Abstract
Historians have always looked to literature for insight into how a culture functioned, what it valued, and how its people lived. Today, when studying the Middle East, many would not only read the Qu'ran, but also "The Arabian Nights", the folklore. The paper shows that when we read "Arabian Nights" we understand a great deal more of how the Arabic people actually lived. Perhaps the most evident discrepancy between the teachings of the Qu'ran and the "Arabian Nights" tales pertains to the view and treatment of Middle Eastern women.

From the Paper
"This method of seclusion is dramatically illustrated in The Arabian Nights where we hear the story of the demon that locked his wife in a chest and carried her about as if she were his private property. Yet ironically the authors of the Arabian Nights convey in this same story that not even this extreme could prevent a willful woman from knowing other men."

Tags:koran, sha'aban

Abstract
An investigation of women's rights in Afghanistan. The author examines the rules and laws that women must abide by concerning work, travel and education, punishment and specific difficulties that they encounter such as health care. The paper provides a look at some personal stories.

OUTLINE

I. Introduction
A. Who are the Taliban?
B. Life Before the Taliban

II. Rules
A. May not work
B. Ban on education
C. Travel
D. Contact with males
E. Hiding in home
F. Dress
G. Bathing
III. Punishment
Death for traveling with man not her mahram
Whipping, beating and verbal abuse of women not clothed in accordance with Taliban rules, or of women unaccompanied by a mahram, for having non-covered ankles.
Women have been shot at for leaving their homes without a male escort to receive medical care.
IV. Specific difficulties
A. Employment
B. Health care
V. Personal stories
A. SUMAYYAH KARIMI
VI. Conclusion

From the Paper
"The plight of women in Afghanistan has received much media attention since the start of the United States war on terrorism. This war has focused on Afghanistan because the Taliban government allowed their country to be used as a safe haven by terrorists. While the women of Afghanistan have lived under restrictions unfamiliar to many women living in Western countries, since the Taliban took control of the majority of Afghanistan in 1996, they have been subjected to a series of rules and punishments unprecedented in any other country of the world."

Tags:freedom, rights, treat, power, control, authority, patriarchy

From the Paper
"This research will compare and contrast what it means to have faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The research will set forth the historical and cultural context out of which these three monotheistic faiths emerged and will discuss both convergences and divergences in the belief systems of each religion.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all arose out of the same geographical region, comprising the eastern Mediterranean area and reaching eastward into Asia Minor. Chronologically the first of the three religions, Judaism appears to have been distinguished chiefly by its monotheistic aspect. The monotheistic innovation may not have begun with Judaism. The Amarna period of Egypt, marked by the pharaoh Akhenaten's (also Ikhnaton and Akhenaton, reign 1353-1336 B.C.) establishment of a version of monotheism as sun worship, has been interpreted as a ..."

Abstract
This research paper examines the history, cause, and effect of the Islamic Jihad on the Middle East and how it is viewed by Western countries.

From the Paper
"Jihad has been largely misunderstood by in modern society by Westerners due to media coverage of the extremists actions of a few Middle Eastern Muslims who claimed to be on a holy Islamic jihad. One may ask how one word can mean so much; the answer is that jihad is the striving to translate the Word of Allah into action. "

Tags:islam, koran, holy, passions, will, muhammad, religion, war, Middle, East, politics

Abstract
This paper examines the historical background of the conflict in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel, and notes that while this conflict is promoted in the media as being a relatively ?new? phenomenon that it is actually another stage in an ongoing conflict between these two peoples. Factors that are addressed as contributing to this conflict are those of religion and politics. There is a strong slant towards the Palestinians being unjustly vilified in the media. There is a brief mention of Osama bin Laden and his involvement in the conflict.

From the Paper
"The recent hostilities between the Palestinian and the Israeli people is a negative note in what had seemed to be progress in ending the ongoing conflict between these separate people. Prior to the events of violence that were started once more in the spring of last year, the Palestinian and the Israeli people were apparently working towards a position of peace in the Middle East. However, this was not to be. The existing social tensions between the Palestinian and the Israeli people was too deeply rooted within their histories and cultures to provide a simple solution, which the negotiations that were prevalent at the time were attempting to achieve. "

Tags:accord, arab, arafat, bin, jerusalem, jew, laden, muslim, nations, osama, oslo, united

Abstract
This paper discusses the history, practice and evolution of the Qu'aran and Islam as it relates to women in society. Roles of women, freedoms, rights, and obligations are all viewed both in present times and in traditional Islamic society of centuries ago. The paper shows positive evidence of progress for women in Islamic society, as well as roadblocks yet to be overcome.

Tags:feminism, islam, rights, sociology, studies, women

Abstract
This paper examines what it believes is the appalling plight of women within the Islamic world and reveals that it is not the religion of Islam itself that is suppressing women's rights. It also explores the issue of whether or not the West should intervene in the emancipation of Islamic women. The paper explores the issues of marriage, women's right to work, abuse and rape, modesty and genital mutilation.

