by ADEEL MALIK and BASSEM AWADALLAH for PROJECT SYNDICATE on MAY 8, 2013: OXFORD – The wave of revolts that swept across the Arab world two years ago were fueled by demands for freedom, bread, and social justice. But, although the revolutions toppled dictators and transformed societies, these core objectives remain as distant as ever. [...]
via BERKLEY CENTER FOR RELIGION, PEACE & WORLD AFFAIRS on MAY 16, 2013: The Junior Year Abroad Network (JYAN) connects study abroad students in a global conversation on religion, politics, and culture. During the 2011-2012 school year, 61 Hoyas in 30 countries on five continents—from Bolivia to Egypt to Tajikistan—shared their experiences and observations through [...]
by miriam cooke for BOUNDARY 2 (International Journal of Literature and Culture/Duke University Press) on MAY 17, 2013: The tiny peninsula state of Qatar is building an empire. Ever since the current emir Shaykh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani wrested power from his father in 1995, he has worked ceaselessly to place his tribal shaikhdom on the [...]
by SARAH HAAS for DUKE IN THE ARAB WORLD BLOG on MAY 18, 2013: As I sit writing this blog post in a small glass room that is brightly lit, overlooking a courtyard with trees and ivy, I can’t help but remember the last time I was here just nine months ago. Two small, lanky [...]
by AZEEM IBRAHIM for INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING on MAY 8, 2013: (Summary Excerpt) Leaders in Tunisia and Egypt have acknowledged Turkey as a potential model for their emerging democracies due to its ability to balance Islam and democracy. Rashid Ghannouchi, leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda Party, views Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party [...]
‘No to Dictatorship’: Duke Students Cover Sudanese Rap Song
by LAWRENCE NEMEH for ISLAMiCommentary on MAY 7, 2013: At Arabic Night this past April, Duke students and faculty came together to celebrate Arab culture through music, food and poetry. Four students in the AMES department – Mayyadda Major, Ryan Gaylord, Desmond Lee and I – debuted our interpretation of the Arabic rap song “La Lildictatoria” or “No [...]
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