Ussama Makdisi Knihy

Today’s headlines depict the Middle East as a region plagued by war and sectarian strife. Ussama Makdisi’s work reveals a more nuanced narrative, highlighting a history of coexistence amid Ottoman reforms, European colonialism, and rising nationalism. This groundbreaking exploration spans from the nineteenth century to today, examining the politics of pluralism during the Ottoman Empire and in the post-Ottoman Arab world. Rather than viewing the Arab world through a lens of enduring sectarian conflict, it presents a narrative of a complex coexistence system, termed the “ecumenical frame.” Makdisi argues that innovative antisectarian politics and significant Muslim-Christian collaborations have shaped the modern Arab identity. Despite facing colonialism and authoritarianism, this framework for coexistence has persisted for nearly a century, underscoring that religious diversity does not inherently lead to sectarianism. Instead, as Makdisi illustrates, individuals of various faiths, often sharing similar political views, have continuously sought to forge modern societies that rise above religious and sectarian divides. This perspective offers a hopeful reminder of the potential for harmony in a region often characterized by conflict.

Ussama Makdisi, a prominent historian and educator, holds the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University. His scholarly contributions include "The Culture of Sectarianism," which explores the complexities of sectarian identity, and he is also a coeditor of "Memory and Violence in the Middle East and North Africa," examining the interplay of historical memory and conflict in the region. His work highlights critical themes in Arab studies and contributes to a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern dynamics.

Focusing on Ottoman Lebanon, this title shows how sectarianism was a manifestation of modernity that transcended the physical boundaries of a particular country. It challenges those who have viewed sectarian violence as an Islamic response to westernization or simply as a product of social and economic inequities among religious groups. schovat popis

Ussama Makdisi, a prominent historian and the inaugural holder of the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University, explores themes of sectarianism and violence in the Middle East and North Africa. His notable works include "The Culture of Sectarianism" and he serves as coeditor for "Memory and Violence in the Middle East and North Africa," contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's complex historical and cultural dynamics.