Islamic Imperialism A History
Islamic Imperialism A History by Efraim Karsh, published by Yale University Press in 2013, presents a critical examination of the historical narrative surrounding the Middle East and the influence of Islam in the region. This revised edition, comprising 294 pages, challenges conventional Western interpretations by arguing that the history of the Middle East is shaped by indigenous trends and the enduring imperial aspirations rooted in Islam, rather than merely a reflection of global power dynamics.
In this book, Karsh delves into the evolution of Islamic imperialism from the mid-seventh century Arab-Islamic Empire to the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing the lasting impact of these imperialist ambitions on contemporary Middle Eastern politics. He posits that events such as the September 11 attacks are manifestations of a long-standing quest for dominance, deeply embedded in the Islamic tradition. Readers will find a thorough exploration of themes related to imperialism, religion, and the socio-political landscape of the Middle East, offering insights into the complex interplay of history and ideology that continues to shape the region today.
Official synopsis Publisher
A fundamental challenge to the way we understand the history of the Middle East and the role of Islam in the region
From the first Arab-Islamic Empire of the mid-seventh century to the Ottomans, the last great Muslim empire, the story of the Middle East has been the story of the rise and fall of universal empires and, no less important, of imperialist dreams. So argues Efraim Karsh in this highly provocative book. Rejecting the conventional Western interpretation of Middle Eastern history as an offshoot of global power politics, Karsh contends that the region’s experience is the culmination of long-existing indigenous trends, passions, and patterns of behavior, and that foremost among these is Islam’s millenarian imperial tradition.
The author explores the history of Islam’s imperialism and the persistence of the Ottoman imperialist dream that outlasted World War I to haunt Islamic and Middle Eastern politics to the present day. September 11 can be seen as simply the latest expression of this dream, and such attacks have little to do with U.S. international behavior or policy in the Middle East, says Karsh. The House of Islam’s war for world mastery is traditional, indeed venerable, and it is a quest that is far from over.
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