Christian-Muslim Relations in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring - by Anna Hager (Paperback)

About the Book

Uses 'The Innocence of Muslims' controversy as a starting point for exploring Christian-Muslim relations in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.

Book Synopsis

This book uses 'The Innocence of Muslims' controversy as an entry point into the study of relations between Christians and Muslims in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. Instead of dismissing the condemnations and joint reactions as shallow and ritualised displays of solidarity, Anna Hager argues that they offer insights into the mechanisms of Christian-Muslim relations. Christians and Muslims, including Islamist figures, channelled the potential violence - turning it into an occasion to strengthen inter-communal relations and, crucially, their own positions.

Review Quotes

Anna Hager's book Christian-Muslim Relations in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring. Beyond the Polemics over 'The Innocence of Muslims' is a significant contribution to the field of Oriental Studies, offering a methodical solution to a complex question: how do we understand the nuanced dynamics between Christian and Muslim communities in the wake of transformative political events? By focusing on the reactions to the controversial 'Innocence of Muslims' video, Hager brings new insights that challenge conventional wisdom and provide a richer understanding of agency, rhetoric, and power in the Middle East.--Marta Woźniak-Bobińska

Christian-Muslim Relations in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring offers timely reflection on the character of relations between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. Based upon a wide range of sources skilfully deployed, Hager seeks to describe how society assuages violence, reframing Muslim-Christian relations at moments of tension around Christian agency and the constraints on radical Muslim actors, thus allowing for a dynamic and complex web of political factors to strengthen their relations and respective religious statuses. Hager offers much to ponder in considering the Christian-Muslim encounter today.

--Anthony O'Mahony, University of Oxford