Ali Mirsepassi's book presents a powerful challenge to the dominant media and scholarly construction of radical Islamist politics; and their anti-Western ideology; as a purely Islamic phenomenon derived from insular; traditional; and monolithic religious "foundations." It argues that the discourse of political Islam has strong connections to important and disturbing currents in Western philosophy and modern Western intellectual trends. The work demonstrates this by establishing links between important contemporary Iranian intellectuals and the central influence of Martin Heidegger's philosophy. We are also introduced to new democratic narratives of modernity linked to diverse intellectual trends in the West and in non-Western societies; notably in India; where the ideas of John Dewey have influenced important democratic social movements. As the first book to make such connections; it promises to be an important contribution to the field and will do much to overturn some long-held and pervasive assumptions about the dichotomy between East and West.
#1073557 in Books Timothy Marr 2006-06-26 2006-09-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .79 x 5.98l; .98 #File Name: 052161807X324 pagesThe Cultural Roots of American Islamicism
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. My favorite work in this small and burgeoning fieldBy gld_9A masterful conceptual; historical; and comparative incorporation of Islam into 19th century American Studies. My favorite work in this small and burgeoning field.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An interesting venture in an evolving historiographyBy M. O. SiddiqiAn interesting work in an arena of American history that is only now getting its due attention. A quick note about other reviewers discussing this book: Why would one bother reading anything at all; if you're mind's already so intransigently set on one way of viewing things. To those who would like to explore more deeply the contingencies of early American contact with the Muslim world; and how that contact shaped certain enduring epistemologies; this book isn't a bad place to start.5 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Notice that the Muslim "editorial" reviews all refer to American "misunderstanding" of IslamBy Opera GhostAll you need to know to understand Islam -- regardless of anyone's perception of it -- is what the genocidal pedophile Muhammad preached and practiced; and what his followers have done in fits and starts -- as knowledge; zeal; and resources have allowed -- for the last nearly one and one-half millennia.The fact that Muslims are characterizing what Marr reports as "mis-images" and "conflicted view[s]" of Islam must mean that Marr's work is more accurate than not.If one wishes to understand Islam historically -- especially in relation to the United States -- then one need look only to John Adams; Thomas Jefferson; and John Quincy Adams. The first Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson discovered from a Muslim ambassador himself that the reason for the Barbary wars against the new Republic was -- before we had done anything at all; and centuries before George W. Bush was born -- their "divine" mandate to war against unbelievers:"'It was written in their Koran; that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners; whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every mussulman who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise. He said; also; that the man who was the first to board a vessel had one slave over and above his share; and that when they sprang to the deck of an enemy's ship; every sailor held a dagger in each hand and a third in his mouth; which usually struck such terror into the foe that they cried out for quarter at once.'"John Quincy understood Islam well; describing it as a hellish and existential threat:"In the seventh century of the Christian era; a wandering Arab of the lineage of Hagar [i.e.; Muhammad]; the Egyptian; combining the powers of transcendent genius; with the preternatural energy of a fanatic; and the fraudulent spirit of an impostor; proclaimed himself as a messenger from Heaven; and spread desolation and delusion over an extensive portion of the earth. Adopting from the sublime conception of the Mosaic law; the doctrine of one omnipotent God; he connected indissolubly with it; the audacious falsehood; that he was himself his prophet and apostle. Adopting from the new Revelation of Jesus; the faith and hope of immortal life; and of future retribution; he humbled it to the dust by adapting all the rewards and sanctions of his religion to the gratification of the sexual passion. He poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain; by degrading the condition of the female sex; and the allowance of polygamy; and he declared undistinguishing and exterminating war; as a part of his religion; against all the rest of mankind. THE ESSENCE OF HIS DOCTRINE WAS VIOLENCE AND LUST: TO EXALT THE BRUTAL OVER THE SPIRITUAL PART OF HUMAN NATURE[. . .]"Between these two religions; thus contrasted in their characters; a war of twelve hundred years has already raged. The war is yet flagrant . . . While the merciless and dissolute dogmas of the false prophet shall furnish motives to human action; there can never be peace upon earth; and good will towards men."What happened to the West's hard-won; first-hand knowledge of Islam? Our military and economic supremacy shielded generations from jihad; and leftist; multicultural extremists latched onto Edward Said's ridiculous cultural ad hominem blaming us for Muslim "piety" expressed in the rape; slavery; and slaughter of non-Muslims.And now; we've elected an allegedly-former Muslim who actively lies about traditional Islam and aids its advance around the world by supporting movements promoting shari'a. But those resisting Islamic tyranny; as in Iran? He's eating ice cream.Here's some of what the devout don't want you to know: "the Messenger of Allah . . . would say: 'Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war. . . . When you meet your enemies who are polytheists; invite them to three courses of action. . . . Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you; accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. . . . If they refuse to accept Islam; demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay; accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax; seek Allah's help and fight them . . .'" (Muslim Book 19; Number 4294). "fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them; and seize them; beleaguer them; and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war) . . . " (Qur'an 9:5). "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day; nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger; nor acknowledge the religion of Truth; (even if they are) of the People of the Book; until they pay the Jizya with willing submission; and feel themselves subdued" (Qur'an 9:29). "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger; and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution; or crucifixion; or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides; or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world; and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter . . . " (Qur'an 5:33).Ibn Kathir says of this verse: "'Wage war' mentioned here means; oppose and contradict; and it includes disbelief; blocking roads and spreading fear in the fairways. Mischief in the land refers to various types of evil." So; Muhammad requires execution; crucifixion; or cutting off hands and feet from opposite sides for "disbelief." "Allah's Apostle said: 'I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle [. . .] if they perform that; then they save their lives and property from me . . . '" (Bukhari Volume 1; Book 2; Number 24). "It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter; and Allah is Mighty; Wise" (Qur'an 8:67). "Allah's Apostle said; '. . . I have been made victorious with terror . . .'" (Bukhari Volume 4; Book 52; Number 220).[...]
