Islamic Feminisms in Iran

We are pleased to present you with our latestissue of Al-Noor. Since our journal’s inception in2008, we have worked to shed light on the aspects of the Middle East that are left out of the spotlightof mainstream academia and media. Our previous issues have discussed everything from clan politicsin Central Asia to demographics in Saudi Arabia. In continuation of our mission, this current issue addresses a host of diverse topics that well represents this complex region.

Our lead article, The Islamic Feminism Question: Feminisms in Iran, explores the variety of the differenttypes of feminism within Iranian society. As Iran continues to feel the effects of the unrest surrounding last year’s presidential election, this article presents atimely and relevant picture of an important political force at work within the Islamic Republic.

In our second article. the author examines therole of the internet in fostering digital communities among the Coptic diaspora. A sometimes overlooked group within Egyptian society, Copts comprise between 10 and 20 percent of Egyptians. This article examines the organizing power of the internet in giving Copts in the diaspora–in the US and elsewhere–a greater and more coherent voice.

The third article focuses on the role that the British Navy has played in Iranian politics from the 18th century through the reign of the Shah. The article addresses the causes of the Royal Navy’s involvement and surveys the most significant consequences stemming from the long-term British naval presence–In particular the development of Iran’s oil industry.

We are also proud to publish two photo essays, both compiled by Boston College undergraduates from their experiences studying abroad. The first, Islam in Modern Turkey, illustrates the integration of Islam with modernity in one of the most secular societies in the Middle East. The second, Qat, examines the cultural, economic, and social role of qat, a leafy green plant with narcotic properties, plays in Yemen.

Additionally, we are pleased to include two pieces on education: a feature article on the relationship between Massachusetts’s Deerfield Academy and King’s Academy, in Jordan, and a viewpoint articlefrom a recent Boston College graduate teaching English as a Fulbright scholar in Turkey. Both articles illustrate the complexity of adapting Western educational models to Middle Eastern settings. King’s Academy provides an example of successfully emulatingan American model, while the description of the Turkish system demonstrates the complications of a European-based structure.

Finally, this issue marks the departure of thefinal founding members of Al-Noor. Their hardwork 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. Don’t worry guys, you’ve left the journal in good hands!

We hope that this latest edition continues to furtheryour interest in the Middle East and encourages you to explore the lesser-known aspects of this fascinating part of the world.

Sincerely, Alex Guittard ’11
Editor-in-Chief

Brooke Braswell ’12
Managing Editor

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.

Another article focuses on the complexities of clan politics in Uzbekistan. As our first piece on Central Asia, this article expands our body of literature to include the politics and societies of a frequently under-discussed part of the world. For our photo essay, we have chosen to illustrate the physical spaces that represent the different aspects of Jordanian national identity. By not focusing on images of the people who inhabit these places, this essay examines the backdrop around which Jordanian identity is formed.

We continue by looking at the evolution of the popular historical views of Saladin, one of the most important leaders of the Crusades. This piece examines the construction of different images of Saladin for political and religious reasons. We then turn, for the first time, towards the Arab-Israel conflict, specifically towards the international legal implications of the use of cluster munitions in the 2006 Hezbollah- Israeli War. However, rather than focusing specifically on the conflict, the article advocates the application of international law to limit the use of cluster munitions around the world. These pieces are also the first by non-Boston College students, a trend that we hope continues in the future.

Finally, we are expanding our features. In our viewpoints section, we are thrilled to present an article by Lydia Khalil, a distinguished young alumna of Boston College and a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. She describes how demographic shifts are changing the internal political dynamics of Arab countries throughout the wider Middle East. Additionally, in an effort to further the reader’s experience beyond the pages of this journal, our editors have compiled a list of recommended books for those seeking to broaden their perspective on the region. Ranging from fiction to nonfiction, our list is accessible to both newcomer and expert alike.

We hope that this edition continues to further your interest and challenges your perspectives of the wider Middle East.

Cordially,

Michael Weston-Murphy ’10
Editor-in-Chief

Alex Guittard ’11
Managing Editor