{"title":"Books by Ali Akbar","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781474456173","title":"Contemporary Perspectives on Revelation and Qur’anic Hermeneutics","description":"\u003cp\u003eAli Akbar examines the works of four noted scholars of Islam: Fazlur Rahman (Pakistan), Abdolkarim Soroush (Iran), Muhammad Mujtahed Shabestari (Iran) and Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd (Egypt). His study shows that the consequences of taking a humanistic approach to understanding revelation are not confined to the realm of speculation about the relationship between God and humans, but also to interpreting Qur’anic socio-political precepts. The four scholars emerge as a distinctive group of Muslim thinkers who open up a new horizon in contemporary Islamic discourse.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300438946165,"sku":"9781474456173","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781474456173_d4ee1c26-5d00-46b3-8cf2-be6b57d549c1.jpg?v=1786020972"},{"product_id":"9781399517461","title":"Iran’s Soft Power in Afghanistan and Pakistan","description":"This book explores Iran’s soft power in two of its eastern neighbours – namely Afghanistan and Pakistan – in key areas including the cultural, religious, social, media, ideological and educational spheres. It explains what resources and instruments Iran has used to project its soft power in the two selected countries since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, and how Iran’s attempt to increase its reach has been perceived by elites and opinion makers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It therefore offers the most up-to-date examination of Iranian soft power tools and strategies and how they are received in both countries – topics which have not hitherto been fully explored. The book reflects the ideas of local Afghan and Pakistani participants from civil society, government, military, media, academia, think tanks and policymaking, explaining the extent to which research participants perceived Iranian soft power in a positive or negative manner.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56419818439029,"sku":"9781399517461","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781399517461_2a3a5900-8058-41eb-b383-e7e6466e3fef.jpg?v=1786019658"},{"product_id":"9781041173342","title":"Iran's Soft Power","description":"Iran’s Soft Power: Influence Across the Globe provides a timely and comprehensive analysis of how the Islamic Republic has projected its influence through cultural, ideological and humanitarian means across key regions of the Global South. Focusing on the Middle East, Latin America and Africa, this book offers an in-depth examination of Iran’s soft power strategies, including the promotion of religious and political ideology, educational and humanitarian outreach and the use of cultural diplomacy. Drawing on recent examples, it explores how Iranian institutions – such as cultural centres, media outlets and religious networks – have worked to extend Tehran’s global presence beyond traditional military or economic power. The book also addresses the structural limits and geopolitical challenges that constrain Iran’s soft power, offering a nuanced assessment of its reach across different socio-political contexts.   This volume will be of interest to students and scholars of international relations, Middle East studies and global politics, as well as policymakers and analysts seeking to understand Iran’s evolving role in international affairs through the lens of soft power.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56420545659253,"sku":"9781041173342","price":41.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781041173342_34a91180-5677-437a-b6a9-bf4b80eb581d.jpg?v=1786016917"},{"product_id":"contemporary-reformist-responses-to-traditional-shia-discourses","title":"Contemporary Reformist Responses to Traditional Shi'a Discourses","description":"Based on Persian and Arabic primary sources such as seminal jurisprudential works, fatwas, articles and interviews, this book explores how contemporary Shi?ism has broken away from traditional religious discourses. Ali Akbar examines how prominent scholars from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon who operate from within Shi?a tradition have paved the way for new interpretations of Islam in general and of Shi?ism in particular.   The book investigates the extent to which reformist Shi?a scholarship has shifted towards post-Islamist discourses in response to four key areas encompassing theological, social and political issues: relationships between Muslims and people of other faiths, with an emphasis on the concept of ritual purity; freedom of religion; women’s rights; and state-religion relationship and democratic norms. Akbar offers an up-to-date and interdisciplinary examination of contemporary Shi?a scholars’ use of tools and strategies to instigate reform.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57507854647669,"sku":"9781399550376","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-ali-akbar.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}