In this thesis, I examined forms and elements of religiosity among Iraqi Shiite Muslim men who take part in activities organised by the Alcauther Stichting based in The Hague, where I conducted a...Show moreIn this thesis, I examined forms and elements of religiosity among Iraqi Shiite Muslim men who take part in activities organised by the Alcauther Stichting based in The Hague, where I conducted a field research during one year. I attempted to provide answers to the question how the attendees of Alcauther apprehend and apply normative knowledge on Twelver Shiite Islam in their daily lives and religiosity. I found that my respondents sought practical-oriented knowledge to improve their daily religiosity within the circumstances of their daily lives. I also found that they individualise their religiosity in social settings. This individualisation takes the shape of pragmatism, as in some instances, they consciously choose to abstain from applying religious rules because they don’t “fit” into certain social situations. Pragmatism could also be noted in their performance of these rituals due to their professional obligations. Finally, I described and discussed their performance of collective rituals during the month of Muharram.Show less
This thesis looks into the change in leisure activities in the modern Chinese society since 1978 compared to traditional activities during the imperial period (before 1911) and the Maoist era (1949...Show moreThis thesis looks into the change in leisure activities in the modern Chinese society since 1978 compared to traditional activities during the imperial period (before 1911) and the Maoist era (1949-1976) and thereby focus on the concept of leisure, the population involved in leisure and the leisure activities. Furthermore this thesis explores the causes for these developments. Since 1978 leisure activities have become available to a greater variety of people, are more hedonistic and consequently less tied to idealistic goals than they have been before. Leisure has become a matter of the individual instead of the group and is used to define self and image. Driving forces underlying these changes can be found in several factors e.g. rising buying power, more available leisure time, individualisation of society and the opening up of China. This thesis further argues that money has played a big role by the development and coming into existence of these factors.Show less
