Author Description

In the Middle East where the Arab–Israeli and Gulf conflicts should be thought of together, the difficult path to a comprehensive and lasting peace requires a fresh approach at the dawn of a new century. This is true of the region as a whole, especially in countries with a heavy legacy of ethnic strife and political instability. The quest for a kinder and richer Middle East in the twenty-first century may best be pursued by a series of painstaking and slow detours. They include the weaving of the classical tradition of Islamic law into modern legal experiments, an appreciation of the difficult theoretical and practical questions raised by Islamic movements, and the need for legal fluidity within new constitutional frameworks in the region as a whole. By addressing these delicate issues in a comprehensive and informed way the author has introduced a host of intriguing ideas into the Middle Eastern debate. About the author Chibli Mallat, Professor of Law at the Université Saint-Joseph, Beirut, is a practising lawyer and international legal consultant. He was, until 1996 Director of the Centre of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law (CIMEL) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), where he taught European, English and Islamic law. Dr Mallat has published widely on Islamic and Middle Eastern law. Reviews * "There is a satisfying political coherence to the subject matter." International Affairs * "A substantial contribution to the peace process." Middle East International * "A book fit for many prizes" Judge Eugene Cotran, Chairman, CIMEL, SOAS