Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2023, Philosophy

This paper examines the interaction between politics, Islamic law, and state governance by challenging Wael Hallaq's thesis on the inherent incompatibility between the modern state and Islamic law. I support my analysis by employing theoretical critiques and various case studies, and by drawing on the relationship between Islamic law and state governance in colonial and postcolonial Sudan. I also demonstrate the role of aesthetic expression in developing Islamic political sensibilities, the formation of moral Muslim subjects through rituals and practices, and the significance of vernacular politics. Furthermore, my paper highlights the limitations of studying the Islamic state by focusing exclusively on the writings of Islamist intellectuals and on Western political categories. This thesis demonstrates the potential for more diverse and creative modes of Islamic governance within the framework of the modern state, despite the contradictions that come with such an endeavor.

Committee: Ovamir Anjum (Committee Chair); Benjamin Grazzini (Committee Member); Jeanine Diller (Committee Member) Subjects: Middle Eastern Studies; Philosophy; Political Science; Religion

Master of Arts (MA), Wright State University, 2014, International and Comparative Politics

From the 1970s to the 1990s, Western European democracies embraced multiculturalist public policy (MCPP). This was in an effort to address and accommodate the minority rights of immigrants who found their way to Europe during its post-WWII labor force recovery. By the mid-1990s, there was a backlash against such policy and movement towards integrationist values. This has been exacerbated in the wake of radical Islamist terror attacks like those of 9/11, the London 7/7 bombing, and the Paris Metro Bombings of 1995. Attention has been focused on the threat, incidence, and causal factors of homegrown jihadism within Europe. The research presented here will analyze the degree of MCPP adopted in specific European Union member states and their incidence of radicalization in an effort to determine the strength of the relationship between the two.

Committee: Liam Anderson Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Vaughn Shannon Ph.D. (Committee Member); Carlos Costa Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: International Law; International Relations; Political Science; Sociology

BA, Oberlin College, 2011, Anthropology

This paper explores the perceived incompatibilities between human rights discourse and traditional values in the Middle East and North Africa. After reviewing relevant literature and concepts, it posits that this conflict is the result of social, political, and economic factors within a historical context and suggests using capabilities approach forwarded by Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen as a tool for better understanding and implementing human rights in the region. Rather than see culture as an adversary, this approach explains the potential of culture and religion in resolving ideological conflicts, especially for ambiguous human rights. This paper presents veiling, gential cutting, and democracy as examples of vaguely defined human rights and posits that the capabilities approach is uniquely equipped to navigate its role in cultural politics and human rights discourse.

Committee: Baron Pineda (Advisor) Subjects: Cultural Anthropology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2008, Urban Studies and Public Affairs

Articles and books have been written on the phenomenon of Islamist terrorism. Most of these writings focus on some specific aspect of terrorism or the terrorist perpetrators; terrorist methods, their ideology, education level, societal hardships, etc. Much less exists that examines the terrorist phenomenon as a complex system of interlocking factors and players each with its own separate influences, motivators/precipitators and interdependent relationships. The present study sought to address this gap by looking at terrorism not as a single phenomenon (i.e. the terrorists), but rather as a system composed of terrorist perpetrators, organizers, instigators, sponsors, local societies and observer/targets. It is suggested that terrorism is an interdependent system of variables and players and that a more complete understanding of the terrorist phenomenon can be gained by looking at it in a complex system manner. Data was gathered by 50 open-ended face to face interviews with researchers, policymakers and those with firsthand knowlege and experience in the societies and countries where Islamist extremism arises. The following research questions were addressed: 1)What are the elements of the larger system from which Islamist radicalism and terrorism emerge? 2)What are the characteristics of each of the elements of this system? 3)What trends are evolving within this system? 4)What are policy recommendations that would strengthen moderation and weaken extremism within the various elements within the system? Based on the results, policy recommendations were made and models were constructed of the larger system (political, cultural, religious, etc)within which Islamist extremism, radicalism and terrorism arise.

Committee: Raymond Cox PhD (Committee Chair); Sonia Alemagno PhD (Committee Member); Ralph Hummel PhD (Committee Member); David Cohen PhD (Committee Member); Lawrence Keller PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: International Relations; Political Science; Public Administration; Social Psychology; Sociology

Bachelor of Arts, Ohio University, 2013, Political Science

This thesis analyzes the political agency of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and Tunisia's Ennahda through a side-by-side comparison of each organization's political development. It begins with a review of the historical development of each group in order to examine why each group has developed so differently. The second chapter examines the role of each group in the context of the Arab Spring and how each group did in the post Arab Spring elections. The final chapter investigates how Ennahda and the Brotherhood have governed since their ascendance to power while analyzing how each group's moderation has influenced their political agency.

Committee: Brandon Kendhammer (Advisor) Subjects: International Relations; Islamic Studies; Middle Eastern Studies; Political Science