Vying for Allah's Vote: Understanding Islamic Parties, Political Violence, and Extremism in Pakistan (South Asia in World Affairs series)
"While others are content simply to label Pakistan 'the world's most dangerous place,' Haroon Ullah has patiently studied the political groups behind the headlines and written a book that explains them cogently and clearly. Those who want to see a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan, and to face its many problems head on, must read Ullah's work;  understanding its complex politics is the first step toward building the Pakistan its people--and its friends--should want."--Cameron Munter, former US Ambassador to Pakistan"Haroon  Ullah has vividly humanized the challenge Pakistan faces in the explosive mixture of religion and politics. Ullah brings to the expertise of a scholar with first-hand knowledge of the country and culture and the perspective on U.S. policy of a diplomat who was a member the late Richard Holbrooke's "AfPak" team. The result is authoritative, insightful, and timely."--Strobe Talbott, President of the Brookings InstitutionHaroon Ullah has done us all a great service by writing a deeply reported, fluidly written account of how these parties work and the effects of Islamists on Pakistan's body politic and how they effect the geopolitics of South Asia. And he considers what lessons Pakistan's Islamists might have for the Islamists in the Arab world who have been thrust into the real world of politics. Vying for Allah's Vote is an important study for all serious students of Islamism."--Peter Bergen, Director, New America Foundation, author of Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden-from 9/11 to Abbottabad"We finally have a senior U.S. diplomat commenting on the explosive interaction between the state, democracy, and religion--and Haroon Ullah delivers. He offers an insightful and nuanced perspective that benefits from his deep knowledge and experience in the field. As nothing can be more important to the US than building bridges with the Muslim world, this book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand Pakistan and the challenges it faces today."--Akbar Ahmed, Professor, American University and former Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom"Pakistan is a rare case where unresolved issues about relations of Islam to politics intersect with democratic development.Vying for Allah's Voteprovides a valuable glimpse into how Islamic party politics in Pakistan has influenced the development of political platforms and how Islam and democracy are likely to impact one another. Insightful and informative." --Vali Nasr, dean of The John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and author ofThe Shia Revival and Forces of Fortune"An insightful study of the complexities of Islamic parties in Pakistan with useful and clear recommendations for American policy." --Bruce Reidel, director, The Brookings Intelligence Project