The Alawis of Syria
Journal Data
| Type | SOURCE_BOOK |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (GB) |
| ISBN-13 | 9780190458119 |
| Open Library | OL20019684W |
| Total publications | 6 |
| Coverage period | 2015 - 2015 |
| Language | EN |
| Impact factor | 0.667 |
Throughout the turbulent history of the Levant the Alawis — a secretive, resilient and ancient Muslim sect — have aroused suspicion and animosity, including accusations of religious heresy. More recently they have been tarred with the brush of political separatism and complicity in the excesses of the Assad regime, claims that have gained greater traction since the onset of the Syrian uprising and subsequent devastating civil war. The contributors to this book provide a complex and nuanced reading of Syria's Alawi communities — from loyalist gangs (Shabiha) to outspoken critics of the regime. Drawing upon wide-ranging research that examines the historic, political and social dynamics of the Alawi and the Syrian state, the current tensions are scrutinized and fresh insights offered. Among the themes addressed are religious practice, social identities, and relations to the Ba’ath party, the Syrian state and the military apparatus. The analysis also extends to Lebanon with a focus on the embattled Alawi community of Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli and state relations with Hizballah amid the current crisis.
The Genesis of Syria’s Alawi Community
This chapter presents a complex multifaceted reading of the history of the Alawi community in Syria. It provides an opportunity to interrogate the way in which the religious and the political intertwine and shed light upon the current impasse in the country and the wider region. It examines how the Alawi community came into being, what its beliefs are and to what extent the sect's genesis and dogma have had an impact upon its evolution as a polit…
Alawis in the Syrian Opposition
Opposition to the Asad regime from within the Alawi community has always existed. Given the challenge that certain Alawis pose to the image of a cohesive and unified religious sect, their domination of the security services and insider knowledge of the regime, they have therefore been among the most significant Syrian dissenters. While the regime's opponents in the Alawi community often articulate the same grievances as the rest of the Syrian opp…
Patronage and Clientelism in Bashar’s Social Market Economy
Bashar al-Asad's period in office was marked by an economic liberalisation programme aimed at unleashing competition though not at the expense of social welfare. While presented as a bold, visionary initiative, the programme — like previous rounds of economic reform in the period of Bashar's father — was in fact reactive. The regime understood that Syria's sclerotic, command economy had failed; that the oil revenues that kept it afloat would soon…
Syria’s Alawis and the Ba’ath Party
The Alawis of Syria
Throughout the turbulent history of the Levant the Alawis — a secretive, resilient and ancient Muslim sect — have aroused suspicion and animosity, including accusations of religious heresy. More recently they have been tarred with the brush of political separatism and complicity in the excesses of the Assad regime, claims that have gained greater traction since the onset of the Syrian uprising and subsequent devastating civil war. The contributor…
Chasing Ghosts
This chapter seeks to deconstruct the imprecise Shabiha discourses and shed light on the phenomenon of pro-government militias in Syria. It is crucial to begin with an examination of the etymology and origins of the term Shabiha. The chapter will then explore the process by which such forces have evolved from irregular, local networks into large paramilitary organisations. In conclusion, it argues that while embracing civilian militias and non-Sy…
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The Genesis of Syria’s Alawi Community
This chapter presents a complex multifaceted reading of the history of the Alawi community in Syria. It provides an opportunity to interrogate the way in which the religious and the political intertwine and shed light upon the current impasse in the country and the wider region. It examines how the Alawi community came into being, what its beliefs are and to what extent the sect's genesis and dogma have had an impact upon its evolution as a polit…
Alawis in the Syrian Opposition
Opposition to the Asad regime from within the Alawi community has always existed. Given the challenge that certain Alawis pose to the image of a cohesive and unified religious sect, their domination of the security services and insider knowledge of the regime, they have therefore been among the most significant Syrian dissenters. While the regime's opponents in the Alawi community often articulate the same grievances as the rest of the Syrian opp…
Patronage and Clientelism in Bashar’s Social Market Economy
Bashar al-Asad's period in office was marked by an economic liberalisation programme aimed at unleashing competition though not at the expense of social welfare. While presented as a bold, visionary initiative, the programme — like previous rounds of economic reform in the period of Bashar's father — was in fact reactive. The regime understood that Syria's sclerotic, command economy had failed; that the oil revenues that kept it afloat would soon…
Syria’s Alawis and the Ba’ath Party
The Alawis of Syria
Throughout the turbulent history of the Levant the Alawis — a secretive, resilient and ancient Muslim sect — have aroused suspicion and animosity, including accusations of religious heresy. More recently they have been tarred with the brush of political separatism and complicity in the excesses of the Assad regime, claims that have gained greater traction since the onset of the Syrian uprising and subsequent devastating civil war. The contributor…
Chasing Ghosts
This chapter seeks to deconstruct the imprecise Shabiha discourses and shed light on the phenomenon of pro-government militias in Syria. It is crucial to begin with an examination of the etymology and origins of the term Shabiha. The chapter will then explore the process by which such forces have evolved from irregular, local networks into large paramilitary organisations. In conclusion, it argues that while embracing civilian militias and non-Sy…