Oman is the inheritor of a unique political tradition; the imama (imamate); and has a special place in the Arab Islamic world. From the eighth century and for more than a thousand years; the story of Oman was essentially a story of an original; minority; movement: the Ibadi. This long period was marked by the search for a just imama through the Ibadi model of the Islamic State. Hussein Ghubash’s well-researched book takes the reader on an historical voyage through geography; politics; and culture of the region; from the sixteenth century to the present day. Oman has long-standing ties with East Africa as well as Europe; the first contact between Oman and European imperialist powers took place at the dawn of the 1500s with the arrival of the Portuguese; eventually followed by the Dutch; French and British. Persuasive; thorough and drawing on Western as well as Islamic political theory; this book analyzes the different historical and geopolitical roles of this strategic country. Thanks to its millennial tradition; Oman enjoys a solid national culture and a stable socio-political situation. Today; it is moving steadily towards a democratic future.
#496083 in Books Akbar Ahmed 2002-03-31 2002-02-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .62 x 6.14l; .93 #File Name: 0415285259272 pagesDiscovering Islam Making Sense of Muslim History and Society
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Islam which has and is still expanding so rapidly has been portrayed as corrupted and all its kings terribly bad peopleBy TareenThe historical events described are disjointed and confusing. Islam which has and is still expanding so rapidly has been portrayed as corrupted and all its kings terribly bad people. The sayings of The Prophets have been quoted without verifying their authenticity. Many conclusions have been drawn on such unverified sayings.The author has worked hard in collectingi information from various sources and lumped these up together. It is probably because of this approach that the events described seem disjointed. I had heard good opinion about this author and had expected to gain a lot but feel disappointed4 of 17 people found the following review helpful. Taqiyya FestBy Ramachandra B. AbhyankarThis is holy deception (Islamic Taqiyya).For the truth about Islam; read the books:Leaving Islam: Apostates Speak Out edited by Ibn WarraqWhy We Left Islam: Former Muslims Speak Out by Crimp and RichardsonJihad in the West by Paul FregosiUnderstanding Muhammad: A Psychobiography by Ali SinaThe Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam by Robert SpencerReligion of Peace? by David Gregory5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. an anthropologits in JerusalemBy M. FliegelmannI have been meaning to read this book for many years and finally got around to it.So much can be said about it. The most outstandning thing is that the book has withstood the effects of time very well: it is more relevant than ever and even prophetic. Some of Professor Ahmed's concerns have turned out to be extremely topical.The book obviously has no agenda of being an instance in islamic scholarship and it is not surprising that some of the reviews written by readers take him to task on the detail. That was never the point. I think the purpuse of the book was to take on the "makro" issues and that is where its strength is to be found. Professor Ahmed; though a loyal member of Islam and one that has never failed to live and write and think exhibitin solidarity as such; does have the courage to take on some sore points. He focuses on the very uneasy seam between modern "rational" thought and Muslim thought and is trying to hold on to the good while exposing the harmful. Harmful to Muslim society itself.Self criticism was not just a Communist mantra. It is such a marvelous tool for renwal and growth of any mode of thought and those who forgo it; harm; not only those they interact with (a thing inevitable in our global age) but much more clearly themselves.That is the main point that Professor Ahmed Akbar makes and his muslim brethern would be so well advised to listen to him instead of confronting him. He clearly is on their side. His is Constructive Criticism.The book is very well written and worth reading. It should appeal to specialist and non-specialist alike. Yes there are some inaccuracies but that is not the point.
