twenty-first. Marozzi brilliantly connects the defining moments in Islamic history: from the Prophet Mohammed receiving his divine revelations in Mecca and the First Crusade of 1099 to the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and the phenomenal creation of the merchant republic of Beirut in the nineteenth century, and how this world is continuing to change today. Review Quotes "A relief from the often downbeat tone of literature about the region."-- "The Economist" "Justin Marozzi is a precious rarity--a serious traveler who is also a real writer, with a wonderful feel for language, a gift for narrative and an enviable sensitivity and lightness of touch."--William Dalrymple [praise for Justin Marozzi] "Marozzi combines travel writing and history in this fluid, enriching series of vignettes about the great cities of Islamic civilization. The range and detail of Marozzi's research brings a welcome variation on the standard view of Islamic history."-- "Publishers Weekly" "Mr. Marozzi is an accomplished and ambitious writer. His latest work is Islamic Empires, a sweeping, vibrant and often irrepressible account of the cities most emblematic of Islam since that religion was promulgated by the Prophet Muhammed in the early seventh century. The charm of this book lies in the fact that it is so obviously the adult sublimation of a boyhood passion for the lands and history of Islam. Mr. Marozzi is now 49, but his prose often has the wonderment of a young man who has devoured a shelf of books and is dying to tell everyone about the things he has read. Like an erudite magpie, he gathers material from every available source--primary texts, both religious and historical, as well as a profusion of secondary ones--and weaves it all together with dexterity."-- "Wall Street Journal" "Outstanding. Marozzi is the most brilliant of the new generation of travel writer-historians."-- "Sunday Telegraph (Books of the Year) [praise for Justin Marozzi]" About the Author Justin Marozzi is a former Financial Times and Economist foreign correspondent. His previous books include South from Barbary, Tamerlane, Conqueror of the World, and The Man Who Invented History. His last book, Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood won the Royal Society of Literature's Ondaatje Prize.

'Exquisitely written and lavishly illustrated, this delightful book brings five centuries of Ottoman culture to life. Diana Darke constantly amazes the reader with fascinating facts and points of relevance between the Ottoman past and the present day' - Eugene Rogan, author of The Fall of the Ottomans A richly illustrated guide to the Ottoman Empire, 100 years since its dissolution, unravelling its complex cultural legacy and profound impact on Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. At its height, the Ottoman Empire spread from Yemen to the gates of Vienna. Western perceptions of the Ottomans have often been distorted by Orientalism, characterizing their rule as oppressive and destructive, while seeing their culture as exotic and incomprehensible. Based on a lifetime's experience of living and working across its former provinces, Diana Darke offers a unique overview of the Ottoman Empire's cultural legacy one century after its dissolution. She uncovers a vibrant, sophisticated civilization that embraced both arts and sciences, whilst welcoming refugees from all ethnicities and religions, notably Christians and Jews. Darke celebrates the culture of the Ottoman Empire, from its aesthetics and architecture to its scientific and medical innovations, including the first vaccinations. She investigates the crucial role that commerce and trade played in supporting the empire and increasing its cultural reach, highlighting the significant role of women, as well as the diverse religious values, literary and musical traditions that proliferated through the empire. Beautifully illustrated with manuscripts, miniatures, paintings and photographs, The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy presents the magnificent achievements of an empire that lasted over 600 years and encompassed Asian, European and African cultures, shedding new light on its complex legacy. 149 Illustrations, color

Surveys the landscape of modern sectarianism within Islam in North Africa and the Middle East.

This book highlights and examines the role of the textbook in legitimising established political and social orders. It analyses the way in which the other is presented in school textbooks, focusing on a number of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and argues that the role of textbooks in developing and maintaining a national…

Some date back to the 1990s.

Description Putumayo is pleased to present Arabic Groove, a cutting- edge collection of hip and danceable tracks from North Africa and the Middle East. Arabic Groove reveals the ways funk, hip-hop and dance have blended with Arabic music to create exciting new sounds. This forward-looking compilation features some of the most electrifying music filling fashionable nightclubs from Paris to Cairo, and includes remixes by Transglobal Underground, Volodia and Bill Laswell. Track Listing : Putumayo Presents - Arabic Groove 01 - Abdel Ali Slimani - Moi et Toi (Algeria)02 - Abdy - Galbi (Morocco)03 - Dania - Leiley (Transglobal Underground Remix) (Lebanon)04 - Amr Diab - Amarain (Egypt)05 - Hisham Abbas - Intil Waheeda (Egypt)06 - Hamid El Shaeri - Hely Meli (Libya)07 - Fadela & Sahraoui - Mani (Algeria)08 - Natasha Atlas - Kidda (Egypt/UK)09 - Khaled - Mauvais Sang (Algeria)10 - Sawt El Atlas - Ne Me Jugez Pas (Volodia Remix) (Morocco)11 - Cheb Tarik - L'histoire (Algeria) Music Style(s)Arabian , Middle EasternAge SuitabilityTeen , Young Adult , Thirty-Something , Young At HeartEthicsEthically Produced Made In USAReviews

Writers and Middle East specialists choose key works – histories, novels, podcasts, documentaries and more – to explain the current crisis

In honor of Ramadan, I wanted to offer a book list to help bridge an understanding between Muslins and people of other faiths.

Next week will mark the tenth anniversary of the protests that sparked a country-wide uprising in Syria, leading to a brutal crackdown and a civil war that would shatter the country into pieces. The Syrian conflict, from the early days of hope and revolution to the horrific violence and extremism that emerged later, has in…

Whether you are planning a trip to Morocco or just dreaming of a desert adventure, these books about Morocco will transport you to North Africa!

Books, articles and other contributions on ethnic jewellery written by Sigrid van Roode