Arab voices
Subtitle: the human rights debate in the Middle East
By: Kevin Dwyer.
Series: Comparative studies on Muslim societies ;; 13
Publisher: University of California Press
Published: 1991
Place of publication: Berkeley
Language: eng
Number of pages: 245
Subjects: Human rights -- Arab countries; Liberty -- Religious aspects -- Islam; Intellectuals -- Arab countries -- Attitudes
Description: Although many Westerners claim human rights as a major achievement of Western civilization, Muslims argue just as sincerely that human rights are central to Islam. They argue as well that the West's rhetorical emphasis on human rights cannot hide the fact that within Western society basic human rights are violated every day. Through the use of extensive research and interview material from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, Kevin Dwyer explores what human rights mean to Middle Eastern men and women - lawyers, political militants, religious thinkers, journalists, and human rights activists. The debate ranges widely from the nature of human freedom and human rights organizations to the role of religion in Arab and national identity. The reader gains a strong sense of the complexity and vitality of life in the Middle East today and of the kinds of issues that are at the center of informed discussion there. -- Publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [239]-240) and index.