Islam and the Trajectory of Globalization

The book examines the growing tension between social movements that embrace egalitarian and inclusivist views of national and global politics, most notably classical liberalism, and those that advance social hierarchy and national exclusivism, such as neoliberalism, neoconservatism, and national populism. In exploring issues relating to tensions and conflicts around globalization, the book identifies historical patterns of convergence and divergence rooted in the monotheistic traditions, beginning with the ancient Israelites that dominated the Near East during the Axial age, through Islamic civilization, and finally by considering the idealism-realism tensions in modern times. One thing remained constant throughout the various historical stages that preceded our current moment of global convergence: a recurring tension between transcendental idealism and various forms of realism. Transcendental idealism, which prioritize egalitarian and universal values, pushed periodically against the forces of realism that privilege established law and power structure.

Palestine: Prophetic Principles Over Prophecies*

Palestine: Prophetic Principles over Prophecies outlines the emerging patterns of the struggle for freedom and justice; of unfulfilled promises, dashed hopes, untold misery, and the long search for the elusive peace in Palestine. For 60 years modern Israel flourished as the Palestinian pain and suffering grew, and Palestinian anger gave birth to new generations of fighters who draw meaning from their life of suffering by challenging the Israeli occupation.

[[*This is the preface of a pamphlet I published in 2008 under the same title. For digital copy click here. You could also obtain a print copy at Amazon by clicking here.]]

Corona Pandemic and its effects on Arab and other Debt-Ridden Countries

The Corona epidemic, which started in December in China before it turned into a global pandemic last month, poses a major challenge to human societies, both developing and developed, especially Arab societies. The Corona pandemic came and the world is mired in many crises that will intensify during the coming months, and its repercussions will affect the economic and political conditions in addition to health conditions.

Is the Trump Rally a Financial Bubble or Real Growth?

Trump has been taking credit for the rapidly rising stock market, which Wall Street has termed the "Trump Rally." The rally, and the boom in the capital market that followed the 2008 financial crisis, is deceptive, and does not really reflect any meaningful economic growth. It, indeed, hides the real problem that inflict the US economy, the increasingly excessive greed that plagues the financial market and the business conglomerates that  seem to be more interested in creating private wealth than growing the economy. The problem is not limited to the US but has a global dimension.

What Makes America Great?

Donald Trump came to power on the slogan of "making America great again." The question we need all to ask is what makes America great? Trump did not take the time to articulate what exactly makes America great, and no one took the time to demand that this question be clarified.

It does not take hard thinking to discover that what makes America great is indeed the commitment of the American people to the ideals of freedom, equality, and fairness. This simply means that Trump cannot make America great again when he ignores the values and principles that made it exceptional in the first place.

Responding to Texas Legislator's Misrepresentation

On January 11, 2017, a letter signed by Kyle Biedermann, Texas House representative, and cosigned by two Far Right activists, was sent to Muslim leaders in Texas asking them to “renounce, repudiate and oppose any physical intimidation, or worldly and corporal punishment, to apostates who leave Islam.” The letter cited me among Muslim authorities who advocate capital punishment for apostates, and quoted a brief statement from my book Peace and the Limits of War as an evidence of my alleged death-to-apostate position.

Aside from the fact that the letter is offensive, intimidating, and designed to support an initiative by Far-Right groups, it distorts both my views and the reality of the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans. This is not the first time that my views were distorted by individuals who harbor dislike and hatred of Islam and Muslims, and who are bent on distorting Islam's teachings and demonize its adherents. I have had a long confrontation with various members of the Far Right during my association with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and throughout the Bush Jr. Administration.

Making Sense of Trump’s Immigration Policy Through the Lens of Bannon’s Populist Conservatism

Donald Trump made it clear during his presidential campaign, and right after assuming the office, that he is serious about making it difficult for Muslims and Latinos to come to, and stay in, the United States. Trump’s statements and actions must be understood in the context of the rise of the populist conservative movement, represented in the Trump administration by his senior advisor Steve Bannon. 

Against the March of Humanity

What we are witnessing today is the rise of regressive domestic and global agendas in the US and Europe to reverse human progress. These frantic efforts to undermine a progressive agenda that started to empower individuals, communities, societies who were not part of the privileged culture is doomed to failure.

