Description

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This is the first book to examine the Arab Shi'a community, a group whose identity and problematic relationship with the rest of the Middle East cuts to the heart of the crisis of Arab politics and society. From southern Iraq and along the coast of the Persian Gulf, the Arab Shi'a are concentrated in the strategic Gulf region; they form majorities in Iraq and Bahrain and they are the largest religious group in Lebanon. Historically there have been major tensions between the Shi'a and Sunni communities. This book, based on extensive field interviews, examines the nature of Shi'ite belief and community life, contemporary political and social problems, key grievances, and the nature of their relationship with the dominant Sunni state today as they seek a major voice in a new political order. Political and social integration of the Shi'a is a key to orderly political evolution in the Gulf in the next century.

About the Author

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GRAHAM E. FULLER is Senior Political Analyst at RAND Corporation. REND RAHIM FRANCKE is Executive Director of the Iraq Foundation.

Praise For…

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“This book is especially valuable for policy considerations....” —New York Times Book Review

“In this lucid, highly readable, and timely book, Fuller and Francke provide an interesting and informative analysis of the travail of the Shi'a politics in the Arab world and explain various patterns of discrimination against the Arab Shi'a.” —Library Journal

“...a sympathetic account of Shi'ah political problems in the select numbe of Arab countries and presents a long-range view of politics in the region...” —Islamic Studies