From the Paper
"Muslim women worldwide are being suppressed under the guise of the teachings of Islam. The status of the modern-day Islamic woman is truly appalling; a plight of ruthless oppression and denial of universal human rights. However this subjugation of Muslim women to sub-human standing is in direct conflict with the Qu'ranic Laws the Islamic equivalent of the Holy Bible and the foundation of the religion. Instead, what is now prevalent is an incorrect, monolithic interpretation of Islam that is fundamentally oppressive and patriarchical. As such the attention of the West " despite Colonialism's damaging legacy " should now be centered on the emancipation of Islamic women."

Tags:equality, gender, hijab, muslim, oppression, orientalism, polygamy, suppression

Abstract
This paper explores the rise and rapid expansion of Islam during the seventh and eighth centuries, which was primarily due to the multi-faceted appeal of Islam as a way of life and not just a religion. The paper explains the political vacuum that had been created for the Arabs through exhausted and internally dissatisfied neighbors and finally the zeal, tolerance and order in which the Arabs went about their expansion. These factors created an environment in which an expanding and adapting vision of Islam was seen a positive and beneficial force for individuals as well as societies and nations.

From the Paper
"The multi-faceted nature of Islam in the way that in transcended traditional religious boundaries to included moral, legal and social issues broadened its appeal to society and was crucial in the success of its development. As a religion, what was most attractive about Islam lay in the straightforward nature of its beliefs. Unlike other religions of the time, the monotheistic character of Islam presented a unique simplicity that was relevant and applicable to daily life. "The heart of the Islamic faith is the belief in one god who is directly involved in the affairs of humanity" (Voll, 1982:7). Furthermore, through the Koran, it offered a moral code by which people could live their life."

Tags:byzantine, empire, koran, muhammed, society

Abstract
This paper presents some of the proposed Islamic state models, as well as some of the constructs of democracy that attempt to argue the two systems have irreconcilable differences. The paper contends that these analyses tend to overlook elements within both ideologies that appear to parallel or mirror each other, and that might be deemed similar in intent and nature. By examining the spirits of democracy and Islam, this paper identifies some elements within both ideologies that are sufficiently similar to suggest an implicit compatibility between them. Furthermore, the paper contends that certain features commonly observed in democracies that are antithetical to Islam, namely popular sovereignty and secularism, do not actually pose significant obstacles to Islam and democracy being reconciled. Finally, two historical examples in which Islam proved reconcilable with otherwise alien ideologies are described, implying Islam's capacity to embrace ideas that are non-Islamic in origin, and by extension, with ideas located in the democratic spirit.

Outline:
Introduction
A Focus on Structure
The Defining Role of Spirit
Compatibility with Other Ideologies
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper
"The argument that Islam and democracy are irreconcilable ideologies has received a great deal of support. If God is considered the sole source of law, runs the argument, then government 'by the people, for the people' is surely untenable. Abul ala Mawdudi proposed an Islamic governance system he referred to as a theo-democracy, yet rejected democracy itself as the "kind of government in which the majority rules whether its views be right or wrong." A number of scholars point to the poor record of democratisation in the Middle East, North Africa and Muslim-majority countries in general to support the assertion that Muslims are not capable of embracing democracy, or that Islam, in some inherent way, is incompatible with democracy. "

Tags:pluralism, god, allah, arab, nationalism

Abstract
The writer explains that the emergence of Islamic banking is an example of how religion has become subservient to economic needs, and more specifically, how Islam has become subservient to capitalism. The paper explains that although advocates claim that Islamic banking is distinctive from interest rate banking, such methods are merely window dressing - a way for the banks to legitimize themselves. The writer explains that in Shariah, Islamic law, people are prohibited from charging and receiving interest. The paper draws parallels between conventional banking systems and the new modes of so-called interest-free banking. The paper states that Islamic banks have been mimicking conventional banks, pushing for short-term, low-risk investments that are similar in quantity and risk to those obtained by other conventional banks. The writer explains that the methods used to evade interest prohibition include mislabeling interest under the false pretense of administrative costs and delegating puppet banks to alleviate responsibility from Islamic institutions. The writer challenges the advocates of this system who claim that it is Shariah-compliant. In summation, the writer states that it is evident that in the current Islamic system, Islamic beliefs have taken a second place to the capitalist system. Table of Contents: Introduction Lack of Sources for Islamic Banking Same Method, Different Name Murabaha is Not Profit Sharing Using Puppet Banks The Ulama Power Vacuum Advocates Conclusion Bibliography

From the Paper
"During the 80s, Muslim countries such as Sudan, Iran and Pakistan underwent the growth of Islamic banking due to an oil boom and the need for Muslim communities to establish a unique economic presence in the new international economic order (Pipes, 1982:45; cf. ICO: 1982). By 1995, 144 public and private banking institutions had been established claiming to practice "Islamic banking" (Shaik, 1997:118). However, this paper will argue that Islamic banking is conventional banking in disguise. Islamists have merely used the former to bypass religious restrictions to meet their capitalistic needs in a manner that is compliant, and sometimes even not compliant, to interpretations of the Shariah. Such assertions can be supported by examining characteristics of the current Islamic banking system. Nazih N. Ayubi has written about religion being subservient to the state. In this particular case, the evolution of Islamic banking has become an example of Islam being subservient to capitalism."

Tags:capitalism, conventional, koran, shariah