Heavy metal Islam
Subtitle: rock, resistance, and the struggle for the soul of Islam
By: Mark LeVine.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 296
ISBN-13: 9780307353399
Subjects: Popular music -- Social aspects -- Islamic countries; Popular music -- Social aspects -- Middle East; Popular music -- Social aspects -- Morocco; Popular music -- Social aspects -- Egypt
Description: "An eighteen-year-old Moroccan who loves Black Sabbath. A twenty-two-year-old rapper from the Gaza Strip. A young Lebanese singer who quotes Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song'. They are as representative of the world of Islam today as the conservatives and extremists we see every night on the news. Heavy metal, punk, hip-hop, and reggae are each the music of protest, and in many cases considered immoral in the Muslim world. This music may also turn out to be the soundtrack of a revolution unfolding across that world. Why, despite governmental attempts to control and censor them, do these musicians and fans keep playing and listening? Partly, of course, for the joy of self-expression, but also because, in this region, everything is political. In Heavy Metal Islam, Mark LeVine explores the influence of Western music on the Middle East through interviews with musicians and fans, introducing us to young Muslims struggling to reconcile their religion with a passion for music and a desire for change. The result is a revealing tour of contemporary Islamic culture through the evolving music scene in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Heavy Metal Islam is a surprising, wildly entertaining foray into a historically authoritarian region where music just might be the true democratizing force."--Back cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.   ) and index.
Table of contents: title: Morocco; title: Egypt; title: Israel-Palestine; title: Lebanon; title: Iran; title: Pakistan.