Islam

  • Social policy or religious extremism? - The Case of Isis

    This is the biggest missing link in the media and political debate over the ISIS crisis. Modern Islamist social movements often proclaim that “Islam is the solution” to all the social and political woes of Arab populations. This reflects the...

  • Obama's short respite?

    Obama's short respite? Dr Rana Jawad, MENA Network Co-ordinator for the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research’s view on BBC report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24043751 Syria is not Afghanistan or Iraq or Lebanon. Any military attack on Syria will mean that Iran, Russia...

  • You cannot turn a blind eye to a giant: The relevance of religion to social protection and social welfare in the Middle East

    Religion is a real social and political force in the MENA region and is the source of inspiration for much social welfare activity there. Religious organisations at grass-roots level organise spontaneously and are able to deal with a diverse array of social needs and social problems. They are key to understanding mechanisms of social protection and social integration in the MENA region, and without engagement with them, social policies will not go far in the region. Religious groups of the various denominations all around the world have played a key role in social welfare provision from time immemorial and their contribution to civic life is well recognised. Giving religious groups in the MENA region the chance to share their experience of social welfare provision and speak on behalf of the communities they engage with would be a helpful way forward for developing social policies there.