National identity can be seen as one of the most important factors in the construction and maintenance of a nation. Benedict Anderson emphasizes this importance in his theory of an “Imagined...Show moreNational identity can be seen as one of the most important factors in the construction and maintenance of a nation. Benedict Anderson emphasizes this importance in his theory of an “Imagined Political Community”, whereby a subconscious feeling of belonging is needed within a group in order to establish the existence and continuation of a nation. However, this feeling of belonging is not automatically established, but requires the help of several concepts that can define an identity. Language, culture and history can be seen as three overarching concepts that aid in the feeling of belonging, thereby aiding in the construction of a nation identity felt within a nation. Oftentimes, the state within a nation makes use of these concepts to further emphasize the way its population should feel connected to their nation, and thereby the state. However, while looking at Arab states, entire populations do not necessarily align with state-led views, allowing for the formation of minorities. Two such minorities within Arab states are the Swahili speaking Zinjibaris in Oman and the Nubians in Egypt. While differing in history, as the Zinjibaris have only been present in Oman since the 1960s, and the Nubians since the pharaonic era, each minority is still able to find themselves as minorities within an Arab majority. This thesis thereby focuses on the extent to which each of these minorities aligns themselves with the state-led views on national identity and that of the majority population of each respective country. Each of the minorities is able to negotiate and construct their national identities within the framework of state-led national identity formation in different ways. Keeping the concepts language, culture and history in mind, the Zinjibaris are able to find themselves in the state’s perspective of a culturally diverse Omani national identity. In contrast, the Nubians are not able to find themselves within the Egyptian state-led views of a religiously diverse country, whereby Nubian heritage preservation takes the primary role in the Nubian perspective of national identity. Thus, portraying the difference in the way minorities are able to feel a sense of belonging in their countries of residence.Show less
This thesis analyzes the significance of Palestinian dress, particularly the keffiyeh and tatreez, as symbols of resistance and political identity within the Palestinian community. The research...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the significance of Palestinian dress, particularly the keffiyeh and tatreez, as symbols of resistance and political identity within the Palestinian community. The research begins by defining the key concepts: textile, clothing, costume, dress, and fashion, to clarify its roles and distinctions. It then explores the Ottoman Empire from the 18th century onwards to see how these concepts manifested in society. This builds a good framework to understand uses and transformations better in Palestine, as it was under Ottoman rule for 400 years. This historical framework allows for a detailed analysis into the transformation of Palestinian dress. By analyzing Palestinian dress and its historical transformations and contemporary relevance, the research reveals how the keffiyeh and tatreez function as powerful tools for self- expression and can also become a symbol of solidarity within both the international and Palestinian community. As both the keffiyeh and tatreez have gained international attention, the narrative has shifted from local to global. This research shifts the focus back to its local significance, as the local Palestinian narrative today often remains unseen. Through a case study that analyzes recent image material, the research seeks to understand whether the keffiyeh and tatreez are still relevant in shaping contemporary local Palestinian political identity. The results show that both pieces of political Palestinian dress continue to shape national pride and resistance through national and nostalgic dress, emphasizing its persistent power in the local context despite shifting narratives.Show less
An article by Cameron Mann suggests that the stories of King Arthur and the Arabian Nights are very similar in origin and development. According to Mann, The religious aspects of both stories would...Show moreAn article by Cameron Mann suggests that the stories of King Arthur and the Arabian Nights are very similar in origin and development. According to Mann, The religious aspects of both stories would also be similar. The goal of this thesis is to see if Mann was right. The research question is therefore: what is the role of religion in the stories of King Arthur and the Arabian Nights? The thesis consists of three parts. First a comparison of the origins of both stories, to see if they are actually similar. The second chapter is a deep-dive into the religious elements in the story of King Arthur and their role they play. This will be done by examining different authors, who added different christian elements depending on their historical context. The final chapter is about the islamic elements in the Arabian Nights and how these elements reflect the society of the time the stories were told. The conclusion is that both stories were created in completely different contexts and also that the role of the religious elements are not as similar as Mann suggested.Show less
