The Devil We Don't Know: The Dark Side of Revolutions in the Middle East

by Nonie Darwish

Overview

Respected human rights activist Nonie Darwish assesses the potential for freedom to succeed following the recent revolutions in the Middle East

The recent powerful wave of Middle East uprisings has fueled both hope and trepidation in the region and around the world as the ultimate fate—and fallout—of the Arab Spring continue to hang in the balance. Born and raised as a Muslim in Egypt and now living in the United States, Nonie Darwish brings an informed perspective to this carefully considered assessment of the potential outcome of the revolutions in the Middle East. This thought-provoking book will add to the ongoing debate on what the future holds for the people and the politics of the region and on the ultimate compatibility of freedom and democracy in the Muslim world.

• Takes an unflinching, in-depth look at the ramifications of the game-changing recent uprisings in the Middle East
• Examines the factors that will obstruct or support freedom and democracy in the Muslim world
• Written by a former journalist for the Middle East News Agency who has written extensively on the Middle East, Islam, and women's rights, and who is also the author of Cruel and Unusual Punishment: The Terrifying Implications of Islamic Law and Now They Call Me Infidel: Why I Renounced Jihad for America, Israel, and the War on Terror

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681620015
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	02/01/2012
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Human rights activist Nonie Darwish was born and raised as a Muslim in Egypt and Gaza living under sharia. Her father headed the Egyptian military intelligence in Gaza in the 1950s and led Fedayeen operations against Israel under Egyptian president Nasser. Educated at the American University in Cairo, she emigrated to the United States with her husband, converted to Christianity, and worked as a journalist at the Middle East News Agency. She founded ArabsForIsrael.com in 1984, to promote understanding, peace, and support for Israel. She also cofounded in 2009 FormerMuslimsUnited.org, which stands for freedom of religion and civil rights of former Muslims. She was featured in the documentary film Obsession and was recently nominated for the Train Foundation's Civil Courage Prize.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1. The Cycle of Dictatorships and Revolutions 7

2. Why Islamic Revolutions Are Doomed to Fail 27

3. A Muslim’s Burden: How Islam Fails the Individual 51

4. Israel amid Islamic Tornadoes 87

5. Exodus: The Rise of Islamic Apostasy 115

6. Will the Arab Spring Usher In a Feminist Movement? 145

7. Western Vulnerability 171

8. House of Cards: The Downfall of Islam as We Know It 199

Conclusion 221

Notes 227

Index 233