Imams and Emirs

Imams and Emirs is a comparative study of Islamic sects in the contemporary Arab world, in particular those that share the same distinguishing features, including geographical isolation, territorial exclusiveness, intensity of rituals and duality of religious organisation. The book uniquely examines not only dogma, but also the ecological, historical and structural variables that differentiate a religion from a sect, and a sect from a religious community or minority. The conflict and contradiction among Muslims, centring around two poles - the ulama who derive their authority from religious dogma, and the emirs of sultans who base their authority on power and coercion - is explored in great depth. Khuri also addresses issues of religious change, dealing with the interplay between religions, state and nationalism, and discussing the contradictions between modern state structures and the Islamic umma. Already, he argues, some religious concepts are taking on nationalistic meanings.