Reconstructing Jihad amid Competing International Norms (PDF)

HALIM RANE is the Deputy Director of the Griffith Islamic Research Unit and a lecturer in the National Centre of Excellence in Islamic Studies at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.

"Rane writes with a knowledge and confidence of one who has thoroughly researched his study, engaging in a critical and persuasive analysis of sensitive and complex issues from the history of apartheid in South Africa, Palestinian-Israeli politics, and issues of violence and terrorism. The author's command of Islamic materials is remarkable...Few topics are as important and contested as that of violence and non-violence in Islam and especially that of jihad, its meaning and usages. Despite the importance of this topic in Islam and in Muslim politics today, very few scholars bring the nuances in their analysis and critique that are evident in this study. Rane's analysis of jihad in Islamic religious thought and history is especially impressive, providing a masterful presentation of the history and usage of the term jihad. I can think of few (actually no) presentation that offers so comprehensive an analysis both of the development of the concept of jihad and the major scholarship on jihad" - John Esposito, Professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies, Georgetown University.

"The most impressive aspect of the book is the author's earnest attempt to reconstruct the concept of jihad (which means 'struggle' and is erroneously conceived in purely militarist terms) to include forms of nonviolent resistance that, he argues, would be consistent not only with Islamic scriptural and legal narratives, but with international normative frameworks as well. Drawing extensively on his familiarity with Islamic sources, he suggests that eschewing violence and adopting this new strategy would provide greater moral authority and more substantial political payoffs for Palestinians. The scholarship is rich and meticulous, the writing balanced and restrained, and the proposals bold but reasonable." - CHOICE