Dit onderzoek zal proberen om de gevestigde interpretatie van het revisionistisch zionisme bij te stellen, met als centrale vraag in hoeverre deze ideologie overlapt met het fascisme dat gedurende...Show moreDit onderzoek zal proberen om de gevestigde interpretatie van het revisionistisch zionisme bij te stellen, met als centrale vraag in hoeverre deze ideologie overlapt met het fascisme dat gedurende het interbellum opkwam in Europa. Om dit doel te bereiken zullen de belangrijkst elementen van het fascisme en revisionisme onder elkaar worden gezet, waarna een vergelijking zal worden gemaakt. Daarnaast zal ook gekeken worden naar de houding van het revisionisme ten overstaan van fascistische bewegingen en regeringen die gelijktijdig in Europa actief waren, namelijk in Duitsland, Italië en Spanje. Dit versterkt het leidende argument, maar vult ook een grote lacune in het onderzoek naar het revisionisme, waarin vrijwel geen aandacht is geweest voor opstelling ten overstaan van het regime van Franco en de Spaanse Burgeroorlog. Naast academische literatuur zal gebruik worden gemaakt van krantenartikelen uit twee revisionistische kranten. Dit onderzoek zal concluderen dat men de revisionisten, en zeker de radicale vleugel van deze beweging, als zionistische fascisten mag beschouwen.Show less
Andalusian music is performed today all over the Mediterranean and beyond. Why? There is not one kind of music that we can characterize as being from al-Andalus. Jewish and Christian peoples had...Show moreAndalusian music is performed today all over the Mediterranean and beyond. Why? There is not one kind of music that we can characterize as being from al-Andalus. Jewish and Christian peoples had musical traditions before the arrival of the Muslims, who brought along musicians from the East. There was reciprocal influence between traditions, but likely there remained separate identities to a certain extent. From the 15th century, great numbers of Jews, Muslims, or converted people were forced in different installments to leave the Iberian Peninsula. These people brought along elements of their home culture to their new destinations. This forms the basis for most contemporary traditions of Andalusian music. These traditions and their different claims on the identity and purpose of the music, provide telling insights into the narratives on Andalusian music of today. For this reason, I discuss a handful of primary sources, discussing either performances of Andalusian music or ensembles of Andalusian music. Three main narratives emerge, the first being the Islamic Golden Age narrative. It looks back on Al-Andalus as the highpoint of Islamic civilization and culture, and Andalusian music then is instrumentalized as a nostalgic tool and symbol of the ‘ideal’ al-Andalus. The second narrative is that of local heritage. This narrative focusses on the locally cultivated traditions of Andalusian music, that have both a stark regional identity and its own claim to al-Andalus and a certain authenticity. The last main narrative observed is that centered on the European Convivencia ideal, full of nostalgia for a time of peaceful tolerance and collaboration between ‘the three religions’.Show less
The first elections after the anti-establishment Arab Spring protests resulted in a victory for Islamist political parties in a number of MENA countries. This came as a surprise to the West, which...Show moreThe first elections after the anti-establishment Arab Spring protests resulted in a victory for Islamist political parties in a number of MENA countries. This came as a surprise to the West, which points of view are known to contradict Islam with the democracy and civil liberties that the Arab Spring protests called for. It comes as no surprise then that Islamist political success is often contributed to the inclusion of these parties in a pluralist and democratic playfield. Allegedly, this forces them to bargain and negotiate with other actors, resulting in the disappearance of Islamist ideological elements and making them viable options for the electorate. This prominent way of thinking - which has been called the moderation through inclusion theory - is much critiqued for being too shortsighted in its view of political Islamism. That is why this thesis argues in favor of an alternative approach that shifts the focus from the outcome of a period of political transition and whether or not this is moderate, to one that emphasizes the processes and internal and external factors that shape the ideological transformations of these parties. By looking at the most prominent Islamist parties of three countries (Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt) and tracing their historical developments and contexts based on these internal and external factors, this thesis then offers an alternative explanation to the popularity of political Islamism in the first elections after the Arab Spring uprisings.Show less
Een literatuuranalyse over het begrip Genocide en wat hieronder verstaan wordt. Het begrip genocide wordt vervolgens toegepast op casestudie van de Jezidi's