Internal Colonialism and Counter-Revolution

"When an elite ruling class controls state institutions and resources and uses them for its own benefit, this can be called ″internal colonialism″. Such systems exist in their worst form in the Arab world. The Syrian author Louay Safi believes, however, that all signs indicate that the Arab peoples will rid themselves of this colonialism and that the repressive military regimes will be smothered by their own crimes and corruption."

It is Dictatorship Stupid!

The US presidential inauguration ceremony is a reminder of how precious democracy is and how invaluable is life under the rule of law. For over 200 years peaceful transfer of power took place, even in most politically divisive times, like the one we have today in the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Being involved in the last few years with efforts to facilitate and support transition to democracy in Syria, I have been appalled to witness the ugly face of military dictatorships violently crushing even the slightest demands for genuine political participation.

Today's Zaman's Interview with Louay Safi on Syrian Conflict

“We thought the established democracies would support those who are crying out for democracy and freedom. But these countries did not live up to their commitment to democracy and human rights,” said Louay Safi, spokesperson for the Syrian National Coalition -- the only group recognized by countries supporting the opposition as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people -- in an exclusive interview with Sunday's Zaman.

The End of Arab Dictatorship

After three years Syrians are used to defying expectations

Barrel bombs don't kill dreams. Neither do scud rockets, warplanes, tanks or canisters of Sarin gas fired at sleeping children.

Geneva’s Negotiations and Charades

The drive to end dictatorship in Syria is 34-month old, and would soon complete its third year of bloodshed, destruction, and pain. Throughout the 34 months of this bloody conflict, the Assad regime tried to end the uprising by brutal force, insisting on a military solution.

Why we, the Syrian National Coalition, have agreed to peace talks

Syria – as portrayed by unavoidable state television, newspapers and radio – is a land full of loyal citizens who are eternally grateful to their benevolent rulers. There is no corruption, arbitrary arrest or torture. Consequently, everyone is satisfied with their government, which means there is no opposition.

To discriminate or not to discriminate is the Arab American question

The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), an organization created to fight discrimination against Arab Americans and defend their civil liberties and human rights, has decided to disinvite a Syrian composer and pianist because he chose to present a piece expressing hope for freedom in his homeland, Syria.

The Dawn of Democracy Arrives in Syria

Once again the news coming from Syria is full of pains, disappointments, and hopes. The people of Syria continue their protests against widespread corruption and the lack of freedom and democracy, and they do that at great risk. “Give me freedom or give me death” once proclaimed by Patrick Henry in a speech at the Virginia Convention is repeated daily by Syrian protesters in action rather than in words. The United Nations reported that as many as 850 may have been shot dead while thousands have been arrested by government security.

Blame the truth for Beck’s fall from grace

 
It is now official; Glenn Beck is pushed out of the door by Fox News. While many people are curious about the reasons for Fox management decision to drop Beck and cancel his crazy and fervently charged show, I’ve always wondered why anyone would watch him and listen to his outlandish claims, preposterous accusations, and sensational agitation.

Obama should stay clear of Mubarak’s final sins

After treading cautiously for several days, Hosni Mubarak, the embattled president of Egypt, came out today swinging. In a televised address on the Egyptian Television, Mubarak promised political reform and an official investigation of widespread corruption, and he insisted to do that himself with the help of the same people who are responsible for harboring corruption in the first place.

State of the Union and Obama’s disillusionment with world politics

Has Barak Obama concluded that the state of world is no more relevant to the State of the Union? This question came to my mind as I listened on Tuesday to President Obama concluding his State of the Union remarks without making one reference to the Middle East agenda he spelled out in his Cairo speech in 2009.

The Winds of Democratic Change in the Arab World

The wind of democratic change that struck Ben Ali’s police state in Tunisia is shifting eastward towards Egypt. After decades of corruption and mismanagement, which characterizes the post-colonial Arab regimes in general, the people of Tunisia broke down the glass ceiling that has for long hidden their voices and forced them into a submissive posture. Ben Ali justified his plan to force his countrymen into this unnatural and painful posture by stressing economic prosperity for all. It turned out that the pretense of prosperity was only guaranteed to a small group of well-connected persons around the head of state while the majority of Tunisians, particularly the younger generation, were left out in the cold.