Shi'ite Identities

The current political events surrounding the Iranian nuclear crisis, the precarious situation in Lebanon, as well as the still unsettled fate of Iraq have resulted in a renewed interest in the Shi`ite dimension of Islam among political observers. This volume covers the phenomenon of political assertiveness among contemporary Shi`ite Muslims in the Middle East, as well as among converts in Southeast Asia. It argues that Shi`ite identities are often based on local cultural heritage and history and are - contrary to what is usually assumed by the wider public - not to be considered monolithic.

Christoph Marcinkowski, award-winning Professor of Islamic Studies and Interreligious Relations at Germany's Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and the author of "Religion and Politics in Iraq", is currently working for Germany's Federal Interior Ministry and CIBEDO (the Christian-Muslim dialogue forum of the German Catholic Bishops' Conference) on a survey of Shi`ite organisations in Germany.