Political Islam, Citizenship, and Minorities discusses the relationship between religion and politics in the Middle East and the future of political Christianity. The emergence of political Islam and the recent changes in political Christianity in the region have both contributed to a new perception of the role of Arab Christians. Political Christianity is a part of the political discourse in the Middle East; it makes a major contribution to the political life of the region. This book explores Arab political participation in general and particularly examines the role of minorities. The author considers both the impact of political Islam on politics and the concept of a political system based on religious principles. The Copts of Egypt and the Maronites of Lebanon are compared in order to examine the nature of political participation by Arab Christians, and to consider the political theologies behind both communities. Arabism, as a broad concept that includes Islam and other faiths, is our concern. A new vocabulary and fresh concepts for the effective political participation of Arab Christians are introduced in this book, and a new concept of dynamic citizenship that is based on the development of civil society and learns from the problems of the past is developed.

About the Author
Andrea Zaki Stephanous is the vice general director for program affairs of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services in Cairo, Egypt. He is also the president of Evangelical Churches of the Middle East and the vice president of the Protestant Churches of Egypt. Rev. Dr. Stephanous is a professor of religion and politics in the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo.


Book Information
ISBN 9780761852131
Author Andrea Zaki Stephanous
Format Paperback
Page Count 254
Imprint University Press of America
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 388g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 154mm * 15mm