
Throughout the turbulent history of the Levant the 'Alawis - a secretive, resilient and ancient Muslim sect - have aroused suspicion and animosity, including accusations of religious heresy. More recently they have been tarred with the brush of political separatism and complicity in the excesses of the Assad regime, claims that have gained greater traction since the onset of the Syrian uprising and subsequent devastating civil war.The contributors to this book provide a complex and nuanced reading of Syria's 'Alawi communities -from loyalist gangs (Shabiha) to outspoken critics of the regime. Drawing upon wide-ranging research that examines the historic, political and social dynamics of the 'Alawi and the Syrian state, the current tensions are scrutinised and fresh insights offered. Among the themes addressed are religious practice, social identities, and relations to the Ba'ath party, the Syrian state and the military apparatus. The analysis also extends to Lebanon with a focus on the embattled 'Alawi community of Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli and state relations with Hizballah amid the current crisis.
This work investigates the complex intersection of religious identity, political survival, and state power among the 'Alawi communities in Syria and Lebanon. Authors Craig Larkin and Michael Kerr, both established scholars in Middle Eastern politics and conflict studies, assemble a collection of expert analyses to challenge monolithic perceptions of the 'Alawi sect. By examining historical trajectories alongside contemporary civil war dynamics, the text argues that 'Alawi identity is not a static monolith but a multifaceted social construct shaped by state patronage, sectarian suspicion, and regional geopolitical pressures.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts in the field of Levantine studies identify this volume as a critical resource for understanding the internal social dynamics of the Syrian state. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a necessary counter-narrative to simplified media portrayals of the 'Alawi community.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
ISBN-10:
0190613424
ISBN-13:
9780190613426
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