Book Title; Hamas Unwritten Chapters
Publisher; C. Hurst & Co. ltd
Pb. xii+344. (PB). ISBN-10 1-85065-834-X
By Azzam Tamimi
Publisher; C. Hurst & Co. ltd
Pb. xii+344. (PB). ISBN-10 1-85065-834-X
By Azzam Tamimi
Occassion: Contribution to the Islamic Foundation library's E-Newsletter at the Markfield Institute of Higher Education, UK.
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Reviewing a book on contemporary issues deserves at least a clear overview of the subject matter. However, Tamimi a seasoned writer and lecturer on Islamic political thought and Middle Eastern politics' vast knowledge of and concise understanding of the topic have made my task easy.
The Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine or Hamas’ sweeping victory in the 2006 elections, which ostensibly, preceded the commissioning to write this book, forms the backdrop of its raison d'etre. The author seeks to accurately present Hamas; its origin, development and what it stands for, therefore dispel, and redress the coverage imbalance it has received in the contemporary literature and media.
The book provides an encyclopaedic narrative of events, dates, and persons that gave birth to Hamas. An offshoot of the Islamic Brotherhood, Hamas has been defining and redefining itself to meet and respond to the aspirations of the Palestinians. Hamas in contrast to the PLO and other factions has worn the hearts and minds of its community through a large ground-network of NGOs and educational institutions.
As the book unfolds Hamas’ rise to authority and prominence and identifying itself as a religious movement, Arab and Muslim governments were fairly uneasy to extend their support to its course. Coupled with mounting pressure from Israel, the US and the international community even the Jordanian Ikhwan on whose patronage Hamas heavily relied due to their proximity sought to identify Hamas’ struggle as a Palestinian issue.
The book does not only narrate events but offers insightful analysis. Readers would not help but admire Hamas’ leadership, as history is drafted, their sacrifices and steadfastness are commendable. Fatah on the other hand apart from being corrupt “it had become clear (after Hamas’ election victory) that the issue was not what political vision or political agenda Hamas had or was prepared to have. What was at issue was simply power and wealth neither of which the Fatah leadership were prepared to lose”.
Perhaps the only downer I can cite on this book is the efforts expended in analysing the ‘suicide bombing’ controversy. The book has attempted to contextualize the issue and level scathing attacks on government religious institutions by virtue of their government political position on the Middle East politics. A jurisprudential approach should have been the basis for any criticism.
Apart from several typographical errors, this is a book I would personally purchase for my home library and recommend it to everyone interested in the Muslim and Arab World affairs to read.
The Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine or Hamas’ sweeping victory in the 2006 elections, which ostensibly, preceded the commissioning to write this book, forms the backdrop of its raison d'etre. The author seeks to accurately present Hamas; its origin, development and what it stands for, therefore dispel, and redress the coverage imbalance it has received in the contemporary literature and media.
The book provides an encyclopaedic narrative of events, dates, and persons that gave birth to Hamas. An offshoot of the Islamic Brotherhood, Hamas has been defining and redefining itself to meet and respond to the aspirations of the Palestinians. Hamas in contrast to the PLO and other factions has worn the hearts and minds of its community through a large ground-network of NGOs and educational institutions.
As the book unfolds Hamas’ rise to authority and prominence and identifying itself as a religious movement, Arab and Muslim governments were fairly uneasy to extend their support to its course. Coupled with mounting pressure from Israel, the US and the international community even the Jordanian Ikhwan on whose patronage Hamas heavily relied due to their proximity sought to identify Hamas’ struggle as a Palestinian issue.
The book does not only narrate events but offers insightful analysis. Readers would not help but admire Hamas’ leadership, as history is drafted, their sacrifices and steadfastness are commendable. Fatah on the other hand apart from being corrupt “it had become clear (after Hamas’ election victory) that the issue was not what political vision or political agenda Hamas had or was prepared to have. What was at issue was simply power and wealth neither of which the Fatah leadership were prepared to lose”.
Perhaps the only downer I can cite on this book is the efforts expended in analysing the ‘suicide bombing’ controversy. The book has attempted to contextualize the issue and level scathing attacks on government religious institutions by virtue of their government political position on the Middle East politics. A jurisprudential approach should have been the basis for any criticism.
Apart from several typographical errors, this is a book I would personally purchase for my home library and recommend it to everyone interested in the Muslim and Arab World affairs to read.
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Assalamualaikum,
ReplyDelete'Aamil ay yaa afandi? good job punk, keep it up!
Nice review, jazaakallaahu khayr Sheikh
ReplyDelete