Amidst changing notions of religion and identity in the modern Middle East, this book uncovers the hidden story of Ahmad Moftizadeh, the nonviolent religious leader of Iran's Kurds during the Iranian Revolution. The characters of Ayatollah Khomeini and a number of other prominent revolutionaries surface through never before heard first-hand accounts of that era's events. The author further surveys the underlying causes of conflict and extremism today by placing this dramatic biography in the context of a rapidly-evolving region after the First World War. The author's coverage of some of the twentieth century Middle East's most defining events leads him to powerful policy arguments for a region in turmoil.

Presents never-before-heard, first-hand accounts on the role of a pivotal figure in Middle East history Outlines powerful policy arguments for the present-day Middle East Explores why the Kurds have been an unlikely ally against extremist factions in the region Offers compelling insight on religious adherence and nationalism in the Middle East

Autorentext
Ali Ezzatyar is a lawyer and US diplomat. Prior to joining the Foreign Service and the US Agency for International Development, he practiced law at a number of prominent international firms and served as Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Development in the Middle East at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. His articles on the Middle East have been featured in publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Christian Science Monitor ; he has appeared as an analyst on broadcasts such as BBC World, Al Jazeera, and NPR , among others.

Opinions expressed in this book are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the United States Government.

Inhalt
Chapter One- Introduction.- Chapter Two- Sunni, Shia, Kurd: A Brief History of Islamism in Kurdistan.- Chapter Three- The Muftis of Iranian Kurdistan and the Dawning of an Activist.- Chapter Four- Prison under the Pahlavi Regime, and the Lead-Up to Revolution.- Chapter Five- Revolution, Kurdistan, and the Maktab Quran Movement.- Chapter Six- Letters from Prison: The Legacy of a Progressive Islam of Nonviolence.- Chapter Seven- Ethnic and Religious Implications in the Greater Middle East.