The best books on Palestine, recommended by Raja Shehadeh
Raja Shehadeh’s choices highlight the suffering endured by the Palestinian people over the last 100 years. But they also celebrate the country’s natural beauty, vibrant culture and multi-textured humanity.
The best books on Yemen, recommended by Bernard Haykel
Yemen is a stunningly beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage but its recent history has been marred by internal conflicts, outside interference and poor governance. Bernard Haykel, a professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, recommends books that bring to life Yemen’s traditional culture and give insight into what makes the country tick.
The best books on The Essence of Islam, recommended by Ahmad Thomson
The British lawyer who converted to Islam in 1973 and founded Wynne Chambers – one of the first chambers to specialise in Islamic law in the UK – discusses five books on the essence of Islam
The best books on Islam and Modernity, recommended by Turi Munthe
CEO and founder of Demotix, the multiple-awardwinning open newswire, discusses five books on Islam and Modernity and the politicisation of Islam in the last decade.
The best books on Islam, recommended by Shazia Khan
Reporter for the BBC World Service and Radio 4, who specialises in reporting on faith and culture selects five books on Islam
Susan Abulhawa on Palestinian Writing
Acclaimed novelist and author of Mornings in Jenin chooses five books about Palestine by Palestinian writers. She says what she sees among the young people in Palestine is humbling, ‘they have such remarkable spirit’
The best books on The Arabs, recommended by Eugene Rogan
Eugene Rogan is Director of the Middle East Centre at Oxford University. His research focuses on the social and economic history of the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire and the Arab states in the 20th century.
The best books on Israel, recommended by Michael Goldfarb
Award-winning broadcast journalist and author chooses five books on Israel. He says that perceptions of Israel and Palestine are always filtered through expectation and prejudice – which makes the problem unsolvable
The best books on Travel in the Muslim World, recommended by Ziauddin Sardar
The Professor of Postcolonial Studies at City University, London, talks to us about Islamic travel books. Explains how travel should be both a physical and a mental exercise focussed on immersing oneself in local culture
The best books on Maverick Political Thought, recommended by Chibli Mallat
The lawyer who prosecuted Ariel Sharon discusses the brilliance of maverick political thinkers and says: “It takes at least a generation to establish democracy.” Highlights work of philosopher Gilles Deleuze above all