 Islamic Feminisms in Iran
We are pleased to present you with our latest issue of Al-Noor. Since our journal’s inception in 2008, we have worked to shed light on the aspects of the Middle East that are left out of the spotlight of mainstream academia and media. This issue marks the departure of the final founding members of Al-Noor. Their hard work and contribution to the scholarship of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies will be sorely missed, but their work will go on for years to come. We hope that this latest edition continues to further your interest in the Middle East and encourages you to explore the lesser-known aspects of this fascinating part of the world.
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 Imperial Ego and the Suleymaniye Kulliye
This publication, our third in as many years, continues our mission to expand the discussion of the Middle East and the surrounding regions. Rather than engaging in the often-overplayed debates in both scholarship and popular media, this issue seeks to shed light on lesser known, but equally important, topics. Our lead article explores the Suleymaniye Kulliye mosque complex in Istanbul, a reminder of the great Ottoman architectural legacy that still permeates the region. We hope that this edition continues to further your interest and challenges your perspectives of the wider Middle East.
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 The New Face of the Middle East
The second issue of Al-Noor brings these stories out of the shadows as people within other Middle Eastern societies seek political, social and/or economic inclusion. New faces throughout the region are seeking to establish their identity in relation to today’s modernizing world. We trust that these articles and images engage, inform and encourage further discussion about the Middle East and its myriad of cultures, peoples and religions. We hope you will join us in our effort to extend this dialogue beyond these pages as we continue our outreach to universities in the Middle East and around the world.
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 Turkey at a Crossroads
The inaugural issue of Al-Noor examines this crucial
relationship—between “East” and “West.” We
hope this journal encourages its readers to develop
a better understanding of the real social, political,
and cultural underpinnings that continue to put the
Middle East at a crossroads. We at Al-Noor, however, want this conversation to reach beyond traditional methods. We encourage any suggestions, questions, comments, and yes,
criticisms. Establishing a journal is an ongoing process,
and we encourage all students to be a part of
this monumental and necessary discussion. We hope you will find Al-Noor a unique and satisfying source of discussion and information.